TECHMASH

Tag: #PartyGames

  • 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

  • Trust No One: Jackbox-Style Party Game ‘Forest of Deceit’ Brings Cursed Traitor Mayhem This July

    Trust No One: Jackbox-Style Party Game ‘Forest of Deceit’ Brings Cursed Traitor Mayhem This July

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

    Today, the studio officially announced that Forest of Deceit, a Jackbox-esque social deduction party game built for 4 to 8 players, is officially launching on July 13th. Best of all? It’s dropping everywhere—hitting Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

    Survival of the Fittest (and the Fakest)

    The premise of Forest of Deceit is brilliantly simple, yet custom-made for maximum friendship friction. You and your friends find yourselves stranded in a vast, sprawling forest. A lethal storm is brewing on the horizon, and if you can’t band together to construct a safe shelter in a matter of days, the entire group will perish.

    To survive, you’ll need to venture deep into the woods to gather crucial building resources. The catch? The forest itself is heavily cursed, and it has already driven some of your companions completely mad.

    If the Traitors successfully stall construction until the storm rolls in, they win. However, it wouldn’t be a true social deduction game without some heated finger-pointing. Every few days, the group will gather to discuss the recent chaos and vote out who they suspect is actively sabotaging the camp.

    No 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.

    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’s 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).

    Mark Your Calendars: Forest of Deceit releases on July 13th across PC and major consoles. Gather your group, boot up your browsers, and prepare to find out which of your friends is an absolute snake.

    What do you think?

    Are you ready to test your lying skills, or are you usually the first one voted out? Let us know down in the comments!

    Find out more here

    #ForestOfDeceit #GhostCamp #SocialDeduction #IndieGames #GamingNews #TheTraitors #PartyGames #JackboxStyle

  • Table Football Meets Total Chaos: Pimbolas is Bringing Arcade Mayhem to Steam This July

    Table Football Meets Total Chaos: Pimbolas is Bringing Arcade Mayhem to Steam This July

    The humble pub foosball table is about to get a serious digital upgrade—and by upgrade, we mean a healthy dose of absolute, unpredictable madness.

    Get ready to rally your crew, because Pimbolas is officially launching on Steam on July 16. Developed by the talented Brazilian team at Nano Knight Studio, this indie title takes the core mechanics of traditional tabletop foosball and straps them to an arcade rocket, blasting strategy, skill, and pure chaos into every single frame.

    Foosball, But Make It Wild

    If you’re expecting a straightforward sports simulator, think again. Pimbolas is a fast-paced physics party game designed to completely reinvent how we look at tabletop football. Born from an internal studio game jam after one of the developers played foosball for the first time, Nano Knight Studio quickly realised they had a hit on their hands. Instead of worrying about strict rules, they focused on making a game that is easy to pick up, impossible to put down, and wildly unpredictable.

    No two matches are ever the same. The game is packed with unique arenas and a massive variety of game-changing modifiers and power-ups. Just when you think you’ve lined up the perfect shot, the game throws a curveball—sometimes literally.

    What Can You Expect on the Pitch?

    • Insane Ball Physics: Forget the standard white plastic ball. Prepare to face down giant balls, square balls, fireballs, and ice balls.
    • Hazardous Environments: Matches can quickly devolve into chaos when explosive bombs drop onto the field, or when unusual objects like coconuts and crabs start disrupting your playstyle.
    • Arcade Mode & Unlocks: Playing solo? Dive into the single-player Arcade Mode to test your skills against the CPU, unlocking a vibrant roster of new characters, items, and challenges as you progress.
    • 4-Player Local Multiplayer: Pimbolas shines brightest as a party game. Gather up to four friends on the couch for local split-screen PvP or co-op sessions that are guaranteed to end in shouts, laughs, and broken friendships (the good kind).

    “The goal was always to create a game that is easy to learn, but hard to put down,” says Baptixta, Game Designer of Pimbolas. “Whether playing alone against the CPU or gathering friends in local multiplayer for up to four players, the idea is to deliver quick, competitive matches full of unexpected moments for everyone.”

    A Tribute to Great Party Games

    Drawing inspiration from multiplayer gems like Boomerang Fu, Mario Strikers, Rocket League, and Super Smash Bros., Pimbolas balances competitive depth with casual, pick-up-and-play fun. It’s a colourful, high-energy love letter to both Brazilian football culture and classic arcade action.

    Ready to Play?

    Pimbolas officially drops on July 16 for Windows, Mac, and Linux (and it’s already fully compatible for your Steam Deck sessions!). If you can’t wait until mid-July to experience the madness, there is a free demo available right now on Steam for you to try out.

    Head over to Steam, test your reflexes, and don’t forget to hit that wishlist button!

    Find out more here

    #Pimbolas #NanoKnightStudio #IndieGames #SteamGames #Foosball #GamingNews #PCGaming #PartyGames #ArcadeGaming #TechMash

  • Ditch the Controller and Start Screaming: ‘Quack Quack Up’ Out Now on Steam!

    Ditch the Controller and Start Screaming: ‘Quack Quack Up’ Out Now on Steam!

    Get ready to test your lung capacity, your patience, and your closest relationships. Publishers 2P Games and developer FuncoreClub have officially released their highly anticipated, voice-controlled party game Quack Quack Up (formerly known as Over Duck’d) on Steam!

    If you are tired of standard controllers, mechanical keyboards, and sensible party games, this chaotic indie title wants you to put down the gamepad and use the ultimate tool: your actual voice.

    The Loudest Co-Op Game on PC

    Quack Quack Up is a physics-based, 4-player cooperative game where you and your friends are tasked with herding a flock of remarkably dense ducks to safety. The catch? Your microphone is the only controller.

    The mechanics are wonderfully simple yet inherently chaotic: the louder you yell into your mic, the faster your flock moves.

    But don’t get too carried away with your shouting. A single mistimed scream, an accidental loud laugh, or a stray sneeze can send your helpless ducks careening off a cliff, directly into a snowdrift, or straight into the jaws of a local crocodile.

    Key Features to Expect:

    • Microphone-Driven Gameplay: Forget standard keybinds. The intensity and volume of your voice directly dictate the speed and physics of your flock.
    • 4-Player “Friendship-Testing” Co-op: Join up to three friends online or via local couch co-op. Will you carefully coordinate your commands like a professional herding team, or will one rogue shout sabotage the whole mission?
    • Physics-Based Mayhem: Guide your unruly ducks across multiple biomes—ranging from peaceful valleys to treacherous, slippery snowy peaks and scorching deserts.
    • Hazardous Environments: It’s not just the terrain you have to worry about. You’ll need to use item interactions like whistles, smoke, and firecrackers to protect your flock from rogue yaks, greedy passersby, and falling boulders.
    • Wacky Customisation: Earn prestigious badges and unlock hilarious outfits to style your herder as the ultimate master of the flock.

    Grab It Now with a 2-Week Launch Discount

    If you want to dive into the madness, there’s no better time than right now. Quack Quack Up is available on Steam for $7.99 | €8,15 | £7.15.

    To celebrate the launch, the team is running a massive 38% discount for the first two weeks, making it incredibly cheap to get your entire co-op squad on board.

    Warm up your vocal cords, grab a glass of water, and head over to Steam to grab your copy before the discount flies the coop!

    Find out more here

    #GamingNews #QuackQuackUp #IndieGames #SteamReleases #CoOpGaming #PCGaming #2PGames #FuncoreClub #PartyGames

  • Get a Grip! Heave Ho 2 Swings Onto PC and Nintendo Consoles This July

    Get a Grip! Heave Ho 2 Swings Onto PC and Nintendo Consoles This July

    If you and your friends haven’t finished arguing over who ruined your last couch co-op session, it’s time to patch things up. Publisher Devolver Digital and developer Le Cartel are absolutely buoyant to announce that Heave Ho 2—the highly anticipated sequel to the smash-hit, physics-based party game—is bounding onto PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 on July 16 for a wallet-friendly $9.99.

    More Hands, More Chaos, and Online Play!

    The original Heave Ho won our hearts by tasking up to four players with a simple, yet agonisingly funny goal: grab onto each other, stretch, swing, and absolutely do not fall to your death.

    Heave Ho 2 takes that brilliant, slapstick formula and cranks the dial to eleven. The headline feature this time around? Online multiplayer support. For the very first time, you’ll be able to take the absolute pandemonium of your living room couch and bring it online to test friendships across the globe.

    What’s New in Heave Ho 2?

    Le Cartel isn’t just serving up a re-skin. The sequel introduces a whole host of gravity-defying upgrades:

    • Eight Wild Themed Worlds: From the floaty mechanics of weightless space to absolute cookery chaos in the kitchen, each world introduces unique hazards.
    • Fresh Mechanics and Gadgets: Players can expect new scenarios that require pushing, pulling, shooting, and squeezing through fiendish obstacles.
    • Nintendo Switch GameShare Support: Switch 2 players can take advantage of local or online GameShare, meaning only one person needs to own the game to share the madness with up to three additional players.

    Try the PC Demo Right Now

    Can’t wait until July 16 to start dangling over a bottomless void? You’re in luck. A playable demo is live right now on Steam, giving you a taste of the precise timing and terrible teamwork that awaits.

    Whether you’re looking for the ultimate party night experience or just want a reason to scream at your friends via Discord, Heave Ho 2 is shaping up to be the summer’s essential multiplayer title. Grab your copy on PC or Nintendo consoles this July for just $9.99!

    Are you ready to lose your grip all over again? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #HeaveHo2 #DevolverDigital #LeCartel #IndieGames #NintendoSwitch #NintendoSwitch2 #SteamGames #PCGaming #CoOpGaming #PartyGames #GamingNews #TechMash

  • Get Ready to Stack, Hack, and Lose Your Mind: Hack ’n’ Stack Hits Steam Next Fest This June!

    Get Ready to Stack, Hack, and Lose Your Mind: Hack ’n’ Stack Hits Steam Next Fest This June!

    If you’ve been looking for the next chaotic party game to test the absolute limits of your friendships, look no further. The folks over at indie studio Dodo Tako have officially announced that their upcoming multiplayer frenzy, Hack ’n’ Stack, is sliding into Steam Next Fest from June 15 to 22, 2026—and they’re bringing a massive free demo along for the ride.

    Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of couch co-op disasters or just looking for something fresh to scream at your screen with, this demo is packing some serious heat.

    What’s on the Menu?

    Unlike some bite-sized previews that leave you hanging after five minutes, Dodo Tako is serving up a full meal. Here is exactly what you can expect when you download the demo:

    • Four Playable Levels: Jump straight into the action with four distinct, beautifully chaotic stages designed to test your coordination (and your patience).
    • A Complete Tutorial: Because let’s face it, you’ll need to learn the ropes before you start accidentally throwing your teammates off the map.
    • Online & Local Co-Op: Want to yell at your friends on the couch? Perfect. Want to yell at them from across the globe? You got it.
    • Over an Hour of Content: This isn’t just a quick teaser—there is easily over 60 minutes of gameplay here to sink your teeth into.

    Why You Should Care

    Steam Next Fest is always a goldmine for hidden gems, but Hack ’n’ Stack is shaping up to be a standout crowd-pleaser for the summer. It combines the fast-paced, high-stakes communication of games like Overcooked! with its own unique physics-based puzzle mechanics. It’s colourful, it’s frantic, and it’s the exact kind of digital mayhem TechMash readers live for.

    Mark your calendars for June 15, rally your crew, and get ready to stack your way to victory (or utter failure).

    The Details:

    • Event: Steam Next Fest
    • Dates: June 15 – June 22, 2026
    • Platform: PC (Steam)
    • Price: Free Demo

    Are you ready to ruin some friendships this June? Let us know in the comments if you’ll be downloading the Hack ’n’ Stack demo!

    Find out more here

    #HackNStack #SteamNextFest #IndieGames #PartyGames #DemoGame

  • Slither Into Chaos: Scales of Silence Demo Arrives on Steam

    Slither Into Chaos: Scales of Silence Demo Arrives on Steam

    The “Snake” game is a literal relic of mobile history, but solo developer Aggro Games (the studio behind Montreal-based dev Cinder) is proving that there is plenty of life left in the classic formula. Their upcoming title, Scales of Silence, just dropped its free Steam demo, and it’s looking like the “couch party” hit we didn’t know we needed.

    Forget the lonely dot-munching of the Nokia era. This is a high-stakes, narrative-driven action game that turns the classical mechanics into a frantic, 8-player brawl.

    The “Shrink” Mechanic: Size Matters

    In most snake games, hitting a wall or an opponent means game over. Scales of Silence takes a more tactical approach with its signature Shrink Mechanic.

    “Collisions don’t kill you; they shrink you. Your length is your life.”

    Every time you take a hit, you lose a piece of your tail. While being shorter makes you faster and harder to corner, it also brings you closer to permanent silence. It turns every encounter into a calculated risk rather than an instant restart, especially when eliminations net you a juicy +3 point bonus in competitive modes.

    What’s in the Demo?

    The Steam demo isn’t just a tiny slice; it’s a meaty 60–90 minute experience that sets the stage for the full release. Here is what you can jump into right now:

    • The Opening Act: Play through the first 50 levels of a 500-level campaign.
    • The Roster: Access 10 different playable serpents, each with unique stats like acceleration and growth rate.
    • Boss Fight: Take on the demo’s final boss—beating them even unlocks an extra character for you to use.
    • Party Modes: Test out Score Battle and Endless Classic modes.

    Built for the Ultimate Game Night

    The standout feature for tech-savvy party gamers is the hardware flexibility. Aggro Games has clearly prioritised accessibility:

    • Up to 8 Players: While the demo caps at 4, the full game supports 8 players on a single screen.
    • Controller Splitting: Only have two gamepads? No problem. Each gamepad can support two players (one on each thumbstick).
    • Keyboard Chaos: A single keyboard can be split into four independent control zones.
    • Remote Play Together: Even if your friends aren’t on your sofa, you can bring them in via Steam’s Remote Play.

    A “Potato-Friendly” Tech Spec

    In an era of 100GB installs, Scales of Silence is a breath of fresh air. It’s optimised for “potatoes,” meaning you don’t need a high-end rig to run it. With a tiny 250MB footprint and full offline support, it’s a perfect candidate for the Steam Deck or an older laptop at a barcade night.

    When Can We Get the Full Game?

    The full version of Scales of Silence is slated for release on September 7, 2026.

    It promises to expand the universe significantly with 450 additional levels, 10 distinct biomes (including vision-obscuring forests and poisonous swamps), and a “Snake Royale” mode. Best of all? The developer has committed to a “player-first” model: one purchase ($9.99 USD), zero microtransactions.

    You can download the demo for free right now on the Scales of Silence Steam Page. Your progress from the demo will even carry over to the full game, so there’s no reason not to start growing your tail today.

    Are you ready to test your friendships in the pit? Let us know what you think of the demo in the comments!

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/4602160

    #AggroGames #ScalesOfSilence #indiegame #couchcoop #localmultiplayer #indiegametrailer #partygames #videogames #gamers #gaming

  • Go Crazy With Rabbids Party of Legends

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