TECHMASH

Category: Gaming News

  • Desk Job Derby: Kartboard Dash Turns Your Office Supplies into Weapons of Chaos

    Desk Job Derby: Kartboard Dash Turns Your Office Supplies into Weapons of Chaos

    We’ve all had those days at the office. You’re staring at a spreadsheet, your coffee is lukewarm, and you secretly wish you could hurl a stapler at your boss or launch a rubber band barrage across the cubicles.

    Well, the indie developers at Zatun heard your silent corporate screams. Get ready to trade your ergonomic chair for a motorised cardboard box, because the ultimate workplace racing riot is officially on the horizon in the new game Kartboard Dash.

    The Premise: The Cubicle is Your Racetrack

    Kartboard Dash is a chaotic, fast-paced arcade kart racer that takes place entirely within the confines of a sprawling, highly detailed corporate office. The tracks weave through cluttered desks, dangerous breakrooms, treacherous copy machine corridors, and the dreaded executive boardroom.

    You play as various stressed-out office archetypes—from the overworked intern to the power-tripping middle manager—all racing for the ultimate prize: getting your weekend PTO approved.

    The Arsenal: Desktop Warfare

    What sets Kartboard Dash apart from your standard kart racer is its brilliant, hilarious weaponry. Forget red shells and banana peels; this game turns standard-issue stationery into tools of absolute destruction.

    • The Stapler Shotgun: Blast a spread of heavy-duty staples to spin out rivals right before the finish line.
    • The Rubber Band Slingshot: Snare the racer ahead of you and slingshot past them using pure kinetic tension.
    • The Hot Coffee Slick: Blind your opponents or make them slide uncontrollably across the polished linoleum floors.
    • The Post-it Note Smoke Screen: Plaster a rival’s screen with neon sticky notes to completely block their view.

    High-Octane Customization

    Half the fun is building your ride. Players start with a basic cardboard Amazon delivery box and can unlock upgrades using “Company Credits” earned during races.

    Want to attach rolling office chair wheels for better drifting? Do it. Want to strap a leaf-blower to the back for a nitrous boost? Go right ahead. You can even customise your driver with ridiculous corporate attire, from coffee-stained ties to full business-casual armour.

    Why It’s on Our Radar

    Aside from the relatable and funny concept, the game features incredibly tight drifting mechanics, satisfying physics, and an absolute banger of a lo-fi/synth-wave soundtrack that mimics elevator music on steroids.

    With both 4-player local split-screen and online multiplayer, Kartboard Dash is shaping up to be the perfect party game to play with your actual coworkers after hours. Just try not to take the grudges back to the real office on Monday.

    Final Verdict (For Now)

    Kartboard Dash takes the mundane dread of a 9-to-5 and injects it with pure, unadulterated adrenaline. It’s colourful, frantic, and wonderfully petty. Keep your eyes peeled on Steam and consoles for this one—it’s time to clock in and freak out.

    Are you ready to turn your cubicle into a crash course? Let us know in the comments which office supply you’d use as a weapon!

    Find out more here

    #GamingNews #Zatun #KartboardDash #IndieGames #KartRacer #TechMash #OfficeHumor #GamingCommunity #PCGaming #ConsoleGaming

  • Do a Barrel Roll! Tetris 99 55th MAXIMUS CUP Takes Flight with Star Fox Cross-Over

    Do a Barrel Roll! Tetris 99 55th MAXIMUS CUP Takes Flight with Star Fox Cross-Over

    If you thought the battle royale chaos of Tetris 99 couldn’t get any more intense, it’s time to check your radar. Nintendo has officially dropped the gameplay trailer for the Tetris® 99 – 55th MAXIMUS CUP, and this time, the iconic puzzle arena is crossing streams with the legendary Star Fox franchise!

    The latest trailer gives us a hyper-focused look at the high-stakes world of competitive puzzling, proving that survival in the arena requires both the reflexes of an elite pilot and the cold calculation of a tactical mastermind.

    Check out everything you need to know about the upcoming event below.

    The 55th MAXIMUS CUP Gameplay Trailer Breakdown

    The new trailer highlights the brutal, fast-paced momentum management that defines Tetris 99 at a competitive level. Visually, the event features striking, bright Tetrimino colours biting into a darker, space-themed arena backdrop designed to keep your focus locked in. The sound design completely leans into the crossover, matching line clears, garbage sends, and player eliminations with crisp, classic Star Fox audio cues.

    The core takeaway from the footage is a major emphasis on strategic aggression. It isn’t just about clearing your own board anymore; the trailer demonstrates how top-tier players will need to deliberately target opponents, timing their garbage lines to disrupt rivals and force devastating chain reactions.

    Event Details & How to Unlock the Star Fox Theme

    The goal of the 55th MAXIMUS CUP is simple: play online, survive, and collect points. Once you accumulate 100 event points, you will permanently unlock a custom Star Fox theme featuring exclusive artwork, music, and custom-designed Tetriminos.

    • Start Time: Friday, July 10, 2026, at 12:00 AM PT / 3:00 AM ET / 8:00 AM BST
    • End Time: Monday, July 13, 2026, at 11:59 PM PT (July 14 at 2:59 AM ET)
    • Requirement: An active Nintendo Switch Online membership and an internet connection.

    TechMash Tip: You don’t need to be a esports pro to get the reward! Points are awarded based on your final placement in each match. While a victory royale will net you the theme immediately, simply consistently participating over the weekend will steadily push your point total to 100.

    Whether you are a seasoned Tetris 99 veteran or a Star Fox fan looking to expand your collection of crossover designs, this weekend’s cup promises to be a disciplined test of precision, sequencing, and adaptability under pressure. Fire up your Switch, clear your queue, and get ready to defend the Lylat System… one block at a time.

    What do you think of the new Star Fox crossover theme? Let us know your high scores in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #Tetris99 #MaximusCup #StarFox #NintendoSwitch #GamingNews #NintendoSwitchOnline #Tetris #RetroGaming #TechMash

  • No Jump-Scares, Just Pure Dread: ReinerTheGod Games Unveils ‘JAWED’

    No Jump-Scares, Just Pure Dread: ReinerTheGod Games Unveils ‘JAWED’

    Indie horror fans, brace yourselves. If you’ve been craving a horror experience that opts for deep, psychological discomfort over cheap, loud jump-scares, solo developer ReinerTheGod Games has just answered your prayers. Following the eerie footprints of The Protagonist and Lost in Voice, the studio has officially announced its next narrative-driven nightmare: JAWED.

    And trust us, this one sounds like it’s going to stick with you long after the credits roll.

    Muzzled by Grief and Silence

    JAWED drops players into the fragmented, agonising world of Adam, a man who has been living a life of silent torture ever since his fiancée, Vivian, vanished. Symbolising his trauma, Adam literally wakes up with a steel muzzle clamped to his face, trapped in a self-imposed apartment prison.

    When sudden evidence emerges that Vivian might still be alive, Adam is forced to venture into the abyss to find her. But this isn’t just a simple rescue mission—it’s a confrontation with grief, a broken relationship, and the heavy things we choose to leave unsaid.

    Check out the official teaser trailer below to catch a glimpse of the heavy atmosphere:

    Heavy ‘Silent Hill’ Inspiration

    Built in Unreal Engine 5, JAWED relies on slow-burning, oppressive dread. The developer has explicitly noted that the game’s tone draws heavy inspiration from the legendary storytelling styles of Silent Hill 2 and Silent Hill 4.

    Instead of throwing monsters in your face every five seconds, JAWED relies on a chilling gameplay loop and impeccable sound design:

    • The Rotting Truth: Vivian’s trail unfolds through a series of old VHS tapes. As Adam gets closer to the truth, the recordings become more degraded and rotted, mirroring his unravelling psyche.
    • Unnervingly Immersive Audio: Every thump, creak, and pulsating musical note has been handcrafted to build tension. But as the developer warns, the only thing worse than the sounds is the silence.
    • A Story of Trauma: This is a narrative-driven experience structured across a prologue, six distinct chapters, and an epilogue, heavy on environmental storytelling, journals, and notes.

    When Can You Play It?

    JAWED is currently slated for a November 2026 release on PC. With its focus on emotional distress, psychological dread, and atmospheric exploration, it’s shaping up to be a mandatory playthrough for hardcore survival horror enthusiasts.

    You can already head over to Steam to check out the official page and add it to your wishlist!

    Are you ready to face the silence? Let us know your thoughts on the trailer in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #JAWED #HorrorGames #IndieDev #PsychologicalHorror #GamingNews #ReinerTheGodGames #SilentHillVibes #PCGaming #SteamGames #UnrealEngine5

  • Míster Jagger’s Surreal Horror-Comedy OH DEMON! Fix My TV Is Coming to PS5

    Míster Jagger’s Surreal Horror-Comedy OH DEMON! Fix My TV Is Coming to PS5

    It’s time to prepare your eyes, your minds, and your television sets. Selecta Play has officially announced that it will be publishing OH DEMON! Fix My TV—the bizarre, viral hit from legendary Spanish content creator, streamer, and internet phenomenon Míster Jagger—on PlayStation 5 later this year!

    Following its wildly discussed, surreal debut on PC earlier this year, console players are finally getting their chance to experience one of the most uniquely unhinged indie games of 2026.

    What on Earth is OH DEMON! Fix My TV?

    If you are familiar with Míster Jagger’s internet presence, you already know to expect the unexpected. Developed alongside Melt, the game takes a completely mundane household chore and spirals it into absolute, supernatural chaos.

    The premise is delightfully absurd: an elderly woman named Encarnita has a broken television set. Naturally, instead of calling a repairman, she decides to summon a demon from the underworld (you) to fix it.

    What follows is a first-person adventure that seamlessly blends genuine psychological horror with unpredictable, laugh-out-loud comedy. As you try to fix Encarnita’s TV, you are thrust into dream-logic puzzles, impossible shifting geometry, and terrifying chase sequences involving entities from beyond.

    Key Gameplay Features:

    • The Gaze Mechanic: A standout feature where your literal gaze alters the environment around you—turning on lights, uncovering hidden clues, and revealing secret passages.
    • Absurdist Horror-Comedy: A tonal rollercoaster that switches from creepy, tense atmospheres to surreal, laugh-out-loud comedy in the blink of an eye.
    • Immersive Audio & Soundtrack: A highly atmospheric soundscape specifically designed to ramp up the tension during the game’s more chaotic segments.

    Physical and Exclusive Collector’s Editions Confirmed!

    Selecta Play isn’t just dropping this on the PlayStation Store digitally; they are going all out for fans of physical media.

    OH DEMON! Fix My TV will be getting a physical Standard Edition, as well as a highly anticipated Collector’s Edition. This premium version will be exclusive to GAME and is being designed specifically as an “auteur piece” for hardcore fans of Míster Jagger’s distinctive creative universe.

    The Verdict: If you’re tired of the same old cookie-cutter horror tropes and want an indie title that takes massive creative risks, this is your next obsession. It’s strange, it’s grotesque, and it’s deeply memorable.

    Stay tuned to TechMash for the official release date drop as soon as Selecta Play locks it in!

    Are you ready to fix Encarnita’s TV, or are you too scared of what’s lurking behind the screen? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #OhDemonFixMyTV #MisterJagger #PS5 #SelectaPlay #IndieGames #GamingNews #HorrorComedy #PlayStation5 #TechMash

  • Your Music, Your Mayhem: Beat Hazard Arcade Brings Bullet-Hell to Mobile Today!

    Your Music, Your Mayhem: Beat Hazard Arcade Brings Bullet-Hell to Mobile Today!

    Get ready to melt your screen and blow your speakers. The legendary, music-reactive shmup that turned our PC monitors into strobe-lit battlefields has finally shrunk down to fit right in your pocket.

    Beat Hazard Arcade is out today, and it is completely free to play on both iOS and Android.

    If you’ve ever wanted to know what your favourite heavy metal track, techno anthem, or—dare we say it—pop ballad looks like as a terrifying boss fight, now is your chance.

    Sync Your Sound, Dodge the Storm

    Unlike traditional shooters that rely on pre-programmed levels, Beat Hazard Arcade uses a brilliant, live audio engine that actively “listens” to your tracks. It takes the music you already own and translates it directly into gameplay in real time.

    Here is how your playlist alters the battlefield:

    • The Firepower: The louder and more intense the track, the more devastating your firepower becomes.
    • The Enemy Waves: The rhythm and tempo dictate how fast and furious the alien ships spawn.
    • The Bosses: High-energy drops and choruses trigger massive, screen-filling boss encounters.
    • The Visuals: The entire game doubles as a glorious, pulsating light show synced perfectly to the beat.

    Warning: You might want to turn your screen brightness down a notch before firing up that EDM playlist. It gets wonderfully chaotic.

    Arcade Action on the Go

    Whether you want to survive a quick 3-minute punk rock track while waiting for the bus or endure a gruelling 10-minute progressive rock odyssey, Beat Hazard Arcade turns your personal music library into an infinite supply of unique levels.

    Lock and load your favourite tunes, download it from the App Store or Google Play today, and let us know in the comments: What’s the first track you’re going to try and survive?

    Find out more here

    #BeatHazard #MobileGaming #iOSGaming #AndroidGames #BulletHell #Shmup #MusicReactive #TechMash #GamingNews

  • JanduSoft Welcomes Carlos Azuaga for 1980s Slasher Horror ‘Yellowcreek Stories: The Cabin Watcher’

    JanduSoft Welcomes Carlos Azuaga for 1980s Slasher Horror ‘Yellowcreek Stories: The Cabin Watcher’

    If you grew up renting dusty VHS tapes of classic 1980s slasher films or spent your weekends hiding behind a blanket during Friday the 13th, you’ll want to pay close attention.

    Indie publisher JanduSoft has officially announced an exciting new partnership, expanding their family by teaming up with talented Spanish solo developer Carlos Azuaga. Together, they are diving headfirst into the dark world of retro survival horror.

    Their first collaborative project? A tense, atmospheric nightmare titled Yellowcreek Stories: The Cabin Watcher.

    The Retro Terror Begins This August

    Mark your calendars for August 6, 2026. That is when Yellowcreek Stories: The Cabin Watcher officially launches across a massive range of platforms, including Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

    The game acts as the brutal first entry in a planned horror anthology series, heavily inspired by the golden era of teenage-slashing cinema.

    Can You Survive the Night?

    Set during a stormy night in a remote mountain cabin, The Cabin Watcher sets up a classic, terrifying premise: Someone is watching you. A masked killer is actively stalking the area, and they aren’t just following a pre-set path. This first-person stealth horror game features a killer that reacts directly to your behaviour. To survive this intense 60-to-90-minute experience, players will have to master a few critical mechanics:

    • Noise Management: Every single action matters. Footsteps, opening doors, or clumsy mistakes will immediately draw the killer to your location.
    • Light Control: Your flashlight is your best friend for navigating the dark, but it’s also a beacon for the psychopath hunting you.
    • Movement & Hiding: Sprinting is high-risk. If you are spotted, you’re already behind. It’s a game of careful steps, quick hiding, and keeping your cool under immense pressure.

    With a minimal HUD to maximise immersion, no combat to bail you out, and absolutely no second chances, Yellowcreek Stories promises pure, unadulterated tension without any filler.

    A Match Made in Horror Heaven

    JanduSoft has expressed massive thrills over welcoming Carlos Azuaga to the publisher’s lineup. For indie horror fans, a solo-developed project backed by an experienced publisher like JanduSoft means we can expect a polished, deeply passionate tribute to the genre.

    “Remember those horror movies you used to rent on VHS? Now it’s your turn to survive one.”

    Get ready to live your own 80s horror movie when Yellowcreek Stories: The Cabin Watcher drops on PC and current-gen consoles this August!

    Are you ready to face the Cabin Watcher? Let us know in the comments below which platform you’ll be playing on!

    Find out more here

    #TechMash #YellowcreekStories #TheCabinWatcher #JanduSoft #CarlosAzuaga #IndieHorror #SlasherHorror #80sHorror #GamingNews #PS5 #XboxSeriesX #SteamGames #SurvivalHorror

  • Drive, Automate & Detonate: Space Engineers 2 Drops Massive VS2.3 Alpha Update

    Drive, Automate & Detonate: Space Engineers 2 Drops Massive VS2.3 Alpha Update

    If you’ve been tracking the evolution of the Space Engineers 2 Alpha, it’s time to strap back into your cockpit. Keen Software House has officially deployed its latest milestone update, VS2.3: “Drive, Automate & Detonate.” Living up to its explosive name, this update injects a massive dose of mechanical freedom, advanced automation, expanded planetary warfare, and gruelling survival overhauls into the VRAGE3-powered sandbox.

    Here is everything you need to know about how VS2.3 is changing the engineering landscape.

    Drive: The Mechanical Toolkit is Complete

    For ground-pounders and planet explorers, the days of being restricted to thruster-based movement are over. VS2.3 introduces Wheel blocks, allowing players to engineer everything from nimble scout rovers to towering, resource-hauling mobile bases and trailers.

    To complement the existing pistons and rotors, Keen has finally introduced Hinges. This completes the core mechanical toolkit, giving you the power to craft intricate cargo ramps, variable-sweep wings, and complex robotic arms. Even better, newly introduced limits for rotors and pistons make these moving subgrids far easier to tune and control without triggering accidental, physics-defying catastrophes.

    Automate: Complex Grids Without the Coding

    If you love building self-sustaining industrial loops or reactive defence grids, the automation overhaul in VS2.3 is a game-changer. The update adds three core components to your terminal:

    • The Event Controller: A powerful block capable of tracking real-time grid parameters—such as speed, altitude, power levels, inventory capacity, and weapon ammo—and triggering specific actions based on those conditions.
    • Timer Blocks: Designed to queue up and sequence automated actions, either instantly or after custom-defined delays.
    • Sensors: Allowing your ships and stations to seamlessly detect approaching physical objects, players, or threats.

    Whether you want hangar doors that automatically close when your ship leaves, or emergency batteries that kick in when primary power drops below 10%, you can now build deeply logic-driven grids entirely through the game’s native blocks.

    Detonate: Combat and Total Destruction

    Space and planetary warfare just got significantly more lethal. Keen Software House has added Warheads (in both small and large grid formats), which can be detonated manually or triggered via your new automation systems.

    Furthermore, combat realism has taken a major leap forward:

    • Chain Reactions: Damaged O2/H2 tanks, active reactors, and packed ammo containers will now violently explode if compromised.
    • Heavy Payload Defences: New automated Rocket Turrets and rapid-fire Rocket Launchers have arrived to protect your territory.
    • Character Combat: If you prefer boots-on-the-ground skirmishes, character weapons now feature proper iron sights, complete with projectile impact decals and manual turret controls.

    Survival Reworks and Environmental Threats

    Surviving on the planets of the Almagest System is no longer a walk in the park. VS2.3 introduces a dedicated Classic Survival Start, dialling up the challenge to mimic a traditional, harsher survival loop. This brings voxel-based resource yields from terrain, restrictive backpack building limits, adjusted ore distribution, and rebalanced crafting recipes.

    Adding to the planetary pressure is the introduction of Wind Physics. Atmospheric weather events, like sandstorms, are no longer purely cosmetic. Strong winds will physically push airborne characters, loose debris, floating objects, and dynamic grids. To help you harness this chaos, the update adds Wind Turbines, allowing you to generate scalable green energy based entirely on local wind speeds.

    Behind the Scenes: Optimisation & What’s Next

    Alongside 46 brand-new building blocks and the exclusive Pioneer Suit for Pioneer Edition owners, Keen has delivered substantial engine optimisations under the hood. Vegetation culling, shadow rendering, and voxel processing have all been upgraded to keep performance smooth, even in dense forests or during chaotic, high-fracture explosions.

    For those tracking the long-term Space Engineers 2 Roadmap, Keen also dropped an exciting development update: the team is prioritising Co-op Multiplayer & NPCs (VS4) ahead of the highly anticipated Water Update (VS3), aiming for a release window around November/December 2026.

    The Verdict

    The “Drive, Automate & Detonate” update successfully bridges the gap between raw creativity and practical survival. With robust physics, deep automation logic, and high-stakes combat, the Space Engineers 2 Alpha is quickly shaping up to be a worthy, next-generation successor to the original masterpiece.

    Space Engineers 2 is currently available in Playable Alpha on Steam.

    Find out more here

    #SpaceEngineers2 #KeenSoftwareHouse #GamingNews #SciFiGaming #SandboxGames #PCGaming #SpaceEngineers #IndieDev #TechMash

  • The 1996 Retro Illusion That’s Capturing the Indie Scene

    The 1996 Retro Illusion That’s Capturing the Indie Scene

    At first glance, Sparky Rush: Purrils in Pawsville! Looks like just another childhood game from 1996. You boot it up expecting the familiar, comforting warmth of a classic 16-bit or early 32-bit era platformer. You play as Sparky, a bright-eyed, heroic dog on a seemingly wholesome mission to save his kidnapped friends from the clutches of mischievous felines.

    The vibrant pixel art, the bouncy chiptune soundtrack, and the simple “jump-and-collect” mechanics immediately trigger a wave of pure Saturday-morning-cartoon nostalgia.

    But don’t let the bright colours and wagging tails fool you. As you dig deeper into Pawsville, you’ll quickly realise that Sparky Rush is masking something much more brilliant, challenging, and modern beneath its retro hood.

    A Nostalgia Trip with a Modern Twist

    What starts as a straightforward rescue mission rapidly evolves. The developers have masterfully used the “90s mascot platformer” aesthetic as a canvas for subverting player expectations.

    While the controls feel as tight and responsive as the best games of the era, the level design introduces clever, mind-bending puzzles and modern physics mechanics that simply wouldn’t have been possible on a 1996 console. The “Purrils” you are fighting against aren’t just simple AI enemies with basic patrol patterns; they employ clever tactics that will force you to rethink your approach to every stage.

    Why It’s Worth Your Time

    • Deceptive Depth: The narrative and world-building take unexpected turns. What starts as a simple “save your friends” plot drops subtle clues and lore that hint at a much larger, surprisingly engaging world.
    • Pixel-Perfect Execution: The art style isn’t just a cheap retro filter. It features gorgeous, fluid animations and a dynamic lighting system that breathes life into Pawsville.
    • The “Just One More Try” Factor: The difficulty curve is perfectly tuned. It respects the challenging nature of 90s gaming without the frustrating, unfair lives-system limitations of the past.

    Sparky Rush: Purrils in Pawsville! is a brilliant love letter to the golden age of gaming, wrapped in modern sophistication. Whether you’re a retro enthusiast looking to recapture the magic of 1996 or a modern gamer looking for a tight, inventive platformer, Sparky’s adventure is absolutely worth the download.

    Have you explored the secrets of Pawsville yet? Let us know your thoughts on this deceptive retro gem in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #SparkyRush #PurrilsInPawsville #IndieGames #RetroGaming #GamingNostalgia #Platformer #TechMash #PCGaming #ConsoleGaming

  • Command Three, Survive Thousands: Luminas: Parasite Reign Hits Steam Early Access This July!

    Command Three, Survive Thousands: Luminas: Parasite Reign Hits Steam Early Access This July!

    The indie roguelite scene is about to get a massive dose of magical chaos. Athens-based developer SOTO Game Studio has officially announced that its highly anticipated debut title, Luminas: Parasite Reign, will launch into Steam Early Access on July 24th, 2026.

    If you’ve been craving a fresh spin on the “bullet heaven” horde-survivor genre, this voxel-art adventure is definitely one to add to your wishlist.

    When Vampire Survivors Meets Pokémon Strategy

    While the market has seen plenty of single-character auto-shooters recently, Luminas: Parasite Reign shakes up the formula by throwing party-based tactical squad building into the mix. Instead of controlling a solitary lone wolf, you’ll lead a team of up to three supernatural, magical creatures—known as Luminas—simultaneously.

    Your mission? Defend the vibrant, voxel world of Solaris Land from an onslaught of corrupting, monstrous parasites.

    Key Features Landing in Early Access:

    • Build Your Dream Team: Choose from 8 distinct Luminas at launch (including adorable powerhouses like Pyropeep the dragon and Shelly the turtle).
    • Synergy & Combos: With 64 unique elemental spells and over 90 items of treasure to equip, you can craft specific archetypes—from glass-cannon DPS squads to tanky, unkillable support builds. Certain Lumina pairs can even combine their abilities to unleash secret, devastating combo attacks.
    • Deep Meta-Progression: Each creature features its own dedicated skill tree, allowing you to fine-tune your playstyle between runs.
    • Control the Corruption: The Early Access launch features 3 distinct biomes and 8 unique bosses. Once you master the basics, you can jack up the “Corruption” levels to alter gameplay rules, expand enemy rosters, shift camera perspectives, and push your skills to the absolute limit.

    “We’re a small team of three friends working at an independent digital agency in Greece… Born from a mix of curiosity, late-night design talks, and a shared love for roguelites.” > — SOTO Game Studio

    Steam Deck Ready on Day One

    Great news for handheld gamers: SOTO Game Studio has confirmed that Luminas: Parasite Reign is already fully optimised for the Steam Deck. Handheld playtesters have reported a locked, buttery-smooth 90 FPS with perfectly scaled UI text.

    The developer notes that player feedback during the Early Access phase will actively shape the road map—directly influencing future modes, maps, new Luminas, and boss mechanics.

    Mark your calendars for July 24th, head over to Steam, and get Luminas: Parasite Reign wishlisted today!

    Find out more here

    #LuminasParasiteReign #SOTOGameStudio #IndieGames #SteamEarlyAccess #Roguelite #BulletHeaven #HordeSurvivor #GamingNews #PCGaming #SteamDeck

  • The Entity Demands Metal: Ice Nine Kills Enter the Fog with ‘Play Dead’ Crossover

    The Entity Demands Metal: Ice Nine Kills Enter the Fog with ‘Play Dead’ Crossover

    Horror-metal titans Ice Nine Kills (INK) have officially entered the Fog. In a massive cross-media collision, the band has unleashed “Play Dead,” a ferocious new single and accompanying music video created in direct collaboration with Dead by Daylight, the world’s leading multiplayer horror game.

    Written specifically to celebrate Dead by Daylight’s milestone 10th Anniversary, the track merges two massive, genre-obsessed universes built entirely on suspense, survival, and the thrill of the kill.

    Check out everything you need to know about this brutal new crossover.

    A Collision of Hooks and Horror

    To ensure the track stayed authentically tethered to the game’s spine-chilling atmosphere, Ice Nine Kills mastermind Spencer Charnas joined forces with longtime Dead by Daylight composer Michel F. April. The result is a chaotic masterclass in metalcore, blending the game’s eerie, immersive energy with INK’s signature theatrical breakdowns and razor-sharp hooks.

    “Ice Nine Kills has always lived somewhere between menace and mischief,” shares Charnas. “’Play Dead,’ our take on Dead by Daylight, is a collision of hooks, horror, and total chaos. As lifelong horror fans, we find it surreal and an absolute honor to have Ice Nine Kills’ music officially tied to Terrifier, Scream, Ready or Not, and now, the iconic survival horror game Dead by Daylight.”

    Watch the Music Video (Featuring Some Very Familiar Faces)

    True to Ice Nine Kills fashion, the cinematic music video doesn’t just deliver on gore—it expands the band’s ongoing lore with an unbelievable roster of guest stars.

    Stepping into the INKverse for this visual nightmare are:

    • Tony Hawk (Skateboarding legend and subculture icon)
    • Devon Sawa (Final Destination, Idle Hands)
    • Krsy Fox (Terrifier 3)
    • The actual Dead by Daylight creative team

    Represent the Band In-Game!

    The collaboration doesn’t stop with headphones and screens. Alongside the single, Behaviour Interactive has launched an official in-game Ice Nine Kills Collection. Fans can now purchase unique DLC to represent the band directly inside the game’s ever-expanding trial grounds. Whether you’re fixing generators or hunting down survivors, you can do it in style.

    The track continues an absolute golden run for the band, following hot on the heels of their first-ever #1 at Active Rock Radio with “Twisting The Knife” (from Scream 7).

    “Play Dead” is available to stream now on all major platforms, and Part 1 of the official music video is live on YouTube. Are you ready to face the Entity? Let us know what you think of the track in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #IceNineKills #DeadByDaylight #PlayDead #INKverse #HorrorGaming #Metalcore #SpencerCharnas #BehaviourInteractive #TechMash

  • From PC to PlayStation and Xbox: Viking Frontiers Brings Open-World Survival to Consoles This Week

    From PC to PlayStation and Xbox: Viking Frontiers Brings Open-World Survival to Consoles This Week

    The long boats are hitting new shores! If you’ve been looking for a reason to unleash your inner Jarl on the big screen, your prayers to Odin have officially been answered.

    Viking Frontiers, the ambitious open-world title that first challenged PC players to conquer the brutal northern wilderness, is finally making its grand debut on next-gen consoles.

    Get your axes ready: the game officially launches on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on July 9.

    What is Viking Frontiers?

    Developed by independent Polish studio BLUM Entertainment (and brought to consoles by Wildlands Interactive), Viking Frontiers isn’t your standard, run-of-the-mill survival game. It is a massive, multi-genre hybrid that brilliantly mashes together:

    • Deep RPG mechanics to build your legacy and skills.
    • Immersive simulation features like hunting, crafting, and enduring harsh weather.
    • Strategic settlement management to expand your village from a few ragged tents into a fortified fortress.

    You take on the role of a leader thrust onto an unknown, unforgiving shore after a series of unfortunate events. The ultimate goal? Ensure the survival, growth, and glory of your newly founded Viking clan.

    Manage, Build, and Raid

    Survival in Viking Frontiers requires a delicate balance of brains and brawn. As the Jarl, you aren’t just fighting off the elements and wild beasts—you are responsible for the actual livelihood of your clansmen. You will need to manage your village’s laws, dictate daily activities, handle resource allocation, and maintain living conditions.

    Whether you decide to prioritise the path of a hunter, a master builder, a pious priest, or a ruthless raider is entirely up to you.

    Survival tip: The northern wilderness is unyielding. Watch the weather, keep your people fed, and remember: survival is the only thing that matters.

    Console Launch Details

    Already a hit for those playing on PC, console gamers can now get in on the action with dedicated optimisations for next-gen hardware.

    • Release Date: July 9
    • Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S (and currently available on PC)
    • File Size: Highly optimised (sitting at a lightweight ~3.7 GB on Xbox Series X|S)

    If you’re ready to guide your people to safety and glory, head over to the PlayStation Store or Xbox Marketplace to grab your copy when it drops this Thursday.

    Are you going to be picking up Viking Frontiers on console this week? Let us know your survival strategy in the comments below!

    Find out more here

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  • Digging Into Danger: Why Subterranean Horror ‘MOLE’ Is Steam’s Latest Overwhelmingly Positive Obsession

    Digging Into Danger: Why Subterranean Horror ‘MOLE’ Is Steam’s Latest Overwhelmingly Positive Obsession

    The indie horror scene has a new champion, and it’s buried miles beneath the Earth’s surface.

    Developed by Off Black Creations and published by Oro Interactive, the claustrophobic psychological horror simulator MOLE launched on Steam to massive critical acclaim. Within just its first two weeks, the title has struck absolute gold, rocketing to a spectacular 97% “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating with more than 1,500 user reviews.

    If you loved the tactile dread of Iron Lung or the narrative mind-bending of Mouthwashing, MOLE is your next mandatory descent into madness.

    What is MOLE?

    Set beneath post-war Slavic soil, MOLE puts you in the boots of the Navigator aboard a monstrous, deep-bore drilling machine. The setup is elegantly terrifying: your crew has entirely vanished, the vessel is dead silent, and a strange, haunting signal keeps broadcasting from the deep.

    Your objective? Keep the colossal machine running at all costs.

    Why is the Steam Community Obsessed?

    Achieving a 97% positive rating on Steam during a launch window is no small feat. Reviewers and players are praising MOLE for its masterclass execution in a few key areas:

    • Incredibly Tactile, Analogue Mechanics: Everything in your drilling “coffin” is manual. You aren’t just clicking menus; you are throwing heavy levers, managing clunky ’00s-style interfaces, slipping cassettes into decks, and typing directly into creepy operating systems. The sheer clunkiness of the machinery amplifies the panic when things inevitably go wrong.
    • Atmosphere Over Cheap Scares: While there are plenty of pulse-pounding moments, MOLE excels at psychological dread. The sound design is phenomenal—every creak of the hull feels like the Earth crushing you to a smear.
    • A Haunting Narrative: As you dig deeper into the crust, you dig into the protagonist’s fractured memories. It’s a short, highly polished, 4-to-5-hour narrative that balances terrifying set pieces with deeply emotional, heart-wrenching trauma.

    The Verdict

    Off Black Creations (a four-person Swedish studio consisting of former AAA developers) promised to challenge expectations with an obsessively polished, weekend-length game as art—and they delivered. Backed by Oro Interactive’s knack for publishing wonderfully bizarre indie gems, MOLE is cementing itself as one of the definitive indie horror hits of the year.

    If you are ready to find out whether the vessel or your mind will break first, MOLE is available now on PC via Steam. Don’t sleep on this one—just make sure to leave a light on.

    Find out more here

    #MOLEGame #IndieHorror #SteamGaming #OffBlackCreations #OroInteractive #PCGaming #GamingNews #PsychologicalHorror #TechMash