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Tag: #londongamesfestival

  • Catnip and Chaos: ‘Astro Burn’ Hits Steam Early Access After London Games Festival Triumph

    Catnip and Chaos: ‘Astro Burn’ Hits Steam Early Access After London Games Festival Triumph

    The “cute-em-up” is back, and it’s arriving with a hiss and a roar. London-based developer Beyond The Pixels and indie publisher Pixel Doors have officially unleashed Astro Burn into Early Access on Steam.

    Following a standout performance as an Official Selection at the London Games Festival 2026, where it drew crowds to the New Game Plus showcase, this neon-soaked side-scroller is already generating major buzz. If you’ve been missing the “bonkers” energy of 90s arcade classics like Parodius or Pop’n TwinBee, Astro Burn is the love letter you’ve been waiting for.

    Meet Astro: The Sassy Space Cat

    In Astro Burn, you take control of Astro, a space-faring feline trying to find her way home across a vibrant, hostile galaxy. Accompanied by her trusty (and surprisingly resilient) robot companion, Astro must blast through waves of enemies that are as adorable as they are deadly.

    The game features 10 diverse levels, ranging from the cold vacuum of deep space to underwater realms and sprawling futuristic cities. But don’t let the “cute” aesthetic fool you—this is a bullet-hell experience with teeth.

    Key Gameplay Features

    • Stackable Weaponry: Unlike traditional shooters, where you swap guns, Astro Burn encourages you to collect and fire everything at once. The “stack-em-up” system turns your ship into a screen-clearing engine of destruction.
    • Catnip-Powered Chaos: Trigger “Catnip Special Powers” to unleash anime-style finishing moves—essentially the feline equivalent of a “Meodoooken.”
    • Local & Competitive Co-op: Grab a friend for couch co-op. You can work together to survive or compete for the highest score to prove who the superior space cat truly is.
    • Retro Authenticity: From the Venice Bleach soundtrack to the classic three-letter initial leaderboard, the game oozes 90s arcade nostalgia.

    A New Breed of Developer & Publisher

    The brains behind the operation is HaZ Dulull, a veteran of the film and TV industry (Hellboy II, The Dark Knight) turned game director. His cinematic background is evident in the game’s “transmedia” vision, blending tight gameplay with a narrative that hints at a much larger mystery regarding Earth’s downfall.

    Partnering with Pixel Doors, a publisher founded on an “Ethical & Sustainable” model, the launch represents a shift in how indie games reach the market. Pixel Doors operates on a “Developer Eats First” policy, ensuring creators like Beyond The Pixels® retain their IP and creative control.

    “What HaZ and the team experienced at the London Games Festival is exactly why we do this,” says Jacek Pudlik, Co-Founder of Pixel Doors. “It captures the addictive chaos of classic arcade shooters but welcomes everyone to the party.”

    Jump Into the Fire

    Astro Burn is available NOW on Steam for PC and Mac. As an Early Access title, the developers are actively looking for player feedback to shape the road to full release.

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/3810660

    #PixelDoors #BeyondThePixels #AstroBurn #LondonGamesFestival #EarlyAccess #Steam #sidescroller #arcade #videogames #gaming #gamers

  • Game On, Planet Saved: Why PlanetPlay’s ‘Expedition 22’ is the Ultimate Green Bundle

    Game On, Planet Saved: Why PlanetPlay’s ‘Expedition 22’ is the Ultimate Green Bundle

    The gaming world is no stranger to epic adventures and high stakes. But what if your next digital expedition could directly save a real-world ecosystem? That’s the premise behind Expedition 22, the standout charity bundle event hosted by the innovative, not-for-profit PC game marketplace, PlanetPlay.

    This isn’t just another game sale; it’s a mission where every purchase has a tangible, positive impact.

    What Exactly is Expedition 22?

    Instead of a single game, Expedition 22 is a limited-time collection of fantastic PC games offered at an incredible price, all to support a critical environmental project.

    The “22” is a symbolic triple-threat:

    1. The Price Tag: The bundle is priced at an accessible $22.
    2. The Mission: 100% of the proceeds from the bundle are donated to a Gold Standard-certified environmental project.
    3. The Focus: The funding goes directly to a cause like WithOneSeed, a program dedicated to reforestation and protecting critically endangered species in Timor-Leste.

    Unlike many charity bundles where only a portion of the revenue is donated, PlanetPlay—along with the generous studios and publishers involved—waives their revenue share to ensure the maximum possible impact for conservation.

    The Loot: Critically Acclaimed Titles for a Cause

    The sheer value of the Expedition 22 bundle is staggering. Gamers get a curated selection of highly-rated titles for a fraction of their combined retail price.

    The bundle features a mix of genres and experiences, giving you plenty of new titles to add to your library:

    • Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice: A BAFTA-winning masterpiece lauded for its visceral combat and respectful depiction of psychosis.
    • Monument Valley 2: The stunning, meditative puzzle game from Ustwo Games.
    • For The King: A blend of tabletop and roguelike adventure.
    • Imagine Earth: A real-time planet simulation game that aligns perfectly with the event’s theme of ecological sustainability.
    • And other great indie gems like Trash Goblin, PaperKlay, and Last Day of June.

    By grabbing this bundle, you’re not just expanding your digital collection; you’re securing over $150 worth of games for $22 and transforming that money into native forest habitats.

    Why PlanetPlay is a Game-Changer

    The greatest challenge for many gamers who want to be more eco-conscious is the lack of a direct, easy way to translate passion into action. PlanetPlay solves this.

    It’s a platform built on the idea that the enormous economic power of the gaming industry can be channelled for good. By partnering with studios and focusing on verified, high-impact environmental projects, they offer a genuinely ethical alternative for where you buy your PC games. Every purchase you make on their platform, not just the bundle, contributes to their mission.

    Expedition 22 is their most visible call to action, reminding us all that we can be adventurers in the digital world while being guardians of the real one.

    Join the Expedition

    The event is a limited-time opportunity, so if you’re looking for a new gaming fix and a way to make your spending matter, this is your chance. It’s a rare win-win: you get a fantastic library of games, and you fund crucial efforts to restore biodiversity and protect endangered species.

    Head over to the PlanetPlay marketplace before the bundle sells out and make your next charity purchase count towards a better planet.

    Are you joining the Expedition? Let us know which game you’re most excited to play in the comments below!

    Expedition 22 – https://planetplay.com

    #Expedition22 #games #gaming #gamers #WithOneSeed #videogeam #planetplay #pcgames #steam #biodiversity #foresthabitats #TimorLeste #londongamesfestival #environmentalprojects