Sharpen your blades, warriors. Kwalee is thrilled to announce that the release of a playable demo for the brutal sword fighting game *ie by the Blade* will be available at the upcoming Steam Next Fest. Developed by Grindstone and Triple Hill Interactive, Die by the Blade is set in a stunning samuraipunk world where players must choose from a rangeof traditional Japanese weapons to determine their move set, parry their opponents’ blows with lightning speed using dynamic one-hit-kill combat mechanics. The demo will introduce 1v1, 1vsAI, Vs Local and Vs random online gameplay modes.
Available from 6th February via Steam, the Die by the Blade demo will introduce three playable characters from the game; Yoshi a wandering Samurai who lives his life in the service of the locals he meets, Butterfly, a resistance fighter against the American tech corporation Praxis and Nakamura, a shadowy commander and fearsome warrior loyal to Ashikaga Daimyo. Once you have selected your warrior, choose from either the katana or wakizashi swords, and wage battle in brutal 1v1 combat across three diverse samurai-punk-inspired locations.
[(http://url5852.pressengine.net/ls/click?upn=sglaON3qFVH8Vl47c-2Blf9AWwsl7fr5LW-2Bje6RvETo9laqDi6dUEEElB0-2FusH3VjRvGFS_B2dcTDhSQi6Fhub-2Bz-2B8J0-2F2ARgZxbC0DxFnnqmdRbCZwy6WKSvz0wkA8jtQ2pXD-2FJycrEsGsAI-2BqY7Jc9lAdgRp-2FivWBvYYPNElb6bvHHq6E2m5xZk29CKQOc2Kv1PB9pJwZJI4QyosPLAF3MjnQaaXqn33HOYVxeool4zGmZka-2BugHnfhaBGAqKi8USYGKaL6VmTgslkiSBrqUvhK2gXr3bSRzP-2Fq2v4u1xGsU9Awzmy5KidBH7EzplEm4J88WYhK2C959xk3PP8COOPtGS09pcoJnkQ9oDNWMsdEH0n8V0DorG2Yzoa4KC6ETc6PcQQo9V61U3bZACXp5-2BgHBFY8n-2BJ9SQlv-2Bex07-2BQ0T-2FLSIDoHpAT-2BPr-2Bu8Tvy-2BrgYZPP5fCz9z8OLR8WwEv5KGqHkx3JRfRB3VBL0KUA2yKKA6ZjT4YSUBxJvZPun1UwS1LQFK8ZSnrxW0hC0KRa54WubbjUFaDWNOp7T6-2FwpSRkzkp5WLb-2BFLrz3uGI-2Bk-2FVlfgAW4PCVUweLEKKYMLyBnoZOMN814sLxaj45VtNJDNx34-3D)
Check out the Die by the Blade gameplay trailer here
Download the press kit here
Register your interest in receiving preview code (when available) here (this link is not for demo access)
About *ie by the Blade*
Die by the Blade is a 1v1 weapons-focused fighter where the difference between victory and death lies in a single strike of the blade. Choose your weapon and character combination freely to define your moveset, then do battle in neon-soaked back alleys and ancient forests. Take up arms and crush your friends in local or online multiplayer, or test your skills against unknown warriors in online ranked matches.
Victory in these tense, all-or-nothing fights will depend on your ability to read your opponent, parry and avoid their attacks, and exploit their mistakes at a moment’s notice. There is no room for error.
Do you have what it takes to become a master samurai? Or will you fall like countless others before you?
Features
- Master the one-hit-kill, parrying, and dodging mechanics to withstand a flurry of blows and cut down your opponents in seconds;
- Choose from a range of traditional Japanese blades to define your moveset and playstyle;
- Take on your friends or test your strength against players from around the world with our local and online 1v1 multiplayer;
- Hone your skills in Practice Mode, battle your way through Tournament Mode, or see where you stand in online Ranked matches;
- Explore a samuraipunk world through the game’s arenas: battle in the zen-like calm of a traditional Japanese temple or take the fight to the graffitied streets of the city;
- Make your weapon and warrior your own with in-depth customization features.
*Die by the Blade will launch for PC, PlayStation 4 & 5, and Xbox One & Series S/X in 2023. Fans can wishlist the Die by the Blade* on [Steam](http://url5852.pressengine.net/ls/click?upn=sglaON3qFVH8Vl47c-2Blf9P8FITp03Ez5NqDzc47Re2vGxLlp2hV4s0GGuPhw29Wi6hYlK5YmTSaUexJK85WiuB8ksJu8ytekxtusNXGzn-2F4-3DKF7V_B2dcTDhSQi6Fhub-2Bz-2B8J0-2F2ARgZxbC0DxFnnqmdRbCZwy6WKSvz0wkA8jtQ2pXD-2FJycrEsGsAI-2BqY7Jc9lAdgRp-2FivWBvYYPNElb6bvHHq6E2m5xZk29CKQOc2Kv1PB9pJwZJI4QyosPLAF3MjnQaaXqn33HOYVxeool4zGmZka-2BugHnfhaBGAqKi8USYGKaL6VmTgslkiSBrqUvhK2gXr3bSRzP-2Fq2v4u1xGsU9Awzmy5KidBH7EzplEm4J88WYhK2C959xk3PP8COOPtGS09pcoJnkQ9oDNWMsdEH0n8V0DorG2Yzoa4KC6ETc6PcQQo9V61U3bZACXp5-2BgHBFY8n-2BJ9SQlv-2Bex07-2BQ0T-2FLSIDoHpAT-2BPr-2Bu8Tvy-2BrgYZPP5fCz9z8OLR8WwEv5KGqHjz-2BxdZyN9KDgtaMwZXVOGZ-2FsC54SkzeQpU7mBFb3-2BzpcsrS9qi007-2F4DE7BxBjhp2hegdqM3xeO-2FfaGYJGchIcp0xYElNQeBu886SMh5APBtocJLxAUBdS7AbGfgIo6gAPNKlAxBE5KlVmGN9KZr1o-3D) now. Keep up to date with all the latest news by visiting the official social media channels – [Twitter](http://url5852.pressengine.net/ls/click?upn=sglaON3qFVH8Vl47c-2Blf9CYGHAxyBYTECVngJXwz8DY-3DF5pu_B2dcTDhSQi6Fhub-2Bz-2B8J0-2F2ARgZxbC0DxFnnqmdRbCZwy6WKSvz0wkA8jtQ2pXD-2FJycrEsGsAI-2BqY7Jc9lAdgRp-2FivWBvYYPNElb6bvHHq6E2m5xZk29CKQOc2Kv1PB9pJwZJI4QyosPLAF3MjnQaaXqn33HOYVxeool4zGmZka-2BugHnfhaBGAqKi8USYGKaL6VmTgslkiSBrqUvhK2gXr3bSRzP-2Fq2v4u1xGsU9Awzmy5KidBH7EzplEm4J88WYhK2C959xk3PP8COOPtGS09pcoJnkQ9oDNWMsdEH0n8V0DorG2Yzoa4KC6ETc6PcQQo9V61U3bZACXp5-2BgHBFY8n-2BJ9SQlv-2Bex07-2BQ0T-2FLSIDoHpAT-2BPr-2Bu8Tvy-2BrgYZPP5fCz9z8OLR8WwEv5KGqHs8y7Z9qJ-2FptUplq4V5ljYMgOpNh50bZPawgj5UuzQYIb-2Fb6YGvl7NIBXAS8cQCQGXMEw6IHtd-2Fg6wyQz93c4-2F-2F4yRgBQ6Erbv4L-2BdEo1jPSizXXnGZ4ewubjToAPpZRlQVbNrFRE1SB5co-2Fm6Tz4iE-3D) / [Facebook](http://url5852.pressengine.net/ls/click?upn=sglaON3qFVH8Vl47c-2Blf9NCmRQkBgMhzTFSXK-2BzkAI4-3Dx1W-_B2dcTDhSQi6Fhub-2Bz-2B8J0-2F2ARgZxbC0DxFnnqmdRbCZwy6WKSvz0wkA8jtQ2pXD-2FJycrEsGsAI-2BqY7Jc9lAdgRp-2FivWBvYYPNElb6bvHHq6E2m5xZk29CKQOc2Kv1PB9pJwZJI4QyosPLAF3MjnQaaXqn33HOYVxeool4zGmZka-2BugHnfhaBGAqKi8USYGKaL6VmTgslkiSBrqUvhK2gXr3bSRzP-2Fq2v4u1xGsU9Awzmy5KidBH7EzplEm4J88WYhK2C959xk3PP8COOPtGS09pcoJnkQ9oDNWMsdEH0n8V0DorG2Yzoa4KC6ETc6PcQQo9V61U3bZACXp5-2BgHBFY8n-2BJ9SQlv-2Bex07-2BQ0T-2FLSIDoHpAT-2BPr-2Bu8Tvy-2BrgYZPP5fCz9z8OLR8WwEv5KGqHgtZ6IUAc9wiHpp1veZDiNQ2h7OSDp4R-2BgZmBIXhisidsWtpjaaZrBL6Epty1kXpoAwD2o1w1OF5eNf84SUpJyc8e4wbcn7fPFWDISweVErCAOlaDFbxzXksCd-2B-2BYgiN6NrXEp-2FAfW98qwogG0JbCF8-3D) / [Instagram](http://url5852.pressengine.net/ls/click?upn=sglaON3qFVH8Vl47c-2Blf9BSuVDXmxaTTztKxGjB-2Bwvg-3DhV13_B2dcTDhSQi6Fhub-2Bz-2B8J0-2F2ARgZxbC0DxFnnqmdRbCZwy6WKSvz0wkA8jtQ2pXD-2FJycrEsGsAI-2BqY7Jc9lAdgRp-2FivWBvYYPNElb6bvHHq6E2m5xZk29CKQOc2Kv1PB9pJwZJI4QyosPLAF3MjnQaaXqn33HOYVxeool4zGmZka-2BugHnfhaBGAqKi8USYGKaL6VmTgslkiSBrqUvhK2gXr3bSRzP-2Fq2v4u1xGsU9Awzmy5KidBH7EzplEm4J88WYhK2C959xk3PP8COOPtGS09pcoJnkQ9oDNWMsdEH0n8V0DorG2Yzoa4KC6ETc6PcQQo9V61U3bZACXp5-2BgHBFY8n-2BJ9SQlv-2Bex07-2BQ0T-2FLSIDoHpAT-2BPr-2Bu8Tvy-2BrgYZPP5fCz9z8OLR8WwEv5KGqHqHsCbx0pmQI-2FpvD-2FRgN94zHvwoSBwAITVhSDbeYwkxuy6VNGmZlGpRNf8l846ieOnbT-2BAwt6ZUPTCEZ80YMwcKLrKhtfI4v3fxxDqD63McyJLYNZ6ToEJoWjFMlqo-2BOM6kdWqGBrwgpeSLuBJ8LKHQ-3D) / [Discord](http://url5852.pressengine.net/ls/click?upn=sglaON3qFVH8Vl47c-2Blf9DaFeVGz-2FAYICIZ1JT1vZns-3Djlky_B2dcTDhSQi6Fhub-2Bz-2B8J0-2F2ARgZxbC0DxFnnqmdRbCZwy6WKSvz0wkA8jtQ2pXD-2FJycrEsGsAI-2BqY7Jc9lAdgRp-2FivWBvYYPNElb6bvHHq6E2m5xZk29CKQOc2Kv1PB9pJwZJI4QyosPLAF3MjnQaaXqn33HOYVxeool4zGmZka-2BugHnfhaBGAqKi8USYGKaL6VmTgslkiSBrqUvhK2gXr3bSRzP-2Fq2v4u1xGsU9Awzmy5KidBH7EzplEm4J88WYhK2C959xk3PP8COOPtGS09pcoJnkQ9oDNWMsdEH0n8V0DorG2Yzoa4KC6ETc6PcQQo9V61U3bZACXp5-2BgHBFY8n-2BJ9SQlv-2Bex07-2BQ0T-2FLSIDoHpAT-2BPr-2Bu8Tvy-2BrgYZPP5fCz9z8OLR8WwEv5KGqHuVR8-2BprsOPirA-2BhweckxzEu2Wbe-2B6fKbVGEmf6fBJnhKuFSQnHGZaX78paBLvCTa4EyW8Mo8o4q186O3gej1hFH49k-2FKbVcr2NeGXT-2FJtKYxUD0FwUoH8aE-2FiMSHSxUpBINX9LLAHq7L4uRfF-2BehNU-3D)
About Kwalee
Kwalee is a multi-award-winning games publisher and developer based in Leamington Spa, UK, and publishes a growing catalogue of PC and console titles including Eternal Hope & Scathe, along with the upcoming titles Die By The Blade, Wildmender and ROBOBEAT.
Founded by games industry icon and Codemasters co-founder David Darling CBE, who leads a fast-growing team of global gaming experts with studios in the UK, India, China and Portugal along with remote team members all over the world, Kwalee is on the lookout for high-quality games to publish on all platforms and encourages developers to get in touch.
Officially recognised as ‘Best Publisher’ (Mobile Games Awards 2022) and ‘Best Large Studio’ (TIGA Awards 2021), Kwalee is also an ambassador of not-for-profit organisation Women in Games and a regular supporter of the charity SpecialEffect.
About Grindstone
Grindstone is the new age publisher from Slovakia founded by industry veteran Peter Nagy in 2015. Despite starting low profile, projects produced and supported by Grindstone stand out of the crowd with their unique concept, ideas and production quality. Beyond the production of games, Grindstone leads the growth of the regional game development ecosystem, organises the international game conference Game Days, and aims to become a major global publishing and production company.
About Triple Hill Interactive
Triple Hill Interactive is a fast growing game development studio from Košice, Slovakia. Founded in 2015 by Peter Adamondy, Triple Hill is dedicated to bringing innovative and high quality projects to PC and consoles. Triple Hill released several mobile games and currently is working on Die by the Blade – an innovative one-hit-kill sword combat game inspired by Bushido Blade slated for 2023 release.
