What is Sanctuary Shattered Sun?
Sanctuary: Shattered Sun is a large-scale RTS that blends deep strategy with stunning visuals. Set in a post-collapse future, three factions battle for control of Sanctuary, a massive Dyson Sphere built by humanity to ensure survival. Now, war has erupted over its remains.
This FAQ covers common questions about gameplay, mechanics, multiplayer, modding, and the game’s development. This guide will help you get up to speed and will be continually updated as new information comes to light. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, check the community forums or official Discord for the latest updates.
Q. When will the demo be released?
A. The current plan is for the demo to release by July 2025.
Q. When will the Kickstarter launch?
A. The Kickstarter is expected to launch by July 2025.
Q. Do I need to back the Kickstarter to play the demo?
A. No. The demo will be free for everyone. Backing the Kickstarter is completely optional.
Q. What are the launch plans?
A. Sanctuary: Shattered Sun is expected to launch in Early Access on Steam in July 2026.
Q. Can I play the game right now?
A. Yes! You can access the pre-alpha build by becoming a Tier 4 or 5 Patreon supporter.
Q. Will the game support Linux?
A. Sanctuary is not being actively developed for Linux, but Wine testing will be performed to determine if it runs on Linux systems.
Q. Will the game only be released on Steam?
A. For now, Steam is the only planned platform for release.
Q. What kind of RTS is Sanctuary: Shattered Sun?
A. Sanctuary is a macro-focused, large-scale RTS with hundreds of units on-screen at once. It emphasizes economy management, strategic positioning, and large-scale battles over micromanagement.
Q. What factions are in the game?
A. There are three factions:
- The Guard – Sanctuary’s builders, now its protectors. They wage war to pacify other factions and prevent further damage to the Dyson Sphere. The Guard relies on overwhelming numbers of near-expendable drone vehicles, supported by specialist units and powerful Experimentals.
- The Chosen – A society of post-humans who have transferred their consciousness from flesh to machine. Believing themselves to be the next step in human evolution, they lead armies of killing machines as beautiful as they are deadly. The Chosen utilize sleek designs and personal shielding, emphasizing quality over quantity.
- Earth Defence Alliance (EDA) – A human-first coalition dedicated to the rights and sovereignty of all its citizens. Formed over a century of corruption and wealth disparity, the EDA rose to become the de-facto governing body in opposition to the Chosen. They favor efficiency and command vast human populations, decimating enemies with a plethora of destructive armaments.
Q. Will there be a single-player campaign?
A. Yes. There are plans for three single-player campaigns, one for each faction. These campaigns will run sequentially, meaning the story progresses from one faction’s perspective to the next, rather than being separate concurrent narratives. More details on the campaign structure and release timeline will be shared closer to launch.
Q. Will there be modding support?
A. Yes. Sanctuary is being built with modding in mind, including custom maps, units, and potentially entire gameplay overhauls. More details will be shared closer to Early Access.
Q. How big are the maps?
A. Maps will range from 1v1 skirmish-sized battlefields to massive 20×20 km battlefields for large-scale wars.
Q. What are the system requirements?
A. The final system requirements haven’t been confirmed, but expect the game to be demanding due to its scale. A modern CPU and GPU will likely be recommended.
Q. Will the game have naval or space combat?
A. The current focus is on land and air combat. However, naval units are a Kickstarter stretch goal. If the campaign reaches the required funding level, naval warfare will be added in a future update. There are no plans for space combat.
Q. How is Sanctuary lit?
A. Sanctuary is a Dyson Sphere built around Sol, with its habitable surface on the outside rather than the inside. The Sun (Sol) is the primary light source, and giant mirrors in orbit control light distribution. These mirrors can reflect, block, or redirect sunlight, regulating temperature and creating artificial night cycles in some areas while others remain in constant daylight.
Q. Will there be co-op or team-based multiplayer?
A. Yes, multiplayer will support 1v1, team games, and free-for-all battles.
Q. How does Sanctuary compare to Supreme Commander?
A. Sanctuary: Shattered Sun draws inspiration from Supreme Commander, featuring strategic zoom, large-scale unit management, and deep economy systems, but introduces new mechanics and modernized gameplay.
