TECHMASH

Author: Team Techmash!

  • Prepare for Launch! High-Octane Space-Cat Shooter ‘Astro Burn’ Exits Early Access on July 30th

    Prepare for Launch! High-Octane Space-Cat Shooter ‘Astro Burn’ Exits Early Access on July 30th

    Indie game fans and cat lovers, assemble! The wait is nearly over. London-based developer Beyond The Pixels and publisher Pixel Doors have officially locked in July 30, 2026, as the official 1.0 launch date for Astro Burn on both Steam and GOG.

    After months of collaborative fine-tuning during its highly active Early Access cycle, this colourful, retro-inspired “cute-’em-up” is finally ready to show off its ultimate, feature-packed definitive edition.

    Here is everything you need to know about this adorable yet delightfully chaotic space adventure!

    What is Astro Burn?

    If you ever wondered what happens when you cross classic side-scrolling shooters like Parodius and Pop’n Twinbee with modern bullet-hell intensity and a genetically enhanced cat, you get Astro Burn.

    The game follows Astro, a sassy space cat who was lured into experimental alien technology upgrades with the promise of delicious fish treats. Stranded far from home, Astro (alongside her chatty robotic companion AL) must blast through waves of absurd, screen-filling creature overlords to find a way back.

    A Community-Crafted Masterpiece

    The journey to the 1.0 launch has been nothing short of spectacular. Thanks to an incredibly passionate community, the game’s recent Kickstarter campaign blew past its goals, landing at over 150% funded.

    Because of this massive support, physical media collectors can look forward to a premium retro physical release (courtesy of 33 Games), complete with custom USB cartridges, cassette tape soundtracks, and exclusive lore-filled trading cards.

    Director HaZ Dulull and the development team have worked hand-in-hand with players—gathering feedback from Discord, Steam reviews, TwitchCon, and IGN Live—to elevate Astro Burn from a passion project into a highly polished, modern-retro masterpiece.

    What’s New in Version 1.0?

    The 1.0 update is absolutely packed with content, adjustments, and some of the most delightfully unhinged features we’ve seen in an indie game:

    • The Epic Conclusion: Guide Astro through Levels 8 and 9 to finally experience the end of her narrative campaign.
    • Couch Co-op & Competitive Play: Take on the alien hordes with a friend in local co-op across seven distinct levels.
    • Weaponised Snacks & Kitten Rescues: Standard bullets have been swapped out for delicious flying treats so you can defeat giant bosses (like PooBear on the Party Bus) with food! Plus, rescue lost kittens mid-run to trigger custom animations and score massive bonus points.
    • “Cat TV” & ASMR Modes: In one of the most unique additions yet, real-life cats can watch three specialised “Cat TV” channels on-screen. Meanwhile, humans can wind down between chaotic bullet-hell runs with a relaxing “ASMR Mode” featuring ambient ocean waves and cat purrs.
    • Speedrunner Paradise: Master the game with new high-risk “Speed Zones” (including a Turbo setting) and test out upgraded weapon spreads.
    • Steam Deck Verified: The game is fully optimised for on-the-go play on the Steam Deck and Valve’s Steam Machine, featuring highly readable custom fonts and localisation across eight new languages (including Japanese, French, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese).
    • “Meowcromatic” Mode: Originally designed as an accessibility color-blind option, this highly requested community favourite turns the game into a gorgeous monochrome homage to Mad Max: Fury Road – Black & Chrome Edition.

    Get Ready for Lift-off!

    Mark your calendars for July 30th! Whether you want to climb the leaderboards, save adorable kittens, or just let your real-life pet enjoy some Cat TV while you dodge neon lasers, Astro Burn promises an unforgettable, action-packed retro experience.

    Head over to Steam and GOG to wishlist the game today!

    Find out more here

    #AstroBurn #BeyondThePixels #PixelDoors #IndieGames #CuteEmUp #SpaceCat #RetroGaming #SteamGames #GOG #GamingNews

  • Fast Food, Faster Racers: Wabisabi SushiDerby Launches on Switch and PC for Less Than a Salmon Roll!

    Fast Food, Faster Racers: Wabisabi SushiDerby Launches on Switch and PC for Less Than a Salmon Roll!

    If you have ever stared at a conveyor-belt sushi platter and thought, “I bet that piece of tuna nigiri could run a sub-ten-second sprint,” we have some brilliant news for you.

    Japanese publishing giant Kodansha Ltd. has officially launched Wabisabi SushiDerby today! Released under their esteemed Kodansha Game Lab indie game division and developed by the talented folks at ITAMAE Studio, this incredibly charming, wonderfully bizarre title is ready to take the gaming world by storm.

    Even better? It is available right now on Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam for just $4.99 (that is literally less than a high-street Salmon Roll!).

    The Ultimate Sushi Training Simulation (Yes, Really!)

    In Wabisabi SushiDerby, you step into the flour-dusted shoes of an apprentice sushi chef. But you won’t just be prepping ingredients for hungry customers. Instead, your goal is to craft, customise, and train the ultimate sushi athletes to compete in high-stakes derby races.

    Your ultimate destination? Winning the highly coveted “S1” Galaxy Cup to prove you are the finest sushi master in the universe.

    Here is what you can look forward to on your journey:

    • Mould Your Champions: Choose from over 20 different toppings—from classic salmon to squid—each boasting unique stats, abilities and hilarious skills (like blinding opponents with squid ink or leaving sticky goo on the track).
    • A Crucial Training Regimen: Personalise your training sessions using cards that buff your racer’s acceleration, top speed and stamina. But be warned—sushi has a short shelf life! You only have a few in-game days to train your star athlete before it is time to retire them and roll a fresh competitor.
    • Dodge the Chopsticks! During the frantic races, you can’t just sit back. You must actively cheer on your sushi to give them explosive speed boosts. This is especially vital when giant, hungry customer chopsticks swoop down from the sky to snatch your racer off the track. If they get eaten, they are gone!
    • Sweet Indie Charm: With an adorable aesthetic and a lighthearted sense of humour, it’s no surprise the game bagged the prestigious “Kids Award” at BitSummit.

    A Bite-Sized Bargain

    Wabisabi SushiDerby is the perfect gaming comfort food. It combines the strategic depth of a light management simulator with the pure, chaotic joy of a casual racer.

    With its incredibly low price point of just $4.99, there is absolutely no reason not to dive in. Whether you are playing on the go with your Nintendo Switch or cosyed up at your PC, this is one delicious indie gem you do not want to miss.

    Head over to the Steam Store or Nintendo eShop today, prep your rice, and we will see you at the starting line!

    Find out more here

    #WabisabiSushiDerby #KodanshaGameLab #IndieGames #NintendoSwitch #SteamGames #PCGaming #GamingNews #TechMash

  • Dynamic Witch Trials Powered by Offline AI: ‘Hex Judge’ Launches on Steam Today!

    Dynamic Witch Trials Powered by Offline AI: ‘Hex Judge’ Launches on Steam Today!

    If you’ve ever wanted to step into the shoes of a medieval inquisitor, grill suspicious villagers, and decide who will face condemnation before the sun sets, your time has come. Indie developer CheetahTownGames has officially launched its highly anticipated narrative investigation game, Hex Judge, on Steam today, July 16, 2026!

    Priced at an accessible $5.99 USD, this indie title brings a groundbreaking technological twist to the dark, tense world of medieval witch trials.

    The Ultimate Offline AI Interrogation Experience

    At first glance, Hex Judge looks like a beautiful love letter to 1980s retro PC games, complete with atmospheric pixel art and a moody, suspenseful tone. But under the hood lies a highly modern feature that sets it apart from traditional point-and-click detective games.

    Instead of navigating static, pre-written dialogue trees, Hex Judge utilises a local Large Language Model (LLM) packaged directly within the game.

    What does this mean for players?

    • Fully Offline Play: You don’t need an internet connection or external AI subscriptions to play. The AI processing runs entirely locally on your PC.
    • Dynamic Conversations: The suspects respond organically based on how you phrase your questions, their unique personalities, their hidden secrets, and the rumours spreading through the village.
    • Spot the Lies: You must carefully compare testimonies, seek out contradictions, and observe shiftiness to build cases against the villagers.

    High Replayability and Endless Mystery

    No two trials in Hex Judge are ever the same. Each playthrough randomly selects six suspects from a pool of over 30 unique villagers.

    The game also features a fully-fledged Villager Editor. If you want to customise your experience, you can edit the names, portraits, ages, and core personalities of the suspects. The built-in AI dynamically adapts to your custom creations, generating brand-new relationship dynamics and procedural, AI-generated epilogues based on your verdicts.

    With multiple endings to uncover, every choice you make will shape the ultimate fate of the village.

    Launch Details

    • Title: Hex Judge
    • Developer/Publisher: CheetahTownGames
    • Release Date: July 16, 2026
    • Platform: Steam (Windows PC)
    • Price: $5.99 USD / ¥790 JPY / ¥26 CNY
    • Languages Supported: Launches with support for 8 languages, including English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, German, French, and Italian.

    Whether you are a fan of deductive reasoning games like Papers, Please and Return of the Obra Dinn, or simply curious about how local AI is changing the landscape of indie gaming, Hex Judge is a unique experience you won’t want to miss.

    Head over to the Hex Judge Steam Page to grab your copy today and start interrogating!

    Find out more here

    #HexJudge #CheetahTownGames #IndieGames #SteamRelease #AIGaming #DetectiveGames #RetroGaming #GamingNews #PCGaming #IndieDev

  • Build a Black-Market Empire: ARMS DEALER Playtest Signups Are Now Live!

    Build a Black-Market Empire: ARMS DEALER Playtest Signups Are Now Live!

    War is business, and business is booming.

    If you are a fan of deep, systems-driven strategy simulations, you’ll want to pay close attention. Italian independent developer Koro Pixel Studio (renowned for the psychological horror visual novel Loop//Error) and South Korean publisher Dark Product have officially opened playtest signups for their upcoming title, ARMS DEALER.

    With a brand-new trailer showing off its high-stakes gameplay, this is your chance to get on the ground floor of a truly unique strategy game before it hits the market.

    Check out the playtest trailer below to see AK-47 trading in action, and read on to find out how you can build your own underground empire.

    What is ARMS DEALER?

    Forget commanding divisions on the front lines or executing tactical manoeuvres in the mud. In ARMS DEALER, you do not fight the battles—you supply the people who do.

    You begin your journey in a highly precarious position: carrying massive debt to people you should never have borrowed from in the first place. Your goal? Climb the ladder of the international black market, transition from small-scale trade to massive military hardware, and build enough wealth and influence that you become absolutely untouchable.

    This is a cold, calculated economic simulation. As the developers put it: “There are no heroes. There are no good outcomes. There are only margins.”

    Key Features of the Simulation:

    • Deep Black Market Economy: Master the art of buying low and selling high. Exploit real-time global instability, watch market fluctuations, and profit off international conflicts.
    • Scale Your Operation: Start small with individual transactions, eventually scaling up to massive, container-level international shipments.
    • Underworld Negotiations: Rub shoulders with a cast of dangerous characters, including street gangs, rogue militias, corrupt government officials, and shady financiers.
    • High-Risk Weapons Progression: Progress from simple handguns and rifles to armoured military vehicles, heavy tactical equipment, and eventually high-risk, unconventional weapons programs (biological, chemical, and nuclear technologies).
    • Aggressive Debt Management: Utilise loan sharks to aggressively secure capital and grow fast—if you can survive long enough to pay them back.
    • Permadeath Campaigns: Every decision carries weight. One intercepted shipment, one unpaid loan, or one bad deal can end your entire empire overnight.

    What Kind of Dealer Will You Be?

    The game is built to support multiple strategic playstyles:

    1. The Opportunist: Fast-moving and alert. You strike quickly during sudden market chaos, secure your profit margins, and get out before the authorities or rival gangs even know you were there.
    2. The Financier: Patient and analytical. You play the long game, using aggressive debt and clever financing options to your advantage to build a massive, logistically sound network.
    3. The High-Roller: The daredevil who bypasses minor trades entirely, constantly hunting for the single massive contract that could make—or immediately break—your career.

    How to Join the Playtest

    Playtest signups officially opened on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Because this is an early look at the game’s complex trading mechanics, places are strictly limited and are expected to fill up incredibly fast.

    If you want to secure your spot, head over to the official Steam page, request access, and add the game to your wishlist:

    Sign up for the ARMS DEALER Playtest on Steam

    Will you survive the cutthroat world of the international black market, or will you end up at the bottom of the ocean? There’s only one way to find out.

    Find out more here

    #IndieGames #ArmsDealer #KoroPixelStudio #DarkProduct #StrategyGames #SteamPlaytest #PCGaming #SimulationGames #GamingNews

  • Unleash Sci-Fi Mayhem: Angel Guardian’s First Public Demo Hits Steam Cyberpunk Fest This August!

    Unleash Sci-Fi Mayhem: Angel Guardian’s First Public Demo Hits Steam Cyberpunk Fest This August!

    Sci-fi side-scrolling action-shooter fans, mark your calendars! Developer and publisher Corgee Inc. has officially announced that the very first public demo for Angel Guardian is coming to Steam this summer.

    From August 3rd through August 10th, players can jump into the neon-lit, high-stakes action as part of Steam’s Cyberpunk Fest.

    If you are a fan of fast-paced combat, 90s anime aesthetics, and futuristic side-scrolling action, this is one playtest you won’t want to miss. Here is everything you need to know about Angel Guardian and what to expect from the upcoming demo.

    What is Angel Guardian?

    Set aboard the crippled space station kingdom of Alterra, Angel Guardian is a sci-fi side-scrolling action shooter built around fast-paced combat, smart movement, and constant pressure. Following a sudden and devastating attack, the space station’s defensive systems turn hostile. Survival isn’t just a goal—it’s an absolute fight to take control back.

    You play as Kita, an elite warrior guardian sent to extract and protect the young prince Eiji amidst the chaos. Unlike typical, frustrating escort missions, Eiji isn’t just a liability—as your journey unfolds, he fights right alongside you, unlocking powerful abilities and awakening his potential as the kingdom’s rightful heir.

    Key Gameplay Features to Look Forward To:

    • Dynamic Combat & Movement: Tight, responsive shooting designed to keep you on your toes.
    • Arsenal of Destruction: Collect and upgrade 8 distinct, double-upgradeable rifles, alongside a close-quarters sword for slicing through hostile defences.
    • Stealth & Hacking: Avoid direct combat with stealth mechanics or hack into the station’s network to disable security systems and unlock hidden areas.
    • Chaotic Twitch Chat Integration: In a brilliant twist of interactivity, Angel Guardian features a built-in Twitch mode. Streamers can link their game directly to Twitch, letting their viewers spawn enemies, drop crucial ammo, or trigger Eiji’s superpowers in real-time.

    Play the Demo at Steam’s Cyberpunk Fest!

    Steam’s Cyberpunk Fest is the perfect backdrop for Angel Guardian‘s highly anticipated public debut. The week-long celebration of all things high-tech and low-life kicks off on August 3rd, and the Angel Guardian demo will be fully playable until August 10th.

    Whether you want to test your reflexes against the game’s brutal bosses, experiment with the different upgradeable rifles, or stream it to your community to let them cause absolute chaos in your run, this demo is your first real taste of Alterra.

    Wishlist Now on Steam

    Can’t wait to jump into the boots of Kita? Head over to the official Angel Guardian Steam Page right now to add the game to your wishlist, keep up with developer updates, and ensure you’re the first to know when the demo goes live on August 3rd!

    Are you ready to rescue the prince and survive Alterra? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #AngelGuardian #CorgeeInc #IndieGames #SteamCyberpunkFest #SciFiShooter #GamingNews #SteamDemo #SideScroller #TwitchIntegration #PCGaming

  • Unleash the Knights! Tides of Annihilation is Heading to Gamescom 2026 with a Playable Demo

    Unleash the Knights! Tides of Annihilation is Heading to Gamescom 2026 with a Playable Demo

    Get ready to pack your bags and head to Cologne, because one of the most intriguing action-adventure titles of the year is officially going hands-on.

    Eclipse Glow Games has announced that its highly anticipated single-player, action-adventure game, Tides of Annihilation, will be publicly playable for the very first time at Gamescom 2026 next month!

    If you are attending the massive gaming expo in Germany from August 26 to August 30, 2026, this is one booth you absolutely cannot afford to skip.

    What is Tides of Annihilation?

    For the uninitiated, Tides of Annihilation is the stunning debut title from Chengdu-based developer Eclipse Glow Games. Built on the powerhouse Unreal Engine 5, the game blends a unique Arthurian legend-inspired theme with a dark, beautifully stylised aesthetic that incorporates a classic East Asian ink wash style.

    The Premise:

    • The Setting: A once-vibrant, modern-day London that has been torn apart and distorted by an eerie, otherworldly invasion.
    • The Protagonist: You play as Gwendolyn, the lone survivor of this cataclysm, on a desperate quest to save her family and piece her fractured world back together.
    • The Twist: Gwendolyn isn’t fighting alone. She has the unique ability to summon and command the spectral forms of the legendary Knights of the Round Table (like Sir Lamorak) to fight by her side.

    High-Octane, Spectral Combat

    The standout feature of Tides of Annihilation is its combat loop. Players can build and customise their own “Order of Knights,” setting up custom configurations of spectral allies to swap between on the fly during fast-paced combos.

    If previous trailers are anything to go by, we can expect:

    • Dynamic Tag-Team Combat: Swap between knights mid-combo and even fight simultaneously across different dimensions (like the mind-bending Mirror Space Folded Realm).
    • Massive Boss Battles: Take on colossal, towering knights roaming Greater London, scaling their massive forms to bring them down.
    • Deep Customisation: Tailor your experience with extensive skill trees, equipment choices, and visual customisations (including hair, makeup, and clothing).

    Why You Need to Play It at Gamescom

    While we’ve seen some tantalising gameplay footage during Xbox and PlayStation showcases over the past year, getting actual hands-on time is the ultimate test. Eclipse Glow Games has spent years researching and consulting with experts—even visiting London historic sites like Westminster Abbey and the British Museum—to ensure the game’s atmosphere perfectly captures a shattered, mythical Britain.

    Now, European gamers will finally get to feel how those fluid, weapon-swapping combos handle in real-time.

    Event Details:

    • Where: Koelnmesse, Cologne, Germany (Gamescom 2026)
    • When: August 26 – August 30, 2026
    • Who: Open to all public ticket holders!

    Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Eclipse Glow Games’ booth location as we get closer to the event. We’ll see you on the show floor!

    Find out more here

    #Gamescom2026 #TidesOfAnnihilation #EclipseGlowGames #ActionAdventure #GamingNews #UnrealEngine5 #KingArthur #IndieGames

  • Synchronise Your Jumps: ‘Brave Escape’ Brings Chaos and Co-op to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S This July!

    Synchronise Your Jumps: ‘Brave Escape’ Brings Chaos and Co-op to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S This July!

    Great news for co-op gaming fans! Independent developer Hit Start Studios has officially announced that its critically acclaimed, two-player co-op platformer Brave Escape is making the leap to next-gen consoles.

    Mark your calendars: the game is set to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on July 24th, 2026.

    If you’ve been looking for the perfect game to test the strength of your friendships (or find out just how bad your coordination really is), this is the one.

    What is Brave Escape?

    Originally released on PC to a “Very Positive” reception on Steam, Brave Escape is a 2D pixel-art precision platformer built entirely around two-player teamwork. You and a partner control Colin and Floyd—an unlikely duo trying to outrun relentless hazards, navigate tricky traps, and conquer handcrafted, puzzle-filled levels.

    To make things interesting, both characters bring entirely different tools to the table:

    • Colin utilises a climbing rope and grapple hook to navigate steep vertical terrain.
    • Floyd features a boost mechanism and handles unique level-specific gadgets like the Wind Gun, Freeze Gun, and Flashlight.

    Success demands communication, split-second timing, and perfect synchronisation. Whether you are perfectly executing a complex jump or screaming in panic as a mistimed boost sends your friend flying into a pit of spikes, it’s couch co-op gaming at its absolute finest.

    What’s New for the Console Release?

    Hit Start Studios isn’t just porting the game over; they are delivering the ultimate version of the adventure right out of the gate.

    Here is what console players can look forward to on day one:

    • Cross-Platform Play: Fully supports cross-platform co-op multiplayer between PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. No matter where your friends play, you can team up.
    • Packed with Content: Includes all major post-launch updates from the PC version, offering 45 additional levels and 70 bonus levels spread across 7 diverse, hazard-filled worlds.
    • Playable Your Way: Choose Standard/Casual Mode for a more approachable experience with more forgiving timings and fewer spikes, or tackle Brave Mode to push your platforming skills to their absolute limits.
    • Optimised Performance & Accessibility: Enjoy ultra-smooth gameplay with high-frame-rate options ($60\text{ fps}+$), alongside great accessibility features like character outlines and overlap transparency.

    “Cross-platform support was especially important for us because Brave Escape is all about playing together, regardless of platform.”

    — Steve Ciaramitaro, Game Designer at Hit Start Studios

    Get Ready to Escape!

    Whether you prefer playing local couch co-op or diving online, Brave Escape promises to be one of the summer’s most fun and chaotic cooperative experiences.

    You can already find the game on Steam, and it’s officially open for wishlisting on the PlayStation Store and Xbox Store ahead of its July 24th launch. Gather a partner, stretch those thumbs, and prepare for a wild ride!

    Are you ready to test your friendship in Brave Escape? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #BraveEscape #HitStartStudios #CoopGaming #IndieGames #PS5 #XboxSeriesX #GamingNews #Platformer #Techmash

  • Grid-Based Tinkering: Thinky Roguelite Deckbuilder ‘Stones of Power’ Enters Closed Beta!

    Grid-Based Tinkering: Thinky Roguelite Deckbuilder ‘Stones of Power’ Enters Closed Beta!

    If you’ve ever stared at a merchant in Slay the Spire, absolute tears in your eyes because you have to fork over 100 gold just to remove a basic strike card, indie developer Pointless Games has some incredibly good news for you.

    Their highly anticipated “thinky” roguelite deckbuilder, Stones of Power, has officially entered its closed beta phase. Along with a brand-new gameplay trailer, this major milestone marks the first time players can get their hands on the game’s unique grid-based tactical mechanics.

    Here is why this is one indie strategy game you’ll want to keep on your radar.

    What is Stones of Power?

    At its core, Stones of Power is a deckbuilder, but instead of playing cards that immediately vanish into a discard pile, you are playing magical stones onto a grid-based board.

    • A Living Board: Unlike traditional card games where actions are played in isolation, the stones you place in Stones of Power remain on the board.
    • Tactical Grid Play: Success relies on pushing, pulling, and positioning your stones to create chain reactions, disrupt enemy plans, and outsmart your foes.
    • The “Trading” Economy: Instead of paying a premium to purge bad cards, players construct and refine their decks by trading stones. You buy, sell, and manage your coins to actively manipulate your build’s synergy between encounters.

    “I wanted to create a game where each turn incrementally evolved from something simple into something more complex. Every new stone the player places gives more possibilities to explore, rewarding careful planning, clever positioning, and creative thinking.” > — Mattias Selin, Creator of Stones of Power

    Why Strategy Fans Should Be Excited

    Stones of Power is designed specifically for players who love the “joy of tinkering.” Rather than leaving your fate entirely up to the RNG gods, the game heavily rewards clever positioning and calculated experimentation. Every run is a puzzle of your own making, where a single, well-placed stone can completely cascade into a game-breaking build.

    Developed on a custom Java engine (built on top of LibGDX) for PC and Linux, the game is shaping up to be a highly polished, deep, and satisfyingly cerebral experience.

    How to Get Involved

    With the closed beta officially underway, Pointless Games is looking for players to jump in, test their strategic limits, and provide feedback.

    If you want to secure your spot in the beta or simply keep up with development:

    • Head over to the Stones of Power Steam Page to add it to your wishlist.
    • Join the active community on the Pointless Games Discord to grab a beta key and share your wildest game-breaking synergies.

    Find out more here

    #StonesOfPower #PointlessGames #IndieGames #PCGaming #Roguelite #Deckbuilder #GamingNews #TechMash

  • Trust No One: Jackbox-Style Party Game ‘Forest of Deceit’ Drops Today on PC and Consoles

    Trust No One: Jackbox-Style Party Game ‘Forest of Deceit’ Drops Today on PC and Consoles

    If you’ve ever watched The Traitors, stayed up late playing Werewolf, or simply thought, “I could absolutely trick my friends into a swift and sudden demise,” indie developer Ghost Camp has some fantastic news for you.

    Today officially marks the launch of Forest of Deceit, a Jackbox-esque social deduction party game built for 4 to 8 players. Best of all? It’s dropping almost everywhere—hitting Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S right now.

    A Cursed Woods, A Looming Storm, and Total Betrayal

    The setup is brilliantly simple: you and your friends are lost in a dark, cursed forest with a massive storm brewing on the horizon. If you don’t gather resources and build a solid shelter in time, everyone perishes.

    The catch? The forest is actively driving some of your friends mad. A few players will secretly be designated as Traitors, tasked with sabotaging the shelter, stealing resources, and getting innocent players lost in the woods. Every round concludes with a tense, finger-pointing discussion where players vote to exile whoever they think is acting a bit too shady.

    No Extra Controllers? No Problem.

    Borrowing the best page out of the Jackbox Party Pack playbook, Forest of Deceit eliminates the hassle of passing around multiple controllers. Only the host needs to own a copy of the game. Everyone else can jump right into the lobby using their own smartphones, tablets, or web browsers to receive secret information, check their roles, and cast their underhanded votes.

    This makes it an incredibly accessible casual party game, accommodating everyone from hardcore strategy enthusiasts to non-gamer family members. It also features fully customizable house rules, giving it endless replay value for local couch co-op sessions or remote Discord game nights via screen-share.

    Oh, and there is a massive cherry on top for sci-fi and fantasy fans: the entire game is narrated by the legendary Sylvester McCoy (the Seventh Doctor in Doctor Who and Radagast the Brown in The Hobbit trilogy), adding a delightfully eccentric atmosphere to your impending doom.

    Launch Details, Pricing, and Nintendo Switch Status

    Forest of Deceit is available today with the following launch details:

    • Platforms Available Now: PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
    • Steam Pricing: £8.99 / €9.99 (plus a 10% launch discount if you grab it early!).
    • Console Pricing: Expected to be essentially at parity with the Steam price, with minor regional adjustments.
    • What about Nintendo Switch? Ghost Camp has officially announced that the Switch version is on the way and is expected to release later this month.

    Gather your group, boot up your mobile browsers, and prepare to find out which of your friends is an absolute snake.

    Find out more here

    #ForestOfDeceit #GhostCamp #SocialDeduction #PartyGames #IndieGames #GamingNews #JackboxStyle #SteamGames #PlayStation #Xbox #NintendoSwitch

  • Dust for Prints: Forensics: Crime Scene Detective Launches Today on PC and Consoles!

    Dust for Prints: Forensics: Crime Scene Detective Launches Today on PC and Consoles!

    Forget the dramatic high-speed chases, dramatic courtroom outbursts, and shouting “Enhance!” at a blurry monitor. Real detective work isn’t about Hollywood heroics; it’s about patience, precision, and the quiet science of uncovering the truth.

    If you have ever wanted to step past the yellow police tape and do some actual, methodical sleuthing, your time has come. Publisher Aerosoft, alongside developers Binary Impact and Alchemical Works, has officially launched Forensics: Crime Scene Detective today for PC (via Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S!

    Check out the official launch trailer and see what awaits you when the sirens fade.

    Science Over Shootouts

    Forensics: Crime Scene Detective puts you in the sterile, high-stakes shoes of a forensic specialist. Your job begins only after the initial chaos has cleared. Armed with an authentic toolkit, you will enter highly detailed crime scenes—ranging from messy apartments to dimly lit bars—to find the vital clues that others have missed.

    What makes this simulator stand out in a sea of detective games is its pedigree. The developers built the game in close collaboration with Germany’s State Criminal Police Office Rhineland-Palatinate (LKA RLP). This means instead of relying on hand-holding quest markers, you are expected to use real-world investigative logic to build your cases.

    From the Crime Scene to the Lab

    The gameplay is split into two distinct, highly detailed phases:

    • The Search: Scour the environment to locate and secure trace evidence. Dust wine glasses for fingerprints, locate hidden blood spatters using luminol, and recover deleted data from mobile devices.
    • The Laboratory: Once your evidence is bagged and tagged, the real puzzle-solving begins. Head to the lab to run DNA profiles, examine ballistic trajectories, and piece together the timeline of what actually happened.

    Warning: Your instincts actually matter here. If you misinterpret a lab result or miss a crucial fiber, you could easily incriminate an innocent suspect—or let a killer walk free.

    Key Features

    • Authentic CSI Toolkit: Utilise DNA swabs, luminol, ballistic tracking lasers, fingerprint powder, and high-tech digital analysis tools.
    • Real-World Pedigree: Developed alongside actual state police to ensure every procedure, tool, and method feels authentic.
    • Evidence-Driven Outcomes: There are no forced conclusions or script-guided victories. Your logic dictates whether a suspect is convicted, exonerated, or if the case goes cold.
    • Diverse Scenarios: Investigate whether incidents were murder, tragic accidents, self-defence, or carefully staged cover-ups.

    Grab Your Lab Coat

    Whether you are a seasoned true-crime podcast junkie or just looking for a cerebral, slow-burn puzzle game that respects your intelligence, Forensics: Crime Scene Detective is a refreshing take on the investigative genre.

    Grab your copy today on Steam, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X|S, and start turning traces into undeniable facts.

    Find out more here

    #ForensicsCrimeSceneDetective #Aerosoft #BinaryImpact #AlchemicalWorks #GamingNews #SimulationGames #IndieGames #Steam #PS5 #XboxSeriesX

  • Eight Years of Undead Mayhem: MY.GAMES Celebrates Left to Survive’s 8th Anniversary with Epic Month-Long Event!

    Eight Years of Undead Mayhem: MY.GAMES Celebrates Left to Survive’s 8th Anniversary with Epic Month-Long Event!

    The zombie apocalypse has never looked so good—or been so incredibly successful.

    MY.GAMES, the leading European video game developer and publisher, is officially popping the champagne (and loading the shotguns) to celebrate the 8th anniversary of its hit mobile zombie base-building shooter, Left to Survive.

    Now in its eighth year, this powerhouse title is proving that the undead genre is livelier than ever. With a community of dedicated survivors spanning the globe, Left to Survive continues to drive massive player engagement. To date, the game has reached an astounding 85 million installs and generated over $170 million in lifetime revenue.

    To thank the millions of players who have fought, built, and raided their way to the top, MY.GAMES is hosting a massive, month-long anniversary celebration packed with exclusive content, unique rewards, and game-changing events. Here is everything you need to know about joining the party.

    What’s Happening in the Anniversary Celebration?

    Whether you are a seasoned veteran with a heavily fortified base or a fresh recruit looking to take down your first horde, July is the perfect time to jump in. The anniversary rollout is packed with features designed to reward the community:

    1. The Festive Barbecue Event Series (July 13 – July 27)

    Continuing the game’s annual birthday tradition, players can dive into the Festive Barbecue event series. This two-week extravaganza features:

    • Themed Missions: New tactical challenges to test your survival instincts.
    • Unique Zombie Skins: Face off against some festive (and frightening) new undead variants on the battlefield.

    2. The Ultimate Anniversary Weapon: Lightning Ricochet Sniper Rifle

    The crown jewel of this year’s celebration is an exclusive, limited-edition anniversary sniper rifle.

    The Highlight: This weapon features the game-changing Lightning Ricochet perk. This introduces charged shots and jaw-dropping chain lightning visual effects, allowing players to decimate entire zombie hordes in style with just a single trigger pull.

    3. A Month of Daily Gifts: The Birthday Advent Calendar

    The celebration doesn’t stop when the barbecue ends. Throughout the entire month of July, players can log in daily to access a special Birthday Advent Calendar. Each day brings a new surprise, unlocking exclusive gifts, essential resources, and premium rewards just for showing up.

    Reflecting on Eight Years of Survival

    Reaching nearly a decade in the highly competitive mobile gaming market is no small feat. Dmitry Lyust, Operations Director of the Whalekit studio at MY.GAMES, shared his excitement over the milestone:

    “Celebrating eight years of Left to Survive is an incredible milestone for our team, and we’re excited to share this moment with our players around the world. Over the years, we’ve continued to expand the game to keep the experience fresh and engaging… We’re deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey.”

    The game’s longevity is largely due to Whalekit’s commitment to constant evolution. Over the past year alone, the studio introduced:

    • Two brand-new event series to shake up the meta.
    • The highly destructive Rocket Launcher weapon class.
    • The terrifying Chimera zombie pushing players to adapt their base defences and tactical approaches.

    Join the Fight Today!

    If you haven’t already built your sanctuary, recruited your band of survivors, and taken to the skies in helicopter raids, there has never been a better time to start.

    Left to Survive is free-to-play and available right now across multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, Steam, and the MY.GAMES launcher.

    Grab your gear, claim your daily calendar rewards, and get ready to light up the undead. Happy 8th Anniversary, Left to Survive!

    Find out more here

    #LeftToSurvive #MyGames #MobileGaming #ZombieShooter #GamingNews #8thAnniversary #BaseBuilder #PCGaming #SteamGames #SurvivalGames

  • When Star Fox Meets Armored Core: ‘Rogue Eclipse’ is the Space Roguelike We’ve Been Waiting For

    When Star Fox Meets Armored Core: ‘Rogue Eclipse’ is the Space Roguelike We’ve Been Waiting For

    If you’ve spent the last few years looking at your gaming library and thinking, “I really wish someone would mash up the tight, arcade spaceflight of Star Fox with the intense, heavy customisation of Armored Core,” then your very specific wish has just been granted.

    Meet Rogue Eclipse, an upcoming spacefighter roguelike developed by the UK-based micro-studio Huskrafts and published by Outersloth—the indie publishing label founded by the team behind Among Us.

    And the best news? It is officially blasting onto PC via Steam on August 7th, 2026!

    What is Rogue Eclipse?

    At its core, Rogue Eclipse is an edge-of-your-seat, arcade-style space shooter designed with a high-stakes roguelike loop. You play as a pilot on the absolute front lines of a war for humanity’s survival.

    The gameplay loop is simple to understand but incredibly tough to master: Try, die, upgrade, and try again. Here is what makes this indie gem stand out from the crowd:

    • Arabesque Futurism Aesthetic: Forget the sterile, cold grey metals of typical sci-fi. Rogue Eclipse features a stunning, vibrant art direction inspired by Middle Eastern and North African design elements.
    • High-Octane Combat: You aren’t just dogfighting in empty space. You’ll be weaving through massive, destructible environments and diving directly inside gargantuan enemy behemoths to blow them up from the inside out.
    • Deep Customisation: Much like the mech-building joy of Armored Core, you can continuously upgrade, tweak, and personalise your starfighter to suit your playstyle as your run progresses.

    “Indie developers got tired of waiting for a new Star Fox, so they’re making their own.” — The Verge

    Backed by Indie Royalty

    Behind this ambitious title is a fascinating partnership. The game is the debut title from Husban Siddiqi (aka Huskrafts), a highly talented solo developer and recipient of both an Epic MegaGrant and a Creative England New Ideas Fund.

    To help bring this vision to the finish line, Outersloth stepped in. Established by Innersloth to fund indie developers sustainably while allowing them to keep their creative freedom, the label’s backing is a massive seal of approval. If the minds behind Among Us are championing this, you know there’s something special under the hood.

    Play It Early!

    If you happen to be in London or heading to upcoming conventions, you might not have to wait until August 7th to test your piloting skills.

    • London Showcase: The game will be playable at the “For One Night Only” event in London on July 29th, 2026.
    • Wishlist Now: Head over to the Rogue Eclipse Steam Page to check out the brand-new release date trailer and add it to your wishlist.

    Get ready to strap in, pilots. Space combat is getting a massive upgrade this summer.

    Find out more here

    #RogueEclipse #IndieGames #Outersloth #Huskrafts #SpaceShooter #SteamGames #GamingNews #StarFox #ArmoredCore #TechMash

  • Angry Birds to Angry Battlers: Why Warena is Your Next PC Gaming Obsession

    Angry Birds to Angry Battlers: Why Warena is Your Next PC Gaming Obsession

    The tactical card battler genre is about to get a serious shake-up, and it’s arriving from a very unexpected, highly pedigree’d source.

    If you spent any part of the 2010s flinging furious fowls at green pigs, you’re already familiar with the work of Tuomas Erikoinen—the original artist behind the iconic Angry Birds characters. After conquering the mobile world and racking up over 50 million downloads across various projects, Erikoinen and his indie studio, Part Time Monkey, are trading mobile screens for PC monitors.

    Their latest creation? Warena, a real-time tactical card battler that launches on Steam today (July 14, 2026), and it looks set to steal your sleep.

    Real-Time Chaos: No Turns, No Waiting

    Forget everything you know about traditional card games where you politely wait for your opponent to figure out their move. Warena throws etiquette out the window in favour of simultaneous, real-time chaos.

    Both players act at the exact same time. Your objective is simple but intense: manage your mana pool, deploy troops, cast devastating spells, and push down lanes to tear down the enemy base before they do the same to yours. It’s a high-stakes tug-of-war where reading your opponent’s intent and timing your counters is everything.

    “I love short, round-based games like Rocket League where you always want to go for one more round,” says creator Tuomas Erikoinen. “I played a lot of Clash Royale and kept thinking: this would work on PC if you built it right. Warena is that game.”

    The Ultimate Hybrid: Clash Royale Meets Traditional RTS

    Warena beautifully bridges the gap between two distinct gaming worlds, offering a unique hybrid experience:

    • The Speed and Immediacy of Clash Royale: Matches are fast, punchy, and instantly engaging. It’s built for that “just one more game” loop that will have you looking at the clock, suddenly realising it’s 3 AM.
    • The Strategic Depth of a Classic RTS: Don’t let the quick match times fool you; there is serious tactical weight here. With mid-match deck evolution via “Runes” and unique “Hero Skills” chosen at the start of the game, the deck you finish with will look wildly different from the one you started with.

    Built for Pure Competition

    In a refreshing move for the modern gaming landscape, Warena is entirely built around skill. Every single card in the game is earned purely through play. There are no pay-to-win mechanics or hidden stat advantages here—just visible stats, clever strategies, and split-second decision-making.

    Whether you want to test your mettle against the AI in the single-player campaign or climb the competitive ladder in ranked 1v1 PvP, victory relies entirely on your brainpower and reflexes.

    If you’re looking for a competitive strategy fix that doesn’t require a hardcore, hundreds-of-hours time commitment to enjoy, Warena is calling your name. Head over to Steam, grab the deck, and prepare for battle.

    Find out more here

    #Warena #IndieGames #PCGaming #SteamNextFest #CardBattler #RTS #GamingNews #TechMash #PartTimeMonkey

  • Meet Bota: SQOOL’s New Desktop Companion “Sill Sticks” Drops on Steam Next Week!

    Meet Bota: SQOOL’s New Desktop Companion “Sill Sticks” Drops on Steam Next Week!

    If you ever feel a little lonely staring at your monitor all day, or if you just need a reminder that it’s completely okay to do absolutely nothing sometimes, SQOOL has some great news for you.

    SQOOL Co., Ltd.—the Tokyo-based powerhouse known for running video game news media and providing top-tier game marketing support—has officially announced the release date for its latest in-house project. Mark your calendars: Sill Sticks is coming to your PC desktop on July 20, 2026!

    What is Sill Sticks?

    Developed as the spiritual sister app to SQOOL’s popular cat desktop companion Sill Cats, Sill Sticks takes a much more laid-back approach to virtual companionship.

    Instead of an energetic feline jumping across your browser tabs, this app introduces you to Bota, a delightfully lazy stickman whose entire life mission is to loaf around your desktop at his own relaxed pace.

    Work hard, loaf harder. Bota won’t get in the way of your workflow or clutter your screen. He mostly keeps a low profile, occasionally muttering to himself or starting a casual, low-stakes conversation with you just to liven up your workday.

    Free-to-Play and Highly Customizable

    The core app will be completely free to download on Steam. However, if you want to spice up your desktop ecosystem or give Bota a bit more flair, SQOOL is dropping two day-one DLC packs alongside the main release:

    • The Partner Pack ($1.99 / ¥265): Adds a second companion character to hang out on your screen alongside Bota.
    • The Dress Up Pack ($0.99 / ¥160): Allows you to customise Bota’s body colours, give him various hats (like a wizard hat or crown), and change his speech bubble aesthetics.

    Launch Discount Alert! Both DLC packs will be available at a 10% discount for the first 14 days following the July 20 launch.

    SQOOL has also confirmed that, just like Sill Cats, Sill Sticks will receive regular post-launch updates to bring even more content, features, and idle animations to your screen over time. If you need a tiny, low-maintenance pixel buddy to keep you company during late-night gaming sessions or tedious spreadsheets, keep an eye on Steam next Monday!

    Ready to meet Bota? You can check out the official Sill Sticks trailer on YouTube and wishlist the app directly on its official Steam Page.

    Find out more here

    #TechNews #IndieGames #SillSticks #SteamGames #PCGaming #SQOOL #DesktopCompanion