Canvas City is an upcoming turn-based RPG that blends music and style

Disc 2 Games, the brand-new independent studio founded by several former Dredge devs, has today (August 20th) announced their debut title, Canvas City.

The upcoming game, which is being developed with support from Dredge’s Black Salt Games, is a story-driven turn-based tactics RPG that is currently in development for PC and Nintendo Switch.

It’s set in the suppressed urban world of Canvas City, a former vibrant hub for music, movement, and creativity that is now dominated by luxury apartments, silent streets, and corporate towers – a place where public art is outlawed and music permits impossible to obtain.

“We wanted to set this apart from the tactics games people might have played before by giving them a new setting, replacing modern or fantasy armies with crews of artists, musicians, and dancers,” game Creative Director Johannes Otte said.

A screenshot from Canvas City showing one of the many districts you'll explore. — You’ll need to explore districts and face rival crews to expand your territory.

A screenshot from Canvas City showing some of the different characters you'll get to meet. — Hop is one of the many characters you’ll come across on your journey.

These crews of dancers, musicians, and graffiti artists are rising up against the oppressive regime, forming underground leagues – all with different agendas – and battling amongst each other to expand their territory across several districts.

You control a new, young crew of four and must recruit, upgrade, and expand your team as you progress through the game’s campaign, using each character’s unique skills and abilities to help you, all while uncovering their backstories.

Your journey will see you explore various districts – from corporate malls to metro stations and warehouses – as you combat opposing crews across multiple levels to take over their claimed districts by tagging spots across the map and defending your mark from rivals.

A screenshot from Canvas City showing the player's customisable garage. — Fill your Garage with items as you prepare your crew for your next mission.

A screenshot from Canvas City showing two crews pitted against each other. — Fight rival crews and tag targets to successfully expand your territory.

Disc 2 Games has said the game blends traditional tactics gameplay with fluid movement mechanics, where rails, ramps, and vertical terrain are used to chain tricks and attacks, and earn power up abilities through Style Points.

Kris Nicholson, the Technical Director for the game, said: “Movement isn’t just getting from one spot to another, it’s part of the plan. Chaining tricks and attacks mid-turn changes how you think about positioning and opens up new ways to win.

Each level comes with bonus objectives and side goals that reward you with rare upgrades and new items that can be used to fill your Garage, your crew’s hub for backstories, loadout customisation, and pre-mission planning.