I’m serious though — this is a long one. But I wanted to take this moment to go through this thing entirely. This is, after all, a pinnacle moment I’ve been working toward for more than a year.
About a year ago, I took the plunge and started Revolving Gear Studios to finally go all-in on making games. I’d been a hobbyist dev for years, but I always dreamed of building something bigger and more focused. That’s where Under a Desert Sun: Seekers of the Cursed Vessel was born.
Starting this company was a big decision for me and my family. It meant using my personal savings to start building on a dream. As someone who, up until now, always chose the safe route working in IT, it took quite some courage to take that leap. I want to take a moment here to deeply thank my wife — Defne — who supported me in choosing to do what I dreamt of doing instead of what was safe.
My dearest Defne, I love you and will forever be grateful for your support.
⚔️ Why an ARPG?
After working on many hobby projects — and even in gaming-related companies in my past — I always had the idea in the back of my mind for something bigger. With the push to form a full company and a skillset now honed for both creating and running a business, it finally felt like the right time to bring that vision to life.
I kept thinking back to my own childhood: LAN parties with friends, nights of Diablo or Titan Quest until sunrise. Those games left a mark on me. I was always the one chasing the story while my friends were all about the loot. That mix of adventure and chaos stuck with me, and in the end, following my heart seemed like the only real choice.
ARPGs have always fascinated me because they balance chaos and craft. Every system, every bit of loot, every combat encounter has to fit together — and yet, when it works, it feels effortless. For me, Under a Desert Sun is about chasing that old magic again: the feeling of building your own hero and being part of a story that actually matters.
That’s how Seekers of the Cursed Vessel came to life — a mix of skill, passion, and nostalgia.
Some of you might recognize the name from a small VR project I made years back. I loved that world so much I wasn’t done with it — there were still plenty of stories to tell.
Whether it’s couch co-op, LAN, or sitting at home with a warm cup of cocoa — the best gaming memories I’ve ever had were shared ones. That’s the spirit I want to capture.
So why am I building a game — what defines my drive to do this?
I love gaming. It’s a love that grew through my youth. I remember the first moments behind an Apple II computer, my brother loading Prince of Persia from a floppy disk for me. I remember my first Nintendo, the adventures I had saving my banana kingdom with Donkey Kong and my time-travel journeys in Chrono Trigger (and yes, I still have them 😉).
I remember what gaming was for me — an escape from being bullied, a remedy against loneliness, a way to make new friends, and a way to experience adventure with them.
Look, I had a great childhood — I’m not writing this for tear points. What I’m trying to convey is that gaming has always been more to me than a scoreboard. It’s the most exhilarating form of storytelling I’ve ever experienced, and it forever changed who I am. It will always be part of me.
So how could I not want to contribute to that? How could I not want to tell a few stories of my own — and maybe help a few kids in a basement somewhere, playing LAN, go on a cool adventure 😉
🏺 A World Beneath the Burning Sun
Legends spoke of an artifact that binds the soul of an ancient tyrant — the Cursed Vessel.
Now it has been stolen, and the Heretic King stirs beneath the sands. His undead legions rise again, consuming everything in their path.
As the desert trembles, two unlikely heroes stand against the tide — one soldier haunted by war, and one adventurer driven by curiosity and courage.
This is where your story begins. Beneath the burning sun, in the ruins of forgotten kingdoms, you’ll uncover ancient mysteries, fight cursed armies, and confront powers that were never meant to return.
🎮 So What Can You Play Today (The Demo)
The demo for Under a Desert Sun: Seekers of the Cursed Vessel is now live — and it gives you a first real taste of what this world is all about.
This build features the first two playable classes of the six planned for the full release, and a portion of Act 1 from the game’s four-act campaign. It’s a compact slice of the full adventure — enough to show the core gameplay, atmosphere, and the kind of story I’m trying to tell.
Here’s what you can do right now:
Play as The Adventurer or The Soldier – each with their own weapons, skills, and special abilities.
Explore the opening region of Act 1 – uncover ancient ruins, fight cursed enemies, and get a feel for the tone and pacing of the world.
Team up in local co-op (up to four players) – drop in with friends and share the chaos together.
Experiment with the Skill Card and Weapon Upgrade systems – start shaping your build and see how every choice changes combat.
Play comfortably on PC or Steam Deck – both fully supported, with the Deck serving as one of the game’s performance benchmarks.
It’s a small start, but it’s the real deal — the same systems, visuals, and mechanics that will grow into the complete four-act adventure with six fully realized heroes.
🛠️ Early Access & The Road Ahead
This demo marks the first public step toward the full release of Under a Desert Sun: Seekers of the Cursed Vessel.
The game is being built in clear, well-defined phases, and each one adds meaningful new content — not filler.
🟡 Phase 1 — Early Access Launch (2025)
Act 1 fully playable with story-driven dungeons and open-world exploration.
Two playable classes: The Adventurer and The Soldier.
Local co-op for up to four players.
Skill Card and Weapon Upgrade systems in place.
🟢 Phase 2 — Expanded Acts & Online Alpha
Acts 2 and 3 released, expanding the world and story.
Additional playable classes introduced.
Early online multiplayer alpha available for testing and feedback.
Expanded loot and progression systems.
🔵 Phase 3 — Final Release & Online Full Support
All four acts complete.
All six planned heroes available.
Full online multiplayer support.
Endgame systems and final narrative conclusion.
Polishing, balancing, and final quality pass.
💬 The Philosophy on Pricing and DLC
I’ve seen how the industry has changed — and not always for the better. When I decided to form Revolving Gear Studios, one of my core principles was simple: players should get what they pay for.
That means:
No microtransactions
No “X-bucks” or fake currencies
No pay-to-win mechanics
When you buy a game from Revolving Gear Studios, you own it.
Everything in the game is meant to be earned through play — not purchased through a menu.
In full transparency: I need Early Access to make sure the game can be properly funded and completed the way it deserves.
Early Access here is being used for what it was truly meant for — gathering feedback, involving the community, and securing the resources to keep building without the interference of a publisher that might muddy the vision I’m creating together with players.
That’s why I’ve priced Early Access in a way that helps achieve this goal. The idea isn’t to cut corners or overpromise — it’s to stay independent and make sure Under a Desert Sun becomes what it was always intended to be.
The only potential paid content in the future will be proper story DLCs, and only once the full game is complete. Each of those would add:
One new act-sized story chapter
One new playable class
A host of new items and enemies
My goal is for Under a Desert Sun to remain fair, transparent, and complete — an ARPG that respects your time, your wallet, and your imagination.
🌵 A Final Word
Alright, that’s it. That’s what’s being built — what you can already touch, play, and enjoy with some friends — and very hopefully give feedback on and be willing to buy once Early Access opens.
I can truly say, without shame, that I’m deeply proud of how far I’ve come already. And with your help, we can go many miles further.
I’d like to end by once again thanking my wife Defne, my many friends who’ve supported me, all the testers who’ve gone through the demo again and again, and everyone who’s shared kind and encouraging words during these first steps of development.
I’m deeply looking forward to the future — and well… see you soon, Seekers!
💬 Want to be part of the discussion?
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