Rod of Asclepius – Steam PlayTest Sign-Ups
The frontier opens this September.
Rod of Asclepius is a historically grounded role-playing game set in the final decades of the Roman Empire. You play as a Roman medicus, tasked not with conquest, but with healing, exploration, and service. The game focuses on historical storytelling, archaeological landscapes, herbal medicine, and narrative puzzles; all built upon authentic sources and reconstructed with care.
I'm pleased to announce that Steam Playtest registrations are now open. The Playtest will begin in early September 2025 and you can request access today through the game's Steam page. Access will be limited and granted in waves. Feedback gathered during this test will directly inform and improve future development.
What is included in the Playtest
The Playtest contains the Prologue of the game. This segment introduces the core systems of the game in a focused and atmospheric setting. Players will experience a narrative-driven mission structure that combines environmental exploration, herb gathering, character interaction, and historically inspired medical quests.
It is important to note that the Playtest does not take place in Pannonia. The Prologue serves as a self-contained introduction to the world and themes of the game, but it is not part of the main campaign setting.
The full game begins in Pannonia
The full narrative campaign begins in Chapter One, set in the Roman province of Pannonia Secunda in the year 351 AD. From this point on, players will travel across the Danubian frontier, in what is now eastern Croatia. This region’s rich archaeological and cultural heritage plays a central role in the game.
Rod of Asclepius brings to life locations based on historical Roman settlements such as Teutoburgium (Dalj) and Mursa (Osijek). These areas have been carefully reconstructed using archaeological maps, regional research, and museum documentation. The goal is to present not only accurate depictions of Roman frontier life, but also to highlight the tangible heritage of Croatia and its historical connection to the Roman world.
Rooted in history and research
The entire game is developed using original ancient texts and supported by collaboration with historians and archaeologists. Sources include Celsus, Galen, the Notitia Dignitatum, and regional archaeological publications. Historical accuracy is not a theme; it is a foundation. Every tool, herb, wound, and diagnosis is derived from research.
To support this process, the project is guided by a Latin professor and several consulting scholars, ensuring both cultural and linguistic accuracy. The aim is not to romanticize the past, but to explore how ordinary people lived, worked, and endured in the late Roman world.
How to participate in the Playtest
The Steam Playtest will begin in early September 2025 and run for a limited time. To participate, please follow these steps:
Wishlist Rod of Asclepius on Steam
Click the “Request Access” button on the Playtest section of the Steam page
Approved testers will receive access before the Playtest begins
Join the mailing list via Gumroad to receive devlog updates and early news
Thank you for supporting this journey
Rod of Asclepius is a personal and historical project. Whether you are a fan of RPGs, Roman history, ancient medicine, or Croatian heritage, I hope you find something meaningful in this world. Your interest and feedback are deeply appreciated. This game is being shaped not only by research and design, but also by every conversation and suggestion from the community.
Thank you for following. I look forward to sharing more soon.
Albert Gregl
Developer of Rod of Asclepius