v0.5.8 — "The Complete War"
Six narrative acts now span the entire war. Acts 3-6 add 93 new events, 10 missions, and 5 campaign boss arcs from the Somme through the Armistice. Full QA pass with 997 automated tests.
Rotary Knights™
A World War 1 Aviation RPG
July 1914. The guns of August are about to change everything.
Steam Early Access — March 24, 2026
You arrive at the Royal Flying Corps as a fresh-faced pilot in the summer of 1914 — before the guns of August change everything.
Over four years you'll witness the birth of air combat, survive the Fokker Scourge, endure Bloody April, and fight through to the Armistice. Earn your reputation through kills, missions, and service — and with it, medals that open doors to better aircraft and postings across seven Western Front aerodromes. Every pilot who survives the war has a different story. Most don't survive.
What Is Rotary Knights?
Rotary Knights is a World War 1 aviation RPG that puts you in the cockpit of history's first fighter pilots. Set on the Western Front from 1914 to 1918, you'll fly 37 historically authentic aircraft — from unarmed pioneer scouts to iconic fighters like the Sopwith Camel, SE.5a, SPAD XIII, and the Fokker Dr.I flown by the Red Baron himself.
This is a text-based RPG — not a flight simulator. Think of it as the career mode from classics like Wings (1990) and Red Baron, rebuilt as a deep branching narrative with RPG progression, aerodrome management, and tactical dogfight combat. Create your pilot, choose your specialization (fighter, recon, or bomber), and make choices that shape your war from the first reconnaissance flights of 1914 through the massive air battles of 1918.
With 291+ story events, 35 missions, 7 aerodromes along the Western Front, 10 historical aces including Richthofen, Voss, and Boelcke, 5 campaign boss arcs, a personal nemesis system, and a full medal and decoration progression from Mentioned in Despatches to the Victoria Cross — Rotary Knights is one of the deepest WW1 games ever made. Coming to Steam Early Access on March 24, 2026.
Recent Updates
v0.5.0 — "Hex Tactical Combat"
Richthofen's War-inspired hex dogfights for ace and boss encounters. Altitude bands, 8 maneuver types, deflection-angle gunnery, and AI doctrines that match each ace's real fighting style.
WW1 Aerial Combat & Aerodrome Management
Earn Your Wings — Medals & Decorations
Your reputation is everything. Complete missions, survive ace encounters, and serve with distinction to earn merit — and with it, seven British decorations from Mentioned in Despatches to the Victoria Cross. Each medal unlocks new aircraft and new opportunities. HQ is watching.
7 Western Front Aerodromes
Seven aerodromes along the Western Front, each with its own commanding officer, mission focus, and character. Start at Saint-Omer, earn your way to the elite fighter station at Clairmarais — or request a transfer to a recon wing where your observation skills matter more than your kill count.
Dogfight Legendary WW1 Aces
Altitude bands. Combat abilities. Named German aces who remember you — Richthofen, Voss, Boelcke, Udet, and more. Every dogfight is a tactical puzzle — climb for advantage, dive to escape, or trust your gunnery and go head-to-head. When the Red Baron's Jasta appears over Arras, you'll know real fear.
Create Your WW1 Pilot
Three origin stories shape your pilot's temperament — Daring, Methodical, or Cautious. Your personality affects how your CO assigns missions, how aces treat you in combat, and how your squadron remembers you. No two pilots play the same war.
Aerodrome Management & Strategy
Your base is your lifeline. Build workshops and hangars, manage fuel and ammunition, assign personnel, and juggle HQ assignments with deadlines. When the Spring Offensive hits and supplies run thin, every decision about where to spend resources matters.
Historical Aircraft & Campaigns (1914-1918)
History unfolds whether you're ready or not. The front line shifts with real offensives — the Somme pushes east, the Kaiserschlacht drives west. Supply strain rises during major battles. Aircraft evolve from unarmed scouts to Sopwith Camels. You survive, or you don't.
Text-Based RPG with Hand-Crafted Sprite Art
Glowing text on dark backgrounds, hand-crafted sprite art, and warm sepia tones inspired by WWI-era photography. Every screen is designed to feel like a squadron logbook.
Early Access Roadmap
We're building Rotary Knights alongside our community. Here's what's coming:
✓
EA Launch — "First Sortie"
Available Now
Complete 6-act campaign (1914-1918). 291+ story events, 35 missions, 37 aircraft across 5 eras, 7 aerodromes along the Western Front, hex tactical dogfights, merit and decorations system, 10 historical aces, 5 campaign bosses, pilot temperament, permadeath, and the Armistice ending.
1
Update 1 — "The Ace's Eye"
Coming Soon
Deeper tactical combat with maneuver library and gun jams. Personal rival ace system. Pilot perk trees. Aircraft mastery with legendary modifications. Historical timeline events from Fokker Scourge to Armistice.
2
Update 2 — "Behind the Lines"
Q2 2026
Explorable Western Front sector map. Patrol between locations. Multi-phase special missions. Sector influence and control. Aerodrome specialization paths.
3
Update 3 — "Band of Brothers"
Q3 2026
Named NPC characters with relationships. Mess hall social hub. Romance storylines. 12-stage campaign narrative spanning the full war. Pilot renown system.
4
Update 4 — "The Final Push"
Q4 2026
Squadron command with wingmen. Challenge modes (Ironman, Bloody April). Elite pilot titles. Regional dominance. New Game+ with legacy pilots.
★
v1.0 — "Armistice Day"
2027
Full release with all systems polished, balanced, and integrated. 88+ achievements. Complete audio. The definitive WWI aviation text RPG.
Roadmap is subject to change based on community feedback. Join our Discord to help shape the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why Early Access?
- The core campaign is complete — 6 acts, 37 aircraft, 7 aerodromes, and the full 1914-1918 arc. Early Access lets us add depth with community feedback.
- How long is Early Access?
- 8-12 months, with major content updates every 2-3 months.
- Is Rotary Knights historically accurate?
- Grounded in real history — real aircraft, real aces, real battles, real dates. We take creative liberties for gameplay, but the war's arc is authentic.
- Can my pilot die permanently?
- Yes. All merit earned, decorations won, and aerodrome progress — gone. Easy mode reduces lethality if you prefer a lighter experience.
- Is there a demo?
- A demo is planned alongside the Steam Early Access launch on March 24, 2026. Wishlist on Steam to be notified.
- What aircraft can I fly?
- 37 aircraft spanning 5 eras — from the Avro 504 through the Sopwith Camel, SE.5a, SPAD XIII, and Bristol Fighter. Enemy aces fly Fokker Eindeckers, Albatros D.IIIs, and the legendary Fokker Dr.I.
- Is this like Wings or Red Baron?
- Same WWI aviation career structure, but as a text-based RPG — pilot progression, aerodrome management, and branching narrative without the joystick. If you loved those career modes, this was built for you.
- What platforms?
- Steam Early Access for Windows on March 24, 2026. macOS and Linux planned after full release.
Stay in the Loop
Get notified when Rotary Knights updates drop. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Have feedback? Join our Discord or email us.