First off, we [b]hope you’ll love this game[/b] as much as we loved making it! Trolls vs Vikings was born from our [b]passion for tower defense games[/b] (yes, including a certain plant-based classic). I, as Game Director, played every tower defense game I could get my hands on—until finally the idea came. [b]What if we made our own, infused with Norwegian mythology?[/b] And so, [b]Trolls vs Vikings was born![/b] Unlike most lore, we made [b]the Trolls the good guys[/b], defending their homeland against a [b]Viking invasion[/b]. [img]https://shared.fastly.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/2940040/extras/Trolls_VS_Vikings_Reborn_Steam_Revitalizing_Art.gif?t=1738073369[/img] The game [b]originally launched on mobile[/b], but that was mainly because it was the go-to platform at the time. Soon after, we brought it to [b]Windows PC via the Windows Store[/b], and despite my initial doubts about mouse (and partly) keyboard controls, the [b]player response was overwhelmingly positive[/b]. [b]1.3 million players later,[/b] we know that many of you had a great time with Trolls. But even as the years passed, [b]the Trolls legacy never faded[/b]. [b]New players kept discovering it[/b], despite no major updates. Still, I always felt there was [b]so much more we could have done[/b]—and, more strongly, that [b]the free-to-play model held the game back.[/b] [h2][u][b]A True Premium Tower Defense Experience[/b][/u][/h2] As a developer, I’ve seen how [b]free-to-play models often dilute great gameplay[/b]—designed more for monetization than pure fun. I get why it happens, but this time, with [b]Trolls vs Vikings: Reborn[/b], we’ve had the absolute [b]freedom to focus entirely on player satisfaction[/b]. Just [b]pure, strategic, moment-to-moment gameplay[/b]. Early in 2024, the opportunity to return to Trolls finally came. While [b]most of the original team had moved on[/b], I was able to put together [b]a small but dedicated crew [/b]to rebuild it with me. Our goal was clear: [u][img]https://a.slack-edge.com/production-standard-emoji-assets/14.0/google-medium/2714-fe0f.png[/img][/u] [b]Make the game even more gameplay-focused[/b] [u][img]https://a.slack-edge.com/production-standard-emoji-assets/14.0/google-medium/2714-fe0f.png[/img][/u] [b]Add brutal new difficulties and missions[/b] [u][img]https://a.slack-edge.com/production-standard-emoji-assets/14.0/google-medium/2714-fe0f.png[/img][/u] [b]Remove all the free-to-play clutter[/b] [u][img]https://a.slack-edge.com/production-standard-emoji-assets/14.0/google-medium/2714-fe0f.png[/img][/u] [b]Revamp the upgrade, spell, and evolution systems[/b] [u][img]https://a.slack-edge.com/production-standard-emoji-assets/14.0/google-medium/2714-fe0f.png[/img][/u] Upgrade all the graphics, make all new Vikings and improve animations I wanted to create [b]something I’d love playing myself[/b]—a game that delivers the [b]intensity and challenge that modern tower defenses often lack[/b]. That sounds quite narcissistic, but sometimes as a developer you are your own best target audience. [img]https://shared.fastly.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/2940040/extras/Trolls_VS_Vikings_Reborn_Steam_Pure_Gameplay_Experience_1.gif?t=1738073369[/img] [h2][u][b]What’s New in Reborn?[/b][/u][/h2] If you played the original, you’ll recognize [b]many of the characters and story elements[/b]—but we’ve made some [b]huge improvements[/b]: [list] [*] [b]New music & sound design [*] Revamped art & all-new Viking models/animations [*] Brutal difficulty modefor hardcore strategists [*] Overhauled UI, spell system, and core mechanics [*] Speed-up button for faster-paced action [*] More moment-to-moment tactical decisions[/b] [/list] That last part is important—[b]this version is built for a dedicated Steam audience[/b]. The [b]Brutal mode[/b] in particular is no joke. I’m sure [b]most players will struggle to beat all the levels[/b], but that’s the point! It’s designed to push you to [b]experiment with strategy, spells, and upgrades[/b]—to give that [b]“just one more try” feeling[/b] that makes great strategy games so addicting. (And yes, I personally tested them all over and over and over in multiple configurations. They are tough, but [b]100% beatable.[/b] [u][img]https://a.slack-edge.com/production-standard-emoji-assets/14.0/google-medium/1f608.png[/img][/u]) [h2][u][b]We Want to Hear From You![/b][/u][/h2] That’s enough words for today, but we’ll be back with more posts as we get closer to [b]launch on March 7th[/b]! In the meantime—[b]we’d love to hear from you![/b] [u][img]https://a.slack-edge.com/production-standard-emoji-assets/14.0/google-medium/1f4ac.png[/img][/u] [b]Have you tried the demo?[/b] What’s your favorite part so far? [u][img]https://a.slack-edge.com/production-standard-emoji-assets/14.0/google-medium/1f4a1.png[/img][/u] [b]Got feedback?[/b] Let us know in the comments! See you in battle! [b]Jørgen Tharaldsen[/b] Game Director, [b]Trolls vs Vikings: Reborn[/b]