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Dreamhaven™ Studio Secret Door™ Reveals Sunderfolk ™, a Tactical Adventure Inspired by Tabletop Gaming, Coming in 2025
Secret Door is developing its debut game for simultaneous release on PC and consoles
game_press
October 10, 2024
5 Min Read
[This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Game Developer and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press]
Dreamhaven :
Form a party with up to three other players and test your couch co-op skills in this challenging and charming shared-screen fantasy experience where your phone or tablet serves as your controller
Irvine, CA—October 10, 2024 - Dreamhaven development studio Secret Door today revealed Sunderfolk, a couch co-op tactical adventure set in a fantastical new world. Sunderfolk brings up to four players around an enchanting shared-screen experience that rewards thoughtful teamwork and, like the best tabletop games, inspires creativity and camaraderie. The game launches on Steam, PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch™ in 2025. Future champions of the Sunderlands can wishlist now.
Sunderfolk features an unfolding narrative that takes the intrepid adventuring party on a quest through the Sunderlands—starting in Arden, their idyllic hometown village, which they’ve been enlisted to save. As they battle their way through the mines, wilderness, and labyrinths of the game’s vibrant world, players will encounter colorful characters, discover hidden secrets, and develop new collaborative strategies for defeating their enemies.
Using their phone or tablet as a controller for the onscreen action, players will face down fearsome monsters, manage their inventory of card-based items and skills, and interact with merchants and other characters inhabiting the Sunderlands. No elaborate setup, rulebooks, or materials are needed; Sunderfolk introduces a streamlined alternative to the traditional tabletop-gaming experience and makes playing and having fun together more accessible than ever.
“We have a bunch of dedicated board and tabletop game fanatics on the team at Secret Door—getting together for game night has been a regular highlight for many of us going back years and years,” said Chris Sigaty, studio head of Secret Door. “As developers we also like to look at what inspires us and think about how to make those types of experiences easier to get into, so that more people can enjoy them as much as we do. With Sunderfolk, we’re excited to offer players a game that’s easy to pick up and play, while still challenging to master, and we can’t wait to share it with the world.”
“The team at Secret Door, and really all of us at Dreamhaven, are all about bringing players together around fun experiences,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Dreamhaven. “Sunderfolk is a beautiful game, it’s full of personality and charm, and it also creates epic moments where everyone is engaging directly with each other to work out strategies or celebrate victories. There’s nothing quite like it, and we’re really looking forward to seeing what players think.”
Key highlights of Sunderfolk:
Rediscover Game Night: The best adventures are meant to be shared. Up to four can play Sunderfolk, either in person or virtually, with each player’s phone or tablet serving as a seamless interface for character management and controlling the action on the TV or local/streamed monitor screen—a new spin on the classic game night experience.
Answer the Call to Adventure: Choose to play as one of six distinctive heroes (Arcanist, Bard, Berserker, Pyromancer, Ranger, Rogue), each with their own strategic role and passive ability. The heroes can be tailored and customized with weapons, armor, items, and skills as they level up, creating a powerful and well-rounded party equipped to overcome the challenges ahead.
Step Into a New World: Sunderfolk takes place in a handcrafted fantasy setting full of imaginative locations, exotic creatures, and eccentric characters. Dark forces are emerging from the Sunderlands and threatening Arden, and it falls to the players to protect the peaceful village and its inhabitants. Arden serves as a base of operations that expands with new shops and services as players progress through the game. Return to Arden between missions to upgrade vendors for new items and equipment, and befriend the townsfolk to gain rewards.
Put Your Tactics to the Test: In combat, players must strategize on positioning and turn order, selecting from their deck of Skill Cards to execute movements and attacks and use items. Luck is also involved, with Fate Cards played every turn that can impact their effectiveness. As they complete missions, players gain experience and rewards, gradually unlocking ways to customize their decks. The key to victory is understanding the strengths of the heroes and collaborating on a strategy based on the battle map and monsters in play.
More information about Sunderfolk is available on the game’s official website, with further details, such as pricing and availability, to be announced prior to release. Assets, including screenshots, logos, and more, can be found in the press kit. Stay up-to-date by following the game on X, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, and join the community on Discord.
About Secret Door
Secret Door (www.dreamhaven.com/secretdoor) is a Dreamhaven game studio made up of board, role-playing, and video game nerds inspired by the power of togetherness. Founded in 2020, the studio is home to a crew of game makers from different backgrounds who are all singularly focused on creating original experiences that are both accessible and deeply engaging. The studio’s first game, Sunderfolk, embodies that mission.
About Dreamhaven
Dreamhaven (www.dreamhaven.com) is a game developer and publisher with a deep belief in bringing players together through engaging, high-quality entertainment experiences. Whether supporting its in-house studios Secret Door and Moonshot Games, providing publishing services for independent developers, or sharing insights and guidance with members of its partner studios program, Dreamhaven is focused on creating and fostering memorable games that captivate players and stand the test of time.
Official website | Discord Server | @Sunderfolk
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