A new epic journey around the world, Roots in the Sky is the sequel to the acclaimed point & click adventure The Hand of Glory!
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Kickstarter Update #25 – Backer Release and DRM-Free
12 days ago
– Sun, Jul 26, 2026 at 02:26:00 AM
Hello adventurers,
as promised, the day has finally arrived: in a little while, you will receive your activation keys before anyone else, one month ahead of the official release.
We have therefore decided to send this update to clear up any doubts you might still have (but of course, don't hesitate to write to us in the comments if you have any others).
First of all, the keys will be distributed through Backerkit, the platform that helps us distribute the activation keys in a semi-automated way. You will therefore receive an email from them (also check your spam folder, just to be safe).
But let's take a detailed look at the individual platforms.
PC Steam
As mentioned in the previous update, today's early release is exclusively for Steam. Please don't hate us for this, but as you know, we are a small team and we are doing everything humanly possible to speed things up. The version you will be able to download from Steam tomorrow will be available for Windows, macOS and Linux.
The Windows version has been thoroughly tested, but small bugs may still occur. We therefore recommend saving frequently, especially considering that there are infinite save slots. As for macOS and Linux, the game should still be stable and should not present any differences compared to the Windows version. If you encounter any serious problems, please let us know (you can find the contact details at the end of the update).
A small note regarding Steam Deck: Deck automatically downloads the Linux version, but at the moment we are having some communication issues between the Linux exporter and the Steam API, which prevent the build from recognizing that the game is running on Deck. The game remains perfectly playable, but you will see mouse prompts. If you want the optimal experience, for the time being we recommend playing the Windows version with Proton enabled, following these steps:
1- From the game's screen, click on the gear icon on the right, below the game banner. 2- Select the “Compatibility” menu. 3- Check the box “Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool” and select “Proton Experimental” from the dropdown menu below.
Nintendo Switch
As mentioned in the previous update, Nintendo requires a much more complex validation process for the store and the game build, with longer timelines compared to PC stores. Things are moving slowly but steadily. We are fixing the small issues Nintendo reports to us, and we are confident that the game will be ready for the official release date. If we manage to complete the process ahead of time, we will send the keys early.
DRM-Free
There has been some movement regarding the DRM-Free situation for the game, and we want to clarify the situation properly. The Steam version of the game is set up without any protection, and internally, the store considers this DRM-Free (we are talking about the technical definition). This means that once you have installed the game for the first time, you can freely take the downloaded files and save them wherever you want. You will only need the client for the first launch, after which the game will effectively be yours, and this is the most we can do to guarantee that.
BUT... putting Steam aside, there is another reason why we did not mention DRM-Free in the last update, and it is a surprise we wanted to be certain of before telling you about it: after years of insistence, and thanks to the intervention of Dionous Games (whom we sincerely thank), we can finally announce that The Hand of Glory and Roots in the Sky are coming to GOG!
For this reason, in August we will send an email to all of you who chose the DRM-Free version on Itch to ask whether you would prefer to switch to the GOG version. You will still be free not to switch to GOG and claim the game on Itch. In any case, the same situation as with Nintendo Switch applies to the DRM-Free version: we are working at full capacity, but we have to wait for the store's approval process before we can publish it.
If you have any doubts about this situation, let us know!
How to claim your Steam key
Open Steam and log in to your account.
Click the “Add a new game” button in the bottom-left corner.
Click “Activate a product on Steam”.
Enter your key and click “Confirm”.
Enjoy the greatest adventure of your life!
How to unlock the Backer Beta Branch
To access the backer beta branch:
Right-click on the game in your Steam library and select “Properties”.
From there, open the “Betas” tab and enter the following password in the field provided: RITSbackersGIFT0706
Once the password has been accepted, select the backer beta branch from the dropdown menu.
Steam will then download the appropriate version of the game. If the branch does not appear immediately, try restarting Steam.
A personal message from Stefano
I strongly wanted you backers to have the game before anyone else in the world because I am fully aware that it is only thanks to all of you that I was able to take my vision for a game I COULD develop and turn it into the vision for the game I WANTED to develop. The graphics remade from scratch, the study of the scenarios, the extra sections, the incredibly high-quality music, all of this was made possible by you, and I wanted to show you my gratitude one last time.
That said, to guarantee a summer release for the game, over the past few months I have worked non-stop, including weekends, and sometimes in the evenings. I necessarily need to release some of the stress and fatigue that has built up, so that I can face the final challenge before the official launch. While you finally enjoy Roots in the Sky, I will be leaving for a few days in Krakow (and who knows, maybe I'll find some inspiration, I've always wanted to write a game set in Poland).
But I am leaving you in good hands: for any problems with activation or receiving your keys, you can write to my executive producer with the best shirts in the world, Carlo de Rensis, at the following address:
For technical issues or bugs, you can write to me personally. Just know that I won't be able to reply before the 31st, because I will have my mouth full of pierogi. In any case, the address is:
I wish all of you a great adventure, one that will move you, make you laugh, and entertain you with the puzzles we have devised. If that turns out to be the case, I ask you to do me the favor of leaving a review on Steam as a token of your appreciation. It will be my fuel from now untilrelease day.
With affection and gratitude, Viva l'avventura!
Stefano
Kickstarter Update #24 – The Update You've Been Waiting For
28 days ago
– Fri, Jul 10, 2026 at 08:35:32 AM
This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.
Kickstarter Update #23 – Of cafes, of music, of love, of secret temples… and a release window tease!
3 months ago
– Mon, Apr 27, 2026 at 10:57:51 AM
Hello adventurers, Did you miss us? Then it's time for a new development update from Roots in the Sky!
Project Status
As you can see from the progress chart below, we’ve now brought almost all completion tasks to 100%, which is a major milestone for the project. We’re entering the final stretch now, focusing on polish and final implementation.
We’ve also started work on the German localization, which will be handled by Marcel Weyers (Return to Monkey Island translator). We’re thrilled to have him on board again and excited to make the game available to even more players!
BackerKit Orders Locking Next Week
A quick heads-up: next week we’ll be locking BackerKit orders. If you added anything to your pledge through BackerKit, this is when those additional funds will be collected. Please make sure everything in your survey and add-ons is exactly how you want it before then!
And in case you still want to add something, you can find our Backerkit store in here:
Today we’re revealing a new background featuring the exterior of a mysterious temple, a place steeped in silence, symbolism, and unanswered questions. Hidden among ancient surroundings, this location plays into the more enigmatic side of Roots in the Sky, hinting at secrets waiting beneath the surface. We hope this first glimpse sparks your imagination!
New Music Preview – A Mysterious Japanese Theme
Carlos is on fire lately, and one thing he’s been especially excited about with Roots in the Sky is the chance to explore instruments and musical traditions from different cultures, from Indian and Jordanian influences to Japanese sonorities. It’s given the soundtrack a rich palette unlike anything we’ve done before.
Today we’re sharing a new track born from that exploration: a slightly mysterious, adventurous piece that also evokes nights spent at sea, drifting through dark waters in search of unknown horizons.
A Quick Broken Sword Aside…
On a personal note, my Broken Sword Reforged collector’s edition recently arrived, and I couldn’t resist sharing a photo with you.
As many of you know, Broken Sword was a huge inspiration for me, so it feels only right to give a shout-out to the currently active Kickstarter campaign for Broken Sword Smoking Mirror: Reforged, definitely worth checking out if you haven’t already!
In our next update, we’ll finally reveal the official release date for Roots in the Sky. But since you’re our backers, here’s a little advance hint:
The game is coming this summer.
More very soon. And thank you, as always, for helping us bring this adventure to life.
Stefano
Update #22: Exciting Updates & Happy New Year from the Team!
7 months ago
– Thu, Jan 01, 2026 at 09:57:41 AM
Hello everyone,
We hope this message finds you well! As 2025 comes to a close, we wanted to share some exciting updates on the game’s progress and give you a peek behind the scenes!
Animations are coming to life!
We’ve been hard at work implementing a ton of animations, and we thought it would be fun to share a few GIFs so you can see them in action.
But we’re not just animating the characters in the scenes, we’re filling the game with close-ups and cutscenes as well!
The characters are moving, the scenes are alive, and we can’t wait for you to experience it all!
All game environments are complete!
Yes, you read that right: every single game environment is now finished. To celebrate, here’s a brand-new image from the game, which happens to be my personal favorite. We hope you love it as much as we do!
Voice acting progress
Recording the voiceovers is always an incredible journey, one capable of truly bringing life to the characters you’ve imagined for years. Here’s a small collection of characters so you can get a sense of the quality and personality we’re achieving. We’re thrilled with how it’s turning out!
Music composition in full swing
Our composer Carlos is absolutely nailing it, creating a rich variety of music that mirrors the diverse environments you’ll explore in the game. From tense, atmospheric tracks to lighter, playful themes, the soundtrack is shaping up to be as dynamic and immersive as the world itself. We can’t wait for you to hear it!
Extra insight for adventure game fans
For those curious about the future of graphic adventures, check out this annual video by vicek83. The video features the developers’ intentions for adventure games in 2026, and you’ll get a sneak peek of some exciting new scenes from our game (you can see Stefano showing the game in motion at 02:14)!
As 2026 begins, we want to thank you all for your continued support and enthusiasm. We can’t wait to share even more with you in the year ahead. From all of us on the team, happy New Year!
Viva l'avventura!
Update #21: Revolution in the Air!
about 1 year ago
– Wed, Jun 18, 2025 at 08:46:50 AM
Adventurous friends, May was not your average development month—it was a whirlwind of events, workshops and unforgettable moments. We took a short break from our usual behind-the-scenes work to step into the spotlight, meeting players, fellow devs, and even legends. Buckle up, because we’re taking you with us on this crazy marketing tour!
Rome Videogame Lab 2025: Trastevere Takes the Spotlight First stop: the eternal city! Stefano made his way to the Rome Videogame Lab 2025, hosted right in the heart of Trastevere.
The event was the perfect opportunity to showcase our brand-new demo and graphics to a fresh audience. The reactions? Nothing short of glorious. Players gave us invaluable feedback that’s already making its way into the next builds. Plus, we heard “When can I play the full game?” more than we hoped to hear, which is good for the heart!
Comicon 2025: Developers, Podcasters... and Totally Exhausted Next up: Naples! Stefano and Cristiano hit the Comicon 2025, this time wearing two hats: indie devs and proud members of Calavera Café, the biggest Italian community dedicated to point-and-click adventures.
But wait—there's more! Stefano hosted a workshop on how to create an adventure game from scratch. To his great joy (and slight panic), the room filled up with young, curious faces eager to learn the tricks of the trade. It was a powerful reminder: adventure games are alive and kicking, and a new generation is ready to pick up the torch.
A Dream Come True: Meeting Charles Cecil But nothing—nothing—could have prepared Stefano for what happened next. At Comicon, he finally met his all-time hero: Charles Cecil, the brilliant mind behind Broken Sword, the game that started it all for us. As a humble thank-you, Stefano gifted Charles a copy of The Hand of Glory, simply because the game wouldn’t exist without Broken Sword. Charles, along with his equally wonderful wife and business partner Noirin Carmody, turned out to be the kindest, most supportive people you could ever meet. It was an emotional moment. We didn't cry, but we really felt inclined to!
What’s Next? While May was a month of events and emotional milestones, June marks the return to development with renewed energy and inspiration. And yes—new scenes, new animations, and new surprises are cooking. But more on that in the next update!
