The Smoke & Mirrors update for New Arc Line is now available:

New Arc Line | Smoke & Mirrors Update Now Available

The first major update “Smoke & Mirrors” for the story-rich cRPG New Arc Line includes a new race, playable classes and more, launches today, and includes a new playable race, classes and much more.

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New Arc Line will be part of TactiCon starting on July 17:

New Arc Line | Summer Sale is Over, TactiCon is on the Horizon

Greetings, Magicians and Technologists!

The Steam Summer Sale may be over, but the shopping fever isn’t gone just yet. We’ll give you a week to catch your breath, and then we're going to serve you another discount, as New Arc Line will be a part of this year’s TactiCon event on Steam, starting July 17.

Besides the discount, New Arc Line will also be featured in TactiCon's showcase with a short video about the Smoke & Mirrors Content Update, coming out on the same day.

Smoke & Mirrors Content Update will bring dwarves as a new playable race, two new playable classes, a new quest "Step Behind the Curtain" along with a new location and way more!

We have more surprises up our sleeves. Just keep your eyes peeled, the wait won't be long. Meanwhile, hop on our Discord and introduce yourself to the community. There are a lot of nice people and they don't bite!

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Mortismal Gaming talks about the upcoming major update for New Arc Line - the update will be released on July 17:

New Arc Line - First Major Update

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New Arc Line can be played in German now.

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Couchpotato spotted some news for New Arc Line:

New Arc Line – Open Beta, Discount and More Exciting News!

Greetings, Magicians and Technologists!

We have several pieces of good news for you today! Starting with an update that is bound to delight our German-speaking fans – we have almost finalized the German localization for New Arc Line! However, the process is more complicated than with the other recently added languages, it is possible that some inaccuracies, inconsistencies or mistranslations might have made it through. That's why we would like to ask for your help – we have put the version of the game including the German translation into a beta branch for anyone to try out and report any "language bugs" they find.

If you want to access the localized version, just head to your Steam library, right-click New Arc Line, left-click Properties, left-click Betas and from the drop-down menu select the option "german-beta". Your game will then update to the pre-final version.

Please let us know about any problems with the German version you might find, the best place to do so would be New Arc Line's Discord server, or you can leave your feedback here in Steam discussions as well.

But that's not all the news we have for you today – we are also finalizing the Content Update we teased recently, and we expect to be able to show you actual new gameplay from it in the coming month. For now, let us take just a small peek into the idyllic life in the Mages' Enclave, the new area you will get to explore soon:

And last but not least, to celebrate these new developments, we have put the game on a discount, starting right now – so you can get your hands on New Arc Line with 20% off! But of course, if you still want to wait a while before immersing yourself into our world of magic and technology, we highly recommend putting the game on your wishlist, so you don't miss any new updates!

Thank you everyone who has already embarked on the journey to New Arc in the Early Access version of the game – we are truly grateful and we keep reading all your feedback and wonderful suggestions; we are always thinking about how to implement them! Make sure to keep them coming either here in Steam Discussions, or better yet, on the official New Arc Line Discord server. And if you would like to support the game further, please consider leaving a positive review here on Steam; it has a huge impact!

New Arc Line will get a major update soon:

New Arc Line: A New Magical Adventure Begins Soon!

A new chapter unfolds in the coming update - new places to discover, new allies to meet, and new powers to unleash!

Greetings, Magicians and Technologists!

Today we bring exciting news for all travelers to New Arc - the first major Early Access update is just around the corner, bringing fresh content, new characters, and thrilling gameplay possibilities!

Discover a New Magical Location
Venture into a brand-new enchanted area, full of hidden mysteries and powerful magic. Brave the unknown and uncover what lies beyond the veil as you explore the Mages' Enclave!

New Playable Race: Dwarves
Step into the world anew and observe it through the eyes of a Dwarf character - a race known for their iron will and unmatched craftsmanship, it is these attributes that allow them to excel in many fields of both magic and technology. While they can become proficient in all the various disciplines, in this update, we are starting them off with the two most typical classes for their race, taking advantage of the dwarves' innate strength and resilience.

New Playable Classes for Dwarves*: Steampunk and Hellfire

Steampunk Mechanic: True Juggernauts of Invention. Steam Mechanics tackle every challenge head-on, relying on roaring, coal-powered engines as well as their iron-like willpower. With gear powered by steam and raw ingenuity, they enhance the strength and resilience of their bodies. With each new piece of equipment, they become more and more of a walking fortress. The most adept Mechanics eventually assemble and pilot full steam-driven exoskeletons — towering machines built to smash, crush, and survive anything the world throws at them. When muscle meets machinery, nothing can stand in their way. If you choose the path of a Steampunk Mechanic, prepare to blend technological tradition and innovation, engineering prowess and a sharp tactical mind to fully utilize the many ingenious gadgets at your disposal.

Hellfire Occultist: Channeling dark, burning energies into devastating attacks - a dangerous path for those who dare to walk it, but one that leads to the most destructive arcane powers known to the world. Unleash pure chaos with the most brutal school of magic yet. Hellfire Occultists invoke searing flames and summon demonic forces straight onto the battlefield. They're not the type to flinch from danger or try to negotiate first - they thrive on destruction. Wielding heavy maces, morning stars and similar vicious weapons, these warlocks back up their infernal spells with raw physical might, making sure that if their fire can't get the job done, a crushing blow will. In the eyes of a Hellfire Occultist, might makes right, the ends justify the means, and mercy is for the weak.

[...]

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Splattercatgaming checked out New Arc Line:

Magic and Machinery Collide In a New Fantasy RPG - New Arc Line

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Learn more about the spellcrafting system of New Arc Line:

New Arc Line: The Art of Spellcraft

Greetings, Magicians and Technologists!

Your wish is our command, and based on the poll we ran recently, you have chosen an in-depth look at the Spell Crafting System as the topic of this article. However, before we dive into the lore and gameplay mechanics surrounding this staple of New Arc Line, we would like to announce that the works on the language update we have mentioned previously are progressing at a steady pace - and we will bring Ukrainian, German, Russian and Simplified Chinese subtitles to the game in April, along with some much requested bugfixes and quality of life improvements. And not too long after that, we plan to finalize and release the first Content Update; more details about that coming soon. For now, let's talk about...

Spellcrafting in the World of New Arc Line

Magic and technology in our world currently exist out of balance, with technological progress gradually eroding established traditions. After the creation of the Barrier by Reus, magic became strictly limited.

However, mages refuse to give in and abandon their power completely - they can still remember what it was like to rule the world. In places where magic accumulates in great concentrations, the Barrier weakens, creating reality rifts - unstable areas offering a brief glimpse beyond the Barrier's thin veil, allowing mages to hear whispers from the other side.

Those proficient in the arcane arts can try to listen, recognize and remember magical words emanating from such rifts. These tears in reality are a fleeting occurrence however - once the Barrier senses an attempt to breach it, it instantly seals the rupture. Thus, the knowledge a mage acquires depends on their experience: the more skilled they are, the more magical words they can perceive, comprehend and recall. The size of a rift, or the thinning of reality’s fabric, also depends on the power of the rituals and spells that caused it to manifest.

This is how the art of Spellcraft emerges - the creation and modification of spells using magical knowledge gleaned from beyond the Barrier.

[...]

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Couchpotato spotted a New Arc Line update:

New Arc Line - Development News #1

Greetings, Magicians and Technologists!

While we don’t have a game update ready for you just yet, our team is working tirelessly on new content, and we would like to give you a small glimpse of what's to come to New Arc Line, and shed a bit of light on some aspects of our development process. So first, we will take a look at new character design, then we will talk briefly about localizations and supporting different languages, and last but not least, we will have a small piece of news about our community activities. So let's dive right in, shall we?

New Characters and Monsters in the World of New Arc Line
We are creating unique characters that will become part of an exciting adventure. These include new companions, quest characters of various races and classes, and, of course, dangerous enemies that you will have to face.

Character creation is a complex and fascinating process, which can be divided into several stages. First we begin with the narrative aspect, defining the character's backstory, motivation, and place in the game's world. Then, artists create concept art, visualizing the look and personality of the future hero. Once the concept is approved, 3D modeling begins, bringing the character to life with form, textures, and details. Designers also work on combat mechanics, unique abilities, and visual effects for monsters, ensuring that battles are dynamic and memorable. Finally, animation specialists bring the character to life by creating movement sets that define their behavior. This comprehensive process allows us to create truly unique and unforgettable characters.

[...]

Couchpotato spotted a new patch for New Arc Line:

New Arc Line | New Bugfixing Update is Live!

Greetings, Magicians and Technologists!

Our work on the game is progressing steadily and we are working on setting up regular "progress reports" to keep you in the loop about what the dev team has achieved and showing you some highlights of what's coming to the world of New Arc Line.

However, in the meantime, we have finished another patch with a lot of bugfixes - addressing many issues with sounds, cinematics/dialogues, and most importantly, quest progression, including several instances where objectives could become impossible to complete. We have also managed to better optimise the Harbor Slums area - please let us know if you notice an improvement in performance! The full Change Log can be found below.

Updates like this and continuous improvements to the game would not be possible without your feedback, which allows us to make the game the best it can be for you. That is exactly the reason why we went with the Early Access development mode in the first place; please keep sending us your bug reports, suggestions, ideas and criticism. You can do so here on Steam in the Discussions, but the best way is to join the New Arc Line Discord server, where you can chat with other fans as well as the devs!

Full Change Log:

[...]

The Early Access title New Arc Line got a patch:

New Arc Line | First Early Access Patch is Live Now!

Greetings, Magicians and Technologists!

We are delighted to let you know that the first patch for New Arc Line that we promised you has now gone live! Please note that this is not yet one of the big, Early Access Content updates, although we are already working on that too; and we will soon share more detailed info about the new classes, companions, quests and other content and changes you can look forward to (and when to expect them). However, we have been able to bring several heavily requested features, improvements and fixes, as well as a bunch of smaller ones into the game already.

Among the highlights are improvements to the save game system, which also improve performance and remove stuttering caused by having too many saves; adding separate volume control sliders for SFX and music; improved path-finding for Mick, so he doesn't get stuck; fixed many visual and other bugs, and also added a more convenient way to send us logs when the game crashes, making future bugfixing easier for us. We have also made small improvements to the way the world reacts to player choices, which is something we will focus much more on throughout Early Access. You can read the full Change Log at the end of this article.

We would like to thank all our players for the support and feedback we've received so far! It is truly heart-warming to know that you enjoy the game and that you care about it; please keep sending us your bug reports, suggestions and ideas. You can do so here on Steam in the Discussions, but the best way is to join the New Arc Line Discord server, where you can chat with other fans as well as the devs!

There is one more reason for us to celebrate - you have voted us into the Top 100 Indies of the Year on IndieDB! We are at the very beginning of our Early Access journey and we understand there is a lot of work ahead of us to make New Arc Line worthy of any higher praise; but we encourage everyone to browse through the Top 100 list and vote for your favorites - it's a great way to support indie developers and discover new and interesting games!

Full Change Log:

[...]

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PC Gamer checked out New Arc Line:

Steampunk CRPG New Arc Line turned me into a murderous, drug-addled inventor with a giant assistant, and despite its rough edges it won me over

The power of its setting and its dense systems make it easier to overlook its missteps.

As a CRPG fan of a certain vintage, I have a lot of fondness for Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines developer Troika's fantasy steampunk RPG. But it's now over two decades old, and still incredibly rough around the edges (and, frankly, everywhere else), so it's not the most playable RPG romp in 2024. Which is why I found myself eager to play New Arc Line, another fantasy steampunk CRPG, which recently launched in early access.

OK, so here's the deal: Magic used to rule the world, but that was something of an issue for most people. Reality was constantly in flux, and it turns out that kinda gets in the way of just living your life. But the Big Bad Sorcerer running the show was brought down by a hero - they do love to meddle, those heroes—which ushered in a new age of progress and technology. Magic is still hanging around, but it isn't really trusted.

[...]

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Wccftech checked out New Arc Line:

New Arc Line Hands-on Preview – A cRPG Full of Potential

Considering the style of game that New Arc Line was shaping up to be, it had some pretty big boots to fill. I wasn't sure what to expect with my time with New Arc Line, but I found that for the vast majority of my playthrough of the cRPG that is now available in early access, I was pleasantly surprised. The game has a lot of potential but still needs just a little bit more fine-tuning to really make it shine.

Diving into the game, you are greeted with character creation, as with any proper roleplaying game. While it doesn't quite live up to the extensive customization options featured in Baldur's Gate 3, there is enough variety to still make your character yours. What I found disappointing was the chance to choose between only two classes. Whether this was just for this early access or a permanent feature, I'm unsure at the moment. Regardless, instead of choosing the tech themed class, I went for the Voodoo class. Anything with magic or necromancy is always up my alley, and I won't pass up an opportunity to play it. The other main gripe I had with character creation was the inability to zoom in on your character's face, meaning you can't tweak the fine details exactly how you'd like.

[...]

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Learn more about the next steps of New Arc Line:

New Arc Line's First Steps in Early Access & New Translations Poll

Greetings, Magicians and Technologists!

We’re thrilled that you finally get to play the Early Access version of New Arc Line, and we are humbled and grateful beyond words by the positive reactions we've seen so far! We are also excited about what lies ahead - this launch is just the beginning of a collaborative journey with you, our fans and players. Your insights not only help us refine the game but also inspire us to explore ways to meet your expectations quickly and efficiently. As a side note, if you are experiencing technical issues with the game, please make sure all your drivers are up to date. We have seen many problems solved by a simple driver update!

Early Early Access Plans
In the Launch announcement, we have mentioned the plan to release big content updates as well as smaller patches throughout the Early Access period; and we have already noticed requests and suggestions we can fulfill in the short term, in such small updates. These are not just bug fixes, but also quality of life improvements - we will have more information for you soon. We are evaluating the needed development time and setting priorities at the moment.

About Localizations
Among the most frequent requests, and definitely not falling into the "small features" category, are additional localizations. We understand how important it is for you to be able to enjoy the game in your native language. However, full localization during Early Access is problematic, due to the constant updates and changes to the game. Adjustments to text, mechanics, and features require significant resources, which are better allocated to core development during this phase.

For the full release, we aim to deliver professional translations for the following languages:

• Ukrainian
• Spanish
• German
• French
• Simplified Chinese
• Russian

These translations will ensure high-quality localization at launch, providing an enjoyable experience for a wider audience.

[...]

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CGM checked out New Arc Line:

New Arc Line Hands-on Preview - Welcome to the New Age

With a name like New Arc Line, I genuinely didn’t know what kind of game to expect. While it’s true you can’t judge a book by its cover - or a game by its name - a title really is supposed to give you some idea of what to expect. Animal Well is about a well full of animals. Lies of P is about a guy named P telling lies. But New Arc Line? As far as I could tell, that could be a subway building sim.

I’m only joking of course, but one of the things I always enjoy about doing these previews is getting to be surprised by things I was mostly unaware of. While, based on a few screenshots, I assumed New Arc Line was a kind of tactical turn-based game akin to XCOM or Fire Emblem, it’s actually a full-on RPG pulled straight from the tabletop and adapted to a videogame. 

[...]

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The Steampunk RPG New Arc Line will be released into Early Access today - here are some previews:

ACG: DISCO Meets Arcanum in THE SHOCKING New Arc Line! - Preview | Impressions

Mortismal Gaming: Check Out: New Arc Line (Early Access Impressions)

WolfheartFPS: New Arc Line Early Access Gameplay (RPG Inspired by BG3 & Arcanum?)

Learn more about technology in New Arc Line:

New Arc Line: The Bright Future of Technology!

Greetings, Magicians and Technologists!

Previously, we have talked at length about the role of magic in New Arc Line, and it's high time we discussed the role technology plays in our world and its future. After all, imposing steam-powered exoskeletons, weird, crackling tesla-powered weapons or ultra-reliable diesel engines can be just as enchanting as any magical incantation! But not all in the world of New Arc Line is shiny and running like clockwork, despite the engineering and scientific elite ruling it.

The Rise of Technologists
We will not repeat our history lecture about the Weavers and Reus the Lawbringer and how he made scientific progress possible - you can read all about it in "A Brief History of Magic." Suffice to say, after the Mago-Technology wars, science and engineering became the ruling principles. This triumph catapulted the Technologists to power, and nothing stood in the way of industrialization and inventors becoming the new sorcerers, the ones shaping the world and society alike. Steamboats took over the seas, zeppelins conquered the skies and wands and magical staves were surpassed by guns, grenades and other technological implements of death.

[...]

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The tactical RPG New Arc Line will be released into Early Access on November 26:

New Arc Line is Coming to Early Access on November 26, 2024!

Greetings, Magicians and Technologists!

We have some big news for you today: New Arc Line will release in Early Access on November 26, 2024!

We’ve been contemplating this decision for some time, but the feedback from the Steam Next Fest demo has been so invaluable that we’ve chosen to opt in for the Early Access launch model. Simply put, we want to work closely with you, our fans, to make the full version of New Arc Line a truly unforgettable RPG experience.

[...]

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The demo of New Arc Line got an update:

New Arc Line Demo Update is Live!

Greetings to both Technologists and Magicians!

We are tremendously excited by the interest you've shown in the New Arc Line Demo, which is currently available during Steam Next Fest, until October 21.

We are closely watching both our Discord server and Steam discussions for all your feedback, and thanks to you, we've been able to implement an update to the demo version - so please keep all the comments and constructive criticism coming, it is truly invaluable for the further development of the game!

The update fixes the issue with lagging dialogues many of you have reported, and we've managed to improve the overall optimization; thus the game should run smoother for you now, although that will of course vary based on your individual PCs. Rest assured, we will keep working on improving the optimization before we launch the game.

We hope to see you in the demo soon!

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A demo is available for New Arc Line:

New Arc Line Demo Available in Steam Next Fest

Greetings, Magicians and Technologists!

We have excellent news for you today - we are excited to announce that New Arc Line is joining the Steam Next Fest with a free demo, available from today until October 21 - so make sure to jump in right now to get your first chance to explore a world where Technology is at constant odds with Magic!

As many of you have noticed, several journalists and influencers have tasted a sample of the game already and have shared their initial impressions (for example PCGamesN.com, SplattercatGaming, MortismalGaming or TheGamer.com). The demo version you can get your hands on right now is different, however, so even if you had read and watched the previews, it will not spoil your experience at all!

You will get to select from 2 classes and play as either a Voodoo Shaman or a Diesel Engineer of either the Human or Elven race. The events of the demo take place a little further on in the main storyline, in a small part of the Harbor Slums - you will be tasked with investigating the Leprosarium and find out why a doctor is not making her rounds, helping the poor community afflicted by the deadly Iron Plague epidemic (find out more details about the disease in our previous devlog).

We are really looking forward to seeing what you think about the short demo, and what choices you will make! Come let us know here in the comments, in the Steam Discussions, or better yet, come chat with the devs as well as fellow fans on the New Arc Line Official Discord server. We are also preparing more surprising announcements for you very soon - don't forget to wishlist and follow the game so you are always up to date!

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Mortismal Gaming checked out New Arc Line:

New Arc Line - Early Preview

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Learn more about magic in New Arc Line:

New Arc Line: A Brief History of Magic

Greetings, Magicians and Technologists!

Today we want to tell you more about magic and its place in the world of New Arc Line. As we have told you previously, there’s a duality to our world - a simmering conflict between technology and magic. And even though technologists have the upper hand at this point in history, becoming a magician can still grant you awe-inspiring powers. So, let’s peer into the magic’s glorious past, and then see what its present has in store for you as well.

Glory Days of the Arcane Arts
In days long gone, magic and its practitioners ruled the world; and the most talented and dedicated mages could challenge and overcome the very laws of reality - imagine making a waterfall flow upwards, or constructing actual Penrose stairs leading to someone’s house. The most powerful among the arcane practitioners, those achieving the absolute pinnacle of magical excellence and performing true miracles, became known as the Weavers - godlike beings whom others worshipped and followed.

The Weavers' power was almost limitless; they weren’t just wielding magic, they were its very embodiment. With a wave of their hand, the world could change, and they ruled it without opposition. It was brimming with wonders and mysteries, but also teetered on the brink of chaos, and regular people were nothing more than shadows to the powerful sorcerers, just pawns in their grand games.

But a hero arose - Reus the Lawbringer, who wanted to bring justice and balance to the world, and while the sorcerers were blinded by their own grandeur, he worked in secret and discovered the true source of their power; he managed to erect a barrier that severely limited the power of magic and with that decisive act, caused the downfall of the Weavers. This event allowed technology to develop and thrive, bringing prosperity to the people, allowing them to shape the world by non-magical means.

Unfortunately, while magic no longer impeded technology, this only turned the situation around - as it was the spreading of new mechanical inventions that was now causing magic to fade even further from the world. And with harmonious coexistence an impossibility, the Mago-Technology Wars became inevitable - bloody and devastating conflicts from which the technologists emerged victorious, solidifying their status as the ruling class today.

[...]

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Learn more about the Iron Plague in New Arc Line:

New Arc Line: The Iron Plague Explained

Greetings, Magicians and Technologists!

We are excited to share with you more details from the lore of New Arc Line - the inciting incident, and underlying cause of the game’s story, in fact! The protagonist sets out on a journey to save their family, and their whole village, from a terrible affliction known as the “Iron Plague.” On your quest, you will encounter many obstacles and other adventures and pursuits you can choose to undertake; but the Iron Plague is an integral, ever-present part of the game’s world. That’s why we would like to tell you more about it now.

The Plague’s Origins
No one fully understands how the Iron Plague came to be, how it spreads or what exactly causes it. What is known is that it began spreading after the Mago-Technology Wars. Scientists believe it to be a result of the clash between magic and technology, manifesting directly inside living beings. Even though technology has long dominated the country, the Iron Plague continues to devastate all sentient races.

A Deadly Disease
The sickness causes a person's skin and internal organs to sprout growths composed of iron. Once infected, one can only wait for their inevitable end – the Iron Plague is universally fatal, and nobody has found a cure. Even the transmission methods are not fully understood; still, many communities choose to isolate their sick in a vain attempt to stop the plague from spreading.

Inequality and the So-Called Treatment
There is one remedy that can at least slow down the progress of the disease, but it is extremely rare and expensive, only the rich can hope to obtain it – dragon blood. It is a cruel and deeply ironic twist of fate that a magical substance is the only hope for life that a wealthy technologist has. For those who can't afford such luxuries, the government pretends to control the epidemic. It even tells panicked citizens that they are being treated – all lies, of course. In the game, hospitals have separate blocks for plague patients, and there's even a fully separated Leprosarium. In these institutions, automatons are used to… Provide care to patients.

Mages or Technologists? Indiscriminate Killer
Our main goal was to highlight the game's core conflict: the clash between magic and technology and class inequality. We focused on how both groups react to the epidemic, possible clashes, and the myths surrounding the disease. In the slums, you can hear all kinds of dubious gossip about the Iron Plague. Irritated technologists blame the mages, while desperate mages look for unlikely cures or simply escape reality with an illicit drug made from pixie dust. The truth is, the disease doesn’t discriminate and kills members of both groups equally – yet not even this great equalizer is enough to bridge the chasm between the distinct social groups and make them work together. And when we say “indiscriminate,” we mean it - even the player character may get infected and feel the effects of the plague.

Inspiration and Narrative Purpose
We drew inspiration from medieval epidemics such as the Black Death, particularly conceptually - the visuals, crafted by our artists, blend classic steampunk aesthetics with reimagined looks of plague doctors and patients. Narratively, we wanted to infuse the game with a sense of uncertainty and anxious anticipation in society;. To that end, the ongoing Iron Plague epidemic serves as a catalyst, highlighting the many other problems inherent in New Arc’s society.

Thank you for joining us on this brief foray into the world of New Arc Line – we hope you enjoyed it! We will soon share even more details from the development of the game. Until then, we will be glad if you share all your questions or even speculations about the Iron Plage here in the comments, the Steam Discussions, or better yet, join the official New Arc Line Discord server! We do reserve the right not to give any spoiler-containing answers though, of course.

And don't forget to wishlist & follow the game here on Steam, so you stay up to date on all news and announcements!

Until next time!

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Couchpotato spotted two previews for New Arc Line:

TBL: Magic Meets Technology In Isometric RPG New Arc Line – Story Trailer

WCCFtech: New Arc Line Gamescom First Look and Q&A – A cRPG About Magic vs Technology

New Arc Line | Story Trailer

Mortismal Gaming checked out New Arc Line:

New Arc Line - Initial Details

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Yemeth spotted a story trailer for New Arc Line:

New Arc Line | Story Trailer

Set during the gilded age of magic and technology, New Arc Line welcomes players to a troubled world: The New World looms on the horizon, the shining city of progress, and the last beacon of hope in your search for a cure to your family's fatal disease.

But you will soon discover that the city's beauty runs only skin-deep; tensions growing between different factions in the world of arcane magic and steampunk gadgets, the rich exploiting the poor, the humanoid hunting the monstrous, and in the middle of it all you, a stranger in a strange land, unaware of the role you have to play in shaping the future of this world... Which side will you choose? What will you become?

GamingBolt talked with Creative director Vladyslav Dobrovolskyi about New Arc Line:

New Arc Line Interview – Setting, Combat, Player Choice, and More

Creative director Vladyslav Dobrovolskyi speaks with GamingBolt about Dreamate's upcoming RPG.

A vivid setting that blends fantasy and steampunk, a world rife with commentary on very real issues, choice and consequence mechanics to allow players to shape their own story, combat and progression systems inspired by genre classics- based on what we’ve seen of it so far, Dreamate’s upcoming CRPG New Arc Line is making some very intriguing promises that, as a fan of RPGs, you’re going to find tough to not be excited by. Due out later this year for PC and consoles, New Arc Line seems to have all the elements in place to deliver a memorable experience, and to learn more about what will make it tick, we recently reached out to its developers with a few of our questions. Below, you can read our interview with creative director Vladyslav Dobrovolskyi.

[...]

New Arc Line’s part-fantasy, past-steampunk setting is looking quite fascinating, even if it’s just its genre-blending aesthetic we’re looking at. What served as your primary inspirations when coming up with the game’s setting?

For us, it was like traveling back in time, trying to explore the boundaries between different genres while learning from previous successful projects. For example, Planescape: Torment offered players almost endless worlds with unique creatures and ideas that pushed the boundaries of everyone’s imagination. On the other hand, Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura features a world where magic and technology conflict, but somehow coexist to create a complex society with a rich history.

These games showed us how deep you can go into creating a world where every corner is filled with exciting stories. We wanted to create something similar, but with our unique perspective, where you, as an explorer of ancient ruins, discover not only buried treasures but also the forgotten stories they hold.

But we faced a so-called “threshold of entry” into such a complex philosophy. After all, a long time had passed since the release of those games, and many players were used to more familiar, traditional fantasy settings. At that moment, Disco Elysium came to our attention and showed us how to create a clear entrance to an unusual world with the most phantasmagoric solutions, with the main plot revealing itself to you step by step. You seem to start as an ordinary detective, but gradually, the plot unfolds, and you discover more and more intriguing layers of the story. Each new character you meet reveals more and more details about the game world, and each task you encounter allows you to delve deeper into the strangeness of the fictional world.

[...]

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Magic and mechanics don't go along well in New Arc Line:

New Arс Line: Where Magic Meets Steel

"Welcome, travelers from the Old World… and beware!"

You are about to step into New Arc, a city where the arcane and the mechanical don't simply coexist but, in fact, clash in an epic struggle for supremacy; two titans on the edge of a cliff, each trying with all their might to throw the other off. A precarious balance that could be toppled by even a small push from an unexpected direction. Every nook and cranny whispers secrets here, and every step you take could either drown you in trouble or shower you in gold.

Magic vs Mechanics: When Worlds Collide

Forget everything you thought you knew about magic — in New Arc, it's not just a bunch of spells, cantrips and incantations. Here, magic is a faith, a bona fide religion with various branches and sects, each vying to pull you into their embrace. And the technologies? These range from billowing steam engines to bone-shaking electromagnetic gadgets. It will be up to you to select which you master, how you use them to change the world around you, and which side you join. Will you endeavor to make New Arc a technologists' utopia or help the magic users reshape it into a haven for the arcane arts?

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You can join the alpha phase of New Arc Line:

Wanna Be the First to Play New Arc Line? Closed Alpha is Coming!

Greetings, esteemed Mages and Technologists alike!

Excuse our short period of silence, we have been tinkering with the technological marvels of game development. And you know how easy it is to lose track of time like that, it's almost like being under some kind of a spell.

Either way, this absolute laser-focus on work allowed us to make great strides forward in making New Arc Line. While the game is by no means ready yet for the full public spotlight, we will be running a closed, private playtest soon. We are at a stage when we need to gather feedback from a smaller group of players and fans, and we want you to be a part of it!

If you would like to be present even in these early development stages and leave your mark on New Arc Line, we cordially invite you to join Fulqrum Publishing's Champions program - this will allow you to play the alpha version of our game soon, when we start our closed playtest. Just send an e-mail to champions@fulqrumpublishing.com and they will prepare you to embark to the New World!

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The steampunk RPG New Arc Line has been announced for 2024:

New Arc Line - Official Announcement Trailer

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Couchpotato spotted a devlog for New Arc Line:

What is New Arc Line? | Dreamate Devlog

Wizard Worm presents a spiritual successor of Arcanum -  New Arc Line from the Ukrainian developer Dreamate:

New Arc Line - Arcanum Successor Announced (Party-Based RPG)

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New Arc Line takes place in a fantasy world undergoing a technological revolution, much like the United States' on the brink of the 20th century. It’s a period of disruptive change, of great conflict between the old ways and brand new systems.

Your journey starts in the shining metropolis of New Arc. Millions of immigrants, mages and technologists of various races arrive here by steamboats and zeppelins searching for a better life.

But beneath the golden facade social tensions are mounting, segregation, inequality and corruption runs rampant. The civil war is looming.

A single ambitious immigrant might tip the balance and decide the fate of this world.
Will you rise to the occasion?

In this world, Technology and Magic are incompatible with each other.
One obeys the natural laws, the other rips them apart.

Many paths ahead of you, none of them easy.
What will you choose?