Indie studio Big Distraction says its new co-op roguelite LORT has sold 100,000 copies in just over three days on Steam Early Access.
The team described the response as “absolutely nuts” as players jumped into chaotic, build-heavy runs reminiscent of Risk of Rain 2.
LORT Quick Facts
- Milestone: 100,000 units sold in just over 3 days (developer statement)
- Platform: Steam Early Access (PC)
- Co-op: up to 8 players
- Launch discount: 34% off through Feb 4
What the Developer Said
The ten-person team at Big Distraction didn’t expect this kind of launch. In a celebratory post, they said the game’s momentum was “absolutely nuts” and thanked players for jumping in.
The team quit their AAA jobs after getting tired of waiting for a Risk of Rain 2 follow-up that never came. Now they’re promising quick updates and more content, calling their future plans “newer, better, weirder LORT.”
The message closed with a nod to their mascot, wishing players “pleasant squawks” from Lawrence Fishbird.
What LORT is All About
LORT is a third-person, co-op action roguelite built around looping runs, escalating chaos, and meme-heavy humor. The core idea is buildcrafting.
You and your team stack powerups, weapons, and abilities until you’re either absurdly strong or faceplanted on the floor. The style leans bright, fast, and fantasy-themed, with a structure that borrows from Risk of Rain 2 but adds its own tone.
What’s in Early Access Right Now
• Four biomes, each with a major boss, plus a special final showdown
• More than 45 enemy types
• 9 weapon types, mixing fantasy gear with a handgun
• 95 powerups for different build combinations
• 35 challenges and unlocks
The game is already complete-run playable, which helps explain its “Mostly Positive” reception.
Roadmap and Next Big Update
The first major update is scheduled before summer. It will include: A new rogue-style adventurer Daggers as a new weapon type
Beyond that, the roadmap includes more biomes, new quest types, expanded meta progression, difficulty settings, and an endless mode.
Difficulty Feedback
Some players have bounced off the game’s difficulty. About 28% of reviews are negative, mostly from solo players or those finding the challenge too steep. The developers aren’t dialing down the core idea but are making small balance tweaks.
Goblin Lobbers, for instance, are already less lethal than on day one. They also gave one practical tip: builds scale best when you focus on your primary attribute. That means skipping balanced builds and leaning fully into what your character does best.
Price and Discount
Steam has a 34% introductory offer running through February 4. Pricing varies by region. For exact numbers, check the game’s store page.
LORT is another example of a small studio getting it right out of the gate. The co-op angle and instantly readable gameplay loop helped it stand out.
Launching with a full playable loop, strong update messaging, and a relatable dev story, including the team leaving AAA jobs to make what they wanted to play, gave the game traction fast.