Pluto news & patch notes

We are excited to release the final 3 Wizards to the playtest branch - Homunculus, Pharaoh, and Paladin!

These are the weirdest fellows on Pluto so they took a bit longer to get right. We expect to roll out some balance updates over the coming weeks, so please let us know your thoughts and feelings as always!

How to Play the Update

You can access this update on the publictesting branch by right-clicking Pluto in your Steam Library and navigating to Properties > Game Versions & Betas. Select publictesting to access this update:

Now that all of the Wizards are here the next step will be moving this branch to be the default version of the game. In that update you can also expect a proper ending, updated tutorials, and further balance changes.

Thanks as always for your support

We are over the moon(s) to release the new Magus, Pyromancer, Flame Knight, and Necromancer!

Each wizard has had their spells and gifts overhauled and expanded, Some sound effects may be missing for the new spells and gifts until next update, we're just excited to give you a look at the new content!

This update also includes the Crescent Moon and Blood Moon modes:

• Crescent Moon is an easier mode, give it a shot if you're struggling or when trying new characters

• Blood Moon is a more challenging mode for master wizards, brave it if you dare

There is a new mechanic called Inscribe introduced this update as well. Spells can be Inscribed with up to 2 Inscriptions that can alter their recipes, effects, and more. Inscriptions wear off the turn after a spell is cast - try shortening a Pyromancer Echo for some real fun.

How to Play the Update

You can access this update on the publictesting branch by right-clicking Pluto in your Steam Library and navigating to Properties > Game Versions & Betas. Select publictesting to access this update:

The launch version will still be accessible on the Default Public Version while publictesting will be updated regularly with new content. Once the new modes and characters are complete we'll be moving this content to the main branch.

Future Plans

Next we'll be releasing the updated final 3 wizards - Homunculus, Pharaoh, and Paladin.

We'll be integrating our mods to the Steam Workshop to make sharing and finding mods easier, as well as providing better tools for making your own mods.

We listen to and value all of your feedback, so please let us know your thoughts!

Here is a comprehensive change list for the update:

• Magus, Pyromancer, Flame Knight, and Necromancer have been added

• Crescent Moon and Blood Moon modes

• Gifts have been overhauled

• New Map and Status icons

• Reworked how Spells are displayed

• Spell Quill has been changed to the Spell Smith

• Overhauled Hotkey system

We are excited to release the Full Moon update to our Public Playtest branch, where you can access all the new content we're working on! If you're excited to jump in you can find instructions below, or keep reading for more details.

How to Play the Update

You can access this update on the publictesting branch by right-clicking Pluto in your Steam Library and navigating to Properties > Game Versions & Betas. Select publictesting to access this update:

The launch version will still be accessible on the Default Public Version while publictesting will be updated regularly with new content. Once the new modes and characters are complete we'll be moving this content to the main branch.

Full Moon Mode

Under the Full Moon enemies unleash their full power... and so can you

This update introduces run modes, starting with Full Moon. This mode has a longer and more challenging map with new events and enemies, as well as a new element, new spells, and new items. Use your new tools to brave this fearsome path.

Currently only the Apprentice can access Full Moon mode but we'll be adding Full Moon versions of each wizard over the coming weeks. Join the Discord to vote on which wizard you'd like us to add next!

Mod Support

The new modes and character variants are made possible by integrating mod support on the backend. Join the Siege Wizard Interactive Discord for a guide on how to make modded characters, items, maps, and enemies!

Future Plans

Crescent Moon and Blood Moon modes will be added in the future to give players the option for both easier and more challenging experiences.

Full Moon variants of each wizard will be added, each with new gifts, spells, badges, and status effects.

This update took longer than expected due to an overhaul of the map and enemy behavior systems, in addition to the new content added. This allows the map to be more variable between runs and for enemy behaviors to be more distinct and intelligent.

All of this control can be leveraged through the mod system to create truly unique content. We will be adding a GUI for the mod system as well as Steam Workshop integrations to make creating and sharing mods as easy as possible.

Here is a comprehensive change list for the update:

• Reduced VRAM usage by ~1GB for better performance

• Cantrips can be combined at the Quill node

• Added Wild elements, which can match any other element

• Added Wild spells, which contain Wild elements and cannot be cast directly

• Replaced Wild status with Charged Status (same functionality as before)

• Added 3 Gifts, 30+ Spells, 20+ Rings, 6+ Badges to the Full Moon Apprentice

• Added Charge Limit as a status rather than a fixed limit of 5

• Lute now gives +1 Charged Limit

• Empty Tome now causes Chants to discard after casting

• Character specific Hexes and Mega Hexes

• Channel now negates Hex rather than Sever

• Unspent Channel now converts to Memory

• Spell Pack increases in cost after each purchase

• Rings and badges can now have variable magnitudes and corresponding gold costs

• Enemy behavior has been overhauled to make enemies more distinct

• Added 2 new enemies and multiple new fights

• Map generation has been overhauled with more variability

• Scry tokens can be spent at Spell Orbs to re-roll the results

• Added Scry Tokens node to the map

• Campfire heals for 75% of Max Health and does not offer a badge

• Added Badge Chest variants

• Added Spell Recipe reversal node

• Added Shop Forage node

• All Spell Shrine alterations are now exclusive with each other

• Combined Spells can still be upgraded once even if their component spells were upgraded

• Spell Upgrade shrine now gives +50% to positive effects

• Shrine of One replaces old upgrade shrine (+1/-1)

• Shrine of Two is similar but +2/-2

• Reworked Knowitorium screen

• Bug fix for hands disappearing
• Bug fix for spamming the continue button loading the game a bunch
• Bug fix for momentum badge counting down before your first turn Also text change on "empty" spells tooltip from "Has no effects Activates Rings and Gifts" to "Has no effects"

Thank you all for supporting the release of Pluto! As a tiny first time developer we never dreamed our project would be so well received and we're very excited to take it to its full potential.

In the coming days we'll be releasing a public branch where you can play the new content we are working on, starting with an extended run mode with a ton of new features. This new mode will feature a new map, new spell type, combining spells, as well as rebalanced enemies with more challenging and distinct behaviors.

Each week we'll be adding a new version of a wizard balanced around this new mode, starting with the Apprentice on release and the Magus next weekend! We will also be releasing new enemies, bosses, and map events for this version starting this month.

This new mode is made possible with the mod support we've integrated on the backend. This week we'll be building a GUI so you can make your own mods in game! We'll also be setting up Steam workshop integrations so you can easily share your mods and find mods made by other players. We are also working on unlockable run modifiers that players can use to tone down the difficulty or give themselves a unique challenge.

We will also be expanding the Knowitorium to include lore about each wizard and the world of Pluto. We hope you're all enjoying the game and can't wait to bring you these updates over the coming weeks! Keep reading for a preview of what to expect...

Wild Spells are a new spell type that can only be cast via other spells and cannot be placed on your fingers directly. In the screenshot below you can see Boost and Arc allow us to cast Zap! This mechanic introduces much more synergy between the recipes of spells, not just their effects.

Wild Elements are found in the recipes for some Wild Spells and will match any element. In the screenshot below you can see that Ancestry has a recipe of Bone-Wild, meaning that Haste will always cast it. You could also use the Bone at the end of Conjure Steel followed by any spell (Arc in this case) to cast Ancestry.

The Spell Smith allows you to combine two Cantrips into a single Big spell. The effects will be added together and you can choose any recipe that includes the recipes of both spells. Now you can make Borc!

These new mechanics will be available in the extended run mode on the public playtest branch in the next few days. And to those aware of the 9th portrait, we can promise we're brewing up something entirely new...

Thank you all for your feedback so far, we are reading every single bit of feedback we get and really enjoy hearing your thoughts on the game. Please remember to write a review Pluto, it's really important for reaching new players and letting us continue development.

See you on the egress,

- Siege Wizard Interactive

Arise wizard, it's Pluto day!

We're so excited to bring you the full release of Pluto after years of hard work (and failed sacrifices). As first time developers we've been blown away at all of the support you've given us through the playtests and demos, and we hope you see that reflected in the game.

Please leave a review if you enjoy Pluto, it really helps us reach more players and we'd like nothing more than to keep making games.

But that's not all...

Look forward to more lore, new game modes, and mod support over the coming weeks and months! Join the Discord to commune with fellow wizards and let us know what else you'd like to see - we want to support this game for as long as you want to play it.

See you on the egress,

- Siege Wizard Interactive

Thank you all for the feedback and support - you can submit feedback in game or by joining our Discord, we'd love to hear your thoughts!

Here are the patch notes for this update:

• Bug Fixes

  • Fixed Tutorial bugs causing softlocks

  • Fixed typos and missing descriptions

  • Fixed graphics issue affecting Spells:

• Gameplay

  • Added a "Dismiss Spell" button

  • Game Speed now saves between runs

  • Lute has been reduced from 3 to 2 Wild

  • Updated Map events

  • Updated tooltips

  • Updated Mega Hex frame

• Sound

  • Added Setting to disable Combat Music

  • Updated sound and music

Good luck out there

A second jail cell has been unlocked... the Pluto Demo update is here!

• New Wizard - The Magus has received his invitation, wielding ancient wisdom and Big Spells

• New Gifts - Explore new Gifts for the Apprentice and the Magus, your niece will be thrilled

• New Enemies - A host of new foes have been hired to impede you, take no quarter!

• New Zone - Brave the consecrated Sewer, teeming with Goblins and Snails

• New Events - Trade, upgrade, and modify your Spells

• New Music and Sound - The dungeons are alive with the sound of music

• Large Performance Improvements - Your reflexes are improving

• Saving and Loading - It's a long road ahead, take your time

• Lore - Delve into the Knowitorium to learn the histories of Pluto

• Updated Tutorial - Go from Apprentice to Magus in no time

• Controller and Steam Deck Support - A wizard must master all magical implements

The new demo also includes a multitude of quality of life improvements, new art, and a glimpse of the full release coming in just two weeks on March 9th!

We appreciate all of your feedback and have integrated it into this update - but we want more! Join the Discord to commune with fellow wizards or submit feedback in game, we're eager to hear it.

Please make sure to wishlist Pluto and leave a review, it really helps.

Through many long nights in our wizard spires, we are proud to announce that we are releasing Pluto on March 9th! Look forward to more announcements about what you can expect in the full release.

We will also have an updated demo available during Steam Next Fest! A highlight of things to look forward to in the demo:

• New Character - The Magus has received his invitation, wielding a ancient wisdom. With age comes power...

• New Gifts and Spells - The warden is known to have confiscated gifts from uncles past, make sure to pick out something nice after defeating him

• New Map Events - Explore new options, forge new paths

• New Enemies - The Leech has employed a larger host to keep you from your niece

• New Music and Sound - The world has never felt more alive, for better and worse...

• Large performance improvements - Your reflexes are improving

• Saving and Loading - It's a long road ahead, take your time

• Controller and Steam Deck Support - A wizard is sure to support multiple styles of spellcasting

See you on the egress

If you are having issues launching the Demo, please try launching through Steam and trying both OpenGL and Vulkan renderers.

This patch we've made the following changes:

• Added an FAQ section

• Added a Hotkey menu with rebinding

• Added Gold events to the Map

• Added new rings to Act 1 (defeat the Warden to find the old rings)

• Added new Echo spells and buffed the existing ones

• Shop Spell Packs now contain 4 Spells

• Updated the Tutorial

• Updated tooltips for some Status Effects and Artifacts that were not described accurately

• Crystallize is now projected in Wizard Vision, similar to Block

• Armor now activates at the beginning of your turn and grants Block when gained.

• Spell tooltips have been moved to not block fingers

• Fixed Spell Die so that Empower gained is not immediately lost

• Fixed a bug that would cause all rings of the same type to indicate they are triggering when any are triggered. 

• Shrunk some textures for the Giant (we believe these were causing crashes)

• The game now should default to your primary monitor on first boot

• Fixed Windowed mode

• Fixed a crash when opening a Spell Slab

• Fixed Abandon Run stalling for some players

• Fixed bug allowing you to click the Cast button while viewing your deck

• Fixed Spell sorting - when multiple Spells are triggered by the same finger, they will cast in the same order they are shown in left-to-right in your hand.

• Added setting to either Hold or Toggle Alt to expand tooltips

• Added setting to invert mouse wheel scroll

• Added setting to disable screen transitions

• Added setting to disable Wizard Vision (true wizards only)

Thank you all for supporting the Demo and playing Pluto! Please reach out with any issues or questions.

We have shared a recommended layout for Steam Deck - next patch we’ll update the game and tutorial to reference the Steam Deck hotkeys rather than the mouse and keyboard commands. In the meantime... Right trackpad serves as your mouse, holding the left trackpad is Alt so you can access extended tooltips Left and right click are the left/right triggers or pressing the left/right trackpads A to start casting (Space) B to clear your fingers (C) X to adjust game speed (F) Y to pause (Esc) While hovering a spell, the left/right d-pad buttons shift the recipe placement (W/S) Shift your entire sequence with the up/down d-pad buttons or the left/right bumpers (A/D) This layout is optimized for how we like to play - primarily by hovering spells, shifting their placement with W/S and then right clicking to place them This layout should still work for players that prefer to left click spells and then left click fingers to place them, but you might prefer having the right trackpad be treated as a left click on press. This allows you to play almost entirely with your right thumb (for better or worse) Let us know if you have any questions or recommendations for the layout!

We're very excited to release the free Demo of Pluto - look forward to completely new spells, artifacts, and a much better tutorial. After this we'll be gearing up for the full release in early 2026 with 8+ characters, branching map paths, longer runs, new enemies, and much more!

Please consider leaving a review if you enjoy our demo, it really makes a difference. Wishlist the game for updates and join the Discord to ponder strategies and commune with fellow wizards.

We are excited to announce that Pluto will be published by indie.io! These guys have helped publish tons of indie games like ours and we feel lucky to have found a publisher that has been totally supportive of our vision. The Open Playtest will be taken down this week as we head into the final stages of development, thanks again to everyone who participated. We'll be posting an updated demo soon, which will be shorter and better tuned. Follow our socials for updates, join the Discord to commune with fellow wizards, and make sure to wishlist Pluto on Steam! For those of you who may not know, working with a game publishing platform like indie.io greatly helps indie developers focus on game development while they handle all the behind-the-scenes magic. From helping manage store pages to crafting marketing campaigns and even helping the game shine at both digital and live events, indie.io helps in all the aspects that indie developers often struggle with alone.