Stronghold 4 Information Megathread

[Asophix 187]

Greetings to all!

Firefly Studios started teasing the upcoming SH4 game with bits of information in a Q&A video.

As time goes by, we obtain more and more information that we eventually are going to administer in the on-site wiki. Until then, the SHN staff pleasantly summarises you the points we find most worthy to know about Stronghold 4's lifecycle, release date and other features, in this thread. :-] We ask you however to kindly discuss SH4 in the dedicated forum rather than here.

Thanks to the baseline Unreal Engine 5, datamining has been possible to a great extent. If you are really curious and want no stone unturned, you can read about additional potential features and characters here at your leisure. Be warned, there is no turning back!

 

Key Points

• Release and Support
  • SH4 will be released in 2027. The release will be preceded by a six-month-long early-access period that starts on December 7th, 2026.
  • The price tag for both periods is unknown and will be subject to vary over the course of development.
  • Early Access will launch with Skirmish Mode (8 bots), a 10-mission-long Skirmish Trail, a 22-mission-long Story Campaign and Free Build modes.
  • During Early Access, the Economic Campaign, the Online Multiplayer (with or without bots at will) and a Co-op Skirmish Trail will be added.
  • In the pre-EA demos, the Freebuild mode and two Tutorial missions have already been available with reduced building and troop availability.
    • The Skirmish mode with preset scenarios will arrive on October 19, the Steam Next Fest.
• Gameplay Features
  • Most known features so far have already been unveiled by the first public demo, which we announced a while back here.
  • Map sizes will go as large as 1000x1000, starting from 400x400 with increments of 200.
  • Weather will have limited effect in the form of random events.
  • Unit abilities will return, such as the man-at-arms can throw a recharging spear, or the longbowman can randomly land a critically hitting shot.
  • Most buildings will be able to peeked into with a close enough zoom, or by hovering the cursor above the building while a worker is operating it.
  • Building will be possible in a certain radius around the Keep, rather than anywhere within the borders of the estate.
  • Building and troop limits will be set for each player (numbers unknown).
• Story
  • The main lore precedes that of SH1 by several years, featuring a bunch of characters well-known from that game.
  • The protagonist will be Penryn of Wethel, a shepherd who is forced to climb the ranks. It will not be centered around either The Boy or The Wolf; the Boy is confirmed not to return due to his assumed young age.
  • Members of the Wolf's unholy alliance will return: The Rat, the Snake and the Pig, as will do Lord Woolsack and Sir Longarm.
  • New characters among others are: The Crow, The Fox, The Toad.
  • Stronghold 2 characters will not return.
  • Most of the story will be narrated through interactive pre-rendered cutscenes.

If you still got questions remaining, don't panic. Hit us up in the SH4 sub-forum to discuss your ideas, or anything you want to clarify.

Until next time, my lord! :-] 

Edited October 9 by Asophix

[Asophix 187]

Another update has arrived in the form a teaser/presentation video, which goes much into the design choices and similar topics of Stronghold 4 (uploaded on August 14th on Firefly's channel).

This tidbit also shows some newfound details and information:

• Characters
  • While only teased so far in a website banner, Duc Beauregard can be seen in the middle of a conversation with the Rat. He returns in his familiar attire and face, and he is already wearing the eyepatch he was forced to put on after his duel with the Boy's father.
  • The designs of three characters were revealed, who are described as "crazy and unhinged".
    • Vauquelin, aka The Fox, is a young man with ginger hair, shown posing in a leather vest with a determined face.
    • The Crow is a more stern lady with a cold demeanor and contempt on her face.
    • The Toad is a gullible and ugly old man wearing all green, with lots of jewelry and a cape.
  • Other characters are drip-fed in narrative titles throughout the video, alongside their voice actors:
    • George Weightman - male VA for The Rat, The Pig, The Toad, Baron Theomund
    • Ben Starr - male VA for Penryn
    • Samantha Béart - female VA for Ysella, The Crow
    • Walles Hamonde - male VA for Zuhayr, Wirt
    • Graham Hoadly - male VA for Lord Woolsack, Yeoman Holt
    • Elsie Lovelock - female VA for Wilburg
    • Richard Reed - male VA for Sir Longarm, The Snake