CASTLE OF BLACKWATER GOES FREE-TO-PLAY!

Dear Villagers of Blackwater,

Today, we’re standing at one of the biggest turning points in the history of Castle of Blackwater. After months of updates, experiments, and tough conversations, we’re finally ready to share the decision that will shape the future of this game and its community forever.

Let’s rewind for a moment.

Over the past few weeks, we launched the Bloom and Gloom update, redesigned the map for more player interactions, added new animations, and completely overhauled the lighting to make the Castle feel spookier and more alive than ever. The response from those who joined during the Steam Summer Sale was incredible. Players were loving it.

But despite the best version of Castle we’ve ever shipped, one challenge remained: player liquidity. Even with a discount, even with more marketing than ever before, there was still a barrier stopping new players from trying the game. And without a critical mass of players, matchmaking wasn’t as healthy as it needed to be.

We asked ourselves some hard questions. Is our mission just to squeeze out a few more sales? Or is it to create the thriving, chaotic, and hilarious community that Castle of Blackwater was always meant to have?

The answer was obvious. So here’s the big news: CASTLE OF BLACKWATER IS GOING FREE-TO-PLAY!

Yes, you read that right. Starting tomorrow on Wednesday, July 23rd 2025, the Castle doors will be open to everyone.

What This Means For Current Players
If you’ve already supported us by buying the game, you’re the reason we made it this far. We’re not leaving you behind. In fact, you’re getting some special rewards that free players will never have access to.

• You’ll keep the full collection of 21 starter cosmetics from the tutorial (which will soon be massively reduced for new players).
• You’ll also receive an exclusive Mythical Cosmetic, a one-of-a-kind reward that will never be made available again.

This is our way of saying thank you. Thank you for believing in us early. Thank you for giving feedback, writing reviews, and helping us reach this point.

What This Means For New Players
If you’re new, welcome! The full game is now free. No paywall, no excuses. All we ask is that you respect the community, learn the laws of the land, and help us keep this village fun and welcoming for everyone. The more players we have, the healthier matchmaking becomes, and the more chaotic the Castle will be.

What This Means For Us as Devs
Going free-to-play is a huge shift. It means we can finally scale the player base, fill lobbies faster, and build a sustainable path forward supported by optional cosmetics rather than an upfront price tag. It won’t be easy. It will mean more moderation, more content, and more technical challenges. But we’re ready, and we’re committed to making this work.

So What’s Next?
Now it’s your turn. If you love this game, share it. Bring your friends. Post the trailer. There’s nothing stopping them from jumping in anymore. We’ll continue hosting weekly game nights, hanging out here in Discord, and working hard to deliver fresh content and improvements.

Villagers, this is just the beginning. The Castle is open.

See you inside.

With love,
Team Blackwater