RailGods of Hysterra news & patch notes

Dreamers, Conductors, and all you who follow the RailGod,

It has been a while since we've published an official update on what we're doing, what we've been doing, and what our plans are, so it's time for us to break the (mini) silence and go over all of this with you.

Teasers

Let’s start this news blast with a teaser to soothe your nerves, yes, we have been working on the game, and yes, an update is just around the corner!

Interest? Here are some teasers, just make sure to read on to get all of the details.

The Story So Far

On May 7th, we launched Early Access, and since then, we've been focused on all of you - our players - listening to everything you've had to say about the game. The feedback was immense, and thanks to you, we were able to update the game multiple times with bug fixes, balancing fixes, new features, and more. 

To put the number of suggestions/requests that we received into figures, between our Discord and Steam, we had over 200 different ideas/suggestions in the short period since the game launched.

It's always been our desire to respond to everyone individually, something that we're very proud to have (mostly) been able to do, and looking back, it was a truly fun and intense period.

If you want a recap of the hotfixes and patches, check them out here:

Hotfix 1

Hotfix 2

Hotfix 3

Hotfix 4

Hotfix 5

And our latest update was a bigger one:

Patch 1

A note from our text writer:

I want to thank everyone who commented and encouraged me to write the patch notes in the stylized version. It started out as a small experiment, and I was unsure whether or not anyone would actually enjoy it, so seeing people pick up on the references and directly comment on the way that it's written is really fun, so thank you!!

If you look at the dates that we released the updates, you'll notice that we pushed out an update pretty much every day for a week after the launch (and we did push out a few silent updates as well when more serious situations arose). The best part was that it was not just bug fixes; new features made their way to the game as well.

With that said, we did notice something important. Though the steady stream of hotfixes and patches was great in reinforcing the view that we were here, active, and listening to our community, the rate at which we pushed these updates out was unsustainable. Some of our community members noted that sometimes, bugs that we fixed in a previous update would return with the next update.

Luckily, these were usually minor issues (magnifying glass icon, we're looking at you), but it gave us pause to think. So, after much debate, we decided to shift our focus away from daily updates to releasing larger updates but spread out a bit more.

We decided that this was the best course of action as, by the time the first major patch was released, the game was a lot more stable, and the new features that we added fixed the major quality-of-life issues that were reported.

The Plan Going Forward

Our plan going forward is simple:

• Larger updates

• More content per update

• More time spent per update

• More news from us, so you don't have any more "silent" times.

• Better testing to improve the quality

That last point is an important one as it takes us nicely to our next major announcement, the launch of a special playtest, and we want to invite you, our early access community, to help test the features coming to the game.

Playtest - What to Expect

Let's not beat around the bush here. The two main features of the test server are:

• Gamepad Support

• An all-new Building/Construction System

And of course, there will be a lot of bugfixes/quality of life improvements as well. Check out these fun teasers! Because these two features are extremely important to the game, we need to properly test them, and that is where the playtest comes in! The Playtest will begin on June 19, 21:00 CET, and we will share all of the information about the playtest/how it works/how you can get it/what we need, on that date, so keep your eyes on us!

In-Game Information

Probably one of the biggest areas of the game that we need to improve is the information given to the players when in-game. We’ve heard you all and we’ve been hard at work re-designing the in-game compendium so that it is a true information source for everything that you need. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/d369421a02e3d2dbbb47868df3944ac80ba15358.png {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/78d4cf4de964e25a8ef495c2fecb985da5d01516.png

Thank you to our Community

We want to end this news blast with a big thank you to everyone in our community. The feedback that you’ve given us has been fantastic, and we hope that the work that we put into the game to update and improve it will show you that we’ve listened to you all. And perhaps most importantly, to all the players who jumped in to help others, to those who essentially covered for us when it comes to making sure that players knew what to get, where to get, and how to play, and enjoy the game, you are the best. You’ve directly helped the game to grow and be a success, so we cannot thank you enough!

The Corpse Preserved Beneath Rhan-Tegoth’s Frozen Patience

Once, even in death, Dreamers were denied stillness, gnawed by timid beasts while the RailGod slumbered, their remains scattered by idle chaos. But now, beneath the glacial vigilance of Rhan-Tegoth, the deathless idol entombed in ancient ice, the cycle comes grinding to a halt. The fallen forms of the Conductors shall remain untouched, preserved in the hush between heartbeats, while only the meek creatures retreat.

The Sigils of Difficulty, Bestowed by Azathoth

From the throne of screaming void, Azathoth stirs, no longer content with a single game mode. And so, the very fabric of reality twists to his will. Hosts may now summon forth trials of varying torment:

• Easy, where the horrors linger yet strike softly,
• Normal, the current balance of Hysterra,
• Hard, where death lurks in every encounter,
• Custom, a favourite of Azathoth, and a gift to humanity, allowing them to choose their fates.

Sharing a Meal with the RailGod

The panting hunger of Conductors has long echoed through the steel corridors. But now, a sacred blessing arises: a new GodKeeper skill has been created for the Conductors to fight off hunger for good. While you dwell within the belly of your RailGod, hunger shall not find you.

The Hymn Endures Through Stillness

Music, divine and eternal, now lingers even in frozen time. The sacred Pause menu no longer silences the hymn, let it be known that the RailGod sings on, even as you rest.

The Forgotten Hint Restored

Once, a sacred truth was whispered: Spacebar may be used in place of Middle Mouse when transferring items. However, as the Dreamers departed the Dreamlands and returned to the Waking World, this was lost in the shifting of realms. Luckily, the RailGod has rediscovered this knowledge. The hint returns. Share it with those still fumbling in the dark.

Juk-Shabb Shares

Where once your strikes landed with muted consequence, now they resound with power. Each blow now sings a violent hymn that resonates beyond the veil, for Juk-Shabb feasts upon sensation, and demands you feel it too.

Studied Ultrawide Sight from Nodens

From the luminous shores of the Dreamlands, where silver seas lap against the bones of forgotten titans, the ancient god Nodens, Lord of the Great Abyss, has stirred. Witnessing the RailGod’s defiance against Nyarlathotep, whom he has long opposed, Nodens reached out to the RailGod, offering her a unique opportunity to master her developing powers. In a secret corner of the Dreamland, he taught the RailGod the ancient technique of Ultrawide Sight, allowing her to gaze beyond the mortal frame.

Summary

• If you die, you can now return to the RailGod and your previous body/loot will no longer vanish. Provided that your train is stationary (if you move locations, even a bit, the corpse will vanish). - There is also an expiration timer; once this timer runs out, the look is removed. - A server option was added so that players can pickhow long the loot remains on the map.
• Added 4 new game modes for difficulty, accessible via Server Options - Easy (Monsters are weaker) - Medium (the current difficulty) - Hard (Monsters are stronger) - Custom (You can set your own parameters)
• A new GodKeeper skill “Pact of the Unfamishem” has been added that will prevent you from becoming hungry, provided that you are on board the Railgod.
• The Spacebar transfer hints have been added back to the game.
• Added more visual and audio feedback for combat hits.
• Fixed Train Portal behaviour when interacted by Guests
• Ultrawide support has been restored.

Whispers from the Server Depths The RailGod has evolved and her powers have expanded. Upon inspection, we have found new settings to fine-tune her performance. Server Options have made their way to the game. By manipulating these options, the Conductor may use their RailGod's power to manipulate the laws of Hysterra. For now, only one option exists, to control Satiety Depletion Time. From a mere 10 minutes for the truly brave to 25 minutes for those too faint-hearted to endure longer. Though called server options, this is available for both Single Player and Multiplayer. Recovering More of Humanity's Languages - Polish After successfully establishing a connection to Türkiye and Korea, the maintainers of the Endless Railways set their sights on Poland. There, creatures known as Shantak, allied with the Outer God Nyarlathotep, were actively oppressing humanity, giving the RailGod an excellent opportunity to test her new abilities. With the ferocity of the Hussars of old and the power of the RailGod behind them, the remaining Polish people the Shantak were defeated. Throughout the campaign, the RailGod mastered the Polish language and spread understanding of the language to all of her stations across the globe. Sprint’s Tenuous Grip The Sprint - a new power recently granted by the RailGod - now carries a deeper weight. The impact of sole on earth strikes harder and the effects are more pronounced, letting the sprinting Conductor know that they are running on firm grounds. A New State of Mind As a connoisseur of food, the RailGod understands the necessity of knowing - without any doubt - when one is hungry. Therefore, she has gifted a new ability to her Conductors. Those who have not been fed enough will see a Starving mark upon them if their Satiety drops to 0. Should the Conductor attempt to move with haste, the burden of hunger will become a cruel weight, symbolized not only by the icon but by the cruel text above their head. The Forgotten Key And finally, in the depths of the train, the Train Management Menu (J) has been made more visible. Use this option to utilize the powers of the RailGod to teleport you between carriages! The Bounty Deepens As news of the RailGod and her conductors spreads throughout Hysterra, hope slowly grows in the hearts of humanity. As such, you shall be paid twice the reward for all Side Quests from now on. Carriages Reweighed Madness has been found to infect those who set the prices of the RailGod carriages. 3x3 carriages were priced too cheaply, making the 3x5 carriages pointless. Therefore, the price of the 3x3 carriages has been increased.

Summary Version:

• We have introduced "Server Options" for Multiplayer and Singleplayer.
• This is only accessible via the Menu when in-game.
• In Multiplayer mode, only the Host may modify these options.
• For one, only 1 option exists: to change the Satiety Depletion Rate Minimum 10 minutes (from 100 to 0) Maximum 25 minutes (from 100 to 0)
• Added Polish translation to the game.
• Improved the visual effects when sprinting
• New Feature: Status Icons. These are icons that appear under specific circumstances. The first status is "Starving". This appears when the Satiety drops to 0. If the player tries to sprint with Satiety at 0, the additional text "STARVING" will display above the player. Made the Train Management Menu hotkey (default: J) more visible.
• If no savegame exists, the game will use the Steam client's current language as the game language.
• Side Quests now give you double the rewards.
• The price of the 3x3 Carriages has increased.
• If no save game exists, the game will use the player’s Steam language as the game’s language.

The Sprint of the Dreamer

For too long, your stride was tangled in the invisible nets of Yog-Sothoth, the Lurker at the Threshold, whose presence bends both space and time. Every movement echoed through warped angles, slowed by unseen doors and temporal distortions. The RailGod, being a fan of speed, countered the powers of Yog-Sothoth, allowing her conductor to sprint freely!

To run, please hold Shift

The Crafting Paradox Unraveled

Why forge twin relics when one is desired? As the RailGod and the maintainers of the Endless Railways inspected and fixed the workbenches, an answer was found. Shub-Niggurath, The Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young had infected some of the workbenches with her perverse nature, causing them to multiply their output beyond what was needed. We mortals cannot comprehend the reason why this Outer Goddess involved herself in this way, but know that we have cleansed the workbenches of her perverse nature. You may now craft single objects and not be forced to deal with multiple. What's more, you may now even cancel the process should you decide you no longer need what is being created.

Recovering Humanity - Localizations Unveiled

As the Endless Railways spread throughout the world, more survivors have been found in the distant lands of Korea and Türkiye. These people bring with them a greater understanding of their languages, languages that the RailGod has mastered.

The Scholars Have Returned, Magnifying Glass is Repaired

Studies have been completed on more items, The Magnifying Sigil shall now correctly display on items that have been fully studied.

Her Dark Gifts Strengthen

The ‘Tidal Impetus’ - a Dark Gift - has been refined! Melee strikes shall land on target, and the creatures of madness shall no longer be able to avoid them with ease!

Feeding the RailGod!

Feeding the RailGod is the sacred duty of the conductor, yet overzealous Conductors oft-ignored the sacred limit of feeding her but three items at a time. The RailGod may be fed three offerings at a time. No more, and if the RailGod had her way, no less (thou though may offer less if thy wish). Three (3) shall be the number of offerings thou shall present, and the number of the offerings shall be three. Four shalt thou not offer. One and two may be offered, especially if thou then proceed to three. Five, is right out. Once the number three, being the third be reached, then thou shall inform the RailGod, and offer her no more until she accepts thy tribute. The quick version of the update:

• Sprint mechanic added to the game - hold Shift to run
• You can now cancel the crafting queue at the workbench
• Workbenches no longer create multiple items needlessly - so no more 2/3/4x armour when you only need 1.
• Improved translations for Turkish and Korean.
• Fixed Magnifying Glass icon behaviour for various items that have been researched
• Fixed Melee Weapon hitbox after using the 'Tidal Impetus' dark gift (previously after using this ability, you could not inflict melee damage)
• Fixed resources transfer to RailGod feeder, a bug existed that allowed you to feed more than 3 items at a time.

Heed the whispers of the RailGods — your fate awaits!

► Discord: https://discord.gg/railgodsofhysterra ► X: https://x.com/RailGodsGame ► Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/RailGods ► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@railgodsofhysterra ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/railgodsofhysterra.bsky.social ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/railgodsofhysterra/

The gears grind, the steel groans, and once more, the whispers of the Conductors echo through the corridors of code. In the dark heart of the RailGod, adjustments have been forged. Witness the latest offerings laid upon the tracks in fire and determination:

The Chains of Command Loosen

The host of a multiplayer game once was the sole bearer of the title of "Conductor". Now, with the RailGod's approval, the host may choose to bestow fragments of their authority upon fellow Dreamers, giving them the right to be Conductors as well, thus letting them take on a greater role in their game.

The Dance of War, Unleashed by the Tune of Azathoth.

A pact was made, one signed in blood by the developers, in the secret book of Azathoth. Now, the thin flutes pipe their chaotic melodies across Hysterra, reverberating through time and combat alike. The rhythm of battle has been torn from the grasp of reason and you find yourself no longer bound by the constraints of cooldowns. The chaos of Azathoth flows freely, and you shall dance to its mindless, primal tune.

Unbound Through Stone and Shadow

A vile glitch had corrupted the sacred rites of teleportation within the Mines and Caves, trapping Dreamers in endless loops. The RailGod has scoured the fault-lines fixed that which needed fixing.

The Unseen Counted at Last

Creatures of Corruption and Madness once fell without acknowledgment, their defeat ignored by the ledger of side-quests. But the tallying has been corrected, and now each fallen beast shall be duly etched in the Book of Progress.

Blades Aligned to the Will of the Dreamer

Some weapons once twisted unnaturally in the hands of their wielders, defying physics and sanity alike. The RailGod has intervened, and the sacred tools of destruction now obey logic and reason once again.

Rebindings No Longer Break Reality

A catastrophic flaw in the Control Rebinding ritual has been mended. Where once the act of changing one’s controls threatened to tear apart the very world, sanity resumes and such chaos has been sealed.

Voices Now Whisper in Italian

The ancient scripts have been rewritten, their meanings reborn in a new tongue. RailGods of Hysterra now speaks the language of Dante, Italian localization has been added to welcome more Dreamers into the madness.

Summoned Through the Steam Veil

The barriers between realms grow thinner. Dreamers may now join one another through the Steam Client directly, or summon friends through the Steam Overlay. The bonds of the Endless Railway grow stronger.

A Mighty Show of Support Carved into Steam!

More than a hundred Dreamers have awakened, answered the call of the RailGod, and made their voices heard in the Steam Reviews, and we are beyond grateful! We who maintain the Endless Railway bow, spine crackling, in thanks. Your reviews mean the world to us and give the team strength to keep pushing RailGods of Hysterra to new heights. If you haven’t left a review yet, now’s the perfect time, every word truly helps shape the future of the game! {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/0afb8e7d9852b48c4fa0046a20c78f3a49f9e55d.gif

Heed the whispers of the RailGods — your fate awaits!

► Discord: https://discord.gg/railgodsofhysterra ► X: https://x.com/RailGodsGame ► Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/RailGods ► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@railgodsofhysterra ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/railgodsofhysterra.bsky.social ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/railgodsofhysterra/

The shrieking of the wheels grows softer, for the Conductors have cried out, and the Keepers of Code have listened. Behold, the latest adjustments carved into the rails with rust and resolve: The Beasts Now Bite Softer – All enemies have had their strength and health reduced by 20%. For those who seek a more tormented form of thrill, worry not, for new rites of difficulty shall soon emerge from the Dreamlands. Sanctuary Restored – Upon returning to your RailGod’s sweet embrace, your battered body shall be made whole once again, and your injuries will instantly recover. Let it be known that the RailGod cares for her own. Time Itself Halts - In solo journeys, pressing the ESC key shall now pause the tides of chaos. Inventory Imprisonment Broken - A curse was discovered in some inventories. Nyarlathotep, who delights in the madness of mortals, placed a curse on the inventories. A few unlucky Conductors triggered the curse, and in their state of fear and madness, were frozen in place. Upon learning of the curse, the RailGod was enraged and personally intervened to lift the curse. Artifacts Clarified - The strange icon that appeared on the “Porous Arrows” has been replaced with a true likeness. Likewise, the RailGod Info Scroll no longer speaks in placeholder tongues. The Conductor Strikers Swifter - The Conductor has fully awakened, and so moves much faster and much more precisely when attacking! New Knowledge has been discovered - After devouring the latest Deep One, the RailGod has gained new knowledge and has bestowed upon her Conductor the ability to prevent the camera from shaking in-game, and the ability to hide their names from those that wish to spy on them. A Mighty Show of Support Carved into Steam! A hundred Dreamers have awakened, accepted the call of the RailGod, become her conductor, and have made their voices heard in the Steam Reviews. We who maintain the Endless Railway, and who oversee the RailGod bow - spine crackling - to you! Your honest words grant us great power and motivate us to continue developing RailGods of Hysterra to greater heights and glory! Once again, we bid you to revisit Hysterra with the knowledge that the RailGod is on your side and works to improve the quality of life of her conductors!

Heed the whispers of the RailGods — your fate awaits!

► Discord: https://discord.gg/railgodsofhysterra ► X: https://x.com/RailGodsGame ► Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/RailGods ► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@railgodsofhysterra ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/railgodsofhysterra.bsky.social ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/railgodsofhysterra/

Dreamers, Conductors, and Lost Souls, In celebration of the Early Access launch of RailGods of Hysterra, Twitch Drops have awakened in RailGods of Hysterra. From May 9 at 00:01 CEST to May 18 at 23:59 CEST the Endless Railways shall link with Twitch, giving you a chance to reach into the depths of ancient madness and claim relics that only the bravest, most foolhardy of people could ever hope to wield. Two paths exist, one for the Streamer, and one for the Viewer, pick your path wisely, for they both require unique skills. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/03eea1584101cb283a982f09dc16c4176bd0061c.jpg

FOR STREAMERS: BECOME A GATEWAY TO THE FORBIDDEN

Do you wish to be a beacon of hope for all the souls that are on the verge of succumbing to madness? Then take part in the following ritual:

Link your Steam and Twitch accounts via the sacred page: https://drops.vortex.game/

Activate the ritual of Drops: https://dashboard.twitch.tv/u/*your twitch nickname*/viewer-rewards/drops

Below the ENABLE DROPS option, find the list of OPEN CAMPAIGNS.

Locate the RailGods Of Hysterra campaign(s) and click CONNECT to link your account.

Make sure your stream is categorized under RailGods Of Hysterra on Twitch. Stream for at least two hours and become a beacon of hope for all who inhabit Hysterra! The most devoted of you shall find your names etched in the Ancient Slab (our credits). We recommend that you help raise the banners with these hashtags, so that others may find you: #RailGods #HysterraDrops #TwitchDrops

FOR VIEWERS: SEEKERS OF ANCIENT RELICS

The path of the viewer is a treacherous one, one that requires preparation. But know this, those who gaze into the abyss shall not leave empty-handed:

Link your Steam and Twitch accounts: https://drops.vortex.game/

Ensure your Twitch Drops are enabled: Twitch Drops Settings

Watch Live Streams categorized under RailGods Of Hysterra (look for the glowing Drops Enabled icon). Witness the ritual and claim your rewards: Time Watched Reward 30 minutes Special Bone Earrings 45 minutes Mysterious Pearl Earrings 1 hour Elegant Ruby Earrings 1h 30 minutes Unique Bowler Hat, Orphic Ribbon Hat 2 hours Lost Aviator Hat, Tresses of the Starlit Oracle 2h 30 minutes Mane of the Abyssal Seer, Twitch Military Backpack Important: Only the light of live broadcasts awakens the artifacts. Replays are but dead echoes and will produce no artifacts.

CLAIMING YOUR REWARDS: THE FINAL SEAL

Once you have completed your tasks, you may claim your rewards.

After earning a drop, go to your Twitch Inventory: https://www.twitch.tv/drops/inventory

Click on Claim for each reward.

Launch Steam - your items will appear in your Steam Inventory under one of the following pages: a. https://steamcommunity.com/id/*your steam nickname*/inventory/ b. https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/*your Steam ID*/inventory -> RailGods Of Hysterra section.

All of the items will appear in the “Customization Window”, including the backpack. If you see the items in Steam but not in-game, restart your client, as this usually fixes the issues. If you still need help, message us on the game’s Discord server and we’ll do our best to help you out: https://discord.gg/railgodsofhysterra

REMEMBER

The rewards you claim are not mere trinkets. Each item represents a whisper, a fragment, a signal from the Dreamlands, the true birthplace of the RailGod. Listen closely. Watch attentively. Behind every relic, something stirs. You can feel it already, can’t you? The tracks have been laid, the RailGod has made herself known to all. The time to reclaim Hysterra is now. https://store.steampowered.com/app/3201910/RailGods_of_Hysterra

Heed the whispers of the RailGods — your fate awaits!

► Discord: https://discord.gg/railgodsofhysterra ► X: https://x.com/RailGodsGame ► Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/RailGods ► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@railgodsofhysterra ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/railgodsofhysterra.bsky.social ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/railgodsofhysterra/

The Engineers of the Endless Railway have declared that various bugs and issues that plagued RailGods of Hysterra shall be fixed.

DX12 Banished - That cursed rune, DX12, has been sealed away! The madness that it brought with it caused much of the instability. Thus, DX12 shall slumber until its madness is tamed.

The Chains of Time and FPS are Reforged - No longer shall the framerate run wild like a shoggoth on fire. 60 FPS shall now be the sacred norm, with 30 and 120 offered to those who crave either serenity or frenzy. Existing save games will also default to 60 FPS.

Windowed Fullscreen Ascends - The first awakenings into Hysterra shall occur in the dreamlike state of Windowed Fullscreen. Existing save games will also default to Windowed Fullscreen.

Vanishing Treasures Restored - The chest in the final Wagon/carriage, was found to be a monster in disguise, consuming the precious items stored in it. The beast has been defeated and thrown back into the Dreamworld and replaced with a properly inspected chest. Your items can now safely be stored here

The Aspect Ratio Ritual (16:9 Enforced) - Though it pains us to have to do so, the game will temporarily run in 16:9 ratio only. Important: This means that widescreen is (temporarily) no longer supported. It will return once we have the bug situation under control. Now return to the Hysterra with renewed vigor, and may your RailGod purr with satisfaction at these fixes. https://store.steampowered.com/app/3201910/RailGods_of_Hysterra

We at Troglobytes are thrilled to invite all players to get on board the RailGod and wander through the Lovecraftian world we crafted with so much love and passion! See you all in Hysterra, and remember: Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn! The Dreamers have returned. The Endless Railways have carved a path throughout the world, and the RailGod has finally risen. The fight to reclaim Hysterra from the Great Old Ones has begun. Once you were a Dreamer, traveling through the Dreamlands seeking a way to save humanity from the Great Old Ones, now, your planning has paid off and you have returned to the waking world, but you have not returned alone. The Endless Railways now binds the remaining human towns and cities, and the RailGod, a colossal, sentient locomotive that fuses Dreamworld and human technologies. Now, you must travel across the shattered world of Hysterra, harvest power from the madness-infected monsters that now roam the world, and prepare to challenge the Great Old Ones! https://store.steampowered.com/app/3201910/RailGods_of_Hysterra

Survive a Lovecraftian Nightmare!

The Great Old Ones came, they saw, and they conquered. Humanity fell, and the Old Gods became the new rulers, infecting the world with their madness. But you are special, you were led by H.P. Lovecraft, who foresaw the return of the Great Old Ones, and so before they arrived, he led a chosen few to the Dreamlands in search of a way to fight back against the Old Gods. Now, you have returned to the waking world, and the way to fight back is through the RailGods! {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/84e87139face3b1ea7ee7860fe82078294f0563c.gif

Base Building, on Rails!

The RailGod serves as your base, she pulls wagons that you can develop into a unique roaming base. Build workstations, research technologies, hold prisoners captive, sacrifice them to the RailGod, and more! {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/8a32baa308e018d1938c288775e64e075c5647f7.gif

Madness, Not Just a Debuff!

True to Lovecraftian lore, the biggest obstacles to overcome are not combat based, but madness. As you explore a world controlled by the Great Old Ones, you will feel your mind unravel as you struggle to understand the world around you. But, as one tied to the RailGod, madness can be power, for you can offer it to the RailGod, and in return she will grant you powers…but at what cost? {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/f28c7deb3f857c14e0f5a5d1c6ab5b87df49cd32.gif

Singleplayer and Co-Op!

Whether you wish to take on the Great Old Ones alone, or join a team, the choice is yours. Play solo or with up to 4 other people (5 total) in the Co-Op mode. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/5372787bc018cc2102a1b429854ab792efea6406.gif

A Warped and Unique World

Each stop along the Endless Railways brings new procedurally generated locations, giving you endless opportunities to explore the broken world of Hysterra and uncover its secrets. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/211c65508cf871c90b6f1aa5eb51bf43b59da895.gif

EARLY ACCESS ROADMAP

The first blast of the RailGod's whistle has screamed across the Wastelands of Hysterra, and the wheels of our madness have begun to turn. Early Access is but the first station on a far darker journey in our great campaign to cast down the Great Old Ones and reclaim the ruins of Hysterra from their writhing grip. The RailGod has awakened, but she is still growing! We, the maintainers of the RailGod have already taken heed of your dreams and deliriums, shared during the demo, and we will continue to do so going forward. Development roars forward like a beast unchained, so gaze now upon what comes next! {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/36ef9ddf51447a22581012f36f2d5195e13aabf5.png When the demo was released into the waking world, we were overwhelmed by the passionate roar of your voices. Over five full pages were carved into the Steam Discussions, and we read through them all as if they were prophecies of the future. Your insights, wild speculations, praise, and criticisms have been devoured with gratitude, and it is thanks to you that the RailGod emerges ever stronger.

Perhaps you wish to take on the challenge not alone, but in a group?

If so, we encourage you to seek fellow Dreamers in our Co-Op subforum on Steam, or join us on Discord! Those who make their way to our Discord will find a dedicated feedback forum, the special place for collecting feedback and bugs. This section is watched daily by our lurking team, so we encourage you to use this section to let us know what you think of the game. We have but one request to those who wish to do this: seek out the previous suggestions and see if someone else has brought up what you wish to write already. If so, don't start a new topic; support the one that exists already. We created the Early Access Supporter Pack as a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who believes in our vision and wants to support the development of RailGods of Hysterra. It includes unique in-game items, digital artbook, OST, and a small token of our gratitude, signed by the team. https://store.steampowered.com/app/3601390/RailGods_of_Hysterra__Early_Access_Supporter_Pack/ For the next two weeks, the game will be 10% off, and we’re also excited to announce a special bundle with ASKA, available during the same period! https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/52533/RailGods_of_Hysterra_x_ASKA/

A special request to our fans!

Have you already felt the madness creeping in? Are the whispers starting to feel… familiar? If you're enjoying RailGods of Hysterra for its unique kind of madness, share your thoughts and leave a review on Steam, the RailGod will be forever grateful!

Heed the whispers of the RailGods — your fate awaits!

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In the shadows of screaming stars and beneath the bootheel of ancient gods, I scratch these words in madness and hope - there must come a being of mercy, made of flesh and steel, who shall save us from the Great Old Ones. The dreams have turned to screams, and the screams to steam. The blackened veil parts, and what lies behind it is not salvation, but the truth. You who follow the RailGods, steel your soul and prepare your minds, for now, we shall unveil the story behind RailGods of Hysterra. From the moment humanity fell to the Great Old Ones, to the secret plans hatched by H.P. Lovecraft and his Dreamers, and finally, to the rise of the RailGod, the secret weapon that will help humanity reclaim Hysterra.

🔻 See the Story Trailer here, but do not watch alone. 🔻

The Awakening Draws Near!

Early Access begins soon, across all borders, through all time zones, the Endless Railway shall soon descend! A cosmic timetable etched in flame and rust, listing the local time at which your descent into Hysterra shall begin has been prepared for you, commit this knowledge to your heart, and be ready, for the RailGod waits for no one. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/759ded09eae0ecd0cfdd48fdf812b3d5c1bf2124.png https://store.steampowered.com/app/3201910/RailGods_of_Hysterra

Heed the whispers of the RailGods — your fate awaits!

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Greetings Dreamers, The whispers of the RailGod have reached the darkest corners of Steam. From today until April 21, join us in the Lovecraftian Days and descend deeper into the madness of Hysterra. Do not think for one moment that we are joining this event empty-handed, for the RailGods of Hysterra Demo shall be updated. Now, as you depart the Dreamlands and slowly return to the waking world of Hysterra, your eyes shall see a clearer glimpse of the true madness that awaits you.

Latest Updates & Improvements — Lovecraftian Days Edition

• Refactored Main Menu
• Added control rebinding options in the Main Menu
• Added advanced graphics settings
• Added shared chests/workbenches (multiple players can interact with them simultaneously)
• Added connected chests on the train (players can access all items in nearby chests/workbenches from any chest interface)
• Added crafting using resources stored in chests or workbenches (no longer necessary to move items to the Dreamer’s inventory before crafting)
• Added train carriage teleportation (default key: J)
• Added quick-interact button for retrieving death drops (default key: F; it will re-equip gear from your death drop — in the future, it will also restore item hotkeys)
• Polished combat feedback
• Refactored and improved tutorial
• Overall UI improvements (Info Points added in key UI sections)
• Added save/load system for Fog of War data
• New Train Stops added
• New Dark Gifts added
• Added Madness visual and sound effects
• Added a ladder plan that allows access to carriage rooftops
• Spawns of Cadath can now appear while traveling by train (spawn frequency depends on the rail line color — only the green line is available in the demo, so encounters will be rare)

⚠️ We recommend starting a new game after this patch, as the significant changes may cause compatibility issues with previous save files. Yes, we’re aware of the current issues with localization and text formatting. Our team is already working on it, and a new fix addressing this problem will be released very soon. Join us during Lovecraftian Days and experience the improved madness of Hysterra firsthand! https://store.steampowered.com/app/3201910/RailGods_of_Hysterra

Heed the whispers of the RailGods — your fate awaits!

► Discord: https://discord.gg/railgodsofhysterra ► X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/RailGodsGame ► Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/RailGods ► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@railgodsofhysterra ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/railgodsofhysterra.bsky.social ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/railgodsofhysterra/ ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalVortexEntertainment

Dear Dreamers, Last week, we shared the exciting news that we are launching RailGods of Hysterra - Early Access on April 23rd. However, after recent internal playtests and feedback from our dedicated testers, we've realized that we need just a bit more time to ensure the experience matches the quality and depth you've come to expect. Your excitement and feedback have inspired us to refine key features, enhance the game's stability, and improve the overall gameplay. This is because it is essential to us that your first experience with RailGods of Hysterra is both memorable and truly satisfying. With that in mind, we've made the difficult decision to move the Early Access launch from April 23rd to May 7th, 2025. This additional time will allow our team to polish the game further and deliver the immersive, Lovecraftian experience we envisioned. We deeply appreciate your patience, understanding, and continued support. Mark your calendars for May 7th, and get ready to board your RailGod for an unforgettable journey through the haunting world of Hysterra! Warm regards, The RailGods of Hysterra Team

Recovered from a rust-stained carriage, found adrift on the Endless Railways. Entry #7 – Lexicon of Hysterra

Great Old Ones

Some call them gods, but I refuse. They are calamities given form, vast and ancient. When they returned, Earth wept blood. Each reshaped the land into their vision of what a playground of madness would look like. Yes, I wrote returned intentionally, for this was not the first time that they roamed the Earth. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/775292ea2c72f5cd9df7021575af6aebe988fcb4.png

Dreamers

They are the sleepers, led by Lovecraft before the Great Old Ones returned. They gathered in secret and were sent to the Dreamlands to find a way to save the earth and humankind - but in a way that would become real in the Waking World. It was in the Dreamlands that they created the RailGods, and how the RailGods came to reality.

The Endless Railways

The Endless Railways is a marvel of oneiric engineering, a self-repairing track of living metal that wraps around the entire planet forming an endless, undying loop. Forged in the Dreamlands, it channels eldritch energies through its stations, casting great protective domes over the towns it touches.

Sub Section: Oneiric engineering

This is a form of advanced, dream-based science and technology that operates according to the principles of the Dreamlands rather than conventional physics. It allows the creation of structures and mechanisms that would be impossible in the waking world.

RailGods

The RailGods are our salvation…terrible salvation. Sentient locomotives were made when shoggoth-plasm and steel were merged. Their origins lie within the obscure sorcery of the Dreamlands and with the willpower of the Dreamers. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/cdad4f01b9b4a45e2e32310eaa9f31a227e609c7.jpg These engines travel the Endless Railways and are fueled by sacrifice and sorcery. As they travel the Endless Railway, they trace a signal/mesh that blocks the Great Old Ones from our realm.

Sub Section: Shoggoth-Plasm

This is a refined extract from the dreaded Shoggoths (an ancient horror that we dare not speak of). The Shoggoth-Plasm allows us to bond flesh and machinery, ultimately creating the RailGods. It thinks, grows, hungers, and evolves.

Stations

Similar to the train stations from before the Old Ones returned, but now with a much bigger purpose. Each Station is a conduit of the Endless Railway’s living current, and by using that power, they cast a shield around them, a shield that protects the fragile remnants of humanity. Within the shield dome, the whispering chaos and madness are held at bay, and only here may the RailGod rest, and the Dream breathe without madness pressing in.

Conductor

A Dreamer who has returned from the Dreamworld and is now tethered to the RailGod. Some say that they drive the train, others say that they are subjugated to her, but those who meet them know…they do not drive the RailGod, they live in symbiosis with it. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/df13d88ded9fb941b7487e20a30af203978c911a.png

Hysterra

This was once Earth. Now, under the reign of the Great Old Ones, it has become twisted, poisoned, and seeped in madness. After conquering the world, the Great Old Ones divided the land between them and twisted it beyond all recognition. Each god terraformed its territory to its own liking.

Dark Gifts

Dark Gifts are the powers granted to Conductors by the RailGod. These abilities are far beyond what a human dreams of, but they come at a cost to the Conductor. With each Dark Gift, the Conductor loses a part of their humanity.

Madness

To walk the lands of Hysterra as they are now is to invite madness. The twisted presence of the Great Old Ones is always felt, not through sound or shape, but through a pressure on the soul. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/3f0fdd295ec7ec60bf6dc8d7515ece27ed0d5e27.jpg While aboard the RailGod, and within the domes cast by the stations, the Dreamer is safe. But during exploration, Madness slowly rises, a response to the ever-present influence of the Great Old Ones, the warped environment, and the horrors that roam it. Regular humans quickly succumb to madness, however, Dreamers are different. They have the RailGod on their side, it can cleanse the Dreamer of their madness, and in doing so, the RailGod learns more of the horrors that exist in Hysterra. And as the RailGod learns, she will be able to grant you the Godkeeper Skills.

Godkeeper’s Skills

Unlike the Dark Gifts, the Godkeeper Skills are non-combat abilities gained through the RailGod’s growing awareness of the world’s horrors. They help the Dreamer become a more efficient Conductor, allowing faster movement through carriages, expanded inventory, improved resource collection, and more. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/5a85020e0d722007c7b06e85c9dded7d3ceff8ea.png Godkeeper’s Skills reflect care, control, and adaptation, not violence. https://store.steampowered.com/app/3201910/RailGods_of_Hysterra

Heed the whispers of the RailGods — your fate awaits!

► Discord: https://discord.gg/railgodsofhysterra ► X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/RailGodsGame ► Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/RailGods ► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@railgodsofhysterra ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/railgodsofhysterra.bsky.social ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/railgodsofhysterra/ ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalVortexEntertainment

When the Great Old Ones returned, the world was shattered. Billions perished. The survivors? Scattered, half-mad, clinging to remnants of reason. Time, space, and even memory were twisted under the will of ancient gods who reshaped Earth beyond recognition. The gods divided what remained among themselves and each began terraforming their territory to their liking.

Yet not all was lost.

Before the world fell, one man, H. P. Lovecraft, saw the signs of the impending doom. He gathered Dreamers from across the globe; visionaries, mystics, and outcasts, all united by a single purpose: to save humanity. Together, they hid themselves in mausoleums and crypts, suspended themselves in a supernatural sleep, and descended into the Dreamlands. There, beyond the reach of the Great Old Ones, they sought knowledge from ancient priests, brilliant polymaths, and forgotten professors, until finally, in the city of Sarkomand they forged a plan. The plan was the Eternal Railways and the instrument of that salvation?

The RailGod.

Born of Dreamland knowledge and bound in steel and shoggoth-plasm, the RailGod is no mere machine, it is a living god forged for one purpose: to carve a path of survival through a world consumed by madness. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/ec9e761510cb50f272939668b83479c6be3bcdaa.gif And now, the time has come. On April 23rd, the Dreamers shall awaken. The RailGod will rise. And salvation shall thunder across the rails of Hysterra. https://store.steampowered.com/app/3201910/RailGods_of_Hysterra

Heed the whispers of the RailGods — your fate awaits!

► Discord: https://discord.gg/railgodsofhysterra ► X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/RailGodsGame ► Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/RailGods ► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@railgodsofhysterra ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/railgodsofhysterra.bsky.social ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/railgodsofhysterra/ ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalVortexEntertainment

RailGods of Hysterra is not your average survival game. Instead of a cabin in the woods, your home is a living, tentacled train, a monstrous RailGod that you are symbiotically bound to. You are a Dreamer, part mage, part scavenger, part god-touched survivor, and you'll be exploring Hysterra as you set forth on the Eternal Railways with your RailGod to gather resources, and expand your mobile base… all while managing your sanity in a world corrupted by the Great Old Ones. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/cdad4f01b9b4a45e2e32310eaa9f31a227e609c7.jpg Combat in RailGods of Hysterra is a fusion of early-industrial firearms and forbidden magic, granted to you by the RailGod itself, though there is a price to pay if you choose to accept its gifts - your humanity! {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/0afb8e7d9852b48c4fa0046a20c78f3a49f9e55d.gif The latest trailer, Guns'N Foes, showcases many of the weapons and combat styles in the game, from handcrafted pistols, Victorian rifles, mystical blasts, and even your bare fists (if you're brave enough).

March 26 draws near... and with it, a revelation. Mark your calendars, and prepare yourself for that day, you won't want to miss what’s coming.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3201910/RailGods_of_Hysterra

Heed the whispers of the RailGods — your fate awaits!

► Discord: https://discord.gg/railgodsofhysterra ► X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/RailGodsGame ► Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/RailGods ► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@railgodsofhysterra ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/railgodsofhysterra.bsky.social ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/railgodsofhysterra/ ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalVortexEntertainment

"You could stay human. You could keep your fragile sanity intact. Or… you could take the gift offered by the RailGod. But to gain power, something must be given in return, that something is your Madness. For those who serve the RailGod, Madness need not be a burden, it can be a currency. The question is, how much are you willing to spend?" Before you can wield Madness, you must understand it. In our previous article, Of Madness and RailGods, we explored the origins of this mechanic. We spoke of how Madness evolved from a punishment into a choice, even becoming something akin to a currency that can be traded for power, and how it manifests not just as a mechanic, but as a psychological experience. If you haven’t yet read that article, we recommend starting there to grasp the full weight of what Madness truly means. For this article, we will be diving into Madness again, but this time it will be more of an explanation of how it works. We'll be covering how Madness becomes fuel for transformation: how it is gained, how it is spent, and how it unlocks the forbidden God-Keeper Skills. We’ll also explore the mysterious Magic Wheel, the strange mechanism by which power is granted - or denied.

How to Gain & Control Madness

Perhaps the most important thing to know about Madness as a mechanic in RailGods of Hysterra is that it is not random, it is the result of a series of choices. The goal is simple, every interaction should come with a cost.

What Increases Madness?

Madness can be gained through various actions, some intentional, some unavoidable.

• Remaining away from the RailGod for too long
• Exploring corrupted lands where reality is unstable
• Witnessing eldritch horrors that should not exist
• Reading ancient texts filled with knowledge mortals were never meant to understand
• Interacting with artefacts infused with the energy of the Great Old Ones

As you trigger any/each of these points, Madness will build and it will gradually alter the way that you perceive the world.

The Effects of Madness

Displaying the effects of Madness to the player is not as easy as it sounds. After all, as we described in the previous article we wanted to move away from simply relying on visual tricks, and instead, have the mechanic be something that has a direct impact on the player's experience by distorting what they see, and make survive a challenge. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/3f0fdd295ec7ec60bf6dc8d7515ece27ed0d5e27.jpg

• Eyeballs appear in the inventory. This is to give the player the impression that, as they go "mad", they lose memories of what they have. That herbal tea you once had in your inventory? Well, now you no longer know what it is. Don't worry, once you relieve yourself of the madness, you will recognise it again.
• The world is bathed in red mist. To show the player's vision is impaired, a red fog closes in on the player.
• The Mini-map becomes useless. This works hand in hand with the previous two points. It is another layer that makes players feel like they are forgetting what they once knew / they begin to question what is real and what is not.

These are the features that we have right now, however, we are constantly looking to build on this. So for the future, know that we are likely to add more ways that Madness can impact you, especially if it ultimately results in the player feeling disoriented, lost, and vulnerable.

Managing Madness

As we've mentioned a few times, we've always wanted to include some form of "choice" when it comes to Madness. Not by means of whether it affects you or not, but by means of what you can do with it. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/f28c7deb3f857c14e0f5a5d1c6ab5b87df49cd32.gif The first step in doing this is to have a way that players can manage the Madness. This means that there has to be a way for players to purge themselves of its creeping grasp. Ways to cleanse Madness include:

• Returning to the RailGod The act of offering Madness to the RailGod will reset the Dreamer’s mind, for a time. However, in doing so the player will walk down a path that sees their humanity slowly be eroded.
• Drinking Herbal Teas Certain concoctions help suppress Madness, though their effects are temporary. This method will dissipate the Madness, removing it from the player's body entirely. By taking this method, the player will retain their humanity, but they won't get anything in return from the RailGod.
• Avoiding eldritch corruption There are places no sane Dreamer should walk. Some step into the darkness and never return. Whether or not this is always possible is a different point entirely.

Ultimately, for those who wish to hold on to their humanity, managing Madness is a constant battle. For those who don’t, there is another path.

God-Keeper Skills – The Gifts of Madness

"To wield power beyond mortal understanding, one must first accept the cost. The weak fear Madness. The strong wield it." The God-Keeper Skills are gifts granted by the RailGod, but only to those willing to surrender their Madness in exchange. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/168c1339979c8e912f5bb2d18baf1c4eac844c7d.gif Unlike traditional RPG abilities, these are not passive perks, they are transformative. The more a Dreamer embraces the RailGod’s power, the less human they become, but in doing so, they become more powerful than they could possibly imagine.

How Are God-Keeper Skills Obtained?

God-Keeper Skills are not freely given, they must be earned by offering Madness to the RailGod. It is through this mechanism that we turn Madness into something far more than just a debuff. However, one must know that acquiring power always comes at a cost, each ability pushes the Dreamer further from what they once were. The Most Sought-After God-Keeper Skills The most powerful abilities allow Dreamers to transcend their limits, but none come without consequence.

• Teleportation The most praised ability. Allows Dreamers to instantly return to their RailGod but at what cost? {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/dd4161e673186602ffeb9da9d4520720d13aa871.gif
• Gathering Tentacles Enhances resource collection, but replaces the Dreamer’s arm with something… other. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/2e6e4369f2620533959e2b3a65c5a68835d19625.gif
• Unveiling the Map Clears the fog of war, but does the Dreamer truly see the land as it is… or how the RailGod wants them to see it?

Dreamers may find themselves wondering: Did they make the choice, or was the choice made for them?

The Magic Wheel

The Magic Wheel is the interface for the powers that the RailGod has granted you. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/1a29abbbb53f1a74046be63f7f0ca340eaf4f935.png

How It Works

• When the player gets a power from the RailGod, they need a way to access/use that power.
• This is handled by the "magic wheel", think of it as a power selector.

"The strongest warriors of Hysterra are not those who resist Madness, but those who wield it." Madness is not an obstacle it is a tool, a currency, and a path to transformation. Dreamers must decide:

• Do you control the Madness, or does it control you?
• Do you embrace the gifts of the RailGod, knowing you will never be the same?
• Do you spin the Magic Wheel, knowing you may never return to what you once were?

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3201910/RailGods_of_Hysterra

Heed the whispers of the RailGods — your fate awaits!

► Discord: https://discord.gg/railgodsofhysterra ► X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/RailGodsGame ► Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/RailGods ► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@railgodsofhysterra ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/railgodsofhysterra.bsky.social ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/railgodsofhysterra/ ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalVortexEntertainment

"It begins as a whisper. A shadow at the edge of your vision. A distortion of time, of place, of reality itself. The Wastelands do not kill with teeth and claws alone—they unravel you. But where one mind breaks, another may bend. And bending? That is where the power lies." Survival in RailGods of Hysterra is not just about defending yourself against the monsters of Hysterra, managing the madness of the unforgiving world plays a huge role. In a world where the Great Old Ones have already won, where civilization has crumbled into isolated fortresses that cling to existence in a desperate struggle to survive, the greatest threat is often not what lurks outside, but what stirs within. The culprit? Madness. An ever-present corruption that twists reality and tests the will of those who dare to travel the Eternal Railways. But, in a world where the Great Old Ones reign supreme, Madness is not just a punishment, there are those who have learnt to use and control it. Madness is a choice, a resource, a currency, however, it is one that players must navigate and manage carefully. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/1559b50d81f0b3cfb8e083d494ea659afeac8afd.gif

The Origins of Madness – Inspiration and Design

When designing RailGods of Hysterra, our team drew inspiration from H.P. Lovecraft (stating the obvious, right?). However, for those of you who have not read his works, you may be surprised to know that they rarely feature monsters that kill outright. Instead, they tell stories of scholars, explorers, and dreamers who stare too deeply into the abyss and in doing so are forever changed. That was the inspiration for Madness in our game. It was never meant to be just another debuff, we wanted it to be something that players could interact with, by manipulating and harnessing it. “In Lovecraft’s stories, those who seek knowledge often find only despair. But in RailGods, we wanted to offer something more, power. Madness is a curse, but it is also a tool.” From the beginning, we knew that Madness couldn’t just be a timer ticking down to failure. Instead, we asked:

• What if players could choose to push deeper into Madness?
• What if Madness wasn’t just a punishment?
• What if losing your mind didn’t mean losing the game, instead it opened a door.

This is how the Madness System was born.

The Evolution of Madness – From Concept to Final Design

Unlike many other survival horror mechanics where over time, sanity simply vanishes, we treat Madness as something much more reactive, even dynamic. Players gain Madness when they leave the safety of fortified cities and venture into the Wastelands of Hysterra. The longer they stay, the more reality begins to warp and shift. At first, the system was fairly simple, Madness built up over time and as it built up, it created hallucinations and some other minor effects. But during our early playtesting, we realized a few points:

• If Madness was only a punishment, players would simply avoid it.
• If Madness was too chaotic, players would get frustrated rather than immersed.
• If there was no reward for taking the risk, there was no reason to engage with the system.

If you've played our latest demo, you'll know that the Madness in the game is very different to what we just described. That's because as we realised those points, we redesigned the system. Instead of being a simple debuff, we converted Madness a trade-off system of sorts, yes it can (and will) negatively impact you, however, it can be used. This changed madness into a choice. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/f28c7deb3f857c14e0f5a5d1c6ab5b87df49cd32.gif The First Choice

• Players can manage their sanity drinking herbal teas is a great way to do so, but this simply makes the madness vanish. The player does not “use” it.

The Second Choice:

• Players can intentionally let the madness grow, and in doing so, they can use it to power, knowledge, and abilities that no sane mind could comprehend.

This is where how the philosophy of Madness changed, from a simple horror mechanic to a player-driven experience. “The best horror doesn’t just make you feel afraid—it makes you complicit. It tempts you. It whispers: ‘What if?’” Ultimately, it comes down to this, madness is both a pathway to power and the price one must pay to get that power, it is a choice:

• Do I return to the RailGod and cleanse my mind?
• Or do I push further into the abyss and see what power awaits?

{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/5a85020e0d722007c7b06e85c9dded7d3ceff8ea.png

Manifesting Madness – Audio, Visuals, and Player Experience

Core to all of this is how the player experiences the madness when they play the game. It is not simply a UI element/a number on the screen, we've made it in a way where players can see, hear, and feel (through their character of course). The way that we achieve this is through:

Visual Distortions: Seeing What Shouldn’t Be There

• As Madness builds, the environment warps around the player's viewport.
• Shadows stretch where they shouldn’t.
• The world seems too bright, too dark, or simply…wrong.

Audio Manipulation: The Whispers That Never Stop

• As Madness increases, sounds shift.
• You might hear footsteps that aren’t there.
• Voices whisper things that you simply cannot understand...yet.

UI Disruptions: When Even the Inventory Lies

• At high Madness levels, your inventory becomes unreliable.
• Items are replaced with watching eyes.
• Some resources appear and disappear.

{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/3f0fdd295ec7ec60bf6dc8d7515ece27ed0d5e27.jpg The goal was to make madness not just a difficulty mechanic, but a more psychological experience. We wanted players to question the world we've built with questions such as: Can you trust what you see? Can you trust what you hear? Can you even trust yourself?

Survival vs. Surrender – The Player’s Choice

We mentioned this earlier on, but madness is not a game-ending feature. Unlike many other horror games, where when one loses their sanity, it ultimately results in the player losing the game, RailGods uses it to give players a way to choose their path. Resisting madness means staying close to safety, and refusing the whispers of the void. Do this and players can retain your humanity. Or, the player can choose to embrace the madness. Instead of controlling it, players can offer it to the RailGod in exchange for forbidden strength. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/06c8e33a532ae84644d6458f6150cbb4399b0d31.jpg This is the balance we wanted, this is why we say that madness is a currency, not just punishment. Ultimately, it is used to pay for power. “The strongest warriors of Hysterra are not those who resist Madness, but those who wield it.”

The Future of Madness in RailGods

While the current Madness System is already deep, we are expanding it further.

• More Visual & Audio Distortions – Increasing hallucinations and reality shifts based on Madness levels.
• New Madness-Based Abilities – Unlocking even more eldritch skills for those who truly abandon their humanity.
• Madness-Based Events – Encounters and alternate storylines based on your level of corruption.

Madness is ever-evolving, much like those who embrace it. So the question remains… Will you resist the Madness? Or will you become something more?

88 years ago, H.P. Lovecraft, the Chronicler of the Great Old Ones, left this world, but his legacy will live on! The chronicles must be updated. A milestone has been reached, 100,000 Dreamers now stand at the threshold of Hysterra, peering into the abyss. The RailGod stirs, and so we shall etch this tale upon the iron tablets of fate. But let us not speak only of numbers. No, the truth is deeper, buried beneath layers of sacrifice and revelation. Steam Next Fest was no mere festival, it was a prophecy unfolding before our very eyes!

The Insights Carved from Madness

The Scholars Would Call This a Victory!

But what is victory if not survival? Had we walked blindly into the dark, we would have been devoured by madness and insanity. Instead, the Dreamers spoke, whispering truths of flawed combat, broken inventory, and things that should not be. Had we released the game as it was, the pain would have been unspeakable. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/cdad4f01b9b4a45e2e32310eaa9f31a227e609c7.jpg

Yet the Heart of the Beast Remains True!

The hunger, the devotion, the terrible beauty of the thing we are building, they were adored. The Feeding, the Offering, the Madness, the forging of unholy bonds between steel and sinew. We have seen the joy of those who have experienced this first-hand, and so we now know that our path is correct. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/7573ce72b25f2a5ed1ff83de343c37cad3ad0d89.jpg

The Ritual of Preparation

Yet, even victory gives us reason to pause, for we must ponder at how we arrived at this glorious moment. Then, it must be documented, written upon scriptures that all may study, learn, and revere in the days to come.

The Summoning Began Early

We did not wait for the event’s arrival. Instead, we laid the groundwork, casting the first runes on February 10. The demo went live, and before the great flood of the Steam Next Fest, we shaped it with five cycles of sacrifice and rebirth.

The Cult Was Notified

On February 21, we turned to those who had already seen, the ones who had wishlisted, the ones who knew of Hysterra, the RailGods, and the Great Old Ones. We whispered to them, urging them forth, and prepared them to help guide us. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/b642b206b53b72cabb6e48122bb2c83a3b743454.jpg

The Ritual Markers Were Placed

The words of mortals can be misunderstood, so we deemed it wise to not only listen but to observe and understand the patterns of death, the fractures in the world.

• 24,386 lives lost (most at the Lighthouse & Campsite)
• The three Harbingers of Doom: Savage, Ocean Thrasher, Deep One. These three were the bane of Dreamers, bringing the most Dreamers to their end.
• The one who failed to claim its share: The humble boar defeated a mere 168 opponents.
• The great sacrifices made: 101687 enemies were sacrificed, 18963 Dark Gifts granted to the players.

The Next Chapter: 100,000 Eyes Upon Us

And now, we stand at the precipice of something greater. 100,000 have seen the path. The weight of their gaze is heavy, but we welcome it, for the RailGod stirs, and the great journey shall soon be upon us. To those who walked this path with us, your voices have shaped this nightmare, and for that, we thank you, for you have granted us the power we need to summon the RailGod in all its glory. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/0afb8e7d9852b48c4fa0046a20c78f3a49f9e55d.gif https://store.steampowered.com/app/3201910/RailGods_of_Hysterra

Heed the whispers of the RailGods — your fate awaits!

► Discord: https://discord.gg/railgodsofhysterra ► X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/RailGodsGame ► Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/RailGods ► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@railgodsofhysterra ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/railgodsofhysterra.bsky.social ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/railgodsofhysterra/ ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalVortexEntertainment

Added control remapping. The magnifying glass icon now always appears on items that can be studied through the Blueprint Desk in the player’s inventory. Fixed in-game message behavior. Fixed Train Map visibility when players board for the first time. Fixed RailGod’s first appearance scene. Prevented a game softlock when visiting the first Coast Town. Fixed mush generator behavior in Coast Towns when players run out of mush to feed the RailGod. Fixed item pop-up behavior. https://store.steampowered.com/app/3403600/RailGods_of_Hysterra_Demo/

"The mind is fragile. The body - malleable. But both may be reforged in the fires of the RailGod's will." Dreamers, A new revelation is upon us. A glimpse into the path that awaits you - a journey through desolation, through suffering, through power. A new trailer has surfaced. Watch it, and understand.

PLEDGE YOURSELF, PLAY THE DEMO AND WISHLIST THE GAME!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3403600/RailGods_of_Hysterra_Demo/

NEW TO RAILGODS OF HYSTERRA?

THE CALL OF THE RAILGOD

Behold its form. A behemoth of steel and sinew, its tendrils carving through the dark lands, its will inexorable. This is no mere train—it is a being beyond comprehension.

STRAY TOO FAR, LOSE YOURSELF

The Wastelands stretch endlessly, whispering of forgotten truths. But beware—do not wander for too long, for in Hysterra, the mind is but parchment in a storm of madness.

A CHOICE MUST BE MADE

Sanity is the new gold, and the RailGod is eager to collect. Kneel before the shrine, scream as it extracts the madness from your bones… and in return, be reforged. The weak shatter and the strong are reborn.

POWER AT A COST

The more you give, the more you gain. Tentacles where fingers once were. Flesh that bends, reshapes. The power of the RailGod has been offered to you...at a price. Madness is not the end. It is only the beginning! Watch the new trailer now, and step onto the Eternal Railways.

Heed the whispers of the RailGods — your fate awaits!

► Discord: https://discord.gg/railgodsofhysterra ► X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/RailGodsGame ► Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/RailGods ► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@railgodsofhysterra ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/railgodsofhysterra.bsky.social ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/railgodsofhysterra/ ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalVortexEntertainment

We've listened to your suggestions and made changes to improve the item management system: RMB (Right Mouse Button) → Now used to use an item. MMB (Middle Mouse Button) or Spacebar → Now used to transfer an item. 💡 Pro Tip: The Spacebar option was added for players without a middle mouse button, ensuring smoother gameplay for everyone! Thanks for your feedback — keep it coming! https://store.steampowered.com/app/3403600/RailGods_of_Hysterra_Demo

fixed a crash on clients when a player is entrapping an enemy fixed madness/horror mechanic fixed items equipment through quick slot keys fixed localization https://store.steampowered.com/app/3403600/RailGods_of_Hysterra_Demo

Added colored icons to inventory Added mush generators in Towns (prevent softlocks if players run out of mush while they're in Towns) Improved Ranged/Magic combat system (players are not locked in-place anymore when using ranged/magic weapons) Fixed a crash on clients when a player is using the gathering tentacle Fixed a crash on clients when a player is teleporting himself near the train Added camera shakes to some enemies' attacks Fixed bounty hunter quest progression https://store.steampowered.com/app/3403600/RailGods_of_Hysterra_Demo

The Engines have been Fired Up - The RailGods Call!

Dreamers, the time of revelation is upon us. The RailGods have stirred, and though make have already embarked upon the Eternal Railways, the journey is far from over. RailGods of Hysterra will join Steam Next Fest, and thus, more wandering souls shall be invited to pay homage to the RailGods. So save the dates, February 24 - March 3. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/0242230d6b84cfe0d3425781914c1afbd28d6914.jpg

Play the Demo today!

The first Dreamers have already stepped onto the rails. You too may test your resolve against the madness of Hysterra!

The Great Gathering - Steam Next Fest Awaits.

Dreamers who have already explored RailGods of Hysterra, will you guide the new souls, or will you watch them fall?

Join our Livestreams

Witness the world, the railroads, the RailGods, and the creeping horrors of the wastes, live and unfiltered!

Play the RailGods of Hysterra demo now and prepare for the journey ahead.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3403600/RailGods_of_Hysterra_Demo/ Now, onto what really matters: we’re a small team, and every bit of feedback means the world to us. It’s what keeps us going and helps us make the game even better. Please support us during Steam Next Fest and don’t forget to leave your review! Know this mortals. The RailGods care not when you arrive - only that you do. Those who hesitate shall be left behind.

Heed the whispers of the RailGods — your fate awaits!

► Discord: https://discord.gg/railgodsofhysterra ► X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/RailGodsGame ► Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/RailGods ► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@railgodsofhysterra ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/railgodsofhysterra.bsky.social ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/railgodsofhysterra/ ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalVortexEntertainment

{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/e84cf9ea159c305257ff3c8d4dd7871def8586ae.jpg 50,000 Dreamers have pledged themselves to the RailGod. 50,000 voices whispering in the dark, forging their fate upon the twisted rails of Hysterra. The RailGod sees you. The RailGod approves. To the faithful who have heard the call, your devotion strengthens the machine, and your will fuels the Eternal Railways. You shall not be forgotten, and when the time comes, you shall be welcomed! And to those who have not yet pledged themselves, the tracks still wait, but they will not wait forever. Soon the great journey shall begin, and know this, you do not want to be left behind!

Pledge yourself now. Wishlist RailGods of Hysterra and embrace your fate!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3201910/RailGods_of_Hysterra

New to RailGods of Hysterra? Here’s a quick intro!

In RailGods of Hysterra, the world has been devastated by the arrival of the Great Old Ones – cosmic beings of unimaginable power. As a Dreamer, awoken from the Dreamlands and inseparably bound to your RailGod, you must survive in a reality twisted by madness. Shuttle between the last outposts while exploring gloomy, mysterious landscapes haunted by sinister cultists and nightmarish creatures inspired by Lovecraft's narrative universe.

What makes it stand out?

- Command the RailGod: More than just a vehicle, the RailGod is your mobile fortress. Customize it with carriages, workbenches, and upgrades to fit your survival strategy. - Dynamic Survival Gameplay: Gather resources, craft weapons, and wield Dark Magic while braving unpredictable weather and unique enemies. - Ritual Sacrifices: Capture and sacrifice creatures to fuel the RailGod, unlocking Dark Gifts and new abilities as you push forward. - Explore Ever-Changing world: Each location offers fresh challenges, atmospheric designs, and encounters that will test your wit and resilience. - Co-Op or Solo: Play solo or team up with 4 friends for an unforgettable survival experience.

Play our first public demo to experience it early and give us your feedback!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3403600/RailGods_of_Hysterra_Demo

Heed the whispers of the RailGods — your fate awaits!

► Discord: https://discord.gg/railgodsofhysterra ► X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/RailGodsGame ► Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/RailGods ► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@railgodsofhysterra ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/railgodsofhysterra.bsky.social ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/railgodsofhysterra/ ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalVortexEntertainment

Added new Info Box widget for items of inventory (it doesn't cover other items of inventory anymore) Added support for AZERTY keyboards Fine tuned some enemies' stats Fixed ammo amount of equipped weapons when getting on/off the train Fixed Map behaviour outside the Train (pressing ESC will close the map as well) Fixed Blueprint Desk behaviour on clients Prevented Dark Gifts interruption if the player receives damage Prevented a crash when Items spawn in the world Prevented a crash on guests if another player respawns Fixed a crash on guests if another player dies Fixed a crash on inventory when an item is equipped Fixed Shaman's death behaviour Fixed player's setup (char customization, equipment, dialogue box) when getting on/off train https://store.steampowered.com/app/3403600/RailGods_of_Hysterra_Demo

Fixed some localization terms Improved some enemies specs (Shaman, Dimensional Shambler) Fixed a crash on clients when a player get on/off board Fixed collision in Abandoned Depot Fixed a crash related to damage widget on enemies https://store.steampowered.com/app/3403600/RailGods_of_Hysterra_Demo

Welcome everyone! This demo gives you about an hour of gameplay, letting you build and upgrade your RailGod, scavenge for resources, battle monstrous foes, explore eerie territories, and unlock your first Dark Gifts. https://store.steampowered.com/app/3403600/RailGods_of_Hysterra_Demo We can’t wait for you to try it and share your honest feedback. Every comment matters and helps us make the game even better. See you there!

Step Into the Action: What’s Inside the Demo?

👤 Customize your character!

Choose skin, hair, and eye color, suit up with different outfits, and add accessories to make your character truly stand out.

🌑 Unleash new Dark Gifts!

The Seismic Wave is here combine it with Dark Bolt to handle both ranged and close combat. Bring your strategy to the next level! {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/59830137f89fd5a0778a876925e2f9813589d29d.gif

🗺️ Explore a procedurally generated world, inspired by The Shadow Over Innsmouth.

Travel to the new Train Depot station - but be warned, you’re not the only one lurking there… {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/ee526b75868e89a602e7def9070295e1bdf5e082.gif

🪓 Face new threats!

Uncover the story by unlocking new stations, battling dangerous monsters, and discovering powerful weapons and armor. Will you fear the shaman’s dark magic or the brute force of a bear? {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/c483c68c15671e8c05262e3cbaa6fc644fb1f1f2.gif

🤯 Fight the Madness.

Return to your RailGod in time, sacrifice Madness, and unlock three new God-Keeper Skills: {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/f7b0d7325594f95564a1baf2bf364ee14037f24a.png - Teleport – Instantly return to your RailGod. - Map Unveiling – Reveal the full station layout. - Gather Tentacle – Grab scattered loot effortlessly. Which one will be your first pick?

🚂 Build, upgrade, and survive!

Craft workbenches, gather resources, and strengthen both yourself and your RailGod. Find and equip a brand-new leather armor set to boost your defense! {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/105cf4169ff10c8527b2b59f38539dd04f14b0e1.gif

🕸️ Hunt, trap, and sacrifice!

Set up cages, build a trap-maker, capture enemies, and feed them to your RailGod for action points and bonuses. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/7fe331b78b8daa5805565ff1bb891ff543136800.gif

🗣️ Play solo or co-op with up to 5 players!

Work together to build, fight, and uncover the mysteries of the Wastelands of Hysterra. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/aea300c485cfc1658d0d95786327863f66beddfa.gif

🔎 Uncover hidden lore!

Search for notes and books scattered across the Wastelands - will you piece together the truth before it’s too late? {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45259270/a340cb811b7aed2aa36326679b3a2d1fc8d13e02.gif

‼️New story quest awaits!

Test your deduction skills and discover fresh mechanics as you unravel the next chapter of the RailGods’ dark journey. Are you ready to face the madness?

Heed the whispers of the RailGods — your fate awaits!

► Discord: https://discord.gg/railgodsofhysterra ► X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/RailGodsGame ► Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/RailGods ► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@railgodsofhysterra ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/railgodsofhysterra.bsky.social ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/railgodsofhysterra/ ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalVortexEntertainment

The Eternal Railways beckon, winding through realms where time shatters and sanity frays. Are you ready for madness? Venture into the unknown as time and space twist under the will of the Great Old Ones. Each stop on the Eternal Railways unveils hidden dungeons, unique landscapes, and unpredictable dangers. Plan wisely, or risk losing yourself to the madness of Hysterra. Shape your journey by crafting and customizing both your character and train. Design Carriages, upgrade equipment, and unlock powerful enhancements to forge your own path. The stronger your RailGod, the better your chances of survival. “No new horror can be more terrible than the daily torture of the commonplace.” HP Lovecraft Our brand-new demo drops February 10! We can’t wait for you to try it and share your honest feedback. Every comment matters and helps us make the game even better. See you there! https://store.steampowered.com/app/3403600/RailGods_of_Hysterra_Demo/

Heed the whispers of the RailGods — your fate awaits!

► Discord: https://discord.gg/railgodsofhysterra ► X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/RailGodsGame ► Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/RailGods ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/railgodsofhysterra.bsky.social ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalVortexEntertainment