ARDEM
Official press kit by Techtive Games — March 2026. For press inquiries contact [email protected]
// Fact Sheet
- Developer
- Techtive Games
- Based in
- Germany
- Platforms
- PC (Steam), consoles for full launch
- Next Playtest
- 31 August 2026
- Release
- TBA
// Description
Ardem is an immersive open-world survival game set in the aftermath of the RHAB-14 pandemic, a viral catastrophe that wiped out civilization and turned much of humanity into the infected. Created by a team of passionate indie developers at Techtive Games, Ardem draws inspiration from iconic titles like Scum, DayZ, and Project Zomboid. The studio was founded by former modders from the DayZ and The Elder Scrolls communities, united by their dedication to deep systemic gameplay and authentic worldbuilding.
Players must survive in a hostile, handcrafted open world, scavenging resources, building shelters, and engaging in both tense PvP encounters and cooperative PvE survival. With over three years of development and powered by Unreal Engine 5, Ardem delivers a hardcore, atmospheric survival experience where every choice matters.
// Features
Powered by Unreal Engine 5
Cutting-edge technology provides breathtaking visuals and a deeply immersive world. By leveraging the latest Unreal Engine advancements, Ardem pushes the limits of visual fidelity and player experience.
Creative Base Customization
Build, fortify, and electrify your base for defensive and operational advantage, adding realism and strategic depth to every encounter. Players can furnish their bases with hundreds of decorative and functional objects to create truly personalized and practical shelters.
Systemic World Design
Experience a living, reactive world that responds to player actions. Repair bridges, restore power, secure zones, or alter the environment in ways that have both visual and technical impact. Every action leaves a mark on the world, shaping how it evolves over time.
Rich, Handcrafted Environments
Explore a vast, atmospheric world filled with meticulously crafted landscapes, hidden locations, and valuable resources that reward exploration and discovery. The world of Ardem features hundreds of unique points of interest, many of which tell their own stories through the remnants of a fallen civilization.
Play Your Way
Experience Ardem in solo, co-op, or large-scale multiplayer sessions with up to 64 players. Engage in PvP, team-based PvE, or survival-driven gameplay, with plans for future roleplay servers that will expand player freedom and choice.
// History
After three years of dedicated development, Techtive Games is proud to announce the new visual style of Ardem. Based in Germany, the indie studio is composed of passionate developers and former modders from the DayZ and The Elder Scrolls communities, united by a shared vision of creating an authentic and atmospheric survival experience.
With Ardem, the team aims to capture both the peril and beauty of a world devastated by the RHAB-14 virus, where civilization has collapsed and survival depends on ingenuity and resilience. Their commitment to immersion is reflected in the game's intricate systems, handcrafted environments, and relentless attention to detail, offering players a deeply engaging and visually striking world to explore.
// Images
Screenshots & GIFs
// Team
Phillip Albrecht
Game Director
Simon Suckut
Technical Director
Jonathan Engdahl
Lead World Creation
Darian Zvelf
Level Designer
Alexander Seiling
Level Artist
Michel Ott
Level Artist
Sebastian Reckzeh
Publishing & Marketing
Ruslan Keyser
Social Media Marketer
Robert Bruinsma
Community Manager
Nikolas Klein
UI/UX Design
Leon Levacic
Lead 3D Artist
Rostislav Dzedzinskij
3D Artist
Frano Marinkovic
3D Artist
Jane Emily
UE5 Programming
Nick Klepper
UE5 Programming
Johannes Holweg
Tech Animation
Robin Legros
Music / Sound Design
// About Techtive Games
Techtive Games is an independent game studio based in Germany, founded by a team of passionate developers and former modders from the DayZ and The Elder Scrolls communities. The studio's mission is to create immersive, challenging, and player-driven experiences built on systemic design and believable worlds. With Ardem, Techtive Games aims to deliver a deeply atmospheric and dynamic survival experience that captures the tension, freedom, and beauty of open-world exploration.