TECHMASH

Tag: #SoloDev

  • Up, Up & Explosions — BoomScroll Blasts Onto Steam With Infinite Bullet Heaven Action

    Up, Up & Explosions — BoomScroll Blasts Onto Steam With Infinite Bullet Heaven Action

    The sky’s no limit — it’s just the starting line.

    Independent Italian solo developer Toiu has officially unveiled BoomScroll — an infinitely scrolling hand-drawn bullet heaven where the faster you climb, the deadlier and more spectacular it gets. The Steam page is live right now with a free demo, and the full game launches in early 2027.

    What Is BoomScroll?

    BoomScroll reimagines the bullet heaven formula by making movement itself your greatest weapon and risk. This isn’t a static arena — you’re ascending vertically, constantly, at speeds that build and build. The higher you go, the faster you travel, the greater the rewards — and the more overwhelming the hordes.

    It’s a love letter to arcade classics like Space Invaders fused with the runaway-power fantasy of hits like Vampire Survivors, all brought to life with warm, expressive, fully hand-drawn visuals — every frame crafted personally by Toiu from his studio in Italy.

    Key Features — Go Higher, Hit Harder

    • Infinite Vertical Scrolling — There’s no final boss at the top; the climb never truly ends. How far can you push before the speed becomes unmanageable?
    • Speed = Reward — The faster you ascend, the better loot and XP you earn. But accelerate too recklessly, and you’ll be swarmed before you can react — risk and reward in perfect balance
    • 16 Distinct Characters — Each comes with unique starting weapons, stats, and special abilities, turning every run into a fresh tactical puzzle. Unlock more as you play
    • Build Your Overpowered Arsenal — Stack upgrades, combine devastating effects, and craft absurdly powerful builds that turn screenfuls of foes into confetti
    • Full Localisation — Launching with support for 9 languages, with more planned post-release
    • Connected Universe — Characters return from Toiu’s earlier title Love Craft, giving long-time fans hidden links and cameos to spot

    Demo — Your First Climb Starts Now

    The free Steam demo gives you the full Fleeting Forest opening zone — a complete taste of the gameplay loop, progression, and chaos awaiting you. No time limits, no restricted features — just pure, unfiltered BoomScroll action to see how high you can soar.

    Made by One Pair of Hands

    Toiu isn’t just a developer — he’s built BoomScroll solo, from art to code to design, sharing his journey on YouTube along the way. It’s the kind of fiercely personal project that gives indie gaming its soul: no studio mandates, no compromise — just one creator’s vision of pure, unadulterated fun.

    “BoomScroll is all about that feeling of becoming unstoppable,” Toiu shared in today’s announcement. “You start small, climbing slow and careful — then you break through, speed up, and suddenly you’re tearing through the sky, weapons blazing, and nothing can touch you… until it can. That sweet spot between invincible and overwhelmed? That’s where the magic lives.”

    Mark Your Calendar

    • Free Demo ? Available now on Steam
    • Full Release ? Early 2027 (targeting January) on PC via Steam
    • Price ? To be confirmed

    Strap in, power up, and see just how high you can make it. The sky’s not the limit — it’s where the fun really begins.

    More Info: Boom Scroll

    #BoomScroll #IndieDev #BulletHeaven #Roguelite #HandDrawnGames #SteamDemo #SoloDev #ItalianIndie #Early2027 #ActionRoguelike #Techmash

  • Hands, Physics, and Pure VR Ingenuity — Disembodied Arrives October 15!

    Hands, Physics, and Pure VR Ingenuity — Disembodied Arrives October 15!

    Your hands are your only heroes — and they’ve got a lot to do. Solo developer Kevin S. Walker, creating under the banner of Middle Man Games, is preparing to launch Disembodied — a hand-tracking VR platformer two and a half years in the making, and his third VR title.

    No Controllers, No Limits — Just Your Hands

    Disembodied strips away the familiar to build something entirely fresh: you control a pair of floating, disembodied hands that mirror your real movements with uncanny precision. No controllers, no buttons — just you and your gestures, translated instantly into the virtual world.

    • Walk on your fingers, clamber up ledges, and swing across gaps
    • Punch through brick walls, hurl bombs, and fire a finger gun with a simple gesture
    • Solve puzzles, navigate stealth sections, and master precision laser challenges
    • Play seated or standing — the game adapts to your space, your style

    Levels, Creativity, and Community

    The game launches into Early Access with an impressive amount of content ready to explore:

    FeatureDetails
    Campaign175 hand-crafted levels across climbing, puzzle, stealth, and action modes
    Hand TrackingBuilt from the ground up for natural, responsive controller-free interaction
    Level EditorCreate, test, and share your own courses — online sharing planned post-launch
    Power-UpsActivated entirely through hand gestures — no menus, no pausing
    ReleaseOctober 15, 2026 — Early Access
    PlatformsMeta Quest 2 / Pro / 3 / 3S
    DeveloperKevin S. Walker / Middle Man Games — 4th release, 3rd VR project

    Crafted by One Pair of Hands

    Every mechanic, every level, every gesture in Disembodied comes from one creator’s drive to push what VR can feel like. After two and a half years of iteration, experimentation, and refining the physics that make those hands feel truly yours, Walker is ready to share the result.

    As an Early Access release, the journey doesn’t end at launch — player feedback will shape new modes, features, and content throughout development.

    Ready to Reach Out?

    Wishlist Disembodied now on the Meta Quest Store — your hands are about to go on an adventure unlike anything you’ve experienced.

    Find out more here

    #Disembodied #MiddleManGames #VRGaming #HandTracking #MetaQuest #IndieDev #SoloDev #VirtualReality #EarlyAccess #Techmash

  • No Weapons, No Retreat — Over Human: Where the World Turns Against You

    No Weapons, No Retreat — Over Human: Where the World Turns Against You

    You can’t fight them. You can only outsmart them. Solo developer Francesco Morganti has unveiled Over Human, a haunting first-person sci-fi adventure set in a frozen, isolated world where drones have taken control — and they don’t just hunt you. They change the very environment around you.

    What Is Over Human?

    You awaken in a silent, snow-smothered landscape. Humanity is gone — or hiding. Drones, once built to serve, now rule. And you have no weapons. No guns, no explosives, no way to fight back. Survival means moving unseen, disrupting their network, and uncovering what went wrong — but every step you take makes them more dangerous.

    • Explore a frozen, isolated world — traverse vast snowy wilderness, abandoned outposts, and silent valleys
    • Disrupt transmission terminals — hack and disable the drones’ communication network to weaken their grip
    • No combat — only stealth — use cover, distractions, and the environment to stay hidden
    • The world fights back — as you progress, drones get faster, smarter, deadlier. Storms worsen. Visibility shifts. The terrain itself becomes more hostile
    • Uncover humanity’s fate — piece together logs, notes, and ruins to learn why the drones turned and what happened to everyone else

    The Mechanic: Progress = Danger

    This is what makes Over Human unique: your success triggers the escalation. Every terminal you disable makes the drones adapt. They patrol differently, coordinate better, and even alter the weather to flush you out. There’s no “safe zone” — only the next place to hide.

    “They don’t just hunt you — they control the world. And as you weaken their hold, they tighten their grip.” — Francesco Morganti

    Release Details

    DetailInfo
    DeveloperFrancesco Morganti (solo dev)
    PlatformPC — Steam
    Steam Page[Over Human on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/5237810/)
    Playable DemoComing November 2026
    Full Release2027 (TBA)
    InspirationFirewatch meets The Long Dark — exploration, atmosphere, and survival without combat
    Controller SupportFull controller support confirmed

    Why It Stands Out

    In a genre flooded with shooters, Over Human dares to strip away your firepower:

    • Defence > Offence — your brain is your only weapon
    • Atmosphere over action — quiet tension, not constant adrenaline
    • Solo passion project — crafted entirely by one developer over roughly one year
    • Dynamic world — weather and threats evolve with your choices
    • Story-driven — a narrative mystery about control, loss, and what remains of us

    Ready to Step Into the Cold?

    Wishlist now on Steam and keep an eye out for the November demo. The snow is falling. The drones are watching. Good luck.

    Find out more here

    #OverHuman #FrancescoMorganti #SciFiAdventure #SoloDev #StealthGame #AtmosphericGaming #NoCombat #IndieGame #Steam #FrozenWorld #techmash

  • Total Carnage Unleashed Darkenstein 3D: Total Trampage Blasts Out Oct 14!

    Total Carnage Unleashed Darkenstein 3D: Total Trampage Blasts Out Oct 14!

    You saved the dog — now wreck the place! MicroProse and solo developer Rowye have officially announced Darkenstein 3D: Total Trampage, the first major expansion for the beloved retro FPS — landing on Steam October 14, 2026.

    Built from the ground up by one passionate creator and published by the legendary MicroProse, this DLC promises more levels, more enemies, more weapons, and more ways to turn the battlefield into a mess.

    What Is Darkenstein 3D?

    The base game — which remains completely free-to-play — is a love letter to classic shooters like Wolfenstein 3D and DOOM, with a delightfully absurd twist:

    • You play as a furious drifter tearing through enemy territory
    • Your mission: rescue Gunther, your loyal dog, captured in a raid
    • Fast, brutal bullet-dodging combat with explosive physics and over-the-top gore
    • A rat companion who distracts foes and creates glorious chaos
    • No microtransactions, no battle passes — just pure, unfiltered shooter action

    What’s In Total Trampage?

    This isn’t just extra levels — it’s a full-scale expansion that reimagines, extends, and escalates everything you loved about the base game:

    FeatureDetails
    5 Remixed Campaign LevelsFamiliar locations — completely rebuilt with new layouts, encounters, and hidden secrets
    11 Endless MapsSurvive relentless waves. How long can you hold out?
    New WeaponsMore ways to tear enemies apart
    New EnemiesFresh threats firing back at you
    Challenge ModifiersTweak bullet speed, enemy damage, and more — dial it up or down
    New Game+Keep your arsenal, face tougher foes, replay the campaign harder
    Jukebox & New SoundtrackPick your soundtrack for the slaughter
    New AchievementsProve you conquered it all

    “More carnage. Same bad attitude.” — Rowye

    Release & Requirements

    DetailInfo
    Release Date14 October 2026
    DeveloperRowye (solo dev)
    PublisherMicroProse Software
    PlatformPC — Steam
    RequiresBase game Darkenstein 3D (free-to-play)
    LanguagesEnglish (Interface / Full Audio / Subtitles)
    Steam Page[Darkenstein 3D: Total Trampage](https://store.steampowered.com/app/5224130/Darkenstein_3D_Total_Trampage/)

    System Specs

    • Minimum: Windows 10 64-bit, i5-2500K / FX-6300, GTX 950 / R7 370, 16 GB RAM, 18 GB space
    • Recommended: Windows 11 64-bit, i5-9600K / Ryzen 5 3600, RTX 3070 / RX 6700 XT, 16 GB RAM, 18 GB space

    Made With Passion — Not Profiteering

    Rowye spent four years crafting Darkenstein 3D as a tribute to the shooters that defined a generation. Total Trampage is the first paid content — and the base game stays free forever. No loot boxes, no battle passes, no endless currency grinding. Just a dev who loves what they do, giving you more of it.

    Ready to Rampage?

    Wishlist now on Steam and get ready — October 14th is when the real fun begins. Gunther’s safe. Now it’s your turn to unleash chaos.

    Find out more here

    #Darkenstein3D #TotalTrampage #MicroProse #Rowye #RetroFPS #IndieDev #SoloDev #Steam #DOOM #Wolfenstein #PCGaming #techmash

  • THIS IS NOT A GAME: Abyzou Rituals: The Manson Case Transcends Reality

    THIS IS NOT A GAME: Abyzou Rituals: The Manson Case Transcends Reality

    What you’re about to enter isn’t just a horror experience — it’s a threshold. Ecuadorian solo developer Ignacio Bustamante doesn’t present his debut project Abyzou Rituals: The Manson Case as a mere video game. Instead, he offers something far more personal: an immersive descent into the unknown that blurs the line between screen and psyche.

    “This is not a game. It is a ritual disguised as one.”

    What Is Abyzou Rituals?

    You are not playing a protagonist — you are accessing something unearthed. The experience unfolds as a recovered, corrupted archive from House 12, an abandoned property where a cult gathered, a ceremony turned violent, and something ancient was summoned — but never fully awakened.

    You sift through what remains:

    • Degraded found-footage tapes and audio recordings
    • Faded photographs and handwritten notes
    • Occult symbols, forbidden prayers, and ritual objects
    • Fragmented accounts of a ceremony halted before completion

    There are no guns. No jump-scare factories. Instead, you must reconstruct the ritual — piece together what happened, identify what was invoked, and decide whether to finish what was started… or seal the door forever.

    The Developer’s Vision — Beyond Entertainment

    For Ignacio Bustamante, this is more than a debut title. Coming from a professional background entirely outside game development, he approaches the medium as a storyteller first — crafting an experience designed to linger in your thoughts long after you close the screen.

    “I want to give players an intense experience through a story that is, to say the least, deeply unsettling — one that might even make them lose their soul along the way.” — Ignacio Bustamante

    The game deliberately erases the boundary between fiction and reality. It doesn’t ask you to suspend disbelief — it invites you to question what you believe is real.

    Key Details

    DetailInfo
    DeveloperManuel Ignacio Albuja Bustamante (solo debut)
    PlatformPC (Steam)
    GenrePsychological Horror / Found-Footage / Immersive Narrative
    Core PremiseReconstruct the incomplete ritual at House 12 from recovered archive material
    Philosophy“Every ritual requires consent.” — you choose how far to go
    StyleLo-fi, degraded, authentically unsettling presentation

    A Note Before You Enter

    This is not for the faint-hearted. Abyzou Rituals doesn’t rely on cheap shocks — it builds slow, suffocating dread through atmosphere, implication, and the uncomfortable feeling that you’re touching something you shouldn’t.

    Whether you view it as a masterwork of psychological horror storytelling or something that genuinely makes your skin crawl, one thing is certain: you won’t play it and forget it.

    Ready to Open the Archive?

    Find Abyzou Rituals: The Manson Case on Steam https://store.steampowered.com/app/5295730/ — but remember: every ritual requires consent. Once you start… you may not be the same.

    #AbyzouRituals #TheMansonCase #PsychologicalHorror #IndieHorror #SoloDev #IgnacioBustamante #FoundFootage #Steam #HorrorGame #BeyondReality #techmash

  • Descend Into the Abyss — Disciple Demo Out Now! Pachinko Meets Eldritch Horror

    Descend Into the Abyss — Disciple Demo Out Now! Pachinko Meets Eldritch Horror

    Fling your faith into the dark. Solo developer Angry Goblin Games has unleashed the free Steam demo for Disciple — a one-of-a-kind blend of Peggle-style physics, Survivors-like combat, and eldritch roguelite buildcraft. Dive in now ahead of the full game’s arrival in 2027.

    What Is Disciple?

    Think Peggle meets Vampire Survivors — reimagined through a lens of cosmic dread. You launch your disc into the Abyss, watching it ricochet through crystals, portals, and swarms of abyssal horrors. Collect enough essence and you descend again; fall short… and the Abyss claims you.

    • Physics-Driven Descent — Aim your shot, launch, and nudge your path as you bounce through ever-shifting layouts
    • Artefact Buildcraft — Equip holy relics like the Blade Penitent, Seraphim’s Aura, and the autonomous Sentinel. Pair them with sacred runes to awaken devastating evolved forms
    • Bullet-Heaven Combat — Face swarms of abyssal creatures that hunt you as you fall. Every run unfolds differently
    • Eldritch Atmosphere — A haunting, hand-crafted world of shadows, ancient power, and encroaching madness

    What’s in the Demo?

    The free demo gives you a substantial taste of the darkness to come:

    • Three Playable Disciples — The Templar, The Seer, and The Scorched, each with unique starting artefacts and playstyles
    • The Hollow — Your first descent into the Abyss
    • Vigil Mode — A score-attack challenge for those who master the fall
    • A Curated Selection of Artefacts — Start experimenting with builds and rune synergies
    • Hidden Unlocks — Secrets await those who delve deeply enough

    Key Details

    DetailInfo
    DeveloperAngry Goblin Games — solo project
    DemoAvailable NOW, free on Steam
    Full ReleasePlanned 2027
    PlatformPC — Steam
    GenrePhysics roguelite / bullet heaven / eldritch horror
    SoundtrackOriginal score crafted to match the haunting atmosphere

    Will You Feed the Abyss?

    Every descent is a gamble. Every artefact reshapes your fate. And every run brings you closer to understanding — or becoming — the darkness below. The demo is your first step. The full game will expand with more characters, maps, artefacts, and terrifying abyssal threats.

    Launch your disc. Gather your essence. Survive the fall.

    Find out more here

    #DiscipleGame #AngryGoblinGames #IndieDev #Roguelite #PeggleLike #BulletHeaven #EldritchHorror #SteamDemo #SoloDev #TechMash

  • Don’t Look Too Closely — Stip Demo Unveiled Ahead of Steam Next Fest!

    Don’t Look Too Closely — Stip Demo Unveiled Ahead of Steam Next Fest!

    It looks like a number puzzle. It feels like a calm, orderly logic game. But nothing is quite what it seems. Belgian solo developer Sam Agten — working as SixtyFour, creator of Midnight Protocol — has released the free Steam demo for Stip, just in time for Steam Next Fest, October 19–26, 2026. And you might want to watch your back.

    Assign, Deduce, Doubt — What Is Stip?

    Stip means “dot” in Dutch — and on the surface, that’s exactly what you get: assign numbers to circles using constraints, solve puzzles, and enjoy a clean, minimalist atmosphere. But there’s a catch: the rules aren’t explained — you have to discover them. And the puzzles? They don’t always play fair.

    “Please ignore any odd Stip behaviour. Everything is fine. You are fine.”

    What you’ll encounter:

    • Constraints without instructions — deduce the rules yourself; some are deliberately opaque
    • Interconnected rooms — puzzles link together, revealing hidden areas and deeper secrets
    • A quiet unease — glitches, inconsistencies, and things that don’t add up. The game tells you to ignore them… but should you?
    • No hand-holding — no tutorials, no hint buttons. Just your wits and a growing feeling that something’s off

    Beneath the Surface Lies Something Else

    Stip isn’t just a puzzle game — it’s a narrative wrapped in logic. As you progress through the house, the calm exterior cracks. The “minor glitches” become patterns. The quiet atmosphere shifts. What begins as a relaxing mental workout slowly transforms into something that will make you question everything — including whether you should keep looking.

    SixtyFour is no stranger to clever design: their previous title Midnight Protocol earned acclaim for its unique keyboard-only hacking gameplay. Stip turns that same precision inward — playing with your perception rather than your reflexes.

    Play the Demo Now — If You Dare

    The demo is live right now on Steam, giving you a first taste of the puzzles — and the unease — before Next Fest kicks off in October.

    Grab the Stip Demo:

    Find out more here

    Full release is planned for PC and Nintendo Switch later this year. One piece of advice before you go: keep your eyes on the numbers. Don’t look too closely at the edges. And whatever you do… don’t ask what’s wandering the halls.

    #Stip #SixtyFour #SamAgten #SteamNextFest #SteamNextFest2026 #PuzzleGame #IndieDev #SoloDev #Minimalist #Psychological #Mystery #FreeDemo #GamingNews #TechMash

  • History in the Making: The End of History Comes to Consoles — Full 1.0 Launch Hits Q1 2027!

    History in the Making: The End of History Comes to Consoles — Full 1.0 Launch Hits Q1 2027!

    Indie publisher WorldMap has officially confirmed that The End of History — the ambitious sandbox strategy RPG from acclaimed solo developer Tatamibeya — is heading to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with both console editions and the full Steam 1.0 release scheduled to arrive together in Q1 2027.

    About the Game

    Set in a sprawling, fictional medieval feudal world, The End of History casts you not as a preordained hero, but as a living, breathing part of history — one where your choices ripple outward, reshaping kingdoms, alliances, and lives in ways no script could predict. Described as an emergent history simulation, it blends deep strategy, roleplaying, and dynamic storytelling where every decision can alter the course of nations.

    The game first entered Steam Early Access on 10 December 2025, where it has grown steadily through regular updates and community feedback. The console versions will launch fully up to date — shipping with all improvements, refinements, and content added throughout the Early Access period, alongside everything new in the 1.0 milestone.

    Who’s Behind It?

    The End of History is the vision of Tatamibeya (Hiroshi Sakakibara), an independent developer based in Poland — previously known for atmospheric narrative titles NOSTALGIC TRAIN and FARAWAY TRAIN, and an environment artist who helped build Cyberpunk 2077 at CD Projekt Red. Now working solo, he’s crafting a deeply personal, evolving world where history is what you make it.

    What’s Next

    • Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam)
    • Release: Q1 2027 — full 1.0 launch across all platforms
    • Play it first: The Steam Early Access build will be playable at the WorldMap booth at Tokyo Game Show 2026 (17–20 September). Attendees will also receive a special booklet featuring player-submitted “Observation Logs” from the community.
    • Price: $28 USD
    • Status: Porting work is already underway.

    Why It Matters

    For solo-developed projects, making the leap to consoles is always a landmark — and to do so alongside the full 1.0 release is a rare milestone. Whether you’ve followed it since Early Access or are discovering it for the first time on PS5 or Xbox Series, The End of History promises a rich, reactive medieval experience where no two playthroughs tell the same tale.

    We’ll keep you updated on exact release dates, new trailers, and hands-on impressions as we get closer to launch.

    Find out more here

    #TheEndOfHistory #Tatamibeya #WorldMap #IndieDev #StrategyRPG #PS5 #XboxSeriesX #PCGaming #Steam #MedievalGame #SoloDev #techmash

  • Don’t Look Too Closely: ‘Stip’ Demo Delivers Deceptively Evil Number Puzzles

    Don’t Look Too Closely: ‘Stip’ Demo Delivers Deceptively Evil Number Puzzles

    If you’re a fan of mind-bending puzzle games that aren’t quite what they seem on the surface, you’ll want to keep your eyes on Stip.

    Belgian solo developer Sam Agten (working under the studio name SixtyFour and previously known for the tactical hacking RPG Midnight Protocol) has officially released a public Steam demo for his latest creation: a minimalist, deceptively simple number puzzle game where the rules are yours to figure out, the puzzles actively misbehave, and looking beyond the edges might just be a mistake.

    What Is Stip?

    Named after the Dutch word for “dot,” Stip asks players to solve clean, grid-based logic challenges by placing numbers into dots based on specific constraints. You assign, undo, deduce, and repeat. On the surface, it feels like a cosy, satisfying brain-teaser designed to deliver quick dopamine hits and relaxing number crunching.

    However, beneath its crisp minimalist aesthetic lies something much more sinister—a self-described Metroidbrainia where the game itself appears to be hiding something from you.

    Key Features You Can Expect in the Demo

    • Rule Discovery: You aren’t handed an instruction manual. Players must experiment through trial and error to deduce constraints and discover hidden puzzle mechanics that alter how you interact with the board.
    • An Intricate Puzzle Box: The puzzles are nested inside maze-like rooms that hide environmental clues, secret items, and off-kilter challenges.
    • Puzzles That Misbehave: Stip will flatter you with motivational confetti, shower you with quirky number facts, and urge you to keep moving forward… all to stop you from noticing the fraying edges of its reality.
    • Transmedia Secrets: Keep your eyes peeled everywhere—from store pages and trailers to press releases. Secret codes (like pressing ‘C’ in the demo to enter hidden inputs) unlock deeper layers of mystery.

    Award-Winning Pedigree

    Stip has already turned heads across the indie gaming scene, picking up the award for Most Anticipated Belgian Game of 2026 at the Belgian Game Awards.

    What started as Agten’s lighthearted attempt to make a cosy game his mother could enjoy quickly “spiralled out of control into something demented,” blending mathematical wonderland logic with an eerie, attention-craving meta-narrative.

    Try the Demo Now

    Ready to dive down the rabbit hole and test your deduction skills? The Stip demo is available now on Steam, with a full release scheduled for PC and Nintendo Switch later this year.

    Just remember: keep your eyes forward, ignore the glitches, and whatever you do… don’t touch anything you shouldn’t.

    Find out more here

    #Stip #IndieGames #PuzzleGames #SteamDemo #TechMash #SixtyFour #GamingNews #Metroidbrainia #PCGaming #Solodev

  • Alternate-History Soviet Madness: Hardcore Retro FPS ‘HMUR’ Locks In September Steam Demo!

    Alternate-History Soviet Madness: Hardcore Retro FPS ‘HMUR’ Locks In September Steam Demo!

    Boomer shooter fans, it is time to stretch those trigger fingers. Publisher Valkyrie Initiative and solo developer FoxusSexus have officially announced that the highly anticipated demo for HMUR is dropping on Steam this September 2026.

    If your idea of a good time involves lightning-fast movement, pulse-pounding electronic beats, and zero room for error, this is one indie title you need to put on your radar immediately.

    Brutal Combat Meets Soviet Sci-Fi

    Developed entirely by a lone dev, HMUR is a high-speed retro first-person shooter that feels like a beautiful, chaotic love child of Hotline Miami, Dusk, and the retro-futuristic Soviet aesthetic of Atomic Heart.

    Set in an alternate-1990s USSR, you step into the boots of Sergei—a humble utility worker trapped inside a classified facility in the city of Mirnogorsk after a catastrophic disaster. Instead of fixing pipes, you’ll be blasting your way through relentless hordes of enemies.

    The catch? One hit can mean instant death. HMUR features high-stakes, one-life gameplay where speed and absolute precision are your only mechanics for survival. Stop moving for even a second, and it’s back to the checkpoint.

    Check Out the Fresh Gameplay and New Visual Style

    The announcement comes right alongside a brand-new trailer, giving players a look at fresh, meatier gameplay footage and an updated visual style. FoxusSexus has been hard at work polishing the environmental details, and the new gritty, psychedelic look pairs perfectly with the game’s non-linear level design.

    Here is what you can look forward to when the demo drops:

    • Frantic ’90s Gunplay: Pure, unadulterated retro FPS action where momentum is everything.
    • Branching Levels: Hit a brick wall on one path? Take a different route through the facility.
    • High Stakes: Limited resources and fragile health mean every single bullet counts.
    • A Killer Soundtrack: Blast enemies to an original blend of techno, hard bass, and breakcore.

    Following its selection as one of the top 50 finalists at The Indie Premier 2026, HMUR is shaping up to be one of the most exciting solo-developed projects of the year.

    How to Play

    The HMUR demo will be publicly available on Steam in September 2026. In the meantime, you can head over to the official Steam page right now to check out the new trailer, look at the upgraded graphics, and add it to your wishlist so you don’t miss the launch.

    Are you ready to survive the madness? Let us know in the comments if you’ll be downloading the demo this autumn!

    Find out more here

    #HMUR #RetroFPS #BoomerShooter #IndieGames #ValkyrieInitiative #SoloDev #SteamDemo #GamingNews #TechMash

  • Build, Explore, Survive: Solo-Dev Gem ‘Settler’s Domain’ Brings Strategic Pixel Art Goodness to Steam

    Build, Explore, Survive: Solo-Dev Gem ‘Settler’s Domain’ Brings Strategic Pixel Art Goodness to Steam

    If there is one thing we love here at TechMash, it’s the sheer magic of indie games—especially those crafted by a lone developer pouring their heart, soul, and coding hours into something special. Enter rick, a solo developer who has spent the last two years building a gorgeous, thoughtful colony sim that strategy fans will definitely want to keep on their radar.

    Say hello to Settler’s Domain.

    Combining charming pixel graphics with deep, thoughtful, and rewarding strategic gameplay, Settler’s Domain tasks you with establishing and expanding a thriving colony in beautiful but unforgiving unknown lands.

    What is Settler’s Domain All About?

    At its core, Settler’s Domain is a strategy game about survival, exploration, and expansion. You begin with minimal resources and the ultimate goal of keeping your settlers alive while transforming a tiny camp into a bustling domain.

    But it’s not just a peaceful city builder—the world is alive, procedural, and full of both opportunity and danger.

    Key Features to Get Excited About

    • Deep Resource Management: Managing your ever-growing population is a delicate balancing act. More settlers mean more productivity, but they also bring a higher demand for housing, medicine, and food. Balancing your supplies—especially when the harsh winter hits and crops stop growing—is vital.
    • A Massive Tech Tree: With over 80 unique structures to build, you can research and unlock everything from basic tents to advanced medicine huts, quarries, and even a “jammery” to keep your colony thriving.
    • Exploration and Dynamic Diplomacy: You aren’t alone in these lands. As you clear away the unknown on the procedural map, you’ll encounter neighbouring settlements. It is entirely up to you how to handle them. Will you engage in peaceful diplomacy and forge trade agreements? Or will you choose hostility and annex them by force?

    Why Solo-Dev Projects Hit Different

    There is a distinct passion that shines through in solo-developed projects like this. Rick’s art style takes clear inspiration from classic GBA-era visuals, giving it an instantly nostalgic, cosy aesthetic that perfectly contrasts the intense, punishing tactical choices you have to make to survive. It’s got the micro-management charm of Banished blended seamlessly with the macro-exploration elements of classic 4X games.

    Release Date Update: After nearly two years of hard work, rick has officially announced that Settler’s Domain is launching on Steam on August 25, 2026.

    If you love city builders, colony sims, or classic RTS games, you can head over to Steam right now to try out the demo and add it to your wishlist. Supporting solo developers is what keeps the gaming industry fresh, and Settler’s Domain looks like it’s going to be an absolute gem.

    Are you going to build a peaceful trading empire or conquer the map? Let us know your strategy in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #IndieGames #SettlersDomain #StrategyGames #TechMash #GamingNews #SoloDev #PixelArt #CityBuilder #SteamGames #ColonySim

  • Helmet On, Visor Down: LANESPLIT Drops Massive Free Update and Full Steam VR Support!

    Helmet On, Visor Down: LANESPLIT Drops Massive Free Update and Full Steam VR Support!

    If you’ve ever wanted to experience the white-knuckle adrenaline rush of weaving through deadlocked traffic on a superbike—without, you know, the actual real-world peril—then solo developer FunkyMouse (Shakya Ranatunga) has just delivered your ultimate fix.

    The critically acclaimed traffic-weaving motorcycle racing simulator, LANESPLIT, has officially accelerated into the virtual reality realm. Announced at the VR Games Showcase, the game has dropped a massive, game-changing free content update alongside full PC via Steam VR support.

    Grab your virtual handlebars, because this indie hit just took immersion to a whole new level.

    Strap into the Virtual Saddle

    LANESPLIT has always been praised for its flow-state gameplay, but experiencing it in true first-person VR completely alters the playing field. With traffic whizzing past your peripheral vision at breakneck speeds, the sense of velocity is utterly intoxicating.

    The formula remains beautifully intense: dodge traffic, rack up points for tight lane-splitting manoeuvres, and don’t crash. Because if you do? The heart-pounding drum-and-bass soundtrack screeches to a violent halt, and the game’s realistic ragdoll physics will send your rider flying.

    What’s New in the Free Content Update?

    FunkyMouse isn’t just delivering VR support; the base game is receiving an incredible injection of free content for all players:

    • A Beefed-Up Garage: The roster has expanded to high-performance machines, including two brand-new electric bikes that feature their own entirely distinct acceleration curves, traction, and handling characteristics.
    • Ride as the Legends: The update introduces a fresh cast of playable characters modelled after real-world motorcycle icons and POV content creators, including Brian636, CyborgAngel, and GhostRider.
    • Dynamic, Slick Weather: Think you’ve mastered the roads? The addition of Thunderstorms will turn bone-dry highways into treacherous, suddenly slick asphalt, forcing you to feather the throttle to survive.
    • Modes for Every Mood: Test your ultimate reflexes in the chaotic Rush Hour mode, or simply cruise empty, beautiful highways in the beautifully relaxed Zen Mode.

    “Motorcycle POV videos from Brian636, CyborgAngel, and GhostRider were a huge inspiration for this content update,” says solo developer Shakya Ranatunga. “While the first-person camera angle already lends itself to flow-state gameplay, VR takes the riding experience to another level.”

    Play Solo or Dominate the Leaderboards

    Whether you want to tackle the highways alone, customise your custom rider, or burn rubber in multiplayer against friends, the new LANESPLIT update delivers the definitive urban racing experience.

    The update is out now on PC. If you own the base game on Steam, the VR functionality and content drop are completely free.

    Are you brave enough to split the lane in VR? Head over to Steam and let us know your high scores in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #LANESPLIT #VRGaming #SteamVR #IndieGames #SoloDev #MotorcycleSim #FunkyMouse #RacingGames #TechMash