Vikings Riding T-Rexes Invade Medieval England
Dinolords, the audacious strategy game that asks “what if Vikings discovered dinosaur eggs in Greenland,” opens its gates for closed alpha testing on October 31, 2025. Developer Northplay and publisher Ghost Ship Publishing announced the alpha alongside a new gameplay trailer on October 8, inviting players to register on Steam for a chance to experience the game’s unique blend of real-time strategy, action RPG combat, and tower defense mechanics before its 2026 Early Access launch.
The closed alpha features a three-part tutorial, four distinct maps, two game modes, and the core systems that make Dinolords special – base building, unit command, and direct control of a medieval lord who rides dinosaurs into battle. Accepted participants will provide feedback through questionnaires that shape the game’s development, making this alpha more than just early access marketing but genuine community-driven iteration on a genuinely weird and wonderful concept.
The Alternate History That Makes No Sense (And That’s Perfect)
Dinolords’ premise is gloriously absurd in the best possible way. In 985 AD, Erik the Red discovers ancient eggs encased in the Sermitsiaq Glacier during his voyage to Greenland. When thawed and hatched, these eggs produce creatures that hadn’t walked Earth since prehistoric times – dinosaurs. The Scandinavians domesticate these beasts, initially for labor and construction, then breed them for warfare.
In 1002 AD, King Sweyn Forkbeard of Denmark launches the first dinosaur-powered military conflict with his invasion of England, shocking defenders and forever altering the course of history. English King Æthelred the Unready, fighting a losing battle against these prehistoric war machines, sends his son Edmund Ironside as a last resort to defend the kingdom and learn the secrets of these great beasts. This is where players enter the story – commanding Edmund’s forces against the Danish dinosaur invasion.
| Game Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Northplay |
| Publisher | Ghost Ship Publishing |
| Genre | “Hack’n’Strat” – RTS + Action RPG |
| Closed Alpha Date | October 31, 2025 |
| Early Access | 2026 |
| Platform | PC (Steam) |
| Alpha Content | 4 maps, 2 game modes, tutorial |
Hack’n’Strat – A New Genre Hybrid
Northplay describes Dinolords as a “hack’n’strat” game, and after experiencing 30 minutes of hands-on time, PC Gamer confirmed this isn’t just marketing speak – it’s a genuinely unique genre blend. Unlike traditional RTS games where you manage armies from a detached bird’s-eye view, Dinolords locks the camera to your hero character, a medieval lord equipped with sword, bow, special abilities, and a velociraptor mount.
You can zoom out for easier construction management or troop direction, but you can never move the camera away from your hero. This means your lord must always be in the heart of the action, creating a personal connection to battles that RTS games typically lack. When Viking invaders arrive riding ankylosaurus battering rams or commanding burrowing mudbacks that tunnel under your walls, you’re not just clicking units – you’re dodging tail sweeps, firing arrows from atop your velociraptor, and leading charges personally.
The closest comparison might be Brütal Legend, Tim Schafer’s 2009 heavy metal action-RTS hybrid, though Dinolords appears more mechanically sophisticated. The game seamlessly transitions between gathering resources in your settlement, constructing fortifications, recruiting and commanding troops, and jumping into direct combat when enemies attack. According to hands-on previews, this blend feels natural rather than jarring, with each element enhancing the others.
Core Gameplay Systems
- Direct hero control with sword, bow, and special abilities
- Velociraptor mount for speed and combat advantage
- Resource gathering and settlement construction
- Unit recruitment and army management
- Fortification building and defensive strategy
- Tower defense-style wave survival modes
- RTS-style troop commands during battles
- Action RPG combat mechanics for hero
Dinosaurs Are the DNA of the Game
The dinosaurs in Dinolords aren’t just another unit type or gimmick tacked onto standard medieval strategy – they’re fundamentally integrated into every system. During PC Gamer’s preview, nearly every mechanic revealed some new delightful way dinosaurs click into the formula, creating constant moments of childlike joy.
Your velociraptor mount lets you speed between settlements and battlefronts. Hunting for nests in forests allows you to steal giant eggs for recruiting new dinosaur species. The lumber mill sends out a specially trained triceratops to uproot trees and carry them back for sawing. When you build sentry towers, they’re actually pteranodon roosts that send flying reptiles to grab invaders, lift them into the air, and drop them screaming back to earth.
Enemy waves present distinct dino-problems requiring different solutions. Burrowing mudbacks tunnel under walls, forcing players to develop interior defenses. Lumbering ankylosaurus battering rams feature sweeping AoE tail attacks that must be dodged through. Viking riders atop T-Rexes bring overwhelming firepower that requires coordinated counterattacks. Each dinosaur species changes tactical considerations rather than just representing different damage numbers or health pools.
Ghost Ship Publishing’s Indie Focus
Ghost Ship Publishing, the publisher behind Dinolords, was founded in February 2023 as a branch of Ghost Ship Games – the Danish studio behind Deep Rock Galactic. The publishing arm focuses on supporting creative indie developers with unique visions, applying lessons learned from Deep Rock Galactic’s success as a co-op first game that built a passionate community through early access.
Their involvement with Dinolords represents the publisher’s commitment to games that blend genres in unusual ways while maintaining tight mechanical focus. The decision to run a closed alpha with community feedback questionnaires rather than just opening paid early access shows Ghost Ship’s preference for iterative development informed by player input, mirroring how Deep Rock Galactic evolved during its own early access period.
What the Closed Alpha Includes
The October 31st closed alpha provides substantial content for testing core systems. The three-part tutorial eases players into the game’s unique blend of strategy and action, teaching resource gathering, base building, unit recruitment, and combat mechanics. Once trained, players access four distinct maps representing different defensive scenarios and environmental challenges.
Two different game modes test players’ “hack’n’strat” skills from different angles, though Northplay hasn’t detailed what distinguishes these modes. Based on the game’s systems, educated guesses include a story-focused campaign mode with narrative progression and a survival mode focused on defending against increasingly difficult waves. Players will establish military strongholds using the full suite of base building, combat strategy, and unit control systems.
Importantly, alpha participants can share feedback through questionnaires designed to shape Dinolords’ development. This isn’t a promotional beta where the game is essentially finished – it’s genuine testing where player responses will influence balancing, feature priorities, and design decisions before the 2026 Early Access launch.
Open Development Philosophy
Northplay has committed to open development for Dinolords, sharing the journey through devlogs, social media, and Discord rather than developing behind closed doors. CEO Michael Flarup stated they’re “building a Realtime Strategy game with you,” positioning the community as collaborators rather than just customers waiting for a finished product.
This approach mirrors successful indie games like Hades, Valheim, and ironically Deep Rock Galactic, which all benefited enormously from early community involvement. By letting players experience and influence Dinolords before final release, Northplay can identify what works, what doesn’t, and what players want more of – crucial information for a game attempting to blend genres in unprecedented ways.
How to Register for the Closed Alpha
Players interested in the closed alpha can register their interest directly through Dinolords’ official Steam page. The registration doesn’t guarantee acceptance – Ghost Ship and Northplay will select participants from the applicant pool, likely prioritizing players who provide detailed feedback and represent diverse playstyles and experience levels.
The alpha begins October 31, 2025, just over three weeks from the announcement. Selected participants will receive notification through Steam with instructions for downloading and accessing the test build. Duration hasn’t been specified, but typical closed alphas run anywhere from one week to several months depending on developer needs and feedback quality.
The Unforgettable 2023 Announcement Trailer
Dinolords was announced nearly two years ago with what PC Gamer called “one of the all-time great videogame trailers.” The 55-second teaser showed seemingly straightforward medieval strategy and city-building for nearly its entire runtime, suddenly interrupted by the arrival of a Viking riding a T-Rex while heavy metal music erupts. The trailer instantly went viral in gaming circles, generating millions of views and massive wishlisting on Steam.
That reveal perfectly encapsulated Dinolords’ appeal – the surprise, the absurdity, the sheer audacity of mashing Vikings and dinosaurs together in a legitimately well-designed strategy game. The new October 2025 gameplay trailer maintains that energy while showing actual mechanics, confirming this isn’t just a funny concept but a mechanically interesting game that happens to feature prehistoric war lizards.
Community Reaction – Cautiously Hyped
Reddit discussions on r/Games show players excited but curious about execution. The concept sells itself instantly, but as commenters note, the real question is whether the genre-blending works smoothly or feels like three different games awkwardly duct-taped together. Hands-on previews from outlets like PC Gamer suggest the systems integrate surprisingly well, but community feedback from the alpha will provide the first large-scale test.
Some players wonder if the action RPG elements might slow down the strategic decision-making that makes RTS games compelling. Others question whether personally controlling a hero reduces the grand strategic scope that defines the genre. These are valid concerns that the closed alpha should help address – if the community finds certain systems overwhelming or undercooked, Northplay has time to adjust before Early Access.
Early Access Launch Timeline
Following the closed alpha feedback period, Dinolords enters Early Access sometime in 2026. No specific date has been announced beyond “2026,” suggesting Northplay wants flexibility to incorporate alpha feedback rather than committing to a rushed timeline. Early Access will presumably include more maps, game modes, dinosaur species, and progression systems than the alpha offers.
The full 1.0 launch timeline remains unspecified. Quality indie Early Access periods typically run 12-24 months, suggesting full release might not arrive until 2027 or 2028. However, given Dinolords’ core systems appear well-developed already, a shorter Early Access cycle isn’t impossible if alpha and early access feedback prove positive.
FAQs
When does the Dinolords closed alpha start?
The closed alpha begins October 31, 2025. Players can register for a chance to participate through the game’s Steam page, though acceptance isn’t guaranteed.
What is Dinolords?
Dinolords is a “hack’n’strat” game combining real-time strategy base building, action RPG combat, and tower defense mechanics. Players defend medieval England against Viking invaders riding war-trained dinosaurs.
Who is developing Dinolords?
Northplay is developing Dinolords with publishing support from Ghost Ship Publishing, the publishing branch of Deep Rock Galactic developer Ghost Ship Games.
What’s included in the closed alpha?
The alpha features a three-part tutorial, four distinct maps, two game modes, and core systems including base building, unit command, and direct hero combat. Players provide feedback through questionnaires.
When does Dinolords launch in Early Access?
Dinolords enters Early Access in 2026. No specific date has been announced beyond that year.
What platforms will Dinolords be available on?
Currently, Dinolords is announced only for PC via Steam. Console versions haven’t been confirmed or ruled out for post-launch.
How do RTS and action RPG elements work together?
Players directly control a medieval lord character with sword, bow, and abilities while simultaneously managing base construction, resource gathering, and army commands. The camera stays locked to the hero but can zoom out for strategic overview.
What dinosaurs are in the game?
Confirmed dinosaurs include velociraptors (player mounts), T-Rexes (enemy riders), pteranodons (aerial units), triceratops (worker units), ankylosaurus (battering rams), and burrowing mudbacks. More species will likely appear in Early Access.
Conclusion
Dinolords represents the kind of wonderfully weird game concept that only exists in the indie space – taking the question “what if Vikings had dinosaurs” seriously enough to build an entire mechanically sophisticated strategy game around it. The October 31st closed alpha offers the first substantial public hands-on opportunity to test whether Northplay’s ambitious genre-blending actually works or if it’s just a clever trailer with shallow execution. Early previews suggest the former, with PC Gamer’s hands-on revealing surprising mechanical depth and genuine innovation in how action RPG elements integrate with RTS base building and tower defense. Whether personally controlling a velociraptor-riding lord while managing settlements and commanding armies creates compelling moment-to-moment gameplay remains the crucial question only extended playtime can answer. That’s exactly what the closed alpha provides – real testing conditions with community feedback shaping development before the 2026 Early Access launch. For anyone who’s ever thought medieval strategy games needed more prehistoric war lizards, registration is open now on Steam, and October 31st can’t come soon enough.