HOTFIX 14.09.2026
We have just released a hotfix to address the following issues:
We temporarily turned off V-sync by default. We recomend to turn it off for the time being, because it may cause an input lag
Now costs in shop change color if you have not enough denarii
We changed how you interact with Altars on Volcano
We release potential fix for Alt-Tabbing causing input lag, but we will investigate this bug further.
If you encounter any issues, please report them to us and we'll take a look ASAP!
Noble Kings,
Your royal gaze is no longer bound to just a mouse and keyboard. With improved Steam Deck experience and gamepad support now available, you can manage production, marshal your armies and make highly consequential royal decisions from your controller of choice.
A New Way to Rule
Adapting The King Is Watching for controllers proved to be quite a challenge of its own. While working on the console versions, we also rebuilt the game’s UI to make your experience much better on all platforms.
This includes:
A fully reworked interface designed to be comfortable for both mouse + keyboard and gamepad
Rebuilt reward screens
Updated fonts for better readability
Redesigned tooltips with compact and expanded versions
To keep the interface readable, some tooltips initially show a shorter description. Press Z to expand them and reveal the full information whenever you need it.
A Note on Steam Deck
The King Is Watching is fully playable on Steam Deck, although you may have noticed that it does not yet carry the Steam Deck Verified badge.
We’re happy with how the new interface has come together, and we’ve recently tested it with members of our community. However, there are still a few isolated places where text may be uncomfortable to read at lower resolutions. We’re reviewing these cases individually with Valve and working to improve them over the coming weeks.
We’ve already received some useful feedback from early testers, and we’d now love to hear from those of you trying the new UI on both PC and Steam Deck. If you encounter any text or interface elements that feel difficult to use, please let us know!
An Update to Our 2026 Roadmap
The new interface required a little more time in the royal workshop than we originally expected, so we’ve had to adjust our plans for the Crowns of Fiction DLC and its accompanying free update.
We’re now aiming to release both in Q4 2026. We’ll share more details as development continues, so keep an eye on future royal correspondence.
A Royal Discount
If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to claim the throne, The King Is Watching is currently featured in a Steam Daily Deal:
35% off the base game
25% off the Crowns of History DLC
Know someone who would thrive under the pressure of running an entire kingdom with one very limited gaze? Point them towards the throne while the Daily Deal lasts!
[dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/2753900/The_King_is_Watching/"][dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/3951490/The_King_is_Watching_Crowns_of_History/"]
We’re not done with announcements just yet. Keep an eye on the tinyBuild Connect showcase on September 14th at 5 PM CEST 👁️ You can set a reminder through the link below:
— Hypnohead Team
