- changelog v1.1.2 - 4 October 2026
Major Update: Backend Preparation for Chapter II Hello everyone, This major update is mostly focused on backend improvements, so many of the changes may not be immediately visible during regular play. However, this work was necessary to prepare the game for the upcoming DLC release: The goal of this update is to make sure the base game and the upcoming Chapter II content run more smoothly together when the DLC becomes available. Thank you for playing and supporting Rod of Asclepius.
- changelog v1.1.1 - 8 August 2026
Small Steam Compatibility Update Hello everyone, This small update focuses on Steam Deck, Steam Frame, and controller usability. Input and Controller Support Text fields now better support the Steam on-screen keyboard. The default controller setup now supports more in-game actions. Character creation controls were improved for controller use. Input Prompts Incorrect controller prompts were fixed. Mouse and keyboard prompts should no longer appear when playing with a controller. UI and Readability Several UI elements were adjusted to improve readability at Steam Deck resolution. Some overlapping, cutoff, and misaligned UI elements were corrected. Settings Graphics and FPS settings are now handled separately per device. Thank you for playing and for helping improve the game.
- changelog v1.1.0 - 8 July 2026
Update Notes Gameplay and Inventory Herbs and items can now be sold to merchants. Added the option to permanently destroy unwanted inventory items. Inventory screens have been redesigned to improve controller navigation and overall usability. Healing Potions can now be crafted using 25 Yarrow plants. Medical Menu Added a Reshuffle option to the treatment menu. Improved text sizes and readability across the treatment UI. Stability and Settings Improved save system reliability and file cleanup. Video settings are now handled separately for Desktop and Steam Deck devices.
- changelog v1.0.2 - 3 July 2026
Patch Update: UI, Gamepad Support, and Performance Hello everyone, This patch focuses on UI clarity, gamepad input, and performance improvements. The medical menu is now fully playable with a gamepad. Several UI elements have also been improved so input actions are clearer and easier to understand. Performance Improvements Performance improvements were made in the Prologue and Chapter 1. One of the main issues was too many active lights, which caused some meshes to be rendered multiple times. This has now been reduced. Some CPU improvements were also made for actor spawning in Chapter 1. 12 fix34 fix Known Issues There are still known UI issues, and not everything has been solved yet. This patch should still make the game clearer, smoother, and more comfortable to play, especially with a gamepad. The next patch will focus more directly on Chapter 1 gameplay and the remaining UI issues.…
- Rod of Asclepius is 70% off until 15 June - 8 June 2026
Hello everyone,Rod of Asclepius is currently 70% off on Steam as part of the Midweek Deal.If you have been waiting to try the game, this is a good time to step into the role of a Roman medicus and explore a historical RPG inspired by Roman medicine, herbs, diagnosis, and life in late Roman Pannonia.The offer ends 15 June.Thank you for following and supporting the project.— Albert / Worcco Arts
- Addressing Questions About Chapters and DLC - 26 May 2026
A player who tried the demo recently asked:“The game seems episodic. Does that mean the base game won't feel complete or will I need to purchase DLC to get the full story?”This is a completely fair question, and I want to answer it openly here on the Steam page.As the solo developer, the chapter-based structure is simply the approach I chose for practical reasons. It lets me focus on quality and work at a sustainable pace instead of trying to ship everything at once.The base game is built to feel complete. The first chapter is designed as a full, self-contained experience with a clear narrative arc from start to finish. You'll engage with diagnosis, preparing treatments with herbs, making patient care decisions, and seeing the outcomes of your choices; all without needing anything else.Here’s how I plan the rest of the content:Most future chapters and expansions will be released as free…
- Rod of Asclepius is Out Now - 27 March 2026
Rod of Asclepius is now available on Steam.Step into 4th-century Pannonia as a Roman medicus. Diagnose illnesses, gather herbs, perform turn-based treatments, and make choices that shape your reputation as the empire begins to falter.If you have been following the project, thank you for being here.The journey begins today.Steam page
- Controller Test (Demo): Xbox + Generic Gamepads - 2 February 2026
I’m doing a quick controller compatibility check on the Rod of Asclepius Demo. What to test:Menus: navigate with D-pad / stick, confirm, back/cancelGameplay: movement + any core actions mapped to controllerHot-swap: unplug/plug the controller while the demo is runningNote: The demo includes an official Xbox controller layout.Leave a comment with: controller model + wired/Bluetooth + what felt wrong (if anything).Links: Main app: Demo: Steam Next Fest: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/nextfest
- Demo Update - 19 December 2025
What’s new in this demo updateHello everyone!I pushed a small Rod of Asclepius Demo update focused on one thing: making the first moments feel smoother and more “ready”.Smoother VFXI added a quick VFX warm-up step so effects are already “awake” before you run into them. The goal is to reduce those first-use micro-stutters when flashy stuff appears.Cover stays responsive while the next scene loadsWhile the warm-up runs, the demo can also prepare what comes next in the background—so the menu/cover doesn’t feel stuck.Main menu refreshNew cover + a bit of general UI polish to make the entry point feel cleaner and more in-theme.🇭🇷 Croatian localization polish (proofreading)Croatian text has been proofread and refined it should read more naturally now.
- Dev Log #2 — The Frontier Soldiers of Late Rome - 5 November 2025
Guardians of the Empire’s EdgeIn the centuries after the glory of Augustus, the Roman army changed as the empire itself evolved. By the 4th century AD, the once-mighty legions had transformed into a flexible network of troops. Among them stood the Limitanei; the soldiers of the frontier.Stationed along the empire’s rivers, deserts, and mountain passes, the Limitanei were not elite palace guards or rapid field forces. They were local defenders, farmers and soldiers at once, who lived near their posts and watched the frontiers day after day. In Pannonia and along the Rhine and Danube, they manned fortresses that still dot Europe’s landscape.Life on the EdgeThe Limitanei maintained a permanent presence at the empire’s borders; building walls, repairing towers, and repelling raids. They often served for decades in the same region, marrying locals and blending into frontier life.While their…
- Public Playtest Weekend - 26 September 2025
A short public playtest of the demo content.
- PlayTest Sign-Ups Now Open - 28 July 2025
Rod of Asclepius – Steam PlayTest Sign-UpsThe frontier opens this September.Rod of Asclepius is a historically grounded role-playing game set in the final decades of the Roman Empire. You play as a Roman medicus, tasked not with conquest, but with healing, exploration, and service. The game focuses on historical storytelling, archaeological landscapes, herbal medicine, and narrative puzzles; all built upon authentic sources and reconstructed with care.I'm pleased to announce that Steam Playtest registrations are now open. The Playtest will begin in early September 2025 and you can request access today through the game's Steam page. Access will be limited and granted in waves. Feedback gathered during this test will directly inform and improve future development.What is included in the PlaytestThe Playtest contains the Prologue of the game. This segment introduces the core systems of the…
- Dev Log #1 - 10 July 2025
The vision behind Rod of AsclepiusA Roman RPG Rooted in History and HumanityI believe that creating a historically grounded, educational Roman RPG is not only possible; it’s necessary.With Rod of Asclepius, I set out to explore a lesser-seen side of Roman life. This first dev log shares why I started this project, and why I believe games can do more than entertain.More Than War: Stories from the Edge of EmpireMost Roman-themed games focus on legions, conquest, and imperial politics. But the Roman world was full of ordinary people facing extraordinary challenges.Life in the late Empire brought spiritual doubts, medical crises, and slow societal collapse. These stories deserve to be told; and games are an ideal medium for them.In Rod of Asclepius, I’ve recreated Roman forts and settlements based on real archaeological findings from Pannonia (modern-day Croatia, near the Danube). I also re…
