Press release

Climb atop Empires of the Undergrowth’s big summer update

The ant-themed strategy game overhauls the freeplay mode, re-balances the campaign, and will be on sale on Steam

July 14, 2023 - Hooded Horse has received word from the ant queen that Empires of the Undergrowth is getting a major new update today. Developer Slug Disco Studios takes big sweeps at game balance, as well as revamping campaign levels, and improving the freeplay mode. Starting tomorrow the game will be available at a 20% discount on Steam over the next two weeks.


The campaign is the classic way to experience Empires of the Undergrowth and has been a part of the game since the beginning. Many of the earlier levels are getting a round of TLC to bring them up to the standard of the later levels and how they are balanced. Food distribution is the main focus of changes, but some early-game giant creatures have been toughened up, and your ants can now climb more large creatures to do extra damage in the colony’s fight for dominance.

Aside from the campaign, freeplay lets you experience the game without the narrative structure and gets a bunch of quality-of-life tweaks to make sessions even more challenging and dynamic. Key changes to freeplay include:

  • Improved AI colony systems
  • New landmarks
  • New skirmish freeplay mode
  • New artwork across several levels

The 20% Steam discount is a new historic best for the game and starts tomorrow, July 15, running until July 29.

Empires of the Undergrowth is available in early access on PC via Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store at a base price of $19.99 / £17.99 / €19.99 / ¥2,480. A press kit is available.

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About Hooded Horse™
Hooded Horse is a publisher of deep strategic and tactical games with people and partners worldwide. Starting in 2019 with a single title, Hooded Horse’s portfolio has grown to 23 games and counting. Our goal is to empower and support developers in doing what they love so that they can create world-class experiences for their audiences. From the distant past of Manor Lords and the haunted woods of Against the Storm, to the depths of space in Terra Invicta and Falling Frontier.

You can find out more about us on our Steam publisher page, as well as our social channels; Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Discord, and website.

About Slug Disco Studios™

Slug Disco Studios is a UK-based developer founded by three childhood friends who had a dream of producing a videogame all about ants. A combination of freelance contracts, Kickstarter, and a Creative England grant helped bring their debut title, Empires of the Undergrowth, to Steam in 2017. The studio has since explored other game experiences themed on the natural world.

You can learn more via the official website, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Discord channels.