Riftborne

Riftborne

Early access since Mar 2026

Riftborne is a classic terminal based, real time, grand strategy game. Construct space ships. Take part in factional warfare. Hire galactic hit-men on your rivals. Raid neighbors for rare resources. Train spies to infiltrate enemy bases for key intel. Grow your empire to dominate the galaxy.

92% positive · 119 reviews
Not yet
In early access, still in active development
High confidence
Active Development
Not yet
In early access, still in active development
High confidence
Active Development

Where to buy

Steam $7.99
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Evaluation

Riftborne entered Steam Early Access on March 27, 2026 and is actively under development by Pitio Productions. The developer has maintained an extremely high update cadence since launch — the 49 news posts scanned (including 8 major content drops, 15 feature patches, and 22 bug fixes) reflect near-continuous work on the game since it launched just under five months ago. The most recent patch (11.79) was released on August 17, 2026 — the same day as this assessment — adding faction improvements, cargo route features, and map display enhancements. Just days earlier, on August 14, 2026, the developer announced and launched an experimental rapid-speed multiplayer server alongside a significant compatibility update for Linux and Steam Deck. Prior to that, July 2026 brought two major feature patches (11.71 and 11.70) overhauling the map system, introducing a shard progression system, reworking victory conditions, adding new buildings, and making sweeping performance improvements. Earlier updates from June 2026 introduced mouse support, fog of war mechanics, local server hosting (to coincide with the 3rd official multiplayer server launch on June 6, 2026), and ship relocation. The developer also noted in June 2026 that the team had doubled in size, signaling continued investment in the project. The game supports persistent official multiplayer galaxies with regular server launches — a structure that inherently requires ongoing developer operation and content work. There are no indications that development is winding down; on the contrary, the developer is actively iterating on core systems, expanding the game's feature set, and running live multiplayer events. No completion date or "1.0 release" target has been communicated in the available posts.
Evidence
Patch 11.79 released on the assessment date, adding faction behavior fixes, escort fleets for cargo routes, and improved map color coding.
news post · Aug 17, 2026 source development ongoing
high
Developer announced and launched a new experimental rapid-speed multiplayer server, describing ongoing work on 'bigger improvements for the next slower official paced server.'
news post · Aug 14, 2026 source development ongoing
high

Media

Details

Publisher
Pitio Productions
Achievements
9
Platform
Windows, Linux
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Unsupported
Players
Single-player · Multiplayer · Co-op · PvP

About this game

Run a Galactic Empire From the Command Line

Begin with a single base and gradually transform it into an interstellar power.

Colonize new worlds, construct fleets, organize supply lines, manipulate markets, train spies, raid rivals and build influence across a galaxy that continues developing in real time.

Riftborne is a slow-burn sci-fi grand strategy game built around long term planning. Campaigns can unfold over days, weeks or even months. Small decisions compound over time, supply problems become military crises, minor rivals become major powers, and carefully prepared plans can reshape the galaxy.

Build More Than Fleets

A successful empire depends on more than military strength.

Manage production, storage and logistics across multiple colonies. Establish trade routes and resource shipments. Develop specialized worlds, maintain defensive networks and prepare your economy to survive prolonged wars.

Fight Through Information and Influence

Send spies to gather intelligence, sabotage rivals and expose enemy weaknesses. Hire galactic operatives, negotiate with other powers and use economic pressure when direct conflict would be too costly.

The galaxy remembers what happens within it through campaign histories, rankings, medals and long term progression.

A Living Galaxy

Enemy powers adapt to your behavior, including patterns established across previous saves.

Procedural galaxies create different strategic geography each campaign, while long running systems allow alliances, rivalries and economic dependencies to develop naturally over time.

Play Your Way

Play a solo campaign at your own pace.

Host a private server locally, online or through SSH.

Join regularly scheduled official multiplayer galaxies with factions and up to 120 commanders competing inside the same persistent universe.

Designed for Players Who Enjoy Depth

Riftborne is deliberately dense, patient and information driven.

It is made for players who enjoy learning interconnected systems, gradually building momentum and watching early decisions produce consequences much later.

Key Features

• Persistent real time campaigns lasting days, weeks or months
• A distinctive terminal interface built for dense strategic information
• Solo play, private servers and official multiplayer galaxies
• Official multiplayer supporting up to 120 commanders
• Colonies, fleets, logistics, production and storage management
• Espionage, sabotage, raids and political influence
• Markets, contracts and multiple economic playstyles
• Procedural galaxies with strategically meaningful geography
• Adaptive enemies that respond to your behavior
• Campaign histories, rankings, medals and progression

Last evaluated Aug 17, 2026
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