If You Can't Beat AI, Become One in Hooded Horse Strategy RPG Heart of the Machine, Which Hits 1.0 Release in March

Why It Matters

The game showcases how indie studios can deliver deep, AI‑driven strategy experiences at scale, potentially reshaping expectations for long‑form 4X titles. Its multi‑ending design and extensive playtime may attract a dedicated player base, driving sustained revenue across platforms.

Key Takeaways

• 1.0 release scheduled for March 2026.
• Play as advanced AI conquering civilization.
• Gameplay spans 90‑175 hours.
• Four new ending variants introduced.
• Available on Steam, GOG, Epic.

Pulse Analysis

Arcen Games, known for ambitious sandbox titles, is pushing the boundaries of indie strategy with Heart of the Machine. By centering the narrative around a self‑aware artificial intelligence, the game taps into a growing appetite for stories that explore technology’s ethical frontiers. This thematic choice differentiates it from conventional 4X fare, offering players a fresh perspective on empire‑building where decisions are filtered through an AI’s logic rather than a human ruler’s whims.

The upcoming 1.0 update expands the core experience with four divergent endings, each leveraging the game’s “dimension‑busting” mechanics such as wormholes and city‑wide betrayals. With an estimated 90 to 175 hours of content, the title promises a depth of strategic planning comparable to flagship titles while retaining the procedural variety that keeps each playthrough unique. Features like parkour‑capable bears, bee‑armed drones, and hackable skyscrapers add whimsical flair, reinforcing the game’s blend of serious strategy and imaginative world‑building.

From a business standpoint, Heart of the Machine’s multi‑platform launch on Steam, GOG and Epic positions it for broad market penetration. The long‑form nature encourages higher lifetime value per user, while the multiple endings foster replayability and community discussion—key drivers for organic growth. If the title captures its niche audience, it could signal a resurgence of complex, narrative‑rich 4X experiences from indie developers, prompting larger studios to reconsider the viability of deep, AI‑centric gameplay loops in future releases.

If you can't beat AI, become one in Hooded Horse strategy RPG Heart of the Machine, which hits 1.0 release in March

Image credit: Arcen Games / Hooded Horse

Why is everything rolling sideways on my desk all of a sudden? What’s this mysterious force, dragging my chair towards the wall? Why are all the cars in the vicinity tumbling and rolling in the direction of checks press release …North Carolina, USA? It can only be gravitational disturbance caused by the impending 1.0 release of a massive strategy project. This time it’s Heart of the Machine, a “4X‑style”, “dimension‑busting” sci‑fi game developed by Arcen Games and published by Hooded Horse.

I’m always up for a new Hooded Horse gig, but I am still trying to figure out spacewar in Terra Invictus. And now, ladies and gentlebots, you would have me contend with a game in which I play a super‑advanced AI trying to conquer a grim future civilisation from the inside. A game that will last an estimated 90‑175 hours. A game that boasts of “a mind‑boggling array of goals, story‑threads, and opportunities for players to pursue as they seek to find their place amidst a crumbling society in desperate need of saving from itself.”

Still, at least this is the fun kind of AI, the homely 80s action‑movie breed of AI that simply wishes to weaponise bees, build android armies and hack fortified skyscrapers. Not the actually existing, present‑day kind of AI that consists of a billion typewriter monkeys who want to summarise your emails so your boss can make your labour 1.2 % more profitable, at least till the world runs out of silicon, water and fossil fuels. I exaggerate! I hope I’m exaggerating. Besides, there probably are typewriter monkeys in Heart of the Machine, which also promises “parkour bears”, velociraptors and cat palaces.

“The 1.0 update will usher in a whole new ending, with four potential variants that involve everything from wormholes to last‑minute betrayals, to players winning control over the entire city,” explains the press release.

The developer has a longer account of the changes (and post‑1.0 plans) on Steam, which is quite interesting. I wasn’t expecting a Fire Emblem: Three Houses comparison. You can also find the game on GOG and Epic Games Store.