As 2025 comes to a close, we’re looking back on what a monumental year it has been for us. From the launch of all eight factions for Armoured Clash, to the release of the new edition of Dystopian Wars, its been a big one.
We’ve taken some time to sit down with the development team to talk about 2025, and what the year has been like for them working at Warcradle Studios.
James M Hewitt, Lead Games Designer
What was your favourite release for Dystopian Wars last year?
“I really like the new Crown Starter set! It’s such a joy to see classic miniatures updated with current tooling technology. I was building some for our playtesting tables, and the engineering is fantastic; they slot together so easily.”
What was your favourite release for Armoured Clash last year and why?
“It’s a tough one, but I’m going to say the Sultanate sets. Not because of the models themselves (although… they’re really cool, aren’t they?) but because of what they represent. With their release, we now have eight factions for Armoured Clash! That’s a heck of a milestone.”
What are you most proud of working on last year?
The new edition of Dystopian Wars was a labour of love. It was a huge project, but the whole team pulled together, and I’m proud to say that we’ve created something really special. My favourite moment was when people started posting on the Warcradle Discord about the games they were playing - it made all the hard work worthwhile.
What personal Warcradle projects have you worked on this year?
I’ve spent the last few months putting together a Commonwealth fleet for Dystopian Wars, and I think I’m only a couple of units away from calling it done (for now) and moving on to something else. Maybe a Canadian fleet for the Crown? But then, the Union ships are cool, and a small Pipeworks fleet could be fun… Or maybe a Marine Levante fleet? Honestly, DW ships are so quick and satisfying to paint, maybe I should just do all three...
What are your plans for your Warcradle projects next year?
Once I’ve finished my next DW project, I want to get back to Armoured Clash, and paint up a Commonwealth force to complement my ships. I’m hoping my speed-painting techniques will work on infantry as well as they work on large, flat surfaces!
What release are you looking forward to the most, not just next year?
Valiant is really exciting - I was obsessed with gamebooks when I was a teenager, and I haven’t played one in years! I’ve actually had very little to do with Valiant, so I’ve managed to avoid any spoilers.
Oh, and Wild West Exodus, of course. I’ve got a lifelong adoration for fast-paced, cinematic skirmish games, and I can’t wait to see what people think of this one.
Do you have any words for the community?
Of course! Ambuscade; brabble; esuriant; glabriety; mafficking; quaggy. I encourage the community to use these in their day-to-day discourse wherever possible.
Oh… and I suppose I should also give a massive THANK YOU to everyone who’s submitted theme/balancing feedback and error reporting on the Dystopian Wars Launch ORBAT beta releases. It’s been a massive help, and we couldn’t have done it without you. Here’s to another twelve months of exciting new models, hilariously unlikely dice rolls and thrilling stories created with friends around the table.
Ed Spence, Games Designer
What was your favourite release for Dystopian Wars last year?
The new Core Rules book. From the writing, to the design and layout, the artwork and photography, I’m so monumentally proud of all the teams involved, and the response from the community has been overwhelming. I can’t wait to see the game evolve in 2026, especially as we start to release the full ORBATs.
What was your favourite release for Armoured Clash last year and why?
I think every member of the Development Team can testify to the fact that, at some point in the design process, I have emphatically declared that “this faction is definitely my favourite.” So perhaps it is recency bias, but since we started working on Armoured Clash over a year ago, I have been looking forward to the release of the Sultanate. And they did not disappoint. From the beautiful work by our incredible sculptors to the sheer amount of fun we had developing the rules for Portal Markers, I think the Sultanate marks an exciting new chapter in the game: a wonderful signifier of how wild and weird the game will become in the year ahead…
What are you most proud of working on last year?
My primary duty behind the scenes has been working on much of the narrative content you see in our Armoured Clash ORBATs, and having the opportunity of fleshing out this beautiful setting through these entries has been exhilarating. But of all the ORBATs, I think it was the Alliance that caught me most by surprise in how much they won me over as I was writing their unit descriptions. Such is the power of the Prince-President…
What are your plans for your Warcradle projects next year?
Even though the new Sultanate range looks awfully alluring (and I’ll give in to temptation at some point soon, I’m sure…), I am looking forward to making a start on my Imperium force for Armoured Clash. With a view to theming the army around the amassed might of the Ordo Teutonic, I have already made some headway, with the initial construction of my mighty Sieger…
What release are you looking forward to the most, not just next year?
I love skirmish games, and the infectious cries of “Yee HAW!” coming from the playtesting tables in our office have me extremely excited for the upcoming edition of Wild West Exodus. The team are pouring so much passion into its development, and you’re not ready for what they have in store!
Do you have any words for the community?
The world feels a hard and brittle place right now, and games have been a solace for so many through it all, be they board games, wargames, or roleplaying games. Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm, your gaming experiences, and your hobby projects with us. They mean so much. I am so excited to hear your stories in the year to come.
Ziz Simoens, Senior Game Designer
The thing I enjoyed the most (that I am allowed to talk about!) is going to Essen. It was amazing showing the new ruleset to new fans as well as those who have been playing for years. Everyone in the community was so welcoming and lovely, I had the best time interacting with you all! Looking forward to many more events in the future.
What are your plans for your Warcradle projects next year?
I am working through my Enlightened army and fleets. Still a lot left to paint, but I am preparing for in-office games!
It’s been wonderful being able to sit down with the dev team to discuss all things Warcradle, and we can’t wait to share part 2 of our interviews with the team shortly.
Once again, thank you for your continued support this year - and we’re excited to show you what 2026 has in store.