TECHMASH

Category: Gaming News

  • Lo-Fi Horror Fans, Rejoice: The New Trailer for ‘Encryptid’ Just Dropped (and Yes, It’s Coming to Game Boy)

    Lo-Fi Horror Fans, Rejoice: The New Trailer for ‘Encryptid’ Just Dropped (and Yes, It’s Coming to Game Boy)

    If you’ve been craving a horror game that feels like a dusty, cursed VHS tape you found in a haunted attic, developer Autumn Knight has got you covered. The creative mind behind the unsettling FMV hit Morph Girl and the brilliantly atmospheric Dark Nights with Poe & Munro has just unleashed the newest trailer for their upcoming psychological horror title, Encryptid.

    And trust us, it is a glorious, glitchy slice of retro dread.

    Nostalgia Meets True Terror

    The latest trailer gives us a deeper look into Encryptid’s eerie, lo-fi aesthetic. Knight has a proven track record of mastering unique storytelling mediums, and this project looks to be their most ambitious genre-blend yet. The atmosphere is thick with analogue paranoia, dripping with the kind of psychological tension that lingers long after you turn the screen off.

    But the biggest talking point? The platforms.

    Encryptid is officially set to release in 2026, and it’s pulling off a brilliant dual-release strategy. It will be launching on:

    • PC (for that crisp, modern indie horror experience)
    • The Original Nintendo Game Boy (because nothing says “creepy” quite like 4-bit green-scale pixels on a handheld screen from 1989)

    Check out the Trailer

    While the trailer leaves plenty of the narrative shrouded in mystery, the sound design alone is enough to give you goosebumps. It perfectly captures that distinct “lost media” vibe that indie horror devs have been perfecting, but with Knight’s signature narrative depth guiding the ship.

    Whether you’re planning to experience the scares on a high-end gaming rig or dust off your old handheld hardware for the ultimate nostalgic fright night, Encryptid is shaping up to be one of 2026’s most unique indie standouts.

    Keep your eyes peeled to TechMash for more updates, release dates, and physical edition news as we get closer to launch!

    Source – https://s.team/a/4242890

    #Encryptid #IndieHorror #GameBoy #RetroGaming #AutumnKnight

  • Unreal Nightmare: Lucid Falls Drops Jaw-Dropping Second Trailer at The MIX Summer Showcase

    Unreal Nightmare: Lucid Falls Drops Jaw-Dropping Second Trailer at The MIX Summer Showcase

    Horror fans, brace yourselves. If you thought your dream journal was weird, Eldamar Studio is about to show you what a true nightmare looks like.

    Today, during The MIX Summer Showcase, the developers officially unleashed the second trailer for their highly anticipated atmospheric horror adventure, Lucid Falls. And if the initial internet chatter is anything to go by, we are in for a visually stunning, utterly terrifying ride.

    Unreal Engine Visuals That Defy Reality

    We first caught a glimpse of Lucid Falls late last year during its debut at the Day of the Devs Game Awards showcase. That initial teaser left everyone floors with its photorealistic, deeply unsettling art direction.

    Today’s brand-new trailer doubles down on those jaw-dropping Unreal Engine visuals. Eldamar Studio is clearly leveraging the engine’s power to create a psychological horror landscape that feels painfully real. The lighting, the shifting shadows, and the grotesque, reality-bending environments look incredibly crisp, delivering a sense of dread that jumps right off the screen.

    What is Lucid Falls? Trapped inside a vivid, lucid dream, players must fight to survive in a surreal world. The game tasks you with navigating impossible spaces, battling horrifying creatures, and solving reality-bending puzzles by literally shifting gravity, space, and time.

    A New Level of Atmospheric Dread

    While the first teaser gave us a taste of the game’s tone, this second trailer gives us a much better look at how Lucid Falls plays with the player’s perception. Gravity flips seamlessly, corridors stretch into infinity, and the creatures lurking in the dark look as if they crawled straight out of a collective night terror.

    Eldamar Studio has made it clear that this isn’t just about jump scares; it’s about the mood. The way the environment moves, reacts, and breathes around the player is central to the experience.

    Check out the breakdown of what to expect:

    • Gravity Manipulation: Change the laws of physics to explore impossible geometry and solve mind-bending puzzles.
    • Visceral Combat: Face off against grotesque, nightmare-born entities.
    • Atmospheric Storytelling: A deeply cinematic narrative where every corner of the dream holds a dark truth.

    There is no definitive release date locked in just yet, but Lucid Falls is currently targeting a PC release. If today’s trailer at The MIX is any indication, this is absolutely one indie horror title you need to keep on your radar.

    Stay tuned to TechMash for more updates from The MIX Summer Showcase and all things indie gaming!

    Source – https://s.team/a/4026510

    #LucidFalls #HorrorGames #IndieDev #UnrealEngine #TheMIX

  • From Holy Water to Toxic Wastelands: Forgive Me Father Devs Reveal New FPS ‘DIOXIDE’

    From Holy Water to Toxic Wastelands: Forgive Me Father Devs Reveal New FPS ‘DIOXIDE’

    Retro shooter fans, breathe it in. Byte Barrel, the brilliant minds behind the critically acclaimed, comic-book-inspired Forgive Me Father series, have just pulled back the curtain on their next project—and it looks wonderfully toxic.

    Revealed during the MIX Summer Showcase, the studio’s brand-new first-person shooter is officially titled DIOXIDE.

    If you’ve played Forgive Me Father, you already know Byte Barrel has a knack for tight gunplay, striking art styles, and an atmosphere you could cut with a knife. While they are trading the Lovecraftian madness and holy water for what promises to be a gritty, high-octane sci-fi thrill ride, their signature adrenaline-fueled DNA is front and centre.

    What We Know So Far

    Details are still emerging from the wasteland, but here is what has the community buzzing:

    • A New Playground: Moving away from gothic horror, DIOXIDE plunges players into a dystopian, atmospheric world where survival means shooting first and asking questions never.
    • The Byte Barrel Pedigree: Expect the same fluid movement, devastating weaponry, and satisfying combat loops that made their previous titles indie hits.
    • Built for PC: The game is being built from the ground up to take full advantage of PC hardware, ensuring fast reflexes are met with buttery-smooth performance.

    “The team at Byte Barrel is thrilled to finally share what we’ve been cooking up. DIOXIDE is a bold new step for us, and we can’t wait for players to see more.”

    Wishlist It Now on Steam!

    While DIOXIDE is currently deep in development, you don’t have to wait to show your support. The game’s official page is live right now.

    Head over to Steam today to add DIOXIDE to your wishlist, stay up to date on development logs, and be the first to know when the playtests drop. Trust us, this is one countdown you won’t want to miss.

    Source – https://s.team/a/4540840

    #DioxideGame #ByteBarrel #IndieDev #FPS #SteamWishlist

  • Out of the Shadows: The Victor Initiative Just Surprise-Dropped Its Full Release!

    Out of the Shadows: The Victor Initiative Just Surprise-Dropped Its Full Release!

    Horror fans, brace yourselves. If you were watching The Horror Game Awards’ Midsummer Night’s Scream Showcase on June 1st expecting just another slate of creepy trailers, you got a massive, terrifying surprise instead.

    Developer Spacepiano Games completely stole the spotlight by announcing—and immediately shadow-dropping—the full version of their highly anticipated psychological horror title, The Victor Initiative.

    No more waiting, no more agonising countdowns. It is live, it is finished, and it is ready to break your brain right now.

    What is The Victor Initiative?

    For the uninitiated, The Victor Initiative has been lurking in the periphery of indie horror watchlists for a while. Developed by the twisted minds at Spacepiano Games, the title plunges players into a claustrophobic, narrative-driven nightmare where corporate experimentation, distorted realities, and psychological tension collide.

    While the early builds teased a deeply unsettling atmosphere, the full release promises:

    • Expanded Lore: Uncover the dark truths behind the “Initiative” with a fully realised storyline.
    • Enhanced Puzzles & Mechanics: Sharper AI, more intricate environmental puzzles, and a dynamic sanity system.
    • Polished Visuals & Audio: A gruelling, immersive soundscape designed to make you look over your shoulder in an empty room.

    Why the Shadow Drop Rules

    In an era of endless marketing campaigns, multi-year delays, and exhaustive alpha tests, there is something incredibly thrilling about a surprise launch. Spacepiano Games pulled off the ultimate “mic drop” moment of the Midsummer Night’s Scream Showcase.

    Instead of leaving fans to dissect a two-minute cinematic trailer for the next six months, they handed over the keys to the asylum right then and there. It’s a bold move that speaks volumes about the team’s confidence in the final product.

    The Verdict? If you love slow-burn dread, corporate dystopia, and games that refuse to hold your hand through the dark, this is your next obsession.

    The Victor Initiative is available to stream and play right now. Turn off the lights, put on your best headset, and see if you can survive the initiative.

    Source – https://s.team/a/3285960

    #HorrorGaming #TheVictorInitiative #SpacepianoGames #IndieGames #MidsummerNightsScream

  • From Dread Delusion to Demonic Incursion: DreadXP Shadowdrops Demo for Gritty New RPG ‘Entropy’

    From Dread Delusion to Demonic Incursion: DreadXP Shadowdrops Demo for Gritty New RPG ‘Entropy’

    The masters of low-poly surrealism are back to ruin your sleep schedule, and this time, they’ve brought friends.

    The world-crafting mavens at developer Lovely Hellplace (the brilliant minds behind the critically acclaimed Dread Delusion) have teamed up yet again with the horror-slingers at publisher DreadXP. Without warning, the duo shadowdropped a free Steam demo for their upcoming dark fantasy RPG, Entropy.

    If that surprise drop wasn’t enough to get your blood pumping, they’ve also revealed that we won’t have to wait long for the full nightmare: Entropy is officially slashing its way into Steam Early Access on August 18, 2026.

    Welcome to Draenog: A Dying World

    Forget flashy, world-ending meteors or sudden nuclear strikes. The post-apocalyptic setting of Entropy is far more depressing and insidious. In this dying age, humanity is simply fading out due to the cruel march of time and an inexplicable global infertility. The remaining pockets of civilisation are squalid, medieval, and ruled by ruthless tyrants.

    The game kicks off in a town called Draenog, where your character is in the middle of putting on a theatre performance. Naturally, because this is a Lovely Hellplace game, the play is abruptly interrupted by demons crashing the gates. Armed with nothing but a wooden prop sword, you have to gather your acting troupe and fight for your lives.

    “Target enemy limbs, severing and weakening your foes in Entropy’s engrossing tactical turn-based combat… feel free to get creative.”

    Classic JRPG Strategy Meets PSX-Style Horror

    While Dread Delusion won hearts with its first-person exploration, Entropy pivots into a tactical, turn-based RPG inspired by classic JRPGs. It weaves its dark fantasy narrative through a beautifully nostalgic, low-poly PSX aesthetic.

    Key Features to Expect:

    • Tactical Turn-Based Combat: Command a party of up to six characters. Use strategy to target and sever specific enemy limbs to weaken your foes.
    • Disposable Allies: You’ll hire mercenaries to fill out your squad. They are highly expendable—if they fall in battle, just use your hard-earned treasure to hire fresh meat.
    • An Expansive Retro World: Travel across an expansive world map, explore towns filled with colourful (and deeply troubled) characters, and hunt for hidden treasures.
    • Deep Progression: Level up your party, customise stats, unlock new perks, and gear up with powerful magic and weaponry.

    Play the Demo Today!

    The surprise Steam demo gives players a unique sneak peek into the opening hours of the game. To keep things fast and fun, the developers have tweaked the demo’s balancing to give players streamlined access to stronger weapons and magic that you’d normally only unlock later in the journey.

    If you loved the vibrant, unsettling atmosphere of Dread Delusion and want to see how that signature style translates into a gritty, tactical JRPG wrapper, head over to Steam and download the Entropy demo right now.

    Entropy launches into Steam Early Access on August 18, 2026.

    Source – https://s.team/a/3940340

    #EntropyGame #DreadXP #LovelyHellplace #IndieHorror #RPG

  • Sparks Will Fly: Gravity Circuit 2 Officially Revealed for 2027!

    Sparks Will Fly: Gravity Circuit 2 Officially Revealed for 2027!

    The blue streak is back, and the circuits are already buzzing.

    In news that has sent a jolt of pure adrenaline straight through the indie gaming community, developer Domesticated Ant Games and publisher Dear Villagers have officially announced Gravity Circuit 2!

    The sequel to the absolute gem of a 2D action-platformer is officially locked, loaded, and scheduled to blast its way onto screens in 2027.

    Powering Up for a New Generation

    If you played the original Gravity Circuit, you already know why this is a massive deal. It wasn’t just a game; it was a love letter to the golden era of 8-bit and 16-bit action platformers (looking at you, Mega Man Zero), infused with modern fluid mechanics, satisfying hook-shot grappling, and a killer chiptune soundtrack.

    While the developers are keeping the deepest secrets of the sequel under wraps for now, the partnership between Domesticated Ant Games and Dear Villagers promises to elevate everything we loved about the first game. Expect tighter controls, wilder boss fights, and new ways to channel your inner robotic martial arts master.

    Where and When Can You Play?

    Thankfully, no one is getting left behind in the scrap heap. Gravity Circuit 2 is launching on almost every major platform.

    Here is where you’ll be able to grab it when 2027 rolls around:

    • PC (via Steam and the Epic Games Store)
    • PlayStation 5
    • Nintendo Switch

    Whether you prefer ultra-smooth framerates at your desk or tearing through rogue robots while on the bus with your Switch, you’re covered.

    The Verdict: The first Gravity Circuit was a masterclass in nostalgic momentum. If the sequel delivers even half of the style, speed, and satisfying combat of the original, 2027 is going to be a phenomenal year for action-platformer fans.

    Keep your eyes locked on TechMash for more updates, trailers, and breakdown analysis as we get closer to the launch. Time to start stretching those gaming thumbs!

    Source – https://s.team/a/3447460

    #GravityCircuit2 #IndieGames #GamingNews #SciFi #DearVillagers

  • Shred Till You Dead: ChainStaff Just Got a Brutal, Free ‘Hard Mode’ Update!

    Shred Till You Dead: ChainStaff Just Got a Brutal, Free ‘Hard Mode’ Update!

    Heavy metal heads and platformer purists, grab your cyber-weapons and brace yourselves. If you thought navigating the visceral, pixelated landscapes of ChainStaff was already a test of your reflexes, Mommy’s Best Games just said, “Hold my energy drink.” The indie dev studio has officially launched a free Hard Mode update, and it is live right now across Steam, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One.

    If you’ve already conquered the base game and think you’re a certified badass, it’s time to prove it all over again.

    What is ChainStaff? (For the Uninitiated)

    For those who haven’t yet dipped their toes into this glorious, blood-soaked tribute to retro gaming, ChainStaff is a brutal, heavy metal-inspired action platformer. You wield the titular ChainStaff—a versatile weapon that lets you grapple, swing, and tear through biomechanical monstrosities with satisfying, high-octane precision. Accompanied by a face-melting soundtrack, it’s a love letter to the challenging arcade sidescrollers of yesteryear.

    What’s Waiting for You in Hard Mode?

    Mommy’s Best Games isn’t just tweaking a few health bars and calling it a day. The free Hard Mode update remixes the experience to push your platforming skills to the absolute limit. Expect:

    • Aggressive Enemy AI: Monsters are faster, smarter, and hungrier for your demise.
    • Tighter Platforming Windows: Your grappling and swinging timing needs to be pixel-perfect.
    • Brutal Boss Encounters: The game’s towering bosses have new tricks up their sleeves to shut down your old strategy guides.

    Gear Up and Get Ready

    Whether you’re playing on the couch with your Xbox or PlayStation, taking the carnage on the go with the Switch, or aiming for peak performance on PC via Steam, the update won’t cost you a single penny.

    Ready to see what you’re up against? Check out the spine-chilling adrenaline rush of the official trailer, head over to the official site for the full patch notes, or scope out the press kit for a deeper look at the gore-gorgeous art style.

    Turn the volume up to eleven, download the update, and prepare to die. A lot.

    Source – https://s.team/a/2976260

    #ChainStaff #MommysBestGames #HeavyMetalGaming #IndieGames #GamingNews

  • Striking from the Shadows: The Creative Genius Behind the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Key Art

    Striking from the Shadows: The Creative Genius Behind the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Key Art

    Every legendary gaming saga needs an image that defines it. For Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, that image doesn’t just capture a moment—it sets the tone for a new era of global conflict. Long before players load into the campaign or drop into multiplayer, the key art is what sparks the imagination.

    But how does a concept sketch transform into the definitive face of a blockbuster franchise? We are going behind the scenes to look at the creative powerhouse driving the visual identity of Modern Warfare 4.

    Phase 1: Capturing the Narrative Core

    The journey began with a simple question: What is the emotional heartbeat of MW4? The creative directors wanted to pivot away from generic “soldier holding a gun” tropes. Instead, they focused on the psychological toll of modern proxy wars—isolation, tactical precision, and the blurred lines of the battlefield. Early mood boards didn’t feature weapons; they featured harsh contrast, smoke-choked horizons, and the piercing stare of iconic operators piercing through night-vision green.

    Phase 2: The Practical Photoshoot

    A surprising amount of what you see in the final key art isn’t digital painting—it’s real.

    The studio organised an intensive, multi-day practical photoshoot using real-world military gear, advanced tactical rigs, and live models. To capture the authentic drapery of combat uniforms and the realistic reflection of light on visor glass, the team utilised a high-tech photogrammetry rig featuring over 150 DSLR cameras. This allowed the 3D artists to capture high-fidelity textures from every conceivable angle.

    Phase 3: Composition and The “Golden Triangle”

    If you look closely at the finalised key art, the composition is a masterclass in visual storytelling.

    • The Focal Point: The main operator forms the apex of a strict triangular composition, drawing the eye immediately to the facial expression and the subtle wear-and-tear on the helmet.
    • The Lighting Shift: The colour palette deliberately splits the frame. The left side is dominated by the cold, sterile blue of cyber-warfare and high-tech command centres, while the right side bleeds into the warm, chaotic amber of active thermite and battlefield embers.

    Phase 4: The Final Polish

    The final stage involved hundreds of hours of digital painting, compositing, and atmospheric effects. Particle effects like floating ash, lens flares from distant explosions, and the signature holographic UI elements were layered in to give the image a sense of motion. The goal was to make the viewer feel as though they caught a single, high-stakes frame of a live-action thriller.

    The result is an instantly iconic piece of art that promises a grittier, deeper, and more calculated Modern Warfare than ever before.

    Source – https://www.callofduty.com/uk/en

    #ModernWarfare4 #CallOfDuty #GamingNews #BehindTheScenes #ConceptArt

  • The Infinite Dash: Why ‘Fortnite Runners’ Are the New Meta of Creative Mode

    The Infinite Dash: Why ‘Fortnite Runners’ Are the New Meta of Creative Mode

    If you still think Fortnite is just about dodging sniper fire and building five-story hotels in three seconds flat, you’re missing out on a massive subculture. Away from the chaos of Battle Royale, a quieter—but infinitely more stressful—revolution has taken over: Fortnite Runners.

    Whether you call them Deathruns, Speedruns, or Parkour maps, these community-created gauntlets have transformed Epic Games’ shooter into a precision platformer that rivals Super Meat Boy and Mirror’s Edge.

    Here is why Fortnite Runners are dominating the creative space and why you should jump into the loop.

    From Battle Royale to Precision Platforming

    The birth of Fortnite Runners can be traced back to the launch of Creative Mode and, more recently, the powerhouse upgrade to Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN). Armed with developer-grade tools, creators stopped building simple shooting arenas and started engineering intricate, physics-defying obstacle courses.

    In a typical Runner map, your weapons are stripped away. Your only tools are impulse grenades, bouncers, ice feet, and your own mastery of Fortnite’s movement mechanics. The goal? Get from Point A to Point B without falling into a pit of spikes, dissolving in lava, or smashing your keyboard in frustration.

    Why They Are Addictive

    • The “Just One More Try” Loop: Instant respawns mean death isn’t a punishment; it’s a learning experience.
    • Mechanical Mastery: They force you to master mechanics you rarely use in Battle Royale, like mantling timing, slide-cancelling, and momentum preservation.
    • Visual Variety: Thanks to UEFN, runner maps aren’t just grey grid pieces anymore. You can run through cyberpunk neon cityscapes, ancient Egyptian tombs, or surreal dream worlds.

    The Sub-Genres of Fortnite Running

    Not all runners are created equal. The community has branched out into several distinct styles depending on how much punishment you’re looking to endure:

    Runner StyleWhat to ExpectBest For
    Classic DeathrunTrial-and-error traps, invisible barriers, and bait chests.Patient players who love puzzles.
    Speedruns / ParkourFluid, momentum-based tracks focused on smooth mantling and sliding.Adrenaline junkies and time-trial competitors.
    Default-FriendlyGentle learning curves with generous checkpoints.Casual players looking for a warm-up.
    Hardcore / “Only Up” StyleMassive, vertical climbs with zero checkpoints. One fall sends you to the bottom.Gamers with nerves of steel (and spare controllers).

    The Content Creator Catalyst

    Why are these maps pulling millions of players away from the standard battle bus? You can thank the streaming community.

    Fortnite Runners are pure gold for creators on TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch. Watching a high-profile streamer smoothly breeze through a seemingly impossible level—or conversely, lose their absolute mind failing the same jump 50 times—makes for incredibly compelling viewing.

    It has created a symbiotic ecosystem: creators build insanely difficult maps, streamers popularise them, and millions of players log in to see if they can beat the streamer’s time.

    How to Get Started

    Ready to test your reflexes? Getting into Fortnite Runners is incredibly simple.

    1. Launch Fortnite and navigate to the Discover tab.
    2. Select the Island Code tab at the top of the screen.
    3. Enter the code of a popular runner map (communities on Reddit and X frequently share the top-trending UEFN codes).
    4. Grab a cold drink, take a deep breath, and prepare to jump.

    Fortnite ceased to be “just a battle royale” years ago. With the rise of Runner maps, it has proven itself to be one of the most versatile gaming platforms on the planet. Just remember to watch your step.

    Source – https://www.fortnite.com/

    #FortniteCreative #FortniteRunners #UEFN #GamingCommunity #Fortnite

  • Into the Woods: Team17’s Silver Pines Blends Lynchian Dread with Classic Survival Horror

    Into the Woods: Team17’s Silver Pines Blends Lynchian Dread with Classic Survival Horror

    Looking for your next dark gaming obsession? Publisher Team17 and developer Wych Elm have officially dropped a release date, and a playable Steam demo for Silver Pines—and it looks beautifully disturbing.

    Stepping into the shoes of private investigator Red Walker, you’re summoned to a rundown, half-abandoned American town to “Find Eddie Velvet.” What follows is a gorgeous, 2.5D dreamscape full of hand-painted, rotoscoped animations, Neo-noir vibes, and an oppressive, David Lynch-style atmosphere.

    But don’t let the striking art style fool you. This is a love letter to classic, unforgiving survival horror mixed with Metroidvania-style exploration. You’ll need to solve complex puzzles, deal with a highly suspicious local populace, and strictly manage scarce inventory space—because every bullet and medicine bottle counts when you’re fighting (or desperately evading) nightmarish terrors.

    Mark your calendars: the descent into darkness begins on October 8, 2026, for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. Can’t wait until Autumn? Head over to Steam right now to check out the brand-new demo!

    Source – https://www.silverpinesgame.com/

    #SilverPines #Team17 #SurvivalHorror #IndieGames #GamingNews

  • Unleash the Beast: Now THAT’S a Big Dragon! Hoard a Spot in Steam Next Fest This June!

    Unleash the Beast: Now THAT’S a Big Dragon! Hoard a Spot in Steam Next Fest This June!

    If you’re the kind of gamer who gets a dopamine hit from watching numbers tick up into the billions while a massive, mythical beast hoards treasure, we’ve got some spectacular news for you.

    André Lima, the solo mastermind behind Cotovelo Games, has officially announced that his highly anticipated idle/incremental game, Now THAT’S a Big Dragon!, will be featured in the upcoming Steam Next Fest: June 2026 Edition.

    Mark your calendars, because the event runs from June 15 through June 22, 2026.

    What is Now THAT’S a Big Dragon!?

    In a genre often dominated by spreadsheet simulators, Now THAT’S a Big Dragon! breathes fresh, fiery air into the incremental space. The game puts you in charge of managing an ever-growing, legendary dragon. Your goal? Scale your beast to unfathomable proportions, automate your fantasy kingdom’s destruction, and amass a hoard of gold that would make Smaug look like he’s running a backyard garage sale.

    Expect the classic, addictive gameplay loops that make idle games impossible to put down, paired with a distinct charm and a scaling system that promises to live up to the exclamation point in its title.

    Why You Should Play the Demo

    Steam Next Fest is the ultimate playground for discovering your next favourite obsession, and Cotovelo Games is bringing a fully playable demo to the table. Here is what you can look forward to during the week-long event:

    • Hands-on Scaling: Get a first-hand taste of the core progression loop and watch your dragon grow in real-time.
    • Strategic Automation: Experiment with early-game mechanics to optimise your gold-per-second income.
    • Direct Developer Feedback: Solo devs love hearing from the community. Trying the demo during Next Fest is the perfect time to share your thoughts and help shape the final game.

    How to Join the Horde

    You don’t have to wait until June 15 to show your support. You can head over to Steam right now to add Now THAT’S a Big Dragon! to your Wishlist. Wishlisting not only ensures you’ll get a notification the second the demo goes live, but it also heavily boosts indie developers in Steam’s algorithm.

    Get ready to scale up, sit back, and watch the numbers burn!

    Source – https://s.team/a/4450970

    #SteamNextFest #IndieGames #IdleGames #GamingNews #NowThatsABigDragon

  • Handmancers Just Dropped Its First Major Early Access Update, and It’s a Total Knockout

    Handmancers Just Dropped Its First Major Early Access Update, and It’s a Total Knockout

    If you’ve ever wanted to turn a high-stakes game of Rock-Paper-Scissors into a literal fight for survival, Handmancers is the game you didn’t know you were waiting for.

    Earlier this month, indie developers 58BLADES and Human Qube Games unleashed their bizarrely brilliant first-person, Rock-Paper-Scissors roguelite deckbuilder on Steam. The gaming community immediately embraced the chaos, driving the game to a “Very Positive” player reception right out of the gate.

    But they aren’t resting on their laurels. Today, the devs officially dropped the game’s first major Early Access update, and it’s packed with exactly the kind of strategic depth and absurd fun fans have been begging for.

    What is Handmancers? (The Quick Throwdown)

    For the uninitiated, Handmancers takes the childhood playground classic and injects it with pure, unadulterated roguelite deckbuilding adrenaline. You navigate a treacherous world in a first-person perspective, using a literal “deck of hands” to cast spells, counter enemy traits, and bash monsters.

    It’s tactical, it’s fast-paced, and yes, throwing a perfectly timed “Paper” to completely smother an enemy’s devastating “Rock” feels exactly as satisfying as it sounds.

    Inside the First Major Update

    Following a wave of community feedback from the initial launch, this new update focuses on expanding the game’s replayability while sharpening its mechanical edge. Here is what players can look forward to:

    • New Cards & Combos: Expand your tactical arsenal with a fresh batch of hand gestures and modifiers that will completely shift how you build your deck.
    • Balance Tweaks & Quality of Life: The devs have fine-tuned enemy AI and card scaling, ensuring that your runs feel fair, challenging, and addictive.
    • Expanded Run Variety: New encounters and unexpected events have been added to the map, meaning no two descents into the arena will feel the same.

    A Note from the Devs: 58BLADES and Human Qube Games have expressed massive gratitude to the community for the explosive launch. They’ve made it clear that this is just the first step in a robust Early Access roadmap driven entirely by player feedback.

    Why You Should Jump In Right Now

    It’s rare for an Early Access game to hit the ground running with such a polished, highly-rated gameplay loop. If you’re a fan of deckbuilders like Slay the Spire but want something with a vibrant, quirky, first-person twist, Handmancers is easily one of the most refreshing indies of the year.

    The new update is officially live. Grab your deck, stretch out those fingers, and go show those monsters who rules the playground.

    Source – https://s.team/a/2423290

    #Handmancers #IndieGames #Deckbuilder #SteamEarlyAccess #GamingNews