Growth and Sacrifice: Bloodgrounds Enters the Arena March 12
Roguelite gladiator sim celebrates its journey to 1.0 with a new trailer
March 9, 2026
Hamburg, Germany - March 9 - The roguelite gladiator simulation Bloodgrounds, developed by Exordium Games and published by Daedalic Entertainment, will leave Early Access and launch in version 1.0 on Steam on March 12. Built by the Zagreb-based team and shaped by community feedback, the game blends tactical grid combat, squad management, RPG progression, and brutal arena battles where every gladiator’s life is at risk.
During development, the team discovered that Bloodgrounds worked best when it embraced its harshness. Players formed strong bonds with their fighters, making victories satisfying and every loss in the arena meaningful.
Watch the Launch-Trailer on Youtube
Following major updates like Masters of the Arena and Trials of the Gladiator, version 1.0 expands the experience with new enemies and bosses, item crafting, additional systems, and extensive balancing improvements.
Check out the game's Steam page for more info.
- 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 Combat
Master grid-based arena battles, unleash powerful abilities, and use traps, consumables, and divine powers to sway the fight. - Hardcore Roguelite Stakes
Lose 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 Management
Recruit, train, and upgrade gladiators; build unique class combinations; and balance trauma, status effects, and glory-seeking risks. - Audience and Arena Dynamics
Win over the bloodthirsty crowd for battle rewards, or manipulate the underworld to sabotage rivals before the fight even starts. - A Dark Fantasy World
Explore 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.
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
Celebrating its 20th publishing year, Daedalic Entertainment is a renowned publisher with nearly two decades of experience supporting indie developers across all major gaming platforms. 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 Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown, New Cycle, Barotrauma, Unrailed!, Bloodgrounds, Into the Emberlands, Deponia, Shadow Tactics, Inkulinati, Hidden Deep, Fling to the Finish!, and more.
Please look out for upcoming games like The Occultist, Woodo, Barotrauma Home & Harbor Expansion, and many more. 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.