Cyan Worlds announced a reduction in its workforce, laying off twelve team members, which is approximately half of its staff. This change will take effect at the end of March.
Red Thread Games, led by Ragnar Tørnquist, is set to release a new game titled Hello Sunshine, which is a survival sandbox set in a post-apocalyptic desert. Players will navigate the landscape with a giant war-bot, requiring them to stay in its shadow during the day to avoid the sun and seek warmth at night when the robot powers down. The game features an evolving relationship between the player and the robot, with challenges from hostile drones and mecha-crabs, as well as opportunities to repair friendly drones. There is potential for cooperative gameplay, possibly allowing a second player to control the robot, creating an asymmetric co-op experience. The game is available for wishlisting on Steam.
Terror at Oakheart is the latest game from Tainted Pact, diverging from their previous title, Suffer the Night, by focusing on a classic side-scrolling adventure with a retro aesthetic. The game is structured into several chapters and pays homage to slasher films, featuring a storyline where players control a killer named Teddy, who is manipulated by a Lovecraftian creature into committing gruesome acts. Tainted Pact aims to revive the essence of 1990s and early 2000s gaming, emphasizing authenticity and creativity in a market dominated by modern trends.
Minimum system requirements include:
- OS: Microsoft Windows 7
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 1.8GHz / AMD Athlon X2 64 2.4GHz
- Memory: 4 MB RAM
- Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 760
- Storage: 2 GB available space
Recommended system requirements include:
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS: Microsoft Windows 10
- Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-9600K CPU @ 3.70GHz
- Memory: 6 MB RAM
- Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070
- Storage: 4 GB available space
The game received a score of 8.5.
Traditional deckbuilding card games are evolving with innovative titles that blend elements of tactical RPGs and tabletop gaming. The Steam Next Fest showcased new games hinting at the future of card games.
Shuffle Tactics combines deckbuilding with tactical RPG elements, featuring multiple units on a grid and characters with unique hands of cards for buffing allies and attacking enemies. It includes inventive abilities and emphasizes positioning for strategic gameplay.
As We Descend incorporates adventure game elements, allowing character card enhancement and dividing the battlefield into guard and support zones. Players protect an artifact while engaging in narrative and light city-building elements, utilizing cards for interactions within a hub.
Into the Restless Ruins redefines deckbuilding by focusing on dungeon creation, where players use cards to build a dungeon and then explore it, engaging in automatic battles. The game emphasizes creative problem-solving and combat, drawing inspiration from tabletop RPGs.
UK-based gaming company Sumo Group has divested its publishing label, Secret Mode, to Emona Capital, with the leadership team continuing to guide the label's creative direction. The financial details of the transaction are undisclosed, and Secret Mode will remain an independent publisher. Ed Blincoe and James Schall expressed enthusiasm about the partnership and the opportunity to focus on indie game publishing. Emona Capital's managing partner, Dominik Dolenec, noted the potential for supporting Secret Mode's mission in the independent games sector. Secret Mode was founded in 2020 by Sumo Group, which is shifting towards a work-for-hire business model.
Former Piranha Bytes creative director Björn Pankratz and game designer Jennifer Pankratz have established Pithead Studio, launched in July 2024. Their inaugural project, Cralon, is an "authentic 3D dungeon crawler" with RPG and adventure elements, featuring a demon hunter who falls into an ancient mine and must navigate challenges to escape, aided by "creatures of the shaft."
Keep Driving is a turn-based road trip RPG priced at .99/£15.00 from YCJY Games, designed for single-player experiences and compatible with the Steam Deck. Players embark on a journey to a music festival, gathering supplies and selecting routes while managing a car that serves as both vehicle and inventory. The game features road events that affect attributes like gasoline, cash, car durability, and energy levels, requiring strategic use of skill cards and items. Players can pick up hitchhikers, each with unique skills and backstories, adding depth to the gameplay. The game includes humorous crime elements and an indie soundtrack, with multiple endings possible. Some interactions may be challenging on the Steam Deck due to item management intricacies.
Jeff Minter is developing a remake of the classic arcade shooter, I, Robot, originally launched by Atari in 1984. The game features a "3D kaleidoscopic visualizer" and challenges players to evade an all-seeing eye while navigating through a treacherous tube filled with enemies. Minter's remake will retain the essence of classic Atari gameplay and include "arena levels" with waves of foes. The original I, Robot had a limited production of fewer than 1,000 units at launch but has since gained a cult following for its pioneering use of real-time 3D polygons. The remake is set to be released in spring 2024 on PC and various consoles, including the Atari VCS.
A new indie game publishing label named Three Friends has been launched by former industry professionals Albert Säfström, Daniel Kaplan, Sebastian Badylak, and Johan Hermeren, who have experience from companies like Mojang and Coffee Stain. The label aims to support indie titles in the Nordic region, fostering a creative environment for developers. Säfström previously served as CEO of Coffee Stain Publishing, Kaplan has a background in business development at Mojang and Coffee Stain, Badylak has experience in guiding projects at Coffee Stain, and Hermeren has a background in business development at Embracer Group and was CEO of Pieces Interactive. Three Friends emphasizes collaboration and the importance of refining ideas without rushing to market, aiming to partner with developers from early stages to enhance their unique game elements.
- Hades is a roguelike dungeon crawler from Supergiant Games that combines action and storytelling.
- Stardew Valley is a farming simulation game featuring pixel art and a soothing soundtrack, allowing players to manage a farm and build relationships.
- Neon White is a fast-paced game that mixes first-person shooting and platforming, utilizing cards for moves and featuring vibrant art.
- The Long Dark is a survival game set in a post-apocalyptic wilderness, focusing on resource management and strategic decision-making.
- Sifu is a martial arts game with an aging mechanic that adds strategy to skill development and combat.
- Slay the Spire combines deck-building with roguelike elements, offering easy-to-learn mechanics and challenging gameplay.
- Undertale is an RPG known for its unique storytelling and player interaction, featuring quirky characters and memorable dialogue.
- Hollow Knight is a Metroidvania game with hand-drawn art, intricate world design, and challenging gameplay that rewards exploration.
- Celeste is a platformer that addresses mental health themes while providing challenging gameplay and beautiful pixel art.
- Tunic is an adventure game inspired by classic titles, encouraging exploration in a mysterious world filled with secrets.
- 1000xResist features a thought-provoking narrative, though its gameplay may not be as polished as others.
- Balatro is a humor-infused strategy game developed by a solo creator, known for its addictive gameplay.
- Pacific Drive is a driving adventure game set in the Olympic Exclusion Zone, combining exploration with survival elements.
- Cocoon is a puzzle game with innovative design and intuitive gameplay, set in beautifully crafted worlds.
- Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a horror game that emphasizes atmosphere and psychological tension, redefining the genre.
