Traverse a vast and rich open world full of exotic technologies, relentless dangers, and many hidden treasures. Defend your inhabitants – and the kingdoms below! – from destructive attacks. Only daring leaders can reforge the Airborne Empire!

The unique lift, balance, and propulsion mechanics return, but a new foe has emerged: pirates upend the city’s tranquility, and players must defend their inhabitants – and the kingdoms below! – from destructive attacks. Only clever and daring leaders can grow and protect their homes, seek out and destroy enemy strongholds, and finally reunite the peoples of this world.

While exploring a variety of biomes, players find themselves deep in an open-world full of rich characters, dialogue choices, side-quests, and lost marvels. By helping the peoples below, they gain the knowledge to develop new technologies – including new lift, propulsion, and morale buildings. They’ll also gain access to better tools for defense – and offense – against the pirate threat; defense towers, cannons, and attack planes can be researched, upgraded, and augmented with the tools found by combing the world and unraveling its mysteries.

If players can manage the challenges along this adventure, they’ll find themselves the leaders of a sprawling sky city, with enough prowess to defend against any incoming threats. It shall be the capital of a harmonious empire – the Airborne Empire of legend – reforged under their banners.

Airborne Empire will release on PC/Mac via Steam Early Access in 2024, and this new gameplay trailer provides a sneak peek at the innovative mechanics and fresh features being brought to the Airborne games for the first time. 

In the trailer, we meet two avian characters, Merchant Pyle and Magistrate Agatha, each a delightful embodiment of the Ghibli-inspired charm and wonder that pervade the game's world. They introduce us to Airborne Empire's pirate enemies and offer the player a quest. The trailer also features clips of the combat and defense mechanics, including a first look at the Defense Tower and Cannon buildings that integrate seamlessly into the series' signature steampunk aesthetic and colony-management gameplay.

"Our community helped shape Airborne Kingdom," says studio co-founder Ben Wander about Airborne Empire's predecessor. "Combat was the biggest requested feature of the last game, but I’m also excited about how much richer the world and story will be in Airborne Empire." 

As players adventure through brand-new skies, they'll encounter a variety of biomes in an open world teeming with whimsical characters, dynamic quests, and hidden wonders waiting to be discovered. While aiding the communities below, players will unlock the wisdom to incorporate cutting-edge technologies and counter the looming pirate threat. Research defense upgrades, defend your city, and unravel the world's mysteries all while building your very own Airborne Empire!

"It really sets a different tone – an adventure, like Indiana Jones," says studio co-founder and designer Zach Mumbach. "Call it city-builder meets RPG. It’s really its own thing, and I can’t wait to get players’ hands on it!"

Airborne Empire is in development for PC (Steam), scheduled for 2025.