'Pathogen,' a deck-building roguelike currently in development by solo developer 'DreamDart,' is targeting a Steam Early Access release in Q4 2026. It is a strategy game that emphasizes the fun of card synergy and deck construction, centered on a unique combat system where card effects trigger sequentially after the player places them on the field and ends their turn.

'Pathogen' is set in a dark fantasy world themed around pathogens. The story follows a wraith, born from secret experiments in a fictional empire, as it seeks revenge against the researchers who created it. Players use various pathogen cards to accumulate points and progress through the narrative. These points are framed as 'Essence' within the game's lore, and as the player progresses, the protagonist's memories and the truth behind the events are gradually revealed.

The combat adopts a different approach than typical deck-building roguelikes. After placing cards on the field and ending the turn, the cards activate their effects in the order they were placed, with each card's ability influencing the others. The game distinguishes itself by making the placement, order, and combination of cards more critical to the outcome than simply collecting powerful cards.

Card synergy is also a core element. Combining cards with the same genetic tag grants additional effects, and the game includes systems for sacrificing cards to summon higher-tier ones or applying effects to cards held in the hand. Additionally, the shop offers a 'mixing' feature that allows players to remove unwanted cards or combine two cards to create a new one, helping players refine their decks as they see fit.

Beyond strategy, the game incorporates story and choice-based elements. During gameplay, players encounter events like the trolley dilemma, forcing them to choose between risk and reward. Furthermore, the cards and characters are peppered with internet memes, parodies, and puns, creating a unique atmosphere that contrasts with the otherwise heavy world-building.

Development is currently about 70% complete for the Early Access version. There are approximately 70 cards implemented so far, with plans to expand to 100–150 for the full release. The developer explained that the focus is on creating a gameplay experience where various decks and strategies can coexist, rather than having a single 'correct' combination.

'Pathogen' is a project born from the developer's long-standing ambition to create a card game. The developer noted that they had wanted to make a card game since middle school but had only refined the ideas over the years, believing the genre was too large for a solo developer. After playing 'Balatro,' they realized that a deep card game could be achieved on a smaller scale, which served as the catalyst to begin the project in earnest.

The development process was not without its challenges. The project began in earnest after the developer left their company due to health issues; they continued working by setting up a development environment while confined to bed for a long period to treat a herniated disc. Now recovered, the developer is focused on expanding content and balancing the game for its Early Access launch.

"My goal is to create a deck-building game that someone can truly get lost in," the developer said, expressing their commitment to crafting a title that offers the joy of researching diverse card combinations and strategies. 'Pathogen' is currently in development for a Q4 2026 Steam Early Access release and is available to add to Steam wishlists.