Fans of the 2D strategy sim Turmoil have a new reason to head back to the oil fields. On July 14, 2026, developer Gamious is releasing the Deeper Underground DLC for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and the Microsoft Store. Creative director Jos Bouman confirmed that the expansion is built around entirely new mechanics that required a full, challenging campaign to properly showcase.

New Mechanics: Petrol and Deep Mode

The core of the Deeper Underground experience is the introduction of petrol. More refined and potentially more profitable than standard oil, players must utilize a mix of water, dynamite, and rubies to produce this high-value substance. Managing these new resources adds a layer of complexity designed for players looking for a more difficult strategic experience.

Alongside the main campaign, the DLC adds "Deep Mode." Responding to community requests for increased verticality, these levels focus exclusively on drilling as deep as possible. Unlike the standard game, players do not need to worry about storing or selling oil in these challenges. Bouman noted that this separation was intentional: "We didn’t really want to add more verticality to the standard oil fields. That would harm a key aspect of what makes the gameplay work so well: the ability to see everything on a single screen."

Quick Facts

  • Release Date: July 14, 2026
  • Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Microsoft Store
  • New Resources: Water, dynamite, rubies, and refined petrol
  • New Gameplay: Deep Mode levels focused on vertical drilling

The Inspiration Behind the Name

The Turmoil team is known for naming its expansions after iconic songs—the base game includes The Heat Is On, and the new DLC takes its name from the Jamiroquai hit. While the team considered "Under Pressure" for this release, they ultimately decided that the gameplay mechanics should dictate the title. Bouman joked that while it would be a challenge, he could imagine a future scenario where a song title like Bohemian Rhapsody might eventually force the team to design fitting gameplay around it.

Future Projects at Gamious

While the team is currently focused on the Deeper Underground launch, Bouman shared that Gamious is working on two new strategy games. Development on these titles includes team members who worked on the original Turmoil over a decade ago. While official details remain under wraps, the studio hopes to unveil these new projects in the near future.