The RTS genre just got its weirdest premise yet. Cheeselords, a newly announced pixel art strategy game, has you commanding armies of bounty hunters, cyber samurais, and robots as they fight over cheese. Not just any cheese, mind you, but exotic alien cheeses from distant planets that decadent billionaires and aristocrats will pay a fortune to acquire. If that sounds absolutely ridiculous, that’s because it is, and solo developer Paweł Murias wouldn’t have it any other way.
Classic RTS Meets Absurd Premise
After years of quiet development with support from dedicated friends, Murias dropped the announcement trailer for Cheeselords on November 22, 2025. The game takes classic RTS mechanics and wraps them in a universe that feels like the bizarre outer rim planets from Star Wars crossed with the surreal world of Samurai Jack.
The setup is straightforward yet wonderfully absurd. Various factions travel to remote alien worlds where the most delicious and exotic cheeses naturally occur. These aren’t Earth cheeses, these are alien varieties worth their weight in gold to wealthy collectors. Your job is to build bases, recruit armies, mine those precious cheeses, and fight off competitors trying to steal your dairy fortune.
Modern Controls Meet Classic Design
The core philosophy behind Cheeselords is marrying the colorful, flavorful units from classic RTS games with modern technological improvements. Murias wants to capture what made games like Warcraft, StarCraft, and Command and Conquer fun while implementing quality-of-life features that modern players expect.
That means units that actually go where you tell them to go. The ability to select entire armies at once without clunky control groups. Vehicles that move realistically with proper turning mechanics rather than just gliding sideways. The control scheme draws inspiration from StarCraft II, including a quick macro panel similar to what Stormgate uses, though players can disable it if they prefer old-school base management.
Pathfinding That Makes Sense
One specific improvement Murias is implementing is updated pathfinding that prevents the unit clumping issues seen in StarCraft II. Vehicles will still need to turn properly rather than rotating instantly, creating more realistic movement patterns and tactical considerations for vehicle-heavy armies.
The game also features dodging mechanics, but only for certain weapon types. Players can potentially evade low-tech projectiles like arrows and Molotov cocktails with proper micro, but advanced futuristic firearms will hit their targets. This creates interesting dynamics where different unit types require different tactical approaches.
Multiple Factions in Development
Cheeselords will feature multiple playable factions, though the exact number isn’t finalized yet. Murias confirmed that at least two factions are definitely happening: one with sci-fi characters like bounty hunters and robots, and another with medieval-inspired warriors wielding traditional weapons.
He’s also considering adding two types of monsters as playable factions, plus potentially samurai units and different alien species. The roster is still in development as Murias focuses on creating impressive individual units first, then building out complete faction rosters with proper balance testing.
Some units emerge organically from mission design needs. For example, engineers were added because certain campaign scenarios required that unit type. This approach keeps faction development flexible and responsive to what actually makes gameplay interesting.
Single Player, Multiplayer, and Campaigns
Cheeselords will offer the full suite of RTS modes. Single-player missions let you experience the cheese wars solo. Multiplayer allows you to test strategies against other players. A full campaign mode will provide structured progression through the game’s absurd universe.
There’s also potential for co-op mode, which Murias jokingly admits is partly to stop his dad from constantly challenging friends to one-on-one matches while trying to show off the game. Co-op campaigns or missions would let players team up against AI opponents rather than always competing directly.
Built Through Playtesting
Rather than designing the entire game on paper first, Murias is actively refining Cheeselords through playtesting to discover what’s genuinely enjoyable. The goal is to avoid creating just another RTS clone or a boring parody of esports-focused strategy games.
This iterative approach means the development team is open to creative suggestions from the community. If an idea sounds fun and fits the game’s vision, there’s a strong chance they’ll test it out. The Steam page and social channels provide ways for interested players to share feedback even before release.
Pixel Art Aesthetic
Cheeselords uses pixel art to bring its bizarre universe to life. The retro visual style fits perfectly with the game’s tone, allowing for creative unit designs without needing massive 3D modeling budgets. Pixel art also makes it easier for a solo developer to iterate on designs quickly.
The art style evokes classic RTS games from the 90s and early 2000s while still looking crisp on modern displays. It’s a practical choice that also serves the game’s identity as a love letter to old-school strategy gaming with modern improvements.
The Map Editor
One of the trailers showcased on the Steam page highlights a map editor feature. Custom map creation was a huge part of what kept classic RTS games alive for years through community content. Including a robust editor from the start signals that Cheeselords is designed for longevity.
Player-created maps can extend the game’s lifespan indefinitely. The community can design challenge scenarios, create their own campaigns, or build multiplayer maps with unique layouts and strategic considerations. This kind of modding support is increasingly rare in modern strategy games.
Why Cheese Though
The cheese premise is intentionally absurd, and that’s the point. Instead of yet another serious military conflict or generic resource war, Cheeselords leans into ridiculous sci-fi world-building. Fighting over alien cheeses for bored aristocrats is memorable in a genre that often takes itself too seriously.
The setup also provides built-in justification for the wild variety of factions and unit types. When you’re on bizarre outer rim planets mining exotic dairy products, cyber samurais fighting medieval knights suddenly makes perfect sense. The premise gives Murias creative freedom to include whatever weird units and factions sound fun without worrying about strict thematic consistency.
Release Timeline
Cheeselords doesn’t have a release date yet. The Steam page simply says to be announced. Given that this is a solo project still actively in development, a realistic timeline probably puts release at least a year or more out, possibly longer depending on how testing goes and how much content Murias wants to include at launch.
The game is available to wishlist on Steam right now. Wishlisting helps the developer gauge interest and ensures you’ll be notified when more information becomes available or when the game eventually launches.
Solo Development Ambition
Creating a full-featured RTS solo is an enormous undertaking. These games require unit balance across multiple factions, pathfinding systems, AI opponents, multiplayer networking, campaign missions, and extensive testing to ensure strategic depth. That’s a lot for one person, even with support from friends.
However, solo development also means a pure creative vision. Murias doesn’t need to compromise with publishers or investors. He can take the time to playtest thoroughly and only release when the game is actually ready. The result should be a strategy game that feels personal and crafted rather than designed by committee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheeselords?
Cheeselords is a pixel art real-time strategy game where players build bases, recruit armies, and battle for exotic alien cheeses on distant planets. The game features bounty hunters, cyber samurais, robots, and medieval warriors fighting to mine cheese varieties that wealthy aristocrats will pay fortunes to acquire.
Who is developing Cheeselords?
Cheeselords is being developed by solo indie developer Paweł Murias with support from dedicated friends. Murias is handling both development and publishing independently.
When will Cheeselords be released?
The game does not have a release date yet. The Steam page lists it as to be announced. Given the scope and solo development nature, release is likely at least a year or more away.
What factions are in Cheeselords?
Multiple factions are confirmed but the exact number isn’t finalized. At least two are definite: one with sci-fi units like bounty hunters and robots, and another with medieval warriors. The developer is also considering monster factions, samurai, and various alien species.
Does Cheeselords have single-player and multiplayer?
Yes, Cheeselords will include single-player missions, multiplayer matches, and a full campaign mode. There’s also potential for co-op gameplay allowing players to team up against AI opponents.
What makes Cheeselords different from other RTS games?
The game combines classic RTS unit variety and gameplay with modern control improvements like better pathfinding, army selection, and realistic vehicle movement. It draws inspiration from StarCraft II controls while avoiding unit clumping issues. The absurd premise of fighting over alien cheeses also sets it apart thematically.
Will Cheeselords have a map editor?
Yes, the game includes a map editor feature that will allow players to create custom maps for single-player challenges or multiplayer matches, extending the game’s longevity through community content.
What platforms will Cheeselords be available on?
Cheeselords is confirmed for PC via Steam. Additional platforms have not been announced at this time.
Conclusion
In a gaming landscape where most strategy games take themselves deadly serious, Cheeselords arrives with cyber samurais fighting over cheese and somehow makes that premise work. By grounding the absurdity in solid RTS fundamentals and modern control improvements, Paweł Murias is creating something that could appeal to both nostalgic veterans and newcomers tired of generic military strategy.
The real test will be execution. Announcing an RTS is one thing, delivering balanced factions, engaging campaigns, and multiplayer that holds player interest is another entirely. Solo development amplifies both the challenge and the potential reward. If Murias can pull this off, Cheeselords could become one of those cult classic strategy games that carves out its own dedicated community.
The RTS genre has been searching for its next breakout hit since StarCraft II dominated the 2010s. Maybe what it needs is less focus on esports polish and more willingness to embrace ridiculous premises executed with genuine craft. Fighting over alien cheese for bored billionaires might be exactly the kind of creative freedom the genre needs. At minimum, it’s definitely the weirdest pitch you’ll hear this year. Wishlist it on Steam, follow development updates, and prepare to bring home that cheddar, literally. The aristocrats are waiting, and they pay well for the finest alien dairy products the galaxy has to offer.