Having been referred to as “a boardgame that can’t be a boardgame”, it’s easy to see how this description fits. Imagine a tabletop strategy game where the board constantly rearranges itself with each round, with players given one of countless Squad combinations to control. Set in a fantasy post-World War I diesel punk era where magic and technology fuse, your goal is simple: conquer enough territory to end the round in victory, where your strategy and decisions on the battlefield will be all that stands between you and a glorious victory...or a crushing defeat.

In Vanguard Exiles, each Unit has its own identity, with its own distinctive look and a unique array of traits and abilities. To further this, each Squad has its own makeup, consisting of different combinations of Units and Actions. Combat happens automatically, but as mentioned earlier, this is no typical auto-battler. Strategy is key, and you’ll have to play smart, making tough tactical decisions to ensure your victory. 

Vanguard Exiles offers an immense ruleset of complex mechanics, all happening under the hood, aiming to teach players the nuances of gameplay rather than intimidate them. After each round, you’re even able to see what your chances of victory were. Did you play smart and get unlucky? Or play poorly but nab victory purely by chance? Every game teaches you something new, offering unprecedented room to hone your strategy against other players, who are likely refining their own personal playstyles. The possibilities are endless!

Game developer The Tea Division, in association with Magic: The Gathering creator Richard Garfield, are proud to unleash Vanguard Exiles on Steam Early Access today for $14.99 / €14.79 / £12.79.

Independent Australian developer The Tea Division is proud to announce that Vanguard Exiles will leave Steam Early Access and officially launch into v1.0 for PC (Steam) on February 4, 2027.

First introduced through a public demo in August 2024 before entering Early Access in March 2025, Vanguard Exiles has spent nearly two years evolving alongside its community. Version 1.0 represents the culmination of that journey, delivering what the team considers a complete, fully featured experience while laying the foundation for years of future growth.

The 1.0 launch will introduce the long-awaited Campaign Mode, allowing players to explore Vanguard Exiles' world, uncover its lore, and experience a structured single-player alongside the game’s competitive multiplayer offerings. Version 1.0 also introduces progression systems, achievements, rankings, player milestones, unlockable content, and a complete player lifecycle designed to support both casual and competitive audiences. But for The Tea Division, it certainly doesn't end there.

“Vanguard Exiles is the deepest, most exciting project I’ve been a part of in my over 25 years in the games industry. It's a sprawling labyrinth of tactical depth that offers endless possibilities,” said Mark Rowley, Director at The Tea Division. “I’ve been blown away by the creative strategies our players have come up with and have been eagerly awaiting this launch so I can watch everyone learn from each other and test out tactics I never would have thought of. That’s why we added Spectator Mode, so players can learn just by watching.”

While the February launch marks Vanguard Exiles’ transition out of Early Access, The Tea Division emphasizes that it is only the beginning of the game’s journey.

The systems being implemented for Version 1.0 have been designed to support future expansion, including new factions, units, actions, biomes, progression opportunities, and ongoing balance updates. The studio intends to continue developing Vanguard Exiles in collaboration with its community, maintaining the player-focused approach that has guided the project throughout Early Access.

“Vanguard Exiles combines tabletop design with digital design into a unique and eclectic gameplay experience. The variety offered by the game is exciting, and skillful play introduces all sorts of unexpected novelty,” said Richard Garfield, designer of Vanguard Exiles and Magic: The Gathering. “My favorite thing in game design is having an interesting space to explore - like with Magic: The Gathering and Keyforge. Like those games, Vanguard Exiles is deeply interesting, and I am delighted to share it with a broader audience!”

By locking in a launch date now, The Tea Division says it is confident in the roadmap to deliver every remaining feature planned for Version 1.0, while ensuring the foundations are in place for future iteration and expansion beyond release.

Vanguard Exiles is coming to PC (Steam) on February 4, 2027.