Vanguard Princess Free Update Launches Today — Online Play + 50% Off Sale
A major free update introducing online multiplayer, expanded controller support, enhanced PC features, and a new integrated way to play Vanguard Princess.
The Vanguard Princess Free Update is now available on Steam.
The update introduces a new way to launch, configure, and play Vanguard Princess, with a dedicated online lobby, Online Versus, Offline Game access, expanded controller support, live game settings, enhanced game presentation, and improved compatibility for modern Windows PCs.
Play Vanguard Princess Online
Online Versus allows players to enter the online lobby, chat with other players, issue challenges, and play Vanguard Princess online. The challenged player becomes Player 1 and determines the Stage, Rounds, and Timer. Player 2 automatically uses the same match settings, while keyboard and controller configurations remain local to each player. Network delay is automatically negotiated before the match begins.
A New Integrated Vanguard Princess Experience
The Vanguard Princess Free Update adds: Online Versus — Challenge other players and fight online. Offline Game — Play Vanguard Princess locally while remaining connected to the online lobby. Online Lobby & Chat — Connect with other players, chat, issue challenges, and manage your availability. Rest Mode & Seek Mode — Choose whether you're unavailable for challenges or let other players know you're looking for a match. Game Settings — Adjust Stage, Rounds, Timer, Keyboard, and Controller settings directly through the new interface. Expanded Controller Support — Improved support for modern gamepads and controllers. Enhanced Game Presentation System — Integrated presentation of the original Vanguard Princess game through the updated interface. Improved PC Compatibility — Additional support for modern Windows environments, display scaling, game startup, legacy Windows components, OneDrive installations, and other compatibility issues that can affect older PC games.
Built Around the Original Vanguard Princess
The original Vanguard Princess game remains at the center of the experience. The free update works around the original game to provide modern multiplayer, input, presentation, configuration, and compatibility features while preserving the gameplay of Vanguard Princess. Our goal is to preserve the original Vanguard Princess experience while making it easier to play on today's PCs and, most importantly, easier to play with other people.
Expanded Vanguard Princess Compatibility
One of the largest technical efforts behind the free update has been improving compatibility across the different releases of Vanguard Princess. Compatibility technology has been developed around: Vanguard PrincessVanguard Princess Director's CutVanguard Princess Hilda RizeVanguard Princess KurumiVanguard Princess LilithVanguard Princess Online Deluxe These releases are not identical. Different editions can contain different stages, character rosters, and other internal differences. The new compatibility system has been engineered to recognize these differences and create a common online environment whenever compatible content is available between both players. Cross-edition compatibility will continue to be tested, refined, and improved through future updates.
A New Foundation for Vanguard Princess
The Vanguard Princess Free Update represents years of experimentation, development, testing, and reverse-engineering work aimed at extending the life of Vanguard Princess without replacing the original game. Online multiplayer is only one part of that foundation. This update gives us a platform from which we can continue improving online play, compatibility, controller support, stability, and the overall Vanguard Princess experience over time.
Vanguard Princess Launch Week Sale
To commemorate the launch of the Vanguard Princess Free Update, we're offering a special 50% off sale on Vanguard Princess and its DLC throughout this week on Steam!
Whether you're returning to Vanguard Princess for the new free update or discovering the series for the first time, this is a great week to jump in.
Available Now
The Vanguard Princess Free Update is available now on Steam. If you already own Vanguard Princess, update the game through Steam, launch Vanguard Princess, enter the online lobby, and start playing.