MAGIC FORGE TYCOON

New Release Date: January 13, 2026 on Steam and new Trailer!

Forge your enchanted weapons and change the destiny of an entire kingdom!

Namur, Belgium, November 3, 2025: The independent Belgian studio Clever Trickster announces a change to the release date of its second game, Magic Forge Tycoon. Initially planned for early access on November 18, it will now be released as V1 on January 13, 2026, with no change in price: €11.99 with a 20% launch discount.

Eager to incorporate as much feedback as possible from the demo of their casual management game set in a medieval fantasy universe, the team wanted to refine the game as much as possible before its release. It is also a last stand, because in the current context of the game industry, and more specifically in French-speaking Belgium, the success of the game will determine the future of the team and the studio!

After the vampiric satire of Blood Bar Tycoon, which transformed bloodlust into a biting metaphor for organic capitalism, Clever Trickster returns with a new strategic parody: this time, geopolitical conflicts are at the heart of the gameplay. You embody a weapon producer and merchant in a medieval fantasy universe, and your choices have a real influence on the future of the kingdoms and the conflicts that oppose them.

No political stance is taken, but a subtle and absurd critique is served in a colorful and irreverent universe. True to its trademark, the studio delivers a cartoonish world on the surface, but one traversed by darker and more satirical mechanics, without ever falling into ideology. The studio offers a strategic playground where humor serves as a mirror to power struggles and where the player laughs... while wondering if they haven't crossed a red line without realizing it.

The release is planned for PC and Steam Deck. The game was designed for optimal ergonomics on Steam Deck from the beginning of development.Forge, enchant, and influence kingdoms!

Heir to a legendary blacksmith, you take the reins of an astral forge suspended above the conflict-ridden lands of Korendor. Manage your magical forge, fulfill contracts, and influence wars or alliances through your expertise and alchemical spells. Master the resource market, upgrade your workshop, and become the most renowned legendary blacksmith in the kingdom!

Master the art of forging

• Select the best weapon schematics, adjust each parameter, and apply perfect enchantments for unparalleled quality.

• Find the perfect balance between style and robustness to create exceptional weapons.

• Increase productivity to optimize your output and create masterpieces worthy of kings.

Develop and upgrade your workshop

• Purchase new technologies to accelerate production and refine your creations.

• Upgrade your forge to unlock advanced crafting techniques and increase your production capacity.

• Invest in research to discover new weapon designs and alchemical ingredients.

• Use exotic ingredients to create philters and influence the kingdoms to whom you sell your weapons.

Control the economy and trade

• Buy and sell materials on a dynamic market influenced by wars, alliances, and resource scarcity.

• Build up raw material stocks, anticipate price fluctuations and kingdom conflicts to get the best deals.

• Manage your resources wisely, as bad investments or shortages can cost you dearly!

Influence wars and politics

• Fulfill contracts for rival factions and observe how your weapons reshape the balance of power.

• Accumulate Favor Points to unlock better contracts, political advantages, and exclusive forging bonuses.

• Establish trading outposts in strategic regions to extend your influence.

• Increase your reputation with kingdoms to gain exclusive advantages.

Become the greatest blacksmith in the kingdom!

Magic Forge Tycoon blends intuitive gameplay with deep management mechanics in a living, reactive world. Develop your forge, master trade, and discover how your creations shape the destiny of nations. Forge your legacy in fire and steel!

Team Interview

Ludovic Mahieu (CEO, Game Director)

Ludovic Mahieu, co-founder of Clever Trickster, commented: "Despite a difficult funding context in the sector, we chose to release the game at the last possible moment for the studio to guarantee the best possible quality. We preferred to take the time to refine Magic Forge Tycoon rather than rush it for cash flow reasons. Players will judge our gamble upon its release on Steam. Even if the game is released directly in version 1.0, we have already planned updates depending on its reception. We didn't want an incomplete early access; an approach that, as a player, has always frustrated me. Today, we are convinced that Magic Forge Tycoon will appeal to fans of the genre, and it is already a production of which we are very proud."

Players can add the game to their Steam wishlist and join our community on Discord

Virginie Maréchal (COO, Producer)

Virginie Maréchal, co-founder of Clever Trickster, adds: "After the baptism of fire of Blood Bar Tycoon, Magic Forge Tycoon has united the team like never before. Rather than delivering a game we wouldn't have been fully proud of, we collectively decided to postpone it, with conviction and serenity. This deliberate choice represents our demand: to offer a complete experience, not a rush at the end of production. We believe in the strength of its value proposition and its ability to find its audience, hence this additional time to honor every detail. In a context that pushed us to be creative with our human and financial resources and our time, this project has been our last stand and proof of our collective resilience. We are proud to have brought it to completion and can't wait to present it to you on January 13, 2026!"

About Clever Trickster Studio

Clever Trickster is a video game development studio founded in 2022 by game veterans passionate about strategy and management games. These genres have influenced the principles that guide the team: efficiency and innovation. The studio's ethics value equality, collaboration, and autonomy, creating an inclusive and supportive environment. The team constantly strives to improve in order to offer enriching gaming experiences, while keeping pleasure at the heart of the work.