Daedalic Entertainment and Slovakian indie studio Black Deer Games have announced Hordeguard: Winds of the North, a brutal 3D action tower defense game with RPG elements, coming to PC via Steam. A release date hasn’t been set yet, but a new gameplay showcase is scheduled for August 13 as part of the Daedalic Days: Late at Night event. The game combines base-building, resource management, hero progression, and local co-op — all set against a backdrop of Norse mythology.
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What is Hordeguard Winds of the North?
Hordeguard: Winds of the North is an action tower defense game that throws you into the role of a Viking settlement leader fighting for survival against waves of mythical creatures. It’s not a passive tower defense where you place turrets and watch — you’re in the middle of the action, swinging axes, managing resources, and making split-second decisions that determine whether your village stands or falls.
The core loop is a race against time. Before each attack, you gather resources, expand your settlement, and reinforce your defenses. But here’s the catch: every moment you spend exploring further from safety brings you closer to the next wave. Push too far, and you might not make it back in time. Play it too safe, and your defenses won’t hold. It’s a constant balancing act between greed and survival.
You can fight alone or team up with a friend in local co-op, splitting responsibilities — one gathers resources while the other fortifies the walls, or both charge into battle side by side. As you survive each wave, you earn experience, unlock powerful upgrade cards, and specialize your Viking into a fierce warrior, a skilled builder, or a resilient defender.
A note on the developer: Some early press releases mistakenly credited Null Pointer Games as the developer. The correct studio is Black Deer Games — confirmed by the studio’s official website and LinkedIn. We’ll dive into who they are in a moment.
Developer Profile Black Deer Games Studio Background
Black Deer Games is a small indie studio based in Prešov, Slovakia. It was founded in 2015 by solo developer Peter Jurkowski, who later brought on 3D artist David Jankes — a veteran with over 18 years of experience and more than 25 shipped games, mostly in AAA.
The studio’s previous title was Juro Janosik (2021), an adventure game about the legendary Slovak folk hero, which picked up several awards and established the team’s reputation for atmospheric, narrative-driven experiences. With Hordeguard, they’re shifting gears into a more action-oriented genre while keeping their signature attention to detail and visual polish.
Black Deer Games focuses on premium PC and console titles, and Hordeguard represents their most ambitious project yet. For a two-person team, the scope is impressive — and the early footage suggests they’re pulling it off.
Key Gameplay Features of Hordeguard Winds of the North
Here’s what you can expect from the game, based on the official announcement:
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Action Meets Tower Defense – Real-time combat fused with strategic base-building and RPG progression. You’re not just placing towers — you’re fighting alongside your defenses.
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Build an Unbreakable Settlement – Gather wood, stone, and other resources to expand your village and upgrade fortifications. Each wave gets deadlier, so your settlement must grow with it.
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Shape Your Viking Hero – Earn experience and unlock upgrade cards that boost your combat abilities, defense, or strategic options. Choose your specialization: warrior for raw damage, builder for fortifications, or defender for survivability.
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Explore Norse Mythology – Battle endless hordes of mythical beings — trolls, draugr, and other creatures pulled straight from Viking legends. The world is harsh, cold, and unforgiving.
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Local Co-op – Team up with a friend on the same screen. Share responsibilities, combine strategies, and coordinate your defense. One player can focus on resource gathering while the other holds the front line.
System Requirements for Hordeguard Winds of the North
If you’re planning to wishlist the game, you’ll want to know if your PC can handle it. Here are the minimum requirements listed on the Steam page:
These are modest specs by modern standards, suggesting the game is well-optimized for a wide range of PCs. Keep in mind that these are minimum requirements — recommended specs haven’t been published yet.
Gameplay Showcase Schedule and Event Stream Details
The first proper gameplay showcase for Hordeguard will drop during Daedalic Days: Late at Night on August 13, 2026, at 19:00 UTC.
The event will be streamed across Twitch, Steam, and YouTube, and it’s expected to feature a new trailer along with extended gameplay footage. Given that Daedalic Entertainment is the publisher, this will likely be the first deep dive into how the game actually plays — resource management, combat, base-building, and co-op in action.
Mark your calendar if you want to see the game in motion before making a decision.
Guide to Adding Hordeguard to Your Steam Wishlist
The game already has a Steam page, and you can add it to your wishlist right now. Here’s the direct link:
store.steampowered.com/app/3618000
Just hit the “Add to Wishlist” button, and Steam will notify you when the game launches, goes on sale, or gets major updates. It’s a small step, but it helps the developers gauge interest and signals to the platform that there’s demand for the game.
If you’re on the fence, wishlisting costs nothing and keeps Hordeguard on your radar.
Summary and Overview of Hordeguard Winds of the North
Hordeguard: Winds of the North is shaping up to be a promising blend of tower defense, action, and RPG mechanics with a strong Viking theme. The team behind it — Black Deer Games — may be small, but they’ve got the experience and the passion to deliver something memorable.
The August 13 showcase will be the real test. Until then, the Steam page is your best source for updates. Add it to your wishlist, keep an eye on Daedalic Days, and get ready to defend your settlement against the hordes of the north.
