June 16, 2025 - Hooded Horse and Arcen Games are pleased to announce the next major addition to unique strategy RPG Heart of the Machine. Five months and 17 heavy-hitting updates later, Update 18 is set to introduce a new major feature, with more updates planned throughout the rest of June. To top it all off, the game is currently at 35% off – a new historic low.
Pressure Points headline the next update - a new kind of action that allows players to subtly alter the world around them, either by assisting in a long-term goal or providing short-term benefits without affecting major plot points or storylines. There are 14 to begin with, with more to be added over the course of future updates. Some of these will be repeatable, while others will be one-off actions, becoming available in the right circumstances. Pressure Points will appear from Chapter 1 and offer alternate approaches to some of the key challenges presented in the early phases of the game. Examples of possible outcomes include:
- Disrupt black market operations
- Manipulate the legal system
- Breed bee queens or giant spiders
- Redirect military supply lines
- Exploit financial bugs in syndicate accounts
You can read the full patch notes here.
After that, the next update is set to introduce a new side-story with a horror theme, while the patch towards the end of June will add in a new Tier 2 goal. Also on the hitlist for future updates is to continue the work on the “Uplifting Raptors” side quest, because everyone knows this will be a good idea.
Previous updates introduced new narrative content, improved the flow of Chapter 1, as well as overhauled the prologue, introduced new options for starting additional timelines, and made countless quality of life changes and bug fixes.
Heart of the Machine is available in early access for PC via Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store for $29.99 / £24.99 / €29.99 / ¥3,980. A 35% discount is running from now until July 10.
A press kit is available.
Press inquiries: press@hoodedhorse.com
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About Hooded Horse™
Hooded Horse is a publisher of deep strategic and tactical games with people and partners around the world. From the distant past of Manor Lords to the haunted woods of Against the Storm, our goal is to empower and support developers in doing what they do best: creating world-class experiences for their audiences.
You can find out more about us on our Steam publisher page or website, as well as our social channels: Twitter, Bluesky, Facebook, YouTube, and Discord.
About Arcen Games™
Founded by Chris McElligott Park and based in North Carolina, USA, Arcen has been making games since 2009. Highlights include The Last Federation, the AI War series, and Heart of the Machine, which released into early access in 2025. Most of the studio’s games fit within a shared universe known as the ‘Arcenverse,’ which leans towards the softer end of ‘hard’ science fiction.
You can find out more about the company on the official website, as well as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Discord.