TROLLHEIM: GNOMES Playtest and Early Access Guide

The TROLLHEIM: GNOMES playtest is an invite-only testing phase accessible through the game's official Steam store page. By selecting the "Join the TROLLHEIM: GNOMES Playtest" option, players can have the testing build added to their Steam Library to experience core survival mechanics, treehouse building, and co-op gameplay. This playtest serves as a precursor to the game's upcoming Early Access launch, which is expected to last between 12 and 18 months.

How to Access the Playtest

Players interested in testing the game before its full release can find the registration option directly on the Steam store page.

• Registration: Locate the "Join the TROLLHEIM: GNOMES Playtest" header and click the request button.
• Library Integration: Once access is granted, the playtest version appears as a separate entry in the user's Steam Library.
• Feedback Loop: The developers, Trollheim Tvier AB, have stated that they intend to develop the game alongside the community, using the Steam forums and Discord to gather feedback on what systems are working or need improvement.

The World of Trollheim

The game follows the story of the last Sprýg Gnomes in Midgård. Driven from their ancestral homes by the corruption of Oden, these gnomes flee to Trollheim, a mystical realm inspired by Nordic folklore. The primary setting is the Dark Forest, an ancient wilderness that players must navigate from the perspective of a tiny gnome.

Every environment in Trollheim is scaled to the gnome's size. Large pines, mossy hills, and damp rocks are not just background elements but physical obstacles that require climbing and vertical traversal. The world is a procedurally grown sandbox, ensuring that exploration remains unpredictable across solo play or co-op sessions with up to seven friends.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

TROLLHEIM: GNOMES is a PvE survival adventure that blends traditional resource management with vertical exploration.

Survival and Crafting

The playtest and Early Access versions include several tiers of survival systems:

• Crafting & Processing: Players can create tools and items across multiple tiers to improve their efficiency.
• Cooking: Food preparation is a core mechanic, likely tied to stamina or health management as players explore deeper biomes.
• Biomes: The Dark Forest is divided into various biomes, each offering unique challenges and resources. Exploration extends into cave networks and underground environments.

Building and Verticality

Unlike many survival games that focus on ground-level bases, this title emphasizes verticality. Players can build gnome dwellings in various locations:

• Treetops: Constructing idyllic housing high above the forest floor.
• Hollowed Logs: Utilizing natural structures for shelter.
• Rock Crevices: Tucking homes into the landscape for protection.
• Mist-filled Lakes: Building near water sources.

Customization options include adding bridges between structures, cladding walls in moss to blend into nature, and setting low-lighting to create a cozy atmosphere.

The Väsen: Mythical Encounters

The Dark Forest is inhabited by Väsen, handcrafted mythical beings drawn from Nordic folk belief. These include trolls, faeries, and sirens. Interaction with these creatures varies:

• Neutral/Friendly: Some Väsen may wander over to join the player at their campfire.
• Hostile: Certain creatures will attack on sight, requiring players to defend themselves or flee.
• Social Interaction: Players can attempt to calm the nerves of these beings or offer them items. If successful, some Väsen may even choose to live alongside the player in their settlement.

Early Access Roadmap

The developers plan for the game to remain in Early Access for approximately 12 to 18 months. During this time, the foundation of the game will be expanded based on community input. Planned additions include:

• Expansion of the Dark Forest with more biomes and deeper gameplay systems.
• Additional Väsen and more complex Gnome culture to discover.
• New crafting and building options.
• Late-game narrative shifts where "something darker" begins to threaten the forest as players transition from surviving to thriving.

System Requirements

The game requires a 64-bit processor and operating system (Windows 10 or 11). Steam Deck compatibility is currently listed as Unknown.