# Rising Lords

> 2024 video game developed by Argonwood

**Wikidata**: [Q122821899](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122821899)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rising-lords

## Summary

Rising Lords is a strategy video game developed by the German studio Argonwood, which entered early access on May 27, 2020, and achieved full worldwide release on January 18, 2024. The game supports multiple platforms including Microsoft Windows, Linux, Xbox Series X and Series S, and Nintendo Switch, and offers single-player, multiplayer, and co-op gameplay modes. Built using the GameMaker engine, Rising Lords is distributed digitally through Steam, the Microsoft Store, and Nintendo eShop, with physical releases on Blu-ray Disc and ROM cartridges.

## Key Facts

- **Developer:** Argonwood (Germany)
- **Genre:** Strategy video game
- **Engine:** GameMaker
- **Early Access Period:** May 27, 2020 – January 18, 2024
- **Full Release Date:** January 18, 2024 (worldwide)
- **Steam Application ID:** 835650 (Microsoft Windows)
- **Business Model:** Early access before full release
- **Game Modes:** Single-player, multiplayer, co-op
- **Platforms:** Microsoft Windows, Linux, Xbox Series X and Series S, Nintendo Switch (via eShop and physical cartridge)
- **Input Devices:** Computer keyboard, computer mouse, gamepad
- **Physical Distribution:** Blu-ray Disc, ROM cartridge
- **Digital Distribution:** Steam, Microsoft Store, Nintendo eShop
- **Website:** https://www.argonwood.com/RisingLords (English language)
- **Country of Origin:** Germany
- **OpenCritic Score:** 59/100 (as of February 19, 2024)
- **OpenCritic Critics Recommend:** 22% (as of March 14, 2024)
- **OpenCritic ID:** 9547
- **Aliases:** RL

## FAQs

**What platforms can I play Rising Lords on?**

Rising Lords is available on Microsoft Windows (Steam ID 835650), Linux, Xbox Series X and Series S, and Nintendo Switch (through both the Nintendo eShop in Europe with ID 2489433 and physical ROM cartridge). The game supports digital distribution through Steam, Microsoft Store, and Nintendo eShop, with physical releases on Blu-ray Disc and ROM cartridges.

**What languages does Rising Lords support?**

Rising Lords offers extensive language support across user interface, voice acting, and subtitles. Supported languages include English, French, German, Polish, Russian, Latin American Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Spanish. English, French, German, Polish, Russian, and Latin American Spanish support both user interface and subtitles, while the remaining languages support user interface and subtitles.

**What game modes does Rising Lords offer?**

Rising Lords features three distinct game modes: single-player, multiplayer, and co-op mode. Players can enjoy the game solo, compete against others online, or team up in cooperative play.

**What engine was Rising Lords built with?**

Rising Lords was developed using the GameMaker engine, according to references from the GameMaker database (September 30, 2023).

**How was Rising Lords released?**

The game underwent a nearly four-year early access period starting May 27, 2020, before launching in full worldwide on January 18, 2024. The early access phase lasted over three years, with the full release announced by Russian gaming outlet Igromania in December 2023.

**What input methods are supported in Rising Lords?**

Players can control Rising Lords using a computer keyboard, computer mouse, or gamepad, providing flexibility for different play styles and preferences.

## Why It Matters

Rising Lords represents a significant entry in the strategy video game genre, developed by German studio Argonwood and demonstrating the growing presence of European developers in the global gaming market. The game's nearly four-year early access period—from May 2020 to January 2024—allowed the developers to refine gameplay mechanics based on community feedback while maintaining transparency with players, a practice that has become increasingly important in the modern gaming landscape.

The game's release in January 2024 marked Argonwood's transition from an early access developer to a full-fledged publisher with a complete product. Rising Lords' availability across multiple platforms (Windows, Linux, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch) and distribution methods (digital and physical) reflects a modern, multi-platform approach to game distribution that maximizes accessibility for players regardless of their preferred hardware.

The strategy genre has seen renewed interest in recent years, and Rising Lords contributes to this momentum by offering both single-player and multiplayer experiences, including co-op mode. This flexibility allows the game to appeal to different types of players—those who prefer solo strategic gameplay and those who enjoy collaborative or competitive multiplayer sessions.

The game's support for twelve different languages demonstrates a commitment to global accessibility, enabling players from diverse linguistic backgrounds to experience the game in their native languages. This international approach is particularly notable given the game's German origins, showing Argonwood's ambition to reach a worldwide audience rather than limiting its appeal to German-speaking markets alone.

## Notable For

- **Extended Early Access Development:** Nearly four years of early access development (May 2020 – January 2024) before official full release
- **Multi-Platform Release:** Simultaneous availability on Windows, Linux, Xbox Series X and Series S, and Nintendo Switch
- **Extensive Language Support:** Support for 12 languages including English, French, German, Polish, Russian, Chinese (both Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, Korean, Italian, Spanish, and Latin American Spanish
- **Multiple Distribution Formats:** Available both digitally (Steam, Microsoft Store, Nintendo eShop) and physically (Blu-ray Disc, ROM cartridge)
- **Diverse Gameplay Modes:** Offers single-player, multiplayer, and co-op modes
- **German Development:** Represents the German gaming industry's contribution to the strategy genre
- **GameMaker Engine:** Built using GameMaker, a popular engine for indie game development

## Body

### Development and Release History

Rising Lords was developed by Argonwood, a German video game development studio. The game entered early access on May 27, 2020, beginning a development period that would last nearly four years. During this early access phase, the developers engaged with the gaming community, gathering feedback and refining the game's mechanics and features.

The transition from early access to full release occurred on January 18, 2024, when the game launched worldwide in its complete form. This full release was preceded by announcements in late December 2023, including coverage by Russian gaming publication Igromania on December 29, 2023, which reported that Rising Lords would exit early access after more than three years of development.

### Platform and Distribution

Rising Lords demonstrates a comprehensive multi-platform approach to game distribution. The primary platform is Microsoft Windows, with the game available on Steam under application ID 835650. The game also supports Linux operating systems, expanding its reach beyond Windows-exclusive titles.

For console players, Rising Lords is available on Xbox Series X and Series S, representing Microsoft's current-generation gaming consoles. Nintendo Switch owners can access the game through the Nintendo eShop in Europe (eShop ID 2489433) as well as through physical ROM cartridge releases, making it one of the relatively few strategy games available on Nintendo's hybrid console.

Distribution occurs through both digital and physical channels. Digitally, the game is available on Steam, Microsoft Store, and Nintendo eShop. Physically, the game has been released on Blu-ray Disc for PlayStation-style disc-based consoles and ROM cartridges for the Nintendo Switch, providing options for players who prefer physical game collections.

### Gameplay and Features

Rising Lords is classified as a strategy video game, a genre that emphasizes tactical decision-making, resource management, and strategic planning. The game supports three distinct gameplay modes to accommodate different player preferences: single-player mode for those who prefer to play alone, multiplayer mode for competitive online play against other human opponents, and co-op mode allowing players to team up and tackle challenges together.

The game supports multiple input methods to ensure accessibility across different play styles. Players can use a computer keyboard and mouse combination for traditional PC gaming, or opt for a gamepad controller for a more console-like experience. This flexibility allows players to choose the input method that best suits their preferences and play environment.

### Technical Specifications

Rising Lords was built using the GameMaker engine, a popular game development framework maintained by YoYo Games. GameMaker is particularly favored by indie developers for its accessibility and the relatively short learning curve it offers compared to more complex engines. The use of GameMaker places Rising Lords in the tradition of successful indie strategy games developed with accessible tools.

The game's digital distribution through Steam includes the platform's standard features such as cloud saves, achievement tracking, and community features. The Steam application ID 835650 specifically corresponds to the Microsoft Windows version of the game.

### Localization and Languages

One of Rising Lords' distinguishing features is its extensive language support, covering twelve distinct languages and localization variants. The supported languages include English, French, German, Polish, Russian, Latin American Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Spanish.

For English, French, German, Polish, Russian, and Latin American Spanish, the localization covers not just the user interface but also voice acting and subtitles, providing a fully localized experience for speakers of these languages. For the remaining supported languages (Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Spanish), the localization covers user interface and subtitles, ensuring that non-English speakers can navigate and understand the game's content regardless of their language.

### Reception and Metrics

Rising Lords has received a score of 59/100 on OpenCritic as of February 19, 2024, based on the OpenCritic Top Critic Average metric. The game also holds a 22% rating on OpenCritic Critics Recommend as of March 14, 2024, indicating the percentage of critics who rated the game favorably. The OpenCritic ID for the game is 9547, allowing players and researchers to track its reception through that platform.

### Identifiers and Database References

Rising Lords maintains presence across numerous gaming databases and platforms, each providing unique identification codes for cross-referencing:

- **Steam Application ID:** 835650 (Windows)
- **OpenCritic ID:** 9547
- **Metacritic ID:** rising-lorns (1300488768)
- **HowLongToBeat ID:** 142934
- **MobyGames ID:** 146023
- **RAWG ID:** rising-lords
- **VGChartz IDs:** 232752 (general), 232751 (Windows), 232750 (Linux), 232749 (Xbox Series X|S)
- **TuxDB ID:** 10241
- **Lutris ID:** rising-lords
- **PCGamingWiki ID:** Rising_Lords
- **Indie DB ID:** rising-lords
- **MobyGames (legacy):** rising-lords
- **Giant Bomb:** 3030-78492
- **Internet Game Database:** rising-lords (106119)
- **VGChartz:** 232752
- **VGList:** 78003
- **GameSpot:** rising-lords
- **SteamGridDB:** 27073
- **Twitch Category:** rising-lords
- **IsThereAnyDeal:** rising-lords
- **GameMeter:** 24730
- **GamersGlobal:** 147218
- **GamerProfiles:** Yx8LB
- **VideoGameGeek:** 298509
- **Gaming's Playground (gry-online):** 21616
- **Databáze Her:** 18468
- **Génération Nintendo:** 15647
- **PC Guru:** 5107
- **GameStar:** 14227
- **GamesWelt:** rising-lords
- **OGDB:** 50576
- **Holarse:** rising_lords
- **Game World Navigator:** rising-lords
- **VGChartz (legacy IDs):** Multiple platform-specific IDs

### Official Web Presence

The official website for Rising Lords is https://www.argonwood.com/RisingLords, maintained in English. This website serves as the primary hub for game information, updates, and official communications from the developer. Argonwood, the German developer behind Rising Lords, maintains this web presence to connect with players and provide authoritative information about their game.

## References

1. Steam
2. Mod DB
3. OpenCritic
4. Online Games-Datenbank
5. PlayGround.ru
6. [Rising Lords покинет ранний доступ после трёх с лишним лет — Игромания. 2023](https://www.igromania.ru/news/134070/rising-lords-pokinet-rannij-dostup-posle-tryoh-s-lishnim-let)
7. GameSpot
8. Q124398839
9. GamesMeter.nl
10. VGChartz