‘It was clear that Xbox was the best option,” Towerborne developers discuss early access, the superpower of having a community, working with Microsoft, and more

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On April 29, 2025, the game Towerborne will become available for preview on Xbox Game Preview through Xbox Game Pass, similar to its early access release on Steam.

The upcoming Xbox console exclusive, titled Towerborne, is being developed by an independent studio called Stoic, renowned for creating The Banner Saga. This new game takes inspiration from classic side-scrolling beat ’em ups like Golden Axe and Streets of Rage, but combines those nostalgic elements with contemporary style and online service features.

Absolutely, Towerborne won’t cost anything to play when the development process ends. However, before that, the team is collaborating closely with the community to establish and strengthen its base.

Recently, I had a chat with the founders of Stoic, Arnie Jorgensen and John Watson, to get an insight into how they’re planning Towerborne’s journey ahead.

Turning MMORPG experience towards a classic genre

Recently, I penned a article expressing my newfound, yet cautious fascination with Towerborne. However, there are lingering concerns about its service-based game structure which I have. To be frank, I don’t have extensive experience with games in the early access phase, but I believe that one of the possible pitfalls when forming opinions is relying on content that is not yet fully complete.

In light of the challenge of creating a service game like Towerborne in 2025 without extensive testing, I’m curious to understand how Stoic handled this situation. Since building such a game without a well-established feedback system might be risky, they decided to collaborate with Microsoft to ensure a smooth flow of feedback, which is why we are where we are now, preparing for Xbox Game Preview.

As a tech enthusiast with a passion for MMORPGs, I’ve got some battle-tested credentials under my belt. I’ve been part of the team that shaped Star Wars Galaxies and Star Wars: The Old Republic at studios like BioWare and Sony in the past. That rich background is palpable in Towerborne from its very foundations — it aims to deliver looter-style advancement, coupled with close, significant combat.

Speaking about wrapping up Banner Saga 3, Arnie Jorgensen states, “We had a vision for creating a larger game next, so we started preparing. John and I sat down and asked ourselves, ‘What will this game be? What are its core principles?’ And here they were.

The team characterizes Towerborne as having an uninterrupted progression, offering significant detail, and interwoven short, medium, and long-term objectives. Essentially, you can approach Towerborne in a fragmented fashion, completing levels within 5-10 minutes at a time, or spending more extended periods on multiple sessions. Arnie Jorgensen often refers to Towerborne as a “living game” and one with “endless content,” outlining its design philosophy.

We can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Towerborne and collaborate with you in its development! Our goal is to make it accessible and enjoyable for everyone, as well as entertaining to watch. Following the somber tone of ‘The Banner Saga,’ we aim to create a game that people would want to observe being played. Additionally, customization will play a significant role in Towerborne.

John Watson clarifies that the game Towerborne primarily focuses on its growth mechanisms over its narrative, offering a design that encourages endless development. In other words, he aims to create a game where the mechanics are central and players can delve deep into them. Essentially, while Towerborne does have a story and narrative elements, it’s the mechanics that take center stage in this unique game system.

Listening to the input and involvement of our community will be crucial in shaping Towerborne’s future development. In essence, an active and engaged community can serve as a powerful tool for a game, ensuring its longevity and providing developers with the inspiration and drive to create content tailored to their audience.

On working with Xbox, and Towerborne’s future

Once completed, Towerborne will be free to play. However, the developers at Stoic have a firm policy that their monetization only includes cosmetic items. In Xbox Game Preview, you can acquire battle passes and similar features much like Fallout 76 or Helldivers 2, which allow you to select your desired cosmetics as you progress through the tiers. Importantly, Towerborne’s battle passes won’t expire either. Stoic aims to create a more laid-back type of live service game by avoiding the common “fear of missing out” (FOMO) tactics typically found in this genre.

The freedom to play without charge, the wide user-base of Xbox Game Pass, and its cloud-based playability will undoubtedly provide a built-in audience once Towerborne is completed. The design of Towerborne offers tremendous scalability potential, and Stoic opted to collaborate with Xbox, at least partially, for their expertise in live operations.

Speaking about collaborating with Xbox, Arnie Jorgensen shares his positive experience. “During the pitching phase for our game, we engaged several potential partners,” he says. “Upon reflection, it was evident that Xbox stood out as the ideal choice. What truly impressed us from the start and throughout was their strong commitment to our game concept – they truly understood its essence.

Xbox’s deep knowledge and resources, particularly their cloud platform, significantly aided us in various technical and design aspects of Towerborne. Moreover, other Microsoft studios, such as Rare, were eager to lend a hand, not due to any obligation, but out of genuine interest and support for the project.

For the remainder of our conversation, we discussed utilizing the expertise of former Killer Instinct team members in shaping Towerborne’s fighting system, its narrative style, inventory design, and various other aspects.

1. Listen to the complete interview available at this location.

2. If you have an Xbox, mark your calendar for April 29, 2025, as Towerborne will be accessible through Xbox Game Preview with Xbox Game Pass. Alternatively, if you prefer Steam, you can start playing it today via Early Access.

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2025-04-17 22:09