Nova Patria is a Roman steampunk colony sim game that is now confirmed for Linux and Windows PC support. Thanks to the ongoing creative talents of developer Sower Interactive. Which is working to make its way onto Steam. Ever sat around late at night with your gaming crew, tossing out those “what if” scenarios? Like, what if the Roman Empire never collapsed? And not only did it survive, but it thrived, rolling into the industrial age with steam engines, airships, and ironclad trains? Sounds like a unique alternate-history fever dream, right? Well, that dream just got real. Enter Nova Patria, the upcoming colony sim from indie dev Sower Interactive and publisher Judatone Studios. It’s hitting Steam with a fresh demo for October’s Next Fest, and you’ll want to give this one a spin. Since there is native support incoming.

We’re developing Nova Patria in Unity, and while our initial release will focus on Windows, the plan is to bring a dedicated Linux build shortly after launch.

One of Sower Interactive’s playtesters is already running Nova Patria on Linux through the Windows build. So, aside from a few tiny hiccups, it works surprisingly well. That’s a good sign. But the devs don’t want “good enough” for Linux players. They’ve said: first they’ll lock down a flawless Windows version, and then they’ll roll out a fully polished, native release. In other words, support is coming, and they want it to be rock solid when it lands.

A Roman Steampunk Playground

At its core, Nova Patria is all about building. You’re not just thowing down random houses and roads; you’re stepping into the sandals of a Roman governor tasked with carving a colony out of the New World. Only this isn’t the Rome from your high school history class. This is a Rome that’s been at peace for centuries, refining its culture, tech, and architecture. All while casually inventing steam-powered machinery. That means aqueducts stand beside smoke-belching factories, colosseum-like plazas buzz with mechanical wonders, and shiny locomotives cut across lush landscapes. It’s a setting that feels both ancient and futuristic, a hopeful Roman steampunk mashup that’s begging you to lose hours in it.

Build, Expand, Dominate

The demo (already live on Steam, playable via Proton) lets you guide your colony through its first seven years. And unlike most “demos” that lock you down after 20 minutes, this one gives you a ton of freedom. Sure, some high-level techs and production chains aren’t in yet, but there’s plenty of depth to get hooked on. You’ll start small: gather resources, lay down the bones of your first city, and make sure your people don’t riot because you forgot fresh water. From there, the possibilities spiral out, research steam techs, expand across procedurally generated maps, and establish sprawling trade routes. And yes, we’re talking boats, trains, vehicles, and even airships. This isn’t just about slapping down buildings, though. The systems run deep. Populations grow on their own. Cities push against each other’s borders. Complex supply chains (flour, fish, cigars—seriously, cigars) keep your citizens satisfied, and if you want an efficient empire, you’ll need to juggle it all.

Nova Patria - Roman City Builder Colony Sim

A Living World with Personality

Developer Anthony Sorise summed it up best: “It’s incredible to open Nova Patria to a wider audience with the demo. We’ve been building this world for years, and seeing players explore it, test its systems, and share feedback has been the most rewarding part of the journey.” That kind of passion shows. Every map you generate is unique, mountains, rivers, forests, beaches, and every run forces you to adapt. Place your cities wrong, and your entire trade network might choke. Nail your strategy, though, and you’ll feel like a genius governor whose name belongs in the history books.

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