Artificial Extinction 2 news & patch notes

Since launch I've been reading your reviews, watching gameplay videos, and paying close attention to how people actually play the game.

Version 1.0.05 is all about making battles easier to understand while giving Kinetic Turrets a serious boost in firepower.

More Time To Think

Time Dilation has been increased from 15 seconds to 30 seconds.

Several players wanted more time to assess the battlefield, catch up, and plan their next move when things became overwhelming. You now have twice as long to do that.

Smarter Building

Building equipment now automatically displays nearby blast radii, making it much harder to accidentally place structures where they'll destroy each other.

When building a Turret, all existing Turrets of that same type now highlight and display their firing ranges. If you're placing a Sniper Turret, you'll immediately see where your other Sniper Turrets are already covering, making it much easier to build an effective defense.

"Reloading"

Turrets now announce "Reloading" when they stop firing.

Hopefully this makes it much clearer that they're simply reloading—not broken, not ignoring the enemy, and definitely not questioning your leadership.

More Power

Generator energy production has been increased by 10%, giving your base a small but helpful boost during expansion.

Kinetic Turrets Just Got Stronger

This is the biggest gameplay change in Version 1.0.05.

The Sniper, Shotgun, Railgun, and Pulse Turrets now have:

• Higher armor

• Double the default Rate of Fire

• Higher construction cost to balance their increased strength

The goal isn't simply to make these Turrets stronger. I also want players to spend less time building endless rows of defenses. By making each Kinetic Turret more effective, the hope is you'll need fewer of them while still creating stronger, more satisfying bases.

Rocket, Laser, Anti-Drone, and Anti-Missile Turrets are unchanged for now.

As always, I'll continue watching your feedback and making adjustments.

Thank you to everyone who's played the game, recommended it on Steam, reported bugs, and shared suggestions.

Every update brings Artificial Extinction 2 a little closer to the game I originally imagined... and a little further away from total chaos.

This is a huge honor for me. Indie 80 showcases games that stand out for their creativity, originality, and potential, making this selection especially meaningful.

Games from around the world are submitted for consideration, with only a small number selected to exhibit. To have Artificial Extinction 2 chosen is an incredible compliment and a milestone I'll never forget.

This September I'll be flying to Tokyo to exhibit the game, meet players, and hopefully convince a few people that combining first-person shooters, tower defense, and real-time strategy wasn't completely insane.

Tokyo Game Show is one of the world's largest gaming events, with more than 260,000 visitors attending last year's show. It's an amazing opportunity for a solo developer to introduce the game to players and industry professionals from around the world.

If you're attending TGS this year, I'd love for you to stop by the Indie 80 area and say hello!

Finally, I want to thank everyone who has played Artificial Extinction 2, left a review, reported bugs, or shared feedback. The game is genuinely better because of this community. Your support helped make opportunities like this possible.

Now I just have to survive the 13-hour flight... and then explain my game to people without embarrassing myself.

Experimental Branch Now Available

One of the biggest challenges in balancing Artificial Extinction 2 is finding the right relationship between turret strength, turret cost, and enemy wave intensity. Rather than making those decisions in isolation, I would like to involve the community. The new Experimental Branch allows you to adjust core gameplay variables and discover what settings create the most enjoyable experience. This is not intended to simply make the game easier or harder. It exists to help find the best balance.

How to Join the Experimental Branch

• Open your Steam Library

• Right-click Artificial Extinction 2

• Select Properties

• Open the Betas tab

• Select Experimental Branch

Steam will automatically download the Experimental build.

New Experimental Settings

A new menu has been added: Settings → Experimental Version

You can adjust five gameplay variables before starting a mission:

• Turret Armor

• Turret Cost

• Turret Rate of Fire

• Turret Reload Time

• Enemy Spawn Rate

All settings default to 1. Each slider ranges from 1–10. Increasing Turret Armor, Turret Rate of Fire, and Turret Reload Time strengthens your defenses. Increasing Turret Cost and Enemy Spawn Rate makes the game more challenging. The goal is not to maximize every slider. The goal is to discover combinations that create the most satisfying gameplay. For example, one possible starting point is leaving Enemy Spawn Rate at 1, increasing turret firepower, and balancing that advantage with higher turret costs.

New In-Game Experimental Tab

Most experimental settings can also be adjusted during gameplay.

A new Experimental tab has been added to the Top View interface, allowing you to change the following variables in real time:

• Turret Armor

• Turret Cost

• Turret Rate of Fire

• Turret Reload Time

Enemy Spawn Rate remains locked once a mission begins, since it affects wave generation. The Test Range is a great place to start experimenting before jumping into the campaign.

Additional Changes

• Level 4 Balancing — Added more resource nodes.

• Time Dilation Duration — Increased from 20 to 30 seconds.

• Bug Hunting — Additional fixes targeting the rare “unkillable Mech” bug and “sliding soldier” bug.

• Quality of Life — Equipment blast radius is now displayed while placing buildable equipment.

I Need Your Feedback

This branch exists because I want to hear what players think. If you discover a combination that feels especially fun, or one that completely breaks the game, please let me know. Your feedback will directly influence future balance updates and help shape the final gameplay experience.

The Next Experiment

First, I'd like to thank everyone who has purchased Artificial Extinction 2, left a positive review, shared feedback, and continued helping me improve the game. I've been reading your comments and thinking carefully about where to take the game next. I've learned that players enjoy different styles of gameplay. Some enjoy careful planning, while others want to spend less time building and more time fighting. Rather than trying to guess the perfect balance, I'd like to experiment together.

Experimental Branch

Over the next week, I plan to release a new Experimental Branch on Steam. The goal isn't simply to make the game easier or harder. Instead, I want to give players more control over certain gameplay settings and explore how different combinations affect the overall experience. Your feedback during this process will help identify which ideas are worth developing further and which should remain experiments. One of the most common requests has been for faster base construction, often through the addition of a second Replicator Drone. Rather than solve the problem that way, I'd like to explore a different approach: what if players simply didn't need to build as many turrets in the first place? Perhaps fewer, stronger, more expensive defenses create a more enjoyable experience while still preserving the strategic planning that Artificial Extinction 2 was designed around. There may be other interesting possibilities as well, and that's exactly what this Experimental Branch is intended to discover. Not every experiment will become part of the main game, but every experiment teaches us something. I'm looking forward to seeing what we discover together.

Steam Demo Returns

I'm also happy to announce that the Steam Demo will be returning. The demo gives new players an opportunity to experience Artificial Extinction 2 before purchasing, and I'm hoping it will introduce more people to the game and continue growing our community.

I'm aiming to release the Experimental Branch within the next week and will share more details as development progresses. As always, thank you for your continued support.

Beta Test Complete

A few days ago I released the Dropship Canceller™ on the beta branch in response to player feedback. The feedback was clear: Players wanted a more effective and satisfying way to deal with enemy Dropships. After testing, discussion, and a lot of exploding aircraft, I'm happy to say that the beta test has been a success. The Dropship Canceller™ will now become part of the main game.

Mission Accomplished

The goal of the weapon was simple: Make shooting down enemy Dropships fun. Based on player feedback, I believe we've achieved that. The Dropship Canceller™ provides:

• Fast reload speed

• Long engagement range

• Tracking missiles

• A valuable FPS role supporting your RTS defenses

Instead of waiting for SAM Sites or Emergency Drone missiles to solve the problem, players now have a direct and satisfying way to contribute to air defense.

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who tested the beta branch, reported bugs, provided feedback, and left positive reviews. Artificial Extinction 2 continues to improve because of your support and feedback. Weaknesses are being addressed. Balance is being refined. And the game is becoming more fun.

What's Next?

There is still more work to do. I want to continue experimenting with new game modes and gameplay variations. I want to continue improving balance and quality of life. And eventually, I'd like to add additional maps as free bonus content for all players. Thank you again for helping shape the future of Artificial Extinction 2. See you on the battlefield. - Chris Solo Developer

The new beta branch is now available for testing on Steam and includes the new Dropship Canceller™ anti-air missile launcher.

To access the beta:

First, Thank You

Thank you to everyone who has purchased the game, posted a postive review, shared feedback, and continued helping me improve Artificial Extinction 2. I've been reading a lot of your comments and watching gameplay videos. A common theme continues to emerge: players want more time to react, more reliable defenses, and fewer moments where the game feels unfair. So naturally, I booked an appointment with a therapist. The result is Patch 1.0.03.

What's Changed

Level 4 - Additional Difficulty Balancing Level 4 continues to receive adjustments based on player feedback. The goal is to make the mission challenging without feeling overwhelming. Turret Range Increased +10% All turrets now have a 10% increase in range. This should help defensive networks engage enemies earlier, improve overlap between structures, and give players a little more breathing room before enemies reach critical positions. SAM Missiles - Improved Flight Dynamics SAM missiles have received flight behavior improvements, making them more effective at tracking and engaging airborne threats. Anti-Drone Missiles - Increased Velocity Anti-Drone missiles now travel faster by default, improving their ability to intercept fast-moving targets before they become a problem.

What's Next?

I'm continuing to study feedback and experiment with larger gameplay changes. One idea I'm actively exploring is a future beta branch featuring fewer but significantly more powerful turrets. This would fundamentally change how players build defenses and could create a very different balance between RTS planning and FPS combat. More on that soon. As always, thank you for playing and for helping shape the game. Cheers, Chris 100HrGames

First, Thank You

Thank you to everyone who has purchased the game, posted feedback, reported bugs, participated in discussions, and especially to everyone who has taken the time to leave a positive review. As a solo developer, positive reviews genuinely mean the world to me. They help more players discover the game and greatly improve the long-term visibility and survivability of the game on Steam. I've been reading every review, discussion, and piece of feedback I can find. One message has come through loud and clear: Players don't feel they have an effective and satisfying way to deal with incoming Dropships. Fair enough.

Introducing the Dropship Canceller™

Your feedback has been weaponized. I'm currently working on a new FPS weapon dedicated to destroying enemy Dropships. The Dropship Canceller™ is designed to make anti-air defense feel like a valuable and satisfying FPS side-mission rather than a frustrating chore. Planned features include:

• Air-target lock-on

• Tracking missiles

• Fast reload speed

• A strong dislike of enemy aircraft

The goal is simple: See Dropship. Lock on. Fire missile. Experience closure. Destroying Dropships should feel *fun*.

Challenging vs Frustrating

Another area I'm continuing to work on is game balance. My goal is for Artificial Extinction 2 to feel challenging, rewarding, and strategic — not frustrating. I've posted my Level 3 playthrough in several places because it's often easier to demonstrate effective strategy than explain it.

Many of the players succeeding on higher difficulties are focusing heavily on economy growth, overlapping turret coverage, Anti-Missile defenses, and creating defensive kill zones early. One of the most common requests has been for a second Replicator Drone. For now, I'm resisting that change. The single Replicator Drone is not a technical limitation. It's a deliberate design choice. I want players to plan ahead, start building immediately, expand their economy early, and keep the Replicator Drone busy throughout the mission. A single Replicator Drone can build well over 100 structures during a level if kept working continuously. Allowing players to suddenly deploy large numbers of structures in response to a crisis would reduce the importance of strategic planning. Strategy is a core pillar of the game, and I want to preserve that.

The RTS / FPS Balance

I've also received requests to significantly increase the power of FPS weapons. I understand the request, but I'm being careful. If the FPS side becomes too powerful, the game risks becoming a wave shooter with some optional base building attached. That isn't the game I'm trying to make. My vision remains:

50% RTS. 50% FPS.

Build your economy. Create kill zones. Protect your defenses with Anti-Missile systems. Use your Emergency Drone. Activate Artillery. Expand away from your starting base. Use Shield and EMP Towers to shape the battlefield. Upgrade your Turrets and Replicator Drone through the Tech Tree. Then jump into the fight and support your army from the front lines. The best results come from doing both.

Moving Forward

Artificial Extinction 2 will continue receiving balance updates, quality-of-life improvements, bug fixes, and new content. I'm listening. I'm reading the feedback. And I'm committed to making the game challenging, strategic, satisfying, and most importantly, fun. Thank you again for all the support, feedback, and positive reviews. See you on the battlefield. - Chris Solo Developer

First of all, thank you to everyone who has taken the time to leave a positive review.

As a solo developer, those reviews mean far more than you might realize. They help new players discover the game, help Steam understand that people are enjoying it, and ultimately help the long-term future of Artificial Extinction 2. Seriously, thank you. Many of you have made one thing very clear:

Apparently, fun is important!

After years of developing the game, it turns out that thousands of players are very effective at finding places where I may have been slightly... overly enthusiastic with the difficulty settings. So today I'm releasing another balance update based directly on player feedback.

Changes

Level 3 Balancing • Added additional time before enemy waves begin Level 4 Balancing • Reduced the number of enemy Dropships • Added an additional SAM Site Emergency Drone Improvement • Emergency Drones can now destroy Dropships using missiles Arrow Key Support • Arrow Keys are now hard-coded to player movement Quality of Life • Added a Restart Level option to the in-game Pause Menu

Still Listening

This is not the last balance update. So please keep the feedback coming. Whether you've left a positive review, a bug report, or a detailed explanation of why my Dropships have personally ruined your day, I appreciate all of it. Thank you for helping make Artificial Extinction 2 a better game. I'll continue making improvements. And I'll continue trying to accept that fun may, in fact, be an important part of game design.

First of all: thank you to everyone who has been playing Artificial Extinction 2 since launch.

I've been reading reviews, forum posts, comments, and watching gameplay videos. One piece of feedback has been coming through loud and clear:

"This game is kicking my butt."

Fair enough.

Artificial Extinction 2 was designed to be challenging, but challenge should feel rewarding—not frustrating. So I'm rolling out the first of what will likely be several balance updates based on community feedback.

Changes

Turret Armor Increased

• Default turret armor increased by 20%

Miner Armor Increased

• Miner armor increased by 20%

These changes should make early defenses more forgiving, reduce situations where your economy gets wiped out too quickly, and help players establish a foothold before the battlefield turns into complete chaos.

As an added side effect, the increased survivability of structures means the Repair Drone will also be summoned sooner and have more opportunities to do its job.

This Is Just The Beginning

This isn't a "one and done" balance patch.

Launch week is one of the most valuable times for gathering feedback because thousands of players approach the game in ways I never could during development. I'm listening carefully to what players are enjoying, what they're struggling with, and where the game feels unfair.

If additional difficulty adjustments are needed, I'm absolutely open to making them.

So please keep the feedback coming.

Whether you've left a positive review, a bug report, or a forum post explaining why your base exploded for the seventh time in a row—I appreciate it all.

Thanks for helping make Artificial Extinction 2 better.

Now go give those turrets another chance.

Le grand jour est arrivé.

Après plus de 5 ans de développement en solo, Artificial Extinction 2 est officiellement disponible sur Steam.

L'idée derrière le jeu était simple : combiner la profondeur stratégique d'un RTS, l'action d'un FPS et la planification d'un jeu de Tower Defense dans une expérience unique où les joueurs peuvent passer librement du commandement d'une armée au combat sur la ligne de front.

Ce projet a représenté un travail colossal pour un développeur seul, et le voir enfin sortir est à la fois passionnant et un peu surréaliste.

Regardez la bande-annonce de lancement

À tous ceux qui ont ajouté le jeu à leur liste de souhaits, joué à la démo, participé aux discussions, testé les différentes versions, signalé des problèmes ou simplement suivi son développement : merci. Votre soutien a permis à ce projet d'atteindre la ligne d'arrivée.

J'espère que vous apprécierez le jeu et j'ai hâte de découvrir vos retours tandis que nous continuerons à l'améliorer et à l'enrichir après son lancement.

Merci de faire partie de cette aventure.

— Chris

Artificial Extinction 2 launches June 10th!

As a thank you to everyone who supported the original Artificial Extinction, I've created a Complete The Set bundle on Steam.

Existing owners of Artificial Extinction will receive an additional 15% discount on Artificial Extinction 2 through the bundle.

The sequel has been a five-year journey filled with challenges, setbacks, and more than a few moments where I questioned whether I would ever reach the finish line.

Thanks to the support of players who believed in the original game, I'm excited to finally share the finished sequel with you.

Thank you for your support, and I hope you'll join me on June 10th for the launch of Artificial Extinction 2.

— Chris

Watch the latest gameplay trailer:

Artificial Extinction 2 officially launches on Steam June 10th!

After 5 years of solo development, the battle for Earth is almost here.

But launch is only the beginning.

My goal is to continue supporting Artificial Extinction 2 with free bonus content, new combat scenarios, gameplay improvements, and additional features after release to keep expanding the game closer toward its full potential over time.

One idea I've been thinking about is a dense forest battlefield focused entirely on infantry combat and aerial drones with no Mechs at all.

Short lines of sight. Heavy camouflage. Constant drone pressure above the trees. Limited visibility. Defensive positions hidden throughout the terrain.

But what should the battlefield itself look like?

• A narrow canyon with choke points and ambush opportunities?

• A valley vulnerable to attacks from the surrounding hills?

• Dense forest with multiple attack routes from all sides?

• A large open clearing in the center that becomes impossible to defend late-game?

I'd love to hear your ideas for future maps, combat scenarios, enemy types, gameplay modifiers, and features you'd like to see added after launch.

Watch the launch date announcement trailer below and wishlist Artificial Extinction 2 before release.

We’re getting very close to launch.

First — thank you. The support, feedback, and wishlists have made a huge difference in getting the game to this point.

Here’s what’s new and what’s coming:

Full Game Almost Ready

The full game is now in QA testing. Every system, level, and feature is being finalized and polished for release.

The entire game is fully translated into 12 languages, including voice and subtitles — ready for a global launch.

Up To 2x Performance Boost

Since the original demo, performance has been significantly improved.

In many cases, framerates are up to 2x higher — especially on lower-end CPUs.

Difficulty Modes Added

You can now choose how you want to play:

Set your difficulty in the Settings menu and tailor the challenge to your playstyle.

• Easy

• Normal

• Hard

Demo Updated — Play It Now

The demo has been updated with the new performance improvements and difficulty system.

If you haven’t played in a while, now is the best time to jump back in.

Free Bonus Levels Planned

The main menu now reflects plans for future free bonus levels based on community ideas.

One concept currently in development: a dense forest battlefield where only Enemy Infantry can move freely — shifting the fight into close-quarters combat.

Wishlist Before Launch

If you’re interested in the full game, please wishlist it now.

Wishlists directly impact visibility at launch — and help the game reach more players.

We’re very close. Stay tuned!

The Steam Tower Defense Festival competition has ended — and players pushed the Contact Rear map further than ever.

One strategy clearly dominated: building a massive resource economy to support huge fields of explosive mines. In particular, Anti-Matter mines were able to wipe out entire waves of enemies.

Watching players discover strategies like this has been fascinating. It also revealed some balance issues — especially with Anti-Matter mines — which I’ll be adjusting in future updates.

These competitions have been incredibly valuable for exposing strategies, flaws, and unexpected metas that only appear when thousands of players start experimenting.

Tower Defense Festival Champions

• #1 – fjo2570 — 61,260

• #2 – GOLANX — 33,520

• #3 – 黄hih141 — 17,338

These three players will earn a permanent place in the game credits as Tower Defense Champions 2026. Their names will survive in the game for eternity.

Since releasing the demo, over 5,000 players have already jumped in to test their strategies. Your feedback, bug reports, and wild tactics have been incredibly helpful.

Next up: more gameplay improvements, balancing changes, bug fixes, and continued work toward completing the full game as we move closer to launch.

Thanks again to everyone who played and competed during the festival.

Survive the longest on Contact Rear during the Steam Tower Defense Festival.

The Top 3 players will earn a permanent place in the game credits as: Tower Defense Champions 2026

Play the demo and compete on the global leaderboard.

How to Participate

• Play the TD Festival map – Contact Rear

• Enter Endless Mode

• Survive as long as possible

• Submit your score to the leaderboard

Important Tip

To score higher, do not summon the extraction mothership right away. Stay in Endless Mode and survive as long as possible to push your score higher.

Strategy Decides Everything

In Artificial Extinction 2, survival isn't just about firepower. Players are already discovering extreme strategies — sniper turret kill zones, mech ambushes, and carefully timed defenses that completely change the outcome of a battle.

Will a new strategy dominate the leaderboard this week?

Join the Fight

Play the demo, survive longer, and claim your place on the leaderboard.

The battle continues.

The Contact Rear challenge returns for the Steam Tower Defense Festival.

The leaderboard has been reset and a new competition begins.

Tower Defense Festival Competition (March 9–16)

Play the demo and compete to survive the longest.

• Play the TD Festival map - Contact Rear

• Enter Endless Mode

• Survive as long as possible

• Submit your score to the leaderboard

Important: To score higher, do not summon the extraction mothership right away. Stay in Endless Mode and survive as long as possible to push your score higher.

When the festival ends, the Top 3 players will earn a permanent place in the game credits as: Tower Defense Champions 2026

Strategy Decides Everything

In Artificial Extinction 2, survival isn't just about firepower. Players are already discovering extreme strategies — sniper turret kill zones, mech ambushes, and carefully timed defenses that completely change the outcome of a battle.

Will a new strategy dominate the leaderboard this week?

Join the Fight

Play the demo, survive longer, and claim your place on the leaderboard.

Round Two Begins!

During Steam Next Fest, players battled for survival on the special challenge map Contact Rear. The competition was intense, strategies evolved, and champions emerged.

Now the battlefield opens again.

Steam Tower Defense Festival – March 9 to 16

For one week, the challenge returns.

• The map Contact Rear is enabled again.

• The leaderboard will be reset.

• Compete for the highest score.

• Discover new strategies and push the limits.

Reward

The Top 3 players at the end of the festival will have their names permanently included in the game credits as:

Tower Defense Champions 2026

Balance Update

The Missile Launcher and Grenade Launcher have been rebalanced.

Instead of a limited number of shots per match, these weapons now recharge automatically with a 90-second reload timer.

They are extremely powerful weapons, so the longer recharge keeps them impactful while allowing multiple uses during a battle.

Strategy decides everything in Artificial Extinction 2.

The battle begins again March 9. Will new champions rise?

The Next Fest Survival Competition has officially concluded.

At 8:00 PM EST, the leaderboard locked. For six days, the top players were separated by only a few hundred points.

Then the meta shifted.

Today, two scores detonated the leaderboard. One nearly doubled the record… and another tripled it.

I’ve spoken with the current top scorer — this is not an exploit.

It’s a ruthless strategy.

One step forward… and the Mech walks straight into an inescapable kill zone: 40 Sniper Turrets firing in perfect unison.

In Artificial Extinction 2, strategy decides everything.

Final Top 3

#1 – dasoer – 75,684 #2 – fjo2570 – 44,802 #3 – GasMaskedPolon – 29,286 Congratulations. Exceptional performances. Your names will be permanently added to the game credits in the next build update as the official Next Fest Champions. Your scores are now part of the game’s history.

The Updated Build Is Now Live

The balance update deployed at 8PM EST and includes: • +25% Armor to all Turrets • +25% Turret Ammo Damage • Reduced Dropship Flare success rate • Faster Sniper Turret reload • Cheaper Replicator Drone speed upgrade • Improved Anti-Missile Turret tracking • Enemy missiles maintain a minimum 50m targeting distance These changes strengthen defenses while preserving strategic pressure.

Next Up – Tower Defense Festival (March 9 – 16)

The competition returns on the Contact Rear map during Tower Defense Festival. And this time, the Top 3 scores during the festival will also earn a permanent place in the game credits. A second chance at infamy. Balancing will continue over the coming days. As defenses improve, enemy Mech counts may increase to maintain competitive intensity. Same battlefield. New balance. Another shot at immortality. Thank you for making this Next Fest unforgettable. — Chris Solo Developer, Artificial Extinction 2

It’s the final day of Steam Next Fest.

Thank you for the incredible competition this week. The leaderboard battles have been intense. Here is how tonight will work:

Schedule – Sunday

8:00 PM EST – Next Fest Survival Competition locks 8:00 PM EST – Steam Build Update goes live 9:00 PM EST – Top 3 Winners announced in a new Steam Announcement Important: You do not need to post your score anywhere. All scores are tracked automatically in-game via the leaderboard. At 8PM EST: • The Next Fest Competition period ends • The updated balance build goes live • The game begins transitioning toward the Tower Defense Festival competition (March 9 – 16)

Balance Update – Live at 8PM EST

This update includes major tuning improvements based directly on your feedback: • All Turrets Armor increased by 25% • All Turret Ammo Damage increased by 25% • Dropship Flare effectiveness reduced from 66% to 25% • Sniper Turret reload time reduced by 25% • Replicator Drone Speed Boost cost reduced from 50 to 10 Tech Points • Anti-Missile Turret improved target detection and faster rotation speed • Enemy missiles now maintain a minimum targeting distance of 50m Many players mentioned difficulty spikes and late-game pressure. This update increases defensive strength while maintaining strategic tension.

Looking Ahead – Tower Defense Festival (March 9 – 16)

The Tower Defense Festival competition will use the same Contact Rear map — but on this updated and evolving build. Balancing will continue leading into the festival. The next step will likely be increasing the number of enemy Mechs to scale pressure appropriately against stronger defenses. That means the meta will shift. See you at 8PM. — Chris Solo Developer, Artificial Extinction 2

Next Fest Survival Challenge – Day 6 Update It’s Day 6 of 7… and the leaderboard has officially gone global.

Asia Has Moved Into Second Place

Asia has stormed into 2nd place and is now putting serious pressure on the top spot. This has turned into a full international survival showdown — and apparently I am one of the casualties.

Current Top 15 Scores:

1) GasMaskedPolon – 25,872 2) 晓枫酱 – 24,760 3) dasoer – 24,704 4) GOLANX – 24,614 5) fjo2570 – 22,376 6) chearfullgnome98 – 19,048 7) Genjator – 18,820 8) 100HrGames – 18,232 9) Fab – 18,346 10) 李俊唐 – 13,106 11) roo – 11,130 12) 黄hih141 – 10,284 13) Lykro – 10,048 14) 穿越热菜 – 8,456 15) NapoleonBlownaparte – 7,632 Yes… I’ve officially been knocked down to 8th place. I would like to formally blame my slow CPU. It is absolutely a hardware limitation. Definitely not a skill issue. I refuse to investigate further. With only ONE day left, things just got serious. The Top 3 scores will be permanently added to the game credits — surviving for eternity. Right now, GasMaskedPolon, 晓枫酱, and dasoer are on track for digital immortality. But there is still time to rewrite history. One more day. One final push. Let’s see who survives Next Fest.

CONTACT REAR – NEXT FEST MAP

• Enemy forces attack from multiple directions.

• Your base is exposed.

• Resources are limited.

Switch between RTS command and FPS combat. Survive as long as possible.

NEXT FEST SURVIVAL CHALLENGE

February 23 – March 2

Contact Rear features a dedicated global leaderboard for Next Fest.

Your survival time determines your score.

When decryption completes, the mission enters Endless Mode. The battle continues until you summon the Mothership.

To maximize your score, remain in Endless Mode to accumulate bonus time. Summon the Mothership at the last possible moment to lock in your highest score.

The leaderboard resets when Next Fest ends.

REWARD

The top 3 players at the end of Next Fest will have their names permanently added to the Artificial Extinction 2 credits.

Survive long enough, and your name lives forever.

PLAY NOW

• Download the updated demo.

• Refine your strategy.

• Climb the leaderboard.

If you enjoy the experience, please consider wishlisting Artificial Extinction 2.

How long can you hold?

A new optimized build of the Artificial Extinction 2 Demo is live now — and on some PCs, framerate has doubled.

Extensive CPU Optimization

This update focuses heavily on CPU performance improvements, with the largest gains expected on lower-end processors. Optimization work includes: • Physics processing refinements • Character collision optimization • Navigation and AI pathing improvements • Animation simplification and efficiency upgrades The objective was clear: preserve the scale, intensity, and visuals of the battlefield while significantly reducing CPU cost. Large engagements now run smoother, especially during peak combat moments. If performance previously limited your experience, this is the build to try.

Steam Next Fest Competition – New Map: Contact Rear

When Steam Next Fest begins, a new demo build will be released featuring a brand-new challenge map: Contact Rear This map is designed around constant pressure, aggressive repositioning, and fast tactical decision-making. During Next Fest, players will compete for the highest survival score on Contact Rear. The top 3 players will be permanently added to the game credits. Your name. Your achievement. Preserved in Artificial Extinction 2. If you want your mark on the battlefield to live forever, this is your opportunity.

Download the Updated Demo Now

The performance update is live. The competition build arrives with Next Fest. Prepare your strategy. Sharpen your reflexes. Get ready to compete. Wishlist Artificial Extinction 2 to be notified at launch and help support the game’s visibility during Next Fest. The battlefield is evolving — and this is just the beginning.

A new battlefield. A new leaderboard. A chance to enter the credits forever.

Steam Next Fest Community Challenge - New Map Incoming

Artificial Extinction 2 is joining Steam Next Fest with a brand-new competitive map and a community challenge. If you've already played the demo, now is the perfect time to jump back in. Starting February 23rd, a new map called Contact Rear will be added to the demo and featured as a special leaderboard competition running throughout Steam Next Fest until March 2nd.

New Map: Contact Rear

This map is built for intense survival gameplay with two simultaneous attack routes: - One enemy force advances from the high ground - Another pushes in from the low ground The longer you survive, the harder the battle becomes. Enemy pressure ramps continuously as the level shifts into endless mode, rewarding players who can adapt and hold the line under extreme conditions.

How the Competition Works

Your goal is simple: survive as long as possible and earn the highest score on the leaderboard. To maximize your score: - Do not call the Mothership as soon as it becomes available - Stay in endless mode and rack up bonus survival time - Difficulty increases the longer you survive - Calling in the Mothership at the last possible moment before your base is destroyed grants an extra 500 bonus points Risk more. Survive longer. Score higher.

Hall of Fame Reward

The top three players on the leaderboard at the end of Steam Next Fest (March 2nd) will have their names permanently added to the game credits. Your victory will be preserved in Artificial Extinction 2 forever.

When It Starts

- New map released: February 23rd - Competition runs: February 23rd - March 2nd - Open to all demo players Whether you're returning to improve your skills or trying the game for the first time, this is the best time to play.

Download the demo, survive the Contact Rear battlefield, and fight for a place in the credits.

Add Artificial Extinction 2 to your wishlist to stay updated on new maps, features, and future events.

Hi Everyone!

The response to the Artificial Extinction 2 demo over the last few weeks has been incredible. I’ve been blown away by the feedback, the encouragement, and the excitement you’ve all shown.

AE2 may be made by one person, but it already feels like a collaborative project powered by a whole group of passionate creators and players — and that means everything to me.

Key Patch Improvement: Auto-Upgrading Turrets & Miners

Today’s update introduces one major quality-of-life improvement that many of you requested:

Turrets and Miners will now automatically upgrade as soon as their tech is unlocked.

This makes the entire flow of the game smoother:

• No more micro-checking which equipment is outdated

• Pacing is cleaner and more strategic

• You can stay focused on building, defending, and fighting

• It just feels easier as your base evolves

There are plenty of smaller fixes in this patch too, but I wanted to keep this announcement focused on the most impactful improvement for your moment-to-moment gameplay.

A Fantastic New Video From a YouTube Creator

Incredibly grateful to @FrogsAtTheCottage for such an effort he made in his video of the AE2 demo — and for all the kind words about the hybrid RTS/FPS/Tower Defense gameplay, the pacing, and the overall feel of the game. This guy deserves some views!

Watch the video here:

A well written and edited video like this is a huge amount of work. Seeing creators take the time to play the demo, share feedback, and highlight what they enjoy is unbelievably motivating. Thank you for helping spread the word.

A Huge Thank-You to the Discord Playtesters

There’s a small but incredibly dedicated group on the Discord who have spent dozens of hours replaying the same levels, stress-testing mechanics, reporting bugs, pointing out exploits, and helping shape the game’s design.

Your commitment, patience, and attention to detail are a massive part of why AE2 plays better today than it did a week ago. I truly appreciate every one of you.

Indie Developers, Indie Musicians, Indie Creators

AE2 isn’t just a solo dev project — it’s a growing collaboration of talented indie creators from different crafts:

• Electronic musicians bringing unique tracks rooted in streetcar culture

• YouTube creators diving into the demo and sharing their genuine experiences

• Players and community members giving feedback, ideas, and encouragement

• And every tester who's bug-hunting and pushing the systems to their limits

This whole ecosystem of creative people is what makes the game feel alive. Thank you for being part of it.

More Updates Coming Soon

I’ll keep polishing, fixing, and improving the game throughout the demo period. Your feedback is driving the direction of the next changes — so please keep it coming.

If you’re enjoying the demo, wishlist the full game, try out new strategies, and keep sharing your thoughts.

Thank you all again — truly. Onward to the next update!

The legendary SplattercatGaming just played Artificial Extinction 2!

His community gave amazing feedback and I am already making changes to improve the experience.

What I'm Working On:

1. Reduced Bloom Intensity Some explosions and glowing objects were creating too much bloom. We’ve toned this down and the battlefield is cleaner and easier to see.

2. Tighter Soldier Aiming Splattercat noticed some FPS weapons weren't centered. I'm on it!

3. Reduced Weapon Recharge Effect When weapons finished reloading, the “recharge lightning” was too strong. That effect has been reduced so visibility stays clear in hectic fights.

The Demo Launches Nov 10th.

Thanks to the creators, playtesters, and community for the support!

Every wishlist helps an indie solo developer more than you can imagine. Thank you

On November 10, the Artificial Extinction 2 demo goes live on Steam. You’ll experience the opening mission, build your defenses, and face the enemy head-on as the fight for survival begins.

This is your chance to test the hybrid gameplay that blends:

• RTS tactical control from above

• FPS combat boots-on-the-ground

• Tower Defense precision under pressure

The demo will feature:

• A full tutorial to get you battle-ready

• One campaign mission

• Unlockable challenge modes

• Steam leaderboards for competitive survival

Add the game to your Wishlist and get ready to deploy.

Hi Everyone,

I’m really excited (and a little nervous!) to finally share a new teaser video for Artificial Extinction 2. This is the first proper look at how the game plays, and it shows off some of the mechanics I’ve been polishing:

• Constructing turrets to defend against attacks

• Unlocking new technologies in the Tech Tree

• Upgrading turrets mid-battle and seeing those improvements in action

• Using the top-down Architect Mode HUD to plan your defenses with precision

• Battling across a variety of maps that each demand different strategies

• Facing waves of infantry and encountering some of the powerful Mechs you’ll fight against

Even though there are still plenty of ideas I plan on adding over time, I feel the build has reached a fun and challenging state. More importantly, I know many of you have been eager to get your hands on it — and that’s what matters most.

The Demo is planned for mid-November, and I’m pouring my energy into polishing and debugging every day. It’s a thrilling moment to finally be this close, but also a bit nerve-wracking because I know players come in with high expectations. Some will love it, some may not — but that’s part of releasing a game into the world.

I also want to give a special thank you to everyone who supported Artificial Extinction 1. I’m looking at ways to make sure AE1 owners will get a discount when AE2 launches as my way of saying thanks. More details on that later!

For now, I hope you enjoy this first look at the game. Please let me know what you think — your feedback and support keeps me going. If you’re enjoying what you see, it would mean a lot to me if you shared the game with a friend who loves RTS, FPS, or Tower Defense. Thank you!

Wishlist if you haven’t already, and get ready to try the Demo in November!

— Chris (100Hr Games)

Trailer

The main launch trailer is in active production and coming together nicely. I’ve been working on pacing, voice-over, and cinematic sequences that highlight the unique hybrid gameplay of Artificial Extinction 2. The goal is to capture the tension of defending your base under siege while also showing the flexibility of toggling instantly between 'Battle Architect' top-down strategy and first-person combat.

I'm excited to share it with you and will let you know as soon as it's released. Here are some 'secret' screenshots I snuck out to share with you! ;)

Demo and Timeline

If all goes smoothly, I hope to have a Demo for you guys to try out mid-November. I'm really looking forward to your feedback. The best way I know what to focus on improving is by listening to you. Game development could go on forever with new features - but it's almost time to share it with you. My goal is to keep improving it after launch, adding new maps, challenges, and leaderboard competitions.

For the Full Launch, I'm aiming Spring 2026. The full launch version will include 10 maps, the Test Range and 4 game modes (Campaign, Nightmare, TD only & FPS only). Replayability is a major focus so each time you attempt a level, it will be a little different. Enemy attack patterns, resource locations and weapon station locations will all vary each time you play.

Testing

Currently, the demo is being tested by 10 different Localizers from around the world. They're checking the language translations throughout the build, both written and spoken. They're already providing feedback and I'm implementing their corrections. They're also testing the game play and I've had some very encouraging comments. They're having fun! As a developer, that's the most encouraging thing I can hear - knowing that the vision is actually delivering enjoyment.

Please don't forget to Wishlist Artificial Extinction 2 - it really helps support the game.

Thank you for checking out my game and I hope you try the Demo!