- Cralon Update 4.0 and a new Publisher - 20 July 2026
Hi everyone!Today we have several news to share with you.We are happy to announce that Assemble Entertainment is now the official PC publisher of Cralon. Assemble will support us with marketing, communication and visibility for the game.There is also a new trailer, new artwork and an updated Steam store page presentation. We hope this gives Cralon a cleaner look and shows better what awaits you down in the shaft.Check out the new Trailer:And of course, there is also a new update.With Update 4, we continued working on Cralon and improved several parts of the game. Thank you for your feedback, your suggestions and your patience.Here is the changelog for today’s update:The UI of the whole game has been renewed: Main menu, trade, crafting, options, load/save menu, inventory, dialogues and journalDifficulty settings are now shown with textMissing sounds have been addedFont and typo bugs have…
- Cralon is now 20% off - 25 June 2026
Hi everybody, We have some great news to share with you: Cralon is now 20% off on Steam for the very first time! If you have been waiting for the right moment to enter the mine, this might be it. And if you already joined us in the depths, maybe this is a good chance to tell a friend or fellow cave explorer about the game. We also used the opportunity to overhaul our Steam store page. And we launched the new 3.1 patch for Cralon, featuring several fixes and adjustments.We also updated several parts of the steam page and gave it a fresh new look - we really hope you like it As always, thank you so much for your support, your feedback, and for helping us spread the word about Cralon. It means a lot to us. In the meantime, feel free to join our Discord!And if you already played Cralon and enjoyed your time in the mine, please consider leaving a review on Steam. That would be really appreci…
- Cralon Update 3.1 - 25 June 2026
Hi everyone!Today we are happy to announce the new 3.1 patch for Cralon, featuring several fixes and adjustments. Thank you once again for your feedback and for helping us improve the game. So, here’s the changelog for today’s update for Cralon:The health warning no longer remains on screenThe journal now updates fully for the Urgor and Bermutia questsSome holes in the level have been fixedA malfunctioning glass object has been replacedThe tutorial display for equipping a weapon has been updatedQuicksaving during cutscenes is no longer possibleSome font issues have been resolvedA few floating objects have been fixedand various other adjustmentsAs usual you can find support or leave feedback on our discord https://discord.com/invite/dSCZgKy3czor in the Steam Community Hub. And if you liked the game please follow and leave a review. That would be really appreciated and helps us spreading…
- Cralon Update 3.0 with a new Font and more Improvements! - 15 June 2026
Hi everyone!Today we are happy to announce the third update for Cralon, featuring several requested new features and additional fixes! Thank you for your numerous suggestions and feedback. So, here’s the Changelog for today's update for Cralon:A new Font has been implementedHit feedback has been improved with slight hitstop and stumbleThe menu now loads fasterRepeating dialogue can now be skipped fasterThe final boss has increased healthThe map in the second level is now easier to findIt is now easier to climb back out of the MawSome gates lacking collision have been removedThe word „Trade“ in the trade menu is now properly translatedA few floating objects have been fixedMore wooden sticks have been placed throughout the gameA hole in the rocks of the second level has been closedItems are now correctly added to the inventory after craftingThe final boss's texture is now consistently dar…
- Cralon Update 2.0 with Controller Improvements and more Fixes! - 7 May 2026
Hi everybody!Today we are happy to announce the second update for Cralon! Thank you for your numerous suggestions and feedback. So, here’s the Changelog for today's update for Cralon:Monsters no longer hit you after deathYou’re no longer bleeding when parryingGrumps doesn’t continue walking on their spot anymoreAttack sound now occurs earlier for improved readabilityParrying time is slightly longerToggle for sprinting with a controller has been addedDialog options are no longer logged if I select them simultaneously.The “Big Mama” quest is now always completed when the giant spider is defeatedDifficulty settings now save when using a controllerThe “Close” button for controllers has been fixed in the submenusThe “Demon Hunter” achievement for destroying all statues has been fixedThe axe will appear in your inventory after purchaseThe Quest „Friendly Bertrayal“ also completes, when i play…
- First Cralon Update brings Fixes and Improvements! - 24 April 2026
Hi everybody!We just released our first update after the launch of Cralon! Thanks to all of you for following Cralon into the pit!We’ve been watching the comments closely and collected your feedback (a big thanks for everyone who offered constructive feedback!) from launch onwards to make sure that your experience within Cralon is as awesome as possible.So, here’s the Changelog for today's update for Cralon: You can now parry in melee combat using QFixed some unreachable ruins in the ArenaMelee combat shouldn't give damage to friendly creatures anymoreAdded courage drink into the gamestart areaReduced the enemy evade to a lower frequenceImproved hit detection at creatures in melee combatFixed some z-fighting issuesFire damage during certain dialogues has been fixedA logic bug in the dialogue with Pepersag has been fixedFixed that Feral is stuck in the mazeFixed an issue where players co…
- Cralon is Out Now! - 18 April 2026
Finally the time has come: Cralon is out now! Enter the dungeon and explore the whole mine on your own.You are Cralon the Brave, the hero of the village of Mintalis. While hunting a demon, you fell down a deep mine shaft and have to make your way through the shaft across various levels, each with its own themes, environments, flora and fauna, in order to find your way back up to the surface.The game focuses primarily on immersion, exploration and story, so you get rewarded for thoroughly searching every corner, helping the shaft’s inhabitants, and immerse yourself in the story to uncover the secrets of the mine. The first-person 3D view, a “clean” screen, and the absence of quest markers enhance the immersion. Maps for every level, directions from NPCs, as well as your journal, help you stay oriented. Adventure elements like puzzles and treasure maps also encourage exploration. Along th…
- Cralon is at the Women’s Day Sale! - 6 March 2026
Hey everyone, From February 6th to March 15th, 2026 (starting at 8 AM PT), you can find Cralon at the Women’s Day Sale!Do you enjoy oldschool dungeon crawlers with a focus on story and exploration?Then check out our demo:The latest demo-update now includes the following improvements:- Rats should be hit easier now - Added a jump animation for the dodge of the rats - Rats evade not so far anymore - The courage bar now visualizes how far it will reach before potions are applied - Dialogue volume minimum of only 1 removes the speedrun and fast text - Missing English audio is now implemented - Pressing "I" or "J" during the intro no longer brings up the inventory or journal - some minor fixesIf you enjoyed our demo, please follow us, add Cralon to your wishlist. We would really appreciate it and it helps us spread the word about the game.Please consider providing us feedback on our Discord…
- Cralon is at the Steam Next Fest! - 23 February 2026
Hey everyone, From February 23rd to March 2nd, 2026 (starting at 10 AM PT), you can find Cralon at the Steam Next Fest! Do you enjoy oldschool dungeon crawlers with a focus on story and exploration?Then check out our demo:The latest demo-update now includes English voiceovers.If you enjoyed our demo, please follow us, add Cralon to your wishlist. We would really appreciate it and it helps us spread the word about the game.See you in the mine! Jenny & Björn
- Explore the first areas of the mine with the Cralon demo! - 11 February 2026
Hey there!We have some great news to share with you today: As off now you can enter the dungeon and explore the first areas of the mine for yourself with a demo:It includes a tutorial, that teaches you the basics of the mechanics you need. The game focuses on exploration and story. Overall, depending on your speed and playing style, you can spend about 20-40 minutes playing our Cralon demo. English voice recordings and other languages for subtitles and text will follow (see main game)Please consider providing us feedback on our Discord or in the Steam Community Hub. And if you liked our demo please follow and wishlist Cralon and leave a review. That would be really appreciated and help us spreading the word.See you in the mine, explorers! Jenny & Björn
- Cralon at Gamescom 2025 - 15 August 2025
Hi everybody, We have some great news to share with you: Cralon will make it's way to Cologne with our own booth and a new playable demo at Gamescom 2025 from August 20 until August 24! You can find us at the Indie Arena Booth in Hall 10.2 (right next to the escalators direction Hall 11).Program:Thursday 7.30 PM, Elgato Stage (Hall 7.1 C-035) with Writing BullSaturday, 5.30 PM, Webedia Stage (Hall 10.1 D070/E089) Livestream: Thursday 7:30 PM, Indie Arena Booth (English)https://www.gamescom.global/en/product/cralon We are bringing an enhanced and improved playable demo with us, that will let you enter the dungeon and explore the first areas of the shaft. We made some great progress over the last weeks and spent a massive amount of time to prepare the best possible demo – We really can't wait to share it with you and hear your thoughts! In the meantime feel free to join our Discord https:…
- Dev Update #002 - 13 July 2025
Welcome to our next Update. Today we want to tell you something about our thoughts about load and save mechanics. Flexible Save PointsIn a role-playing game like the one we're aiming for, the ability to save multiple times in a computer game, regardless of where you are in the game, offers several advantages over fixed save points or checkpoints. When players are able to save at any point in the game, they have more flexibility and control over their progress. This reduces frustration when reaching difficult situations or enemies that can be beaten in smaller steps, rather than having to repeat the entire section. Furthermore, flexible save options allow you to try out different strategies or decisions without fear of consequences. Whether you accept every consequence or not is up to you. Technical ChallengesHowever, such freedom also brings challenges, because we as developers have to…
- Cralon at Roleplay Verse and Fantasy Basel 2025 - 9 May 2025
Hey there, We have some great news to share with you today: Cralon will make it's way to Oberhausen and be playable for the first time at Roleplay Verse 2025 from May 16 until May 18! We are in the Nerd Verse 2 Booth 42. Program: Main Stage (Fire Verse): Friday, 1:15 PM (Game Presentation) Sunday, 11:00 AM (Talk) Sunday, 3:00 PM (Game Presentation) Outdoor Stage: Saturday, 5:00 PM (Heavy Metal Concert, Seducer) Saturday, 5:45 PM (Heavy Metal Cover Concert, Seducer feat. Björn Pankratz) Sunday, 11:30 AM (Heavy Metal Concert, Seducer) Sunday, 12:15 PM (Heavy Metal Cover Concert, Seducer feat. Björn Pankratz) https://rpv-germany.de/ And it will be playable at the Fantasy Basel 2025 from May 29 until May 31! You can find us at Hall 1.1 Booth 274. https://fantasybasel.ch/ We will bring a first playable demo, that will let you enter the dungeon and explore the first areas of the shaft. We mad…
- Find Your Next Game Show - 10 April 2025
Tomorrow we will be live on the main stage at the FYNG Show at the Caggtus Gaming Festival 2025 with a first look at the gameplay of Cralon and tell you something about the game. If you can't be there, we're also happy to welcome everyone who wants to watch the livestream. Gamestar Twitch Channel on 11 April 4 PM CET. (Attention, the recording of our performance with English subtitles can be found here: Cralon First Gameplay FYNG Show on Youtube) From now on, the corresponding FYNG Showcase Event will also take place on Steam and we will participate. Have a look at the other announcements as well. FYNG Show Steam Event We look forward to seeing you! Jenny und Björn
- Dev Update #001 - 30 March 2025
Hello and thank you for coming here. On our way to the release of our first game, we'd like to keep you updated with different news about the development here and on our Pithead Studio YouTube channel. First Person View First of all, we'd like to tell you more about our ideas and thoughts regarding our decision for the first-person view. The idea of creating more immersion by seeing the game directly from the main character's perspective also allows features like inspecting objects to place more emphasis on exploring the environment. One of our goals was to expand the game's existing role-playing elements with first-person adventure elements to make the environment more interesting during gameplay and encourage players to examine everything more closely, while also being rewarded for doing so. Making the Player Character Visible There are various ways to represent first-person mode. I…
- Former Piranha Bytes veterans unveil their new dungeon crawler, and it's tripping my Arx Fatalis alarms in all the right ways - 25 February 2025
Back in July 2024, former Piranha Bytes creative director Björn Pankratz and his wife, game designer Jennifer Pankratz, launched a new indie outfit called Pithead Studio , which they said would enable them to "keep doing what we love." Today we got our first look at what that is, and I am—with all appropriate caution engaged— very excited... Read more.
- Cralon Announcement! - 25 February 2025
Hi, we are Jenny and Björn Pankratz and some of you may know us as two former visionary developers from the company behind the Gothic-, Risen- and ELEX-series. Now we founded our own indie studio Pithead Studio and we are thrilled to announce our brand-new game Cralon. Cralon is an authentic 3D dungeon crawler with RPG and adventure elements, inspired by the ultimate dungeon classics and developed with the Unreal Engine 5. It combines a variety of interlocking game elements that enhance the immersion of exploration and storytelling. Check out the new announcement trailer, spread the word and wishlist, if you like it. We are looking forward to share more with you and hope you join us on our journey. We are really happy to be back. See you soon! Jenny & Björn
