Indie Spotlight | Steam Next Fest 2026
Some strategy games reward fast hands. Stick Wars: The Laneborn is aiming for something different: battles where troops advance automatically and your decisions about money, positioning and timing do the heavy lifting.
Created by solo developer Davide under the SeeGrid name, this 2D stickman strategy game divides the battlefield into three lanes: top, middle and bottom. Players deploy units, reinforce positions and work towards destroying the enemy base.
Spend wisely, push decisively
Minions, towers and waves move and attack on their own. Players decide which lane to pressure, whether to improve their towers or base, and when to deploy Soldiers, Archers, Commanders or siege units. Catapults target structures, so their value depends on getting them into position before an opponent can respond.
Champions change the battle
The campaign introduces allied champions with distinct abilities, including a Warlock, Minotaur and Hero Archer. Enemy bosses also bring new threats, switching lanes and growing more dangerous as battles continue. According to the Steam description, the full game is planned to launch with ten campaign levels.
A free demo with online 1v1
The current free demo includes three campaign levels and playable online 1v1 multiplayer. The campaign can be played offline, while competitive matches require an internet connection. The developer is seeking feedback on balance, interface clarity and the overall feel of the early build.
Steam lists a planned release date of 31 March 2027. Visit Stick Wars: The Laneborn on Steam.
From solo project to player feedback
Davide reached out to Coloured Static Press and offered to discuss how the game began. That’s a conversation we’re keen to pursue, particularly around the decision to automate troop combat while keeping strategic control in players’ hands.
Editor’s note: This is a developer-information-based preview, not a hands-on review. The Steam listing also discloses that some assets were AI-assisted and subsequently edited by hand.
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