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Press release:
November 3, 2026 | By imperial decree, How Empires Work is out now on Steam. Crow Cottage’s debut, an incremental grand strategy game about building the machinery of empire, launches at $9.99 / £7.99 / €8.99 with 10% off for the first two weeks.

It starts with the humble click of a button. Then automation turns your repeated actions into institutions that run themselves, and as your empire grows from a local lordship to a global power, the game changes around you and demands new approaches. Taxes will be collected, and rival powers will be politely discouraged.

Not ready to swear allegiance? The demo is still available on Steam for subjects who’d like a trial posting first.

An incremental grand strategy game about building the machinery of empire. Tax, trade, conquer, and civilise subjects and foreigners alike. Automate it all into institutions that run themselves across centuries of history. Her Imperial Majesty expects results.

About the Game

The Empress Demands Your Support
Empires are systems of power, and Her Imperial Majesty has entrusted you with building one. Do not disappoint her.

Incremental Grand Strategy
In How Empires Work you manage the development of a state, from local lordships to enormous networks of trade and conquest. Discover systems of taxation, trade, colonization, labour and more.

As your state grows, unlock automation features that turn repeated actions into complex interlocking institutions. Build the economic and political machinery of empire, then employ your aristocracy to manage the bureaucracy that keeps it running.

A Beautiful World, Yearning for Your Enlightened Rule
Explore and expand across a hand-painted world that comes alive with flows of capital, commodities, and armies.

Employ both diplomatic influence and conquest to bring new lands into your imperial system.

Discover Systems and Master History
As your empire develops the game changes around you, and new approaches are required to stand the test of history. You will have to deal with internal troubles, rival powers, and, regrettably, the French.

Grow your economy, expand your influence, and watch your decisions compound into a grand imperial structure.

If you master the game you might even learn How Empires Work!

Features

Incremental Grand Strategy: Start with the humble click of a button and expand into the management of an Early Modern state of tax collectors, traders, armies, colonies and bureaucrats!
Explore new regions, build roads, manage provinces, and project influence far and wide.
Build your economic engine and let it propel you into new eras along the long arc of history!
Lean on your aristocracy and growing bureaucracy to create the systems that sustain expansion!
Turn profit into power, and power into profit, just like real life!
Receive firm, helpful and always perfectly reasonable guidance from Her Imperial Majesty!

About Crow Cottage
Crow Cottage is a four-person team spread between Europe and China. After extensive contracting experience, the studio has now released its debut independent game, How Empires Work.