Cepheus Protocol

Halcyon Winds Developer

Halcyon Winds Publisher

2020-05-15 Release

Indie Strategy Adventure Simulation Singleplayer EATags

Game News Posts: 162

🎹🖱️Keyboard + Mouse

Very Positive (2402 reviews)

https://cepheusprotocol.com/

Steam Store

Game is not tagged as available on Linux on Steam.

Horde Co-op Mode now playable in the CERC HQ branch

Were nearing the final stretch of Phase 1 of the rebuild just 12 weeks to go and to celebrate the milestone, we're opening up access to the Experimental Horde Co-op Mode for all players during the Steam Summer Sale!

This is the biggest gameplay update yet for Cepheus Protocol, and it's fully playable today.

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Whats Included

A brand-new Horde Mode Co-op experience to serve as the "base" of our Rebuild
Supports up to 16 players in seamless RTS/TPS hybrid combat
Experimental rebuild under the new "cerc-hq-public" branch
Buggy but playable - we're working on it every day, and we need your feedback!

[dynamiclink href="https://youtu.be/JGQjU-UWl5Q"][/dynamiclink]

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How to Opt In

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Right-click Cepheus Protocol Experimental Branch (Granted when you buy the base game) in your Steam Library

Click Properties > Betas

Choose cerc-hq-public from the dropdown

Let Steam update the build and launch the game

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New: Try Out Operator Control (RTS/TPS Hero Units)

Want to test our new Operator system?

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Select a unit flagged as an Operator

Open the console (typically with ~ or Tab)

Type:

PossessFirstOperator

This will instantly take control of the first free Operator in your selection.

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This system is in early testing expect jank! UI support for this feature will be added in the coming weeks as we wrap up Phase 1.

FAQ:

Squad System - A way for RTS/TPS players to coordinate in real time. RTS players can task units into any squad during play allows TPS units to coordinate and issue them orders. On top of that Servers can deem to only allow Operators in certain squads so "players" can squad up and coordinate.

Q - Order units to move to location you are looking at (Double tapping it issues a run order) for current Squad
E - Order units to execute an Attack Order for current Squad
V - Cancel any current squad orders
[carousel][img src="https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images/33900595/a97fa3a7569eac94baa0b0b7810f3b153e916b5c.jpg"][/img][img src="https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images/33900595/a3e7e39718d71e83b12f1066f12b89dbeb2a1966.jpg"][/img][/carousel]

Operator Preview for Gunsmith/Customization

[carousel autoadvance="true"][img src="https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images/33900595/e617ddb7f20d6ffc70ffce9fdedfb0a8a0720c4a.png"][/img][img src="https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images/33900595/cbe50bf596d5ba23f76244cc49643569a33778fb.png"][/img][img src="https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images/33900595/05e794d358918d6a63dfbfd0340a60f25284d906.png"][/img][img src="https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images/33900595/ac1bb47415e1418a6a104092b8600d6fc0a829a2.png"][/img][/carousel]

More Operator customization will come online going into next week for Weapons. We will be adding more weapons on a per week basis as we finish phase 1.

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Half Moon Bay Map & Test Recommendation

The Half Moon Bay Horde map is available in this build for early testing, but we recommend using the "Co-op Horde" test map for the smoothest experience. Half Moon Bay is in active iteration and may contain incomplete elements.

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Whats Next?

Final Phase 1 polish and UI push
Polishing Operator Customization & Leveling System
Half Moon Bay iteration + Horde mode balancing
Expanded Doctrines & DNA Research (Phase 2)

For further ahead, read here:

Read about our Development Phases & Current Goals

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Feedback? Questions?

Join the discussion and share your thoughts:

Drop in on our Discord for a faster feedback loop!
Post on our steam forums we'll do our best to keep up to date!

Were excited to open the doors on this massive new chapter. Thanks for testing, reporting, and helping us shape Cepheus Protocols future.

Next CERC HQ (Podcast) Details

When: June 28, 2025 3 PM EST (New Time!)

Where to Watch:

[img src="https://clan.fastly.steamstatic.com/images//33900595/8b5bff497752f772b722a4172e6c12109ec893a4.png"][/img]

Topics We'll Cover:

Co-op Progress
Total Revamp based on Community Feedback
Level Design Updates

Dont miss our Live Q&A! Well be answering questions from the community during the stream.

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Missed a Stream? No Worries!

YouTube VOD Playlist
Spotify Podcast Archive (VODs may take 24 hours to appear)

The Halcyon Winds Team

[ 2025-06-28 07:26:10 CET ] [ Original post ]

The Pangu Virus has been unleashed in San Francisco, turning thousands of innocent lives into mindless beasts that feel no pain and have no fear of death. With each passing hour, the Pangu Virus evolves, creating new and ever more horrific mutations with one goal in mind… Spread.

You are Captain Winter, a military officer fighting alongside the Center for Epidemic Research and Control(CERC). With a massive arsenal and the resources of the US Government behind it, you and CERC will stop at nothing to ensure the terror of the Pangu Virus does not escalate beyond containment, even if a whole city and millions of lives must be sacrificed.

Cepheus Protocol is inspired by classic RTS games such as Company of Heroes and World in Conflict, alongside the book World War Z.
Survive if you can against a relentless enemy that evolves and grows more powerful with each day.
Build specialized units from a variety of bases that can be placed anywhere in the open-world map.
Battle those infected by the Pangu Virus across four open-world islands, featuring unique and challenging environments.
Choose from three combat tiers that play to your style. Each tier has specialized units, equipment, and weaponry.
Engage a relentless horde of infected which numbers grow larger and stronger with each territory captured as you battle for control of San Francisco.
Hunt Patient Zero, who races across the city seizing territory. Each capture zone increases her population as the virus spreads and possesses all organic matter.
Form an alliance or side against the Anarchist and Police factions, which struggle to survive among the madness that has enveloped San Francisco.

Note: Steam Remote Play is for allowing your friends to try out the game if you already have purchased it. It's not for online co-op: that is is planned in the current roadmap, but is not complete yet

💰 Games on Sale 💰

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