Inspired by classic CRPGs from the ’90s and early 2000s, Passageway of the Ancients transports players to the world of Aieryon – the galaxy’s sole remaining magical planet – where they explore the city of Ithgar to solve their parents’ murder.
Sample Coverage
“Passageway of the Ancients is a classic CRPG game that promises to be a deep experience.”
– Linux Game Consortium
Social Media Assets
Here's a glance at some of the social media assets shared for Passageway of the Ancients' marketing campaign.
Trailer
Our Creative team designed this Teaser Trailer for the announcement of Passageway of the Ancients' release on Steam.
Creatives
WolfheartFPS Influencer Video
Passageway of the Ancients demo available during Steam Next Fest [isometric CRPG]
We’re thrilled to announce that you can now play the first demo for Passageway of the Ancients on Steam!
If you like your CRPGs with atmospheric environments, visceral turn-based combat and complex lore, this one’s for you …
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1014260/Passageway_of_the_Ancients
The demo is compatible with both Windows and Linux.
Teaser Trailer:
https://youtu.be/ZgT8oHKFMfI
Steam Next Fest Live Streams – Schedule
The devs will conduct two streams of the game during the Steam Next Fest. Creative and technical director Jon Grierson will stream the game LIVE on the following dates and times:
Passageway of the Ancients – An RPG Like No Other
Inspired by classic CRPGs from the ‘90s and early 2000s, Passageway of the Ancients transports players to the world of Aieryon – the galaxy’s sole remaining magical planet – where they explore the city of Ithgar to solve their parents’ murder.
The game is being developed by Passageway Games – a three-person studio in Abilene, Texas that was founded in 2014 by septuagenarians Jon Grierson and John Hendrick, who first worked together 30 years ago on a medical device project. During that project, Hendrick was impressed with Grierson’s work ethic, creativity, and technical skills. Leveraging his 50-year history with RPGs, Grierson approached Hendrick with the idea of working together again on Passageway Games. Hendrick readily agreed to provide the financing – and the rest is history!
In Passageway of the Ancients, you’ll need to not only survive ever deadlier skirmishes but also manage your party, develop and customize your character, pick locks, and solve Runic puzzles. The game’s innovative battle system employs both turn-based and real-time combat – taking inspiration from historical weapons and tactics. Furthermore, the player has dual personas – a hidden “Dragonkindt,” and a public-facing race of their choosing (Dwarf, Elf, Human) – which must be leveled up at the same time.
Here’s the official description of Dragonkindt – taken from Jon Grierson’s unpublished novel, The Children of Xi-Shei:
“Dragonkindt are part angelic being, part shapeshifter, and part Dragon. These creatures were thought to be merely the phantasms of some eastern poetic genius, inspired prophet, or demented scholar.”
In the game, Dragonkindt are being ruthlessly persecuted – forcing each and every one of them to hide their true nature.
Key Features
- Blended Combat System: Use both turn-based and real-time elements – drawing on real medieval weapons and tactics.
- Dual-Persona Character Development: Develop your character’s two personas simultaneously – the hidden Dragonkindt, and a public-facing race of your choosing.
- Powerful Magical Items: Equip items carefully; they affect intelligence, will, and other character attributes.
- Complex Decision Trees: Manage battle spoils, solve puzzles, adjust the frequency of special activities, choose interactions, and gather clues.
- Fully Customizable Characters: Choose your character’s alternate persona, appearance, and gender as Dwarf, Elf, or Human.
Availability
The first free demo for Passageway of the Ancients is now available on Steam Next Fest. The game is expected to launch in Q1 2024. Pricing is yet to be determined.
Steam:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1014260/Passageway_of_the_Ancients
Assets
Teaser Trailer
YouTube
https://youtu.be/ZgT8oHKFMfI
GIFs
IMGUR
https://imgur.com/a/zkp6tGj
Screenshots & Logos
IMGUR
https://imgur.com/a/HDOnyRm
About the Developer
Passageway Games is an independent developer of fantasy RPG video games with engaging storylines and state-of-the-art technology. Passageway of the Ancients is the studio’s first title. To learn more about Passageway of the Ancients and Passageway Games, please visit https://www.passagewaygames.com.
Introducing Passageway of the Ancients, a New Isometric RPG for PC
Coming to Steam in Q1 2024
ABILENE, Texas – Aug. 3, 2023 – Passageway Games is proud to announce that the studio’s new fantasy RPG – Passageway of the Ancients – will be heading to Steam early next year.
Inspired by classic CRPGs from the late ‘80s and ‘90s, Passageway of the Ancients transports players to the world of Aieryon – the galaxy’s sole remaining magical planet – where they explore the city of Ithgar to solve their parents’ murder.
An atmospheric RPG with visceral combat and complex lore, Passageway of the Ancients is being developed by Passageway Games – a three-person studio in Abilene, Texas that was founded in 2014 by septuagenarians Jon Grierson and John Hendrick, who first worked together 30 years ago on a medical device project. During that project, Hendrick was impressed with Grierson’s work ethic, creativity, and technical skills. Leveraging his 50-year history with RPGs, Grierson approached Hendrick with the idea of working together again on Passageway Games. Hendrick readily agreed to provide the financing – and the rest is history!
Story & Gameplay
In Passageway of the Ancients, you’ll need to not only survive ever deadlier skirmishes but also manage your party, develop and customize your character, pick locks, and solve Runic puzzles. The game’s innovative battle system employs both strategy and real-time combat – taking inspiration from historical weapons and tactics. Furthermore, the player has dual personas – a hidden “Dragonkindt,” and a public-facing race of their choosing (Dwarf, Elf, Human) – which must be leveled up at the same time.
Here’s the official description of Dragonkindt – taken from Jon Grierson’s unpublished novel, The Children of Xi-Shei:
“Dragonkindt are part angelic being, part shapeshifter, and part Dragon. These creatures were thought to be merely the phantasms of some eastern poetic genius, inspired prophet, or demented scholar.”
In the game, Dragonkindt are being ruthlessly persecuted – forcing each and every one of them to hide their true nature.
“Passageway of the Ancients is a priceless opportunity: Two guys in their 70s get to fulfill a lifelong dream with a studio name that says it all: passageway,” says Jon Grierson, creative and technical director at Passageway Games. “Beyond the intricacies of magic and medieval combat, games are all about storytelling. We intend to deliver a high-quality, exciting isometric RPG with a classic fantasy feel drawing from Tolkien and Moorecock – with roots in ‘90s RPGs and all the creature comforts of modern PC games. If you’re into that sort of thing, you’ll love Passageway of the Ancients.”
Key Features
- Blended Combat System: Use both strategy and real-time elements – drawing on real medieval weapons and tactics.
- Dual-Persona Character Development: Develop your character’s two personas simultaneously – the hidden Dragonkindt, and a public-facing race of your choosing.
- Powerful Magical Items: Equip items carefully; they affect intelligence, will, and other character attributes.
- Complex Decision Trees: Manage battle spoils, solve puzzles, adjust the frequency of special activities, choose interactions, and gather clues.
- Fully Customizable Characters: Choose your character’s alternate persona, appearance, and gender as Dwarf, Elf, or Human.
Availability
Passageway of the Ancients will launch in Q1 2024 on Steam. Pricing is yet to be determined.
Steam:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1014260/Passageway_of_the_Ancients
Assets
Teaser
YouTube
https://youtu.be/ZgT8oHKFMfI
GIFs
IMGUR
https://imgur.com/a/zkp6tGj
Screenshots & Logos
IMGUR
https://imgur.com/a/HDOnyRm
Social Media
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/passagewaygames
Twitter – https://twitter.com/PassagewayGames
Facebook – https://facebook.com/passagewaygames
Reddit – https://www.reddit.com/r/PassagewayGames
Discord – https://discord.gg/CEk96nHQHP
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/passageway-games
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcUf1xR4Fu-Y2Ei7AbylJ4w
About Passageway Games
Passageway Games is an independent developer of fantasy RPG video games with engaging storylines and state-of-the-art technology. Passageway of the Ancients is the studio’s first title. To learn more about Passageway of the Ancients and Passageway Games, please visit https://www.passagewaygames.com.
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