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Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura header art

Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura

Imagine a place of wonder, where magick and technology coexist in an uneasy balance, and an adventurer might just as easily wield a flintlock pistol as a flaming sword. Welcome to the land of Arcanum.

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Developer
Publisher
Release
August 29, 2016
9 years and 340 days ago
Steam Reviews
Very Positive1,974 reviews89.4%

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Game contextLatest: IGF Team
ContextThe evidence factors used to assess whether this game belongs on IndieGame.Fan.Status
Notes
Latest Contributor: IGF TeamEdit notes
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Developer scaleThe operating scale of the game's developer.
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Publisher scaleThe operating scale of the game's publisher.
Activision is controlled by Microsoft.
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Publisher statusHow the game's publishing relationship is classified.
Activision is controlled by Microsoft.
Updated: Jul 13, 2026FundingThe known source of funding behind the game.
Activision provides the corporate publishing relationship for this release.
Search Google: Who controls the creative direction and IP for Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura and Troika Games?Creative controlWho appears to retain creative control of the game.
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Release statusWhether and how the game has been released.
Activision is listed as a separate publisher for this release.

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About the Game

An Industrial Revolution in a World of Magick


Imagine a place of wonder, where magick and technology coexist in an uneasy balance, and an adventurer might just as easily wield a flintlock pistol as a flaming sword. A place where great industrial cities house castle keeps and factories, home to Dwarves, Humans, Orcs and Elves alike. A place of Ancient runes and steamworks, of magick and machines, of sorcery and science. Welcome to the land of Arcanum.

Character Design allows you to customize your character any way you choose


  • Whether you choose magick or technology, the Arcanum world adapts and responds to your character's development
  • Classless, point-based attribute system allows for limitless creativity in guiding your character's development
  • 8 basic stats, such as Strength and Charisma
  • More than a dozen derived stats, from Poison Resistance to Character Speed
  • 16 Primary skills, including Gambling and Healing
  • 80 Spells with 16 Colleges of Magick
  • 56 technological degrees within 8 disciplines

Extraordinary Adventure Features


  • Explore a world as vast as it is mysterious-it would take over 30 real-time hours to traverse the land of Arcanum
  • Meet more than 300 unique characters and monster types across this huge land
  • Many means exist to solve the myriad quests, from dueling to discourse to thievery
  • Take on a band of ogres in real-time, or plan your strategy through turn-based combat - you decide
  • Accurate day and night cycles affect the gameplay, from combat to thieving skills
  • Automatic character management lets action-oriented players delve into the quest at hand
  • Create your own worlds or play the included multiplayer scenario online cooperatively or competively