Publisher Toplitz Productions and developer EmpireCraft Studios have announced Wild West Pioneers, a new city builder set in the American Wild West historical era.

Wild West Pioneers is in development for Windows PC (via Steam) and will launch via early access sometime later this year. The game is planned to remain in early access for “about a year.”

“We are very happy to work with EmpireCraft Studios on Wild West Pioneers”, said Matthias Wünsche, CEO Toplitz Productions in a press release. “They have embraced our core philosophy of creating ‘Games with Heart and Soul,’ bringing a thoughtful and well-crafted approach to the city builder genre. Their vision strikes a careful balance between modern design and the classic appeal of strategic settlement building. We look forward to seeing players shape their own communities and experience life on the American frontier.”

Here’s a rundown on the game, plus its reveal trailer:

Are you tired of the crowded east coast cities? Grab your family and move to the West where there is free land for everybody and claim your future. With fertile soil and abundant resources, you’ll find more than adventure and freedom. This is your chance to be a driving force of the American dream.

Wild West Pioneers is a classic city builder with a modern touch, putting you in control in developing the American frontier. Lay the groundwork for prosperous settlements, decide who will lead the city and establish production chains for food, wood etc., so the needs of each settler are fulfilled. Then send another trek on its way to expand your sphere of influence. Set up trade routes and prepare the land for the coming railroad network.

With a variety of quests, an intuitive interface and eye-catching visuals, the world of Wild West Pioneers evokes the spirit of the heyday of city builders and catapults it into the presence. No need to stress out, when you can just relax and watch the charming hustle and bustle of a busy settlement as well as dozens of buildings and production chains.

Features

• It Is Your Choice – You decide what the West will look like. Choose from a wide variety of buildings both residential as well as commercial like the sawmill or butcher up to warehouses and transport hubs to distribute your produce. Upgrade them over time to accommodate the ever-changing needs of the settlers. Pick mayors and sheriffs, but be careful who you appoint – their perks will affect the cities’ growth.
• The West is More Than One City – One settlement is only the beginning. While you discover new resource streams and production chains the urge to expand will become unstoppable. Send your settlers into uncharted territory and build new villages. Then set up trade routes, so resources can be exchanged. Don’t leave anybody behind or it will cost you dearly.
• Every Settler is a Person – Your villages are filled with characters. Everybody has needs and demands that you have to fulfill, if you want your reputation to precede you. Only with a sufficient happiness level influenced by job availability, health standards etc. will you be able to attract new settlers and become one of the driving forces in the expansion of the United States.
• The Circle of Life – Day and night cycle have an impact on the game world. Watch the city life change from dusk till dawn and show true leadership skills when you take on the challenges of efficient production chains and trade routes.
• Strategize Your Expansion of the West – The strategic map will help you to plan your progress. Send expeditions, establish trading outposts and dispatch wagons with daring explorers eager to found new settlements. With the sandbox character of Wild West Pioneers, no game will ever be the same.
• Take a Seat – Sit back, chill and watch your plans come to fruition. Observe the hustle and bustle of city life, where every job is executed by a person and not a backend value. Watching your settlement grow in its detailed glory is half the fun.