Hi everyone,
I’m Raymond. About a year ago, I started Revolving Gear Studios to finally try my hand at making video games full-time. I’ve been a hobbyist developer for years, and I always dreamed of building something bigger and more focused. That’s where this new Action RPG was born: Under a Desert Sun: Seekers of the Cursed Vessel.
The Under a Desert Sun name might sound familiar — it comes from a small VR project I made years ago. I loved the world-building so much that I realized there were still plenty of stories left to tell in that universe.
Why an Action RPG, you might ask? Before starting anything, I thought long and hard about what my first studio project should be. I kept coming back to the games that shaped my childhood: LAN parties with friends, playing Diablo or Titan Quest until sunrise, fueled by coffee and cola. Honestly, I was always more focused on saving the world, while my friends were all about the loot… :P In the end, I couldn’t think of a better reason to make a game than to follow my heart.
So here we are! This demo is an early, polished slice of Act 1 — a first taste of what’s to come, released a few weeks ahead of Steam Next Fest in October.
What you’ll find in the demo:
Fast-paced ARPG combat with two classes: Soldier & Adventurer
Local co-op support (up to 4 players)
A first look at the game’s 1930s pulp-adventure style, story, and atmosphere
What’s not here yet (but will be in Early Access):
The final loot & inventory systems
Online co-op
Later Acts, additional classes, and the full skill card deck
Looking Ahead – Early Access & Beyond
I’ve chosen Early Access very deliberately — for me it isn’t a gimmick, it’s a necessity. I want to use it as it was meant to be: to find passionate players who want to help shape the game, and in full transparency, to help fund further development.
Current status: Right now you have the demo. Later this year, the Early Access release will follow with the same two classes and the whole of Act 1.
The road ahead (next ~2 years): I’ll continue working full-time on the game, adding:
Four more story Acts (main quest + sidequests)
3–4 additional classes, including at least 1 magic-focused character and 2 full melee characters
Online co-op
Full voice acting
And everything else you’d expect from a complete ARPG you can enjoy with friends
And I want to be transparent about our studio’s stance on pricing and content. I know that when you buy Early Access, you’re spending your hard-earned money — often money you also need for essentials in a world where everything has gotten more expensive. That means when you buy Under a Desert Sun, you will get a complete game.
No paid cosmetics
No seasonal passes that demand constant reinvestment
No microtransactions hidden in the corner
The only possible extra cost in the future would be for proper expansions (DLCs), and those will always add substantial content: a new story Act, at least one new class, and a new set of items for every class.
One last thing
This demo is a work-in-progress, but it’s already playable and fun — and I’d really like to hear what you think. Leave feedback, tell us what parts you enjoyed, and if you feel like it, leave a review. Early impressions matter a lot as we head toward Next Fest, but most of all they help me understand what’s working and what still needs love.
Thanks for giving this first adventure under the desert sun a try.
– Raymond @ Revolving Gear Studios