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Currently in development, Serfs, a medieval styled real-time strategy game that feels quite like a city-builder with warfare now has Linux support.

"Serfs is all about building large production lines, expanding and conquering new territory and always optimizing your empire to become the greatest emperor."

Coming across it randomly on itch.io recently, I asked the developer if they were going to provide Linux builds and a week later it was live as they had already planned it. Made with the Unity game engine, which of course makes cross-platform development easier. Have a look at their first trailer below:

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One of the big focuses for Serfs appears to be the economy side of it, setting up pathing in a way that works well to transfer resources around for your production chains. After playing a bunch of it, Serfs gave off a bit of a Knights and Merchants vibe with a more modern look and feel. Considering it's early in development, it's showing a huge amount of promise. Definitely one to keep an eye on if you're on the look-out for a new slower-paced RTS styled game.

Since it has combat as well, all military units are fully controllable like a proper RTS. You can move them around the map freely, garrison buildings, attack / defend territory but they're expensive so you need a good city setup.

Feature Highlight:

  • City building: Establish buildings and paths in a completely gridless environment to allow you the most control and freedom as possible
  • Economy: Build and optimize your production lines to achieve an efficient and profitable economy
  • Military: Create a sturdy protection for your empire against incoming attacks and expand your borders by claiming unoccupied land
  • Warfare: Conquer hostile territory and triumph over your enemies in great battles

You can buy it and try the demo from itch.io. Note: The demo build will ask for a key, if you hit Cancel it will then just let you play the demo content.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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10 comments

Ehvis Apr 21, 2020
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Definitely looks more like a Settlers style game than a traditional RTS. I'm ok with that.
KohlyKohl Apr 21, 2020
Looks great. Think I'll buy it now to support the developer.
Rooster Apr 21, 2020
I love the graphic style. Will keep an eye on this one.
herrorange Apr 21, 2020
Looks great and feels like good old Settlers. Downloaded Linux demo from the website and it just worked on my Fedora 32, so looks very promising, gonna keep an eye on it.
Purple Library Guy Apr 21, 2020
Serf's up!
Muvon53 Apr 21, 2020
That looks really interesting! Thanks for the article. I am happy to support the developer.
Heath Apr 22, 2020
Maybe some of you were too young to remember, but the Settlers series original game was called serfs. This is a nice remake.
K2Software Apr 22, 2020
Many thanks to Liam for the article, we really appreciate it:)


Quoting: PatolaWill it be on Steam?
At the moment i can't give a date, but probably it will be available on steam. The already existing keys will work on steam too (or at least can be converted for free).

Quoting: HeathMaybe some of you were too young to remember, but the Settlers series original game was called serfs. This is a nice remake.
Thank you! You're right, it was released in the US under the name "Serf City: Life is Feudal" and in Europe under "The Settlers" and we are indeed heavily inspired by it (and not only by the name )
Alm888 Apr 22, 2020
Just FYI: The Dev have admitted that despite being on itch.io, there will be only a stub to redirect buyers to Steam instead:
QuoteWe won't make it completely DRM free, we may remove the email requirement in the past. And the key will convert to Steam for free, as soon as available.
Quoting: K2Software
Nice to see another developer here on the GoL site.
So, you are saying itch.io would not be DRM-free and will be used to redirect customeers to Steam in the future, am I right?


Last edited by Alm888 on 22 April 2020 at 2:23 pm UTC
K2Software Apr 23, 2020
There was a mistake in our post, of course we want to write that the email requirement may be removed in the future. Then you only have to enter a key to activate it.

Quoting: Alm888So, you are saying itch.io would not be DRM-free and will be used to redirect customers to Steam in the future, am I right?
We don't want to force the use of steam, so we won't redirect to it. You will have the choice to activate the game manually (like now) or enter it in steam.
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