Bloodgrounds' First Major Early Access Update Refines Controls, Depth, and Danger of Colosseum Combat
“Masters of the Arena” update offers new difficulty options and more control over combat encounters.
December 18, 2025
Hamburg, Germany - December 18th - Exordium Games and Daedalic Entertainment today release the first major Early Access update for Bloodgrounds, offering gladiators more control, depth, and danger in bloody colosseum battles.
As well as refining the turn-based cut-throat combat, the “Masters of the Arena” update also offers players three difficulty options as developer Exordium Games adds new features requested by players of the Early Access hit.
The main features of Bloodgrounds' new Masters of the Arena update include:
- Bigger arenas - a variety of arena sizes challenges players to better consider their surroundings in the heat of battle.
- Controllable camera rotation - players can now see the action from different angles, enhancing strategic options and understanding.
- New arena obstacles - exploit or avoid a range of new surprises in the bloody environment, increasing improvised and tactical options.
- Three new game difficulties - Initiate, Warrior and Champion options let players tweak their combat, giving more control to the player under the pressure of their enemies.
During the Steam Winter Sale Bloodgrounds is available at a 25 percent discount, €/$ 14.99, from December 18 - January 5.
The Early Access version of Bloodgrounds already includes the complete narrative campaign, with additional content, balancing, and features to be refined and expanded toward the planned 1.0 release in early 2026.
- Link Press Kit and trailer download: Bloodgrounds Press Kit
- Bloodgrounds on Steam
About Bloodgrounds
Bloodgrounds blends brutal, tactical grid combat with deep squad management, RPG progression, and roguelite elements. Players step into the sandals of a once-enslaved gladiator turned wealthy patron, commanding teams of physical, ranged, and magical fighters across blood-soaked arenas.
Prepare for a challenge — every gladiator’s death is permanent, their loss reshaping your path to vengeance against the tyrannical Emperor who killed your father and stole your youth.
With a striking visual style combining dark fantasy and gritty pixel-art gore, Bloodgrounds is set to captivate fans of XCOM, Darkest Dungeon, Heroes of Might and Magic, Into the Breach, Last Spell and Battle Brothers — players who crave deep tactical gameplay and meaningful long-term progression.
Key Features
- Highly Tactical Turn-Based CombatMaster grid-based arena battles, unleash powerful abilities, and use traps, consumables, and divine powers to sway the fight.
- Hardcore Roguelite StakesLose a fighter, lose them forever — along with their gear and progress. Surviving gladiators are rewarded with valuable loot and experience points, creating a satisfying and motivating progression loop.
- Deep Squad ManagementRecruit, train, and upgrade gladiators; build unique class combinations; and balance trauma, status effects, and glory-seeking risks.
- Audience and Arena DynamicsWin over the bloodthirsty crowd for battle rewards, or manipulate the underworld to sabotage rivals before the fight even starts.
- A Dark Fantasy WorldExplore Marevento’s political intrigue, navigate a noble’s revenge quest, and rise through deadly tournaments toward the Emperor himself.
Next to the main game Bloodgrounds, there is also a Supporter Pack available that includes the Original Soundtrack, a digital artbook and in-game cosmetics like armor & weapon skins, more estate banners and gladiator appearance options.
Please also have a look at the roadmap up until 1.0 release early 2026. More detailed plans on the direction of the Early Access can be obtained from the Bloodgrounds Community Hub.
Media contact: Bernd.Berheide@daedalic.com
About Exordium Games
Exordium Games is a game studio founded in 2014 in Zagreb, Croatia. Over the years, we have created 100+ Games and 30+ other projects, spanning innovation and education, and accumulated over 20 million mobile users and over 500,000 downloads on standalone platforms. We deliver great experiences to players no matter how and when they play. Please visit: https://exordiumgames.com/.
About Daedalic Entertainment
Daedalic Entertainment is a renowned publisher that has supported indie developers for over 18 years, bringing their titles to every major gaming platform. The lineup of games includes a diverse variety of unique titles, focusing on four distinct areas: storytelling, strategy, co-op games, and wholesome games. With an international team of around 45 employees, Daedalic is currently working with various development studios to create a new lineup of innovative games across consoles and PCs to market. Recent hits include New Cycle, Barotrauma, Unrailed!, Yield! Fall of Rome, Into the Emberlands, Deponia, Shadow Tactics, Inkulinati, Hidden Deep, Fling to the Finish!, and more.
Please look out for upcoming games like Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown, The Occultist, Woodo, Bloodgrounds, Barotrauma Home & Harbor Expansion and many others. Since April 2022, Daedalic Entertainment has been a subsidiary of the French publishing house, Nacon.
For more, please visit: https://press.daedalic.com.
Follow us on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/developer/daedalic.