Windrose continues to build momentum ahead of its Early Access release, with the developers confirming that the game has now surpassed 1,500,000 wishlists on Steam. The announcement follows a strong showing during Steam Next Fest, where the title ranked among the most played demos. According to the team, more than 800,000 players have already tried the demo, which will remain available until Early Access launches.
The studio also shared a closer look at how player feedback is shaping development. Over 12,000 survey responses, 7,500 Steam reviews, and a steady flow of in-game reports and social media messages have informed a range of planned improvements. While the list remains a work in progress, the developers say their focus is on addressing the most commonly raised concerns.
Among the notable changes is an expanded co-op experience. Players will soon be able to operate ship cannons individually, adding a more collaborative element to naval combat. The team is also experimenting with increasing co-op limits from 4 to 8 players, although they note that the core balance is still designed around smaller crews.
Loot systems are also being reworked to emphasize unpredictability and exploration. Equipment found in the world will feature randomized attributes, and rewards will differ between players on the same server. Enemy drops are being adjusted as well, with the aim of making higher-risk encounters feel more worthwhile.
Quality-of-life improvements are another key focus. An optional setting will allow players to gather resources by holding a button rather than repeatedly clicking, while a field-of-view slider is being added for greater visual customization. Controller support is receiving ongoing refinements, though mouse and keyboard remain the recommended input method for now.
Elsewhere, the update introduces a dedicated signal fire structure designed to act as a visible beacon across long distances, replacing the improvised solutions players had been using. The audio experience is also being tweaked, with additional vocal layers planned to give sea shanties a rougher, more authentic tone.
Technical enhancements are on the way as well, including support for Nvidia DLSS and AMD FSR upscaling technologies. Combat usability is being improved through a new target-switching system, allowing players to cycle between enemies more efficiently. Additionally, a dismantling workbench will let players break down unwanted items into base materials, though upgraded components will not be refunded.
The developers emphasize that these features may evolve or change as development continues, but the current roadmap reflects the community’s most consistent feedback. With player interest continuing to grow, Windrose appears to be building a strong foundation ahead of its next phase.
