The indie gaming scene is absolutely electric right now, and today brings some massive news for fans of deep storytelling and stunning world-building. Developer Seismic Squirrel has officially announced that their breakout hits, Aether & Iron, have been selected as part of the prestigious 2026 TooManyGames Indie Game Showcase Awards.

Even more exciting? The decopunk noir title has officially secured a nomination for Best Role Playing Game, cementing its status as one of the standout indie RPGs of the year.

Standing Out in a Massive Crowd

This nomination is no small feat. The TooManyGames Indie Showcase is notoriously competitive, drawing submissions from across the globe. For the 2026 awards, Aether & Iron was handpicked from a highly curated pool of 150 juried indie games, putting it directly under the spotlight at one of the summer’s premier gaming conventions.

The category win will be decided alongside 14 other award types, highlighting the finest independent innovation, creativity, and passion in the industry today.

What Makes Aether & Iron a Must-Play?

If you haven’t yet dived into Seismic Squirrel’s masterpiece, you are missing out on one of the most uniquely atmospheric games of 2026.

Set in an alternate, gravity-defying 1930s New York City, the game trades traditional streets for a vertical metropolis kept afloat by “aether”—a newly discovered anti-gravitational technology. You play as Gia, a sharp-tongued smuggler navigating a deeply class-stratified society, dangerous crime syndicates, and fragile political alliances.

• Pedigree Writing & Audio: The game features narrative talent with past credits on heavy hitters like Mass Effect and Far Cry. Adding to the rich, smoky, noir atmosphere is an original score composed by two-time Grammy Award winner Christopher Tin and Grammy nominee Alex Williamson (Civilisation series).
• Decopunk Noir Aesthetic: Visually inspired by 1930s detective comics and the Art Deco period, the hand-drawn art style is jaw-dropping.
• Tactical Depth: Beyond the heavy narrative focus and fully voiced branching dialogue, players must master a robust turn-based tactical combat system and upgrade their smuggler vehicles with hidden compartments, smoke dispensers, and flamethrowers.

“An instant RPG masterpiece and one of the best games of 2026.” — Region Free

The winners are being unveiled at the Neko Stage in Hall D during the convention, with the ceremony being streamed live on Steam and YouTube.

If you want to see what all the hype is about, Seismic Squirrel has recently rolled out major updates to the game, including the new Roadside Garage feature. Aether & Iron is currently available on Steam for both Windows and MacOS with a playable demo available if you want to test your smuggling skills first.

Huge congratulations to the teams at Seismic Squirrel and Chaos Theory Games on a well-deserved nomination!

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