Tag: #SteamNextFest

Drift, Dream, Design — Reality Drift Welcomes Katamari Creator Keita Takahashi!
Buckle up for something truly extraordinary — and delightfully strange! Independent studio Arganoid Industries is thrilled to announce that their surreal 2.5D roguelike racer Reality Drift will feature exclusive guest artwork from legendary designer Keita Takahashi — the creative mind behind Katamari Damacy, Wattam, and to a T.

Where the Road Makes No Sense — And That’s the Point

Reality Drift isn’t your average race. It’s a strategic roguelike journey through ever-more-bizarre worlds, where your driving skill matters just as much as the upgrades, cards, and paths you choose between runs. Deliver packages to eccentric, god-like beings, customise your ride, and carve your own route through the unknown.

Now, things are getting even weirder — and wonderfully so — thanks to Takahashi’s signature touch:
- A Track Inside You — His centrepiece contribution: a fully realised racetrack where you drive through the human body itself
- Delightfully Odd Sprites — Giant sheep, towering pigeons, grinning skulls, bats, and a landscape where colossal legs rise straight from the ground
- Pure Unmistakable Charm — The visionary behind Katamari brings his whimsical, joyful, utterly unique style to the game’s most memorable corners
A Match Made in Surreal Heaven

For lead developer Andrew Gillett — a veteran of titles including LostWinds and Elite Dangerous — this is a dream collaboration: “As someone who has loved Katamari Damacy ever since its release in 2004, it’s really exciting to be working with the man behind it. I always try to make games which are a bit unhinged, so when I was looking for an artist to supplement the visuals in Reality Drift, Keita was the perfect fit.”

Steam Next Fest & Launch Details
- Steam Next Fest — Play the demo during the October showcase
- Full Release — November 11, 2026, on Steam for Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Wishlist Now — Head to the Steam store page to follow the game and be notified at launch
Expect the unexpected. Race through the impossible.

Reality Drift — Keita Takahashi is along for the ride.

Find out more here

#RealityDrift #ArganoidIndustries #KeitaTakahashi #techmash #KatamariDamacy #IndieGame #Roguelike #RacingGame #SteamNextFest
30th September 2026
Shoot, Dodge, Survive — Haunted House Hellshift Brings Campy Chaos to Steam Next Fest!
Welcome to the deadliest show on television! Independent studio Deege Games has unveiled Haunted House Hellshift, a gleefully campy top-down arcade shooter where you blast your way through a haunted house — and a live TV audience is watching every move. The free demo is available right now on Steam — and the game will take centre stage during Steam Next Fest, October 19–26, 2026, ahead of its full release on November 9 for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Lights, Camera, Carnage — It’s Showtime!

Haunted House Hellshift serves up fast, frantic arcade action with a delightfully spooky-but-silly twist. Inspired by classics like Gauntlet, this isn’t bone-chilling terror — it’s Saturday-morning-cartoon spooks with plenty of firepower.
- Fight the Undead Crew — Blast ghostly television crews, spooktacular monsters, and more as you storm through room after room
- Collect to Survive — Gather glowing eyeballs to unlock cursed doors, grab powerful new weapons, and carve a path toward the exit
- Watch Your Step — Deadly traps line every corridor; stay sharp, stay mobile, and don’t get cornered
- Solo or Side-by-Side — Brave the house alone, or team up with a friend in local 2-player co-op on the same screen
Play the Demo Now — Don’t Miss Next Fest!

You don’t have to wait for the broadcast to begin. Head to the Steam store page today to grab the free demo and start your run. Then tune in during Steam Next Fest (October 19–26) for fresh looks, updates, and a chance to see just how chaotic the house can get when the cameras are rolling.

The full game launches November 9, 2026 across Windows, macOS, and Linux — so wishlist now and be first in line when the doors open.

The house is haunted, the cameras are rolling, and the audience is waiting. Can you make it out alive?

Haunted House Hellshift — It’s to die for!

Find out more here

#HauntedHouseHellshift #DeegeGames #SteamNextFest #techmash #ArcadeShooter #IndieGame #CoOp #WishlistNow #PCGaming
30th September 2026
Position, Build, Survive — Silent Mainland Brings Grid Tactics to Roguelike Deckbuilding!
Every card counts — and every position matters. Independent developer and publisher Winwill Studio has unveiled Silent Mainland, a tense roguelike deck-builder where tactical placement meets deep card strategy across a sprawling 5×12 battlefield. A free demo is available now — and the game will feature in Steam Next Fest this October!

Where Movement Is Your Greatest Weapon

Silent Mainland rethinks the deck-builder formula by putting you in command of more than just a hand of cards — you control your place on the board. Fights unfold on a wide 5-row, 12-column grid, where shifting your position forward, back, or side-to-side doesn’t just keep you safe — it unlocks powerful card synergies, cost reductions, and devastating attacks.

Monster waves surge in from the right, pressing closer with every turn. There’s no mindless spamming here: every play, every repositioning, and every deck choice is a life-or-death call. Fall back to control the pace, push forward across the Safety Line to cut energy costs and gain strength, and adapt as the battlefield itself shifts — including dynamic Day/Night cycles that rewrite the rules of combat mid-fight.

Key Highlights
- Spatial Strategy — Positioning isn’t an afterthought; it’s the core mechanic. Where you stand changes what your cards can do, how far enemies can reach, and whether you survive the next wave
- Endless Variety — 350+ cards, multiple mercenary characters, 130+ relics, and procedurally generated runs mean no two journeys across the Silent Mainland are ever the same
- Day & Night Tactics — The battlefield transforms as turns pass, altering lines, ranges, and strategic opportunities. Your plan must evolve with the light
- Inspired Design — Built with deckbuilding greats like Slay the Spire and Monster Train in mind, then expanded with fresh grid-based depth
Play It Now — And Catch Us at Steam Next Fest

You don’t have to wait to step onto the battlefield. The Silent Mainland demo is live right now on Steam — head to the store page to download it and start your first run. Plus, join us during Steam Next Fest in October for fresh looks, live updates, and a chance to see just how deep the strategy runs.

When the tide of monsters rises, it’s not just the cards in your hand that will save you — it’s where you stand.

Silent Mainland — Position well. Build wisely. Survive the surge.

Find out more here

#SilentMainland #Roguelike #DeckBuilder #SteamNextFest #WinwillStudio #IndieGame #TacticalStrategy #GridCombat #techmash
30th September 2026
Cold Case in Summer — Zombie Police: Midsummer Unhappy New Year Hits Nov 22!
Summer in Shimofuri Village is frozen solid. A livestream ends in tragedy. And the only detective on the case can detach her own head. Developer Lobstudio is proud to announce Zombie Police: Midsummer Unhappy New Year shambles onto PC via Steam on November 22, 2026, with a Nintendo Switch release to follow later.

Meet the Undying Duo

Step into the shoes of Akemi Kabane — an eccentric, unflappable zombie detective — and her sharp, grounded junior partner Yasu Tamura, a diehard fan of classic detective dramas. Together they’re investigating a village where ancient customs clash with modern eyes, and where the season itself has been frozen in place.

Akemi’s un-deadly advantages:
- Zombie Dive — literally enter people’s minds (and objects) to uncover buried truths
- Drink poison to test a theory — no problem when you’re already not-alive
- Take her own head off to get a better look — yes, really
- Sleep in a freezer and wake up fresh
How You Solve the Crime
- Gather testimony — question villagers, inspect crime scenes, hunt for inconsistencies
- Connect clues in the Journal — link keywords and statements to build a clear picture
- Spot contradictions — challenge what you’re told and present hard evidence
- Choices matter — your responses shape the investigation and the story’s direction
Comedy Meets Quiet Drama

The game balances Akemi’s absurd antics with genuine emotion — a story about tradition versus change, old ways clashing with new, and a community struggling to move forward. Expect laughs, heartfelt moments, and genuine mystery.

“Zombie Police is ultimately a game about older traditions versus newer values and ways of life.” — Tsuyoshi Manabe, CEO, Lobstudio

Steam Next Fest Demo — Play Chapter 0 Now

Can’t wait? A free demo featuring Chapter 0 (approx. 10–20 minutes) goes live during Steam Next Fest, October 19–26, 2026. Get an early taste of the case before the full release.

Game Details:
- PC Release: November 22, 2026
- Nintendo Switch: Coming later
- Price: $10.99
- Full Playtime: 5–7 hours
- Languages: English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese
- Steam Page:
Wishlist now and join Akemi and Yasu as they thaw out the truth — one bizarre clue at a time.

Find out more here

#ZombiePolice #MidsummerUnhappyNewYear #Lobstudio #VisualNovel #DetectiveGame #ComedyMystery #Zombie #SteamNextFest #IndieDev #NintendoSwitch #GamingNews #TechMash
24th September 2026
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
24th September 2026
Trust No One — Among Shadows Unmasks Traitors in Q4 2026!
In a land consumed by ancient plague, the deadliest enemy isn’t the infection — it’s standing right beside you. Developer TMXN Games has confirmed Among Shadows, their asymmetric PvP social deduction fantasy thriller, arrives in Steam Early Access Q4 2026 for PC.

The Order Has Been Infiltrated — Who Is the Apostle?

You are an Envoy of the Secret Fire, dispatched to purify a realm dying from a supernatural blight. Each match unfolds across three in-game days: scavenge resources, craft gear, battle corrupted horrors, and seal plague nodes by day — then gather at the church by night to judge who among you is secretly an Underworld Apostle, working to spread the infection from within.

What makes Among Shadows stand out:
- Soulslike combat meets deduction — 10 distinct Envoy roles, each with unique fighting styles and abilities
- Investigate, observe, survive — clues are scattered across the map; trust nothing and no one
- Asymmetric PvP — loyal Envoys vs hidden traitors in every session
- Co-op with constant doubt — you must work together to survive, but betrayal could strike at any moment
- Nightly Judgment phases — discuss, accuse, vote — and cast the guilty out before they sabotage the mission
Demo Coming During Steam Next Fest

A brand-new demo will go live during Steam Next Fest, October 19–26, 2026, letting players test the combat, exploration, and deduction systems ahead of launch.

Early Access Details:
- Release: Q4 2026 (PC via Steam)
- Price: $10.99
- Languages: English, Korean, Japanese, Simplified & Traditional Chinese
- Steam
Add Among Shadows to your wishlist now — and remember: in the dark, everyone is a suspect.

Find out more here

#AmongShadows #TMXNGames #SocialDeduction #AsymmetricPvP #IndieGame #SteamNextFest #EarlyAccess #FantasyGame #Soulslike #GamingNews #TechMash
24th September 2026
Timber & Tranquillity — LumberBoy Demo Drops, Next Fest Coming in October
Grab your axe and breathe in that crisp island air: South Korean indie studio HiddenStageGames has just released a free Steam demo for LumberBoy, their charming cosy pixel-art incremental game about turning a quiet island into a thriving timber haven. And you’ll get to see even more when the game takes centre stage at Steam Next Fest, October 19–26, 2026.

From Sapling to Empire — One Swing at a Time

LumberBoy casts you as a humble logger starting with nothing but a single axe and one loyal worker. Felling trees earns you gold — gold you’ll sink into sawmills, conveyor belts, market stalls, and upgrades — until the whole island hums with the rhythm of your very own production line. It’s the satisfying loop of incremental growth, wrapped in warm, hand-drawn isometric pixel art that feels like wrapping yourself in a cosy blanket.
- Three distinct forest zones to explore in the demo
- 34 trait upgrades to boost your logging speed, processing power, and profits
- A demo playtime of roughly 40–60 minutes — perfect for a relaxing session
- Full support for mouse & keyboard or controller, plus Steam Deck compatibility
- Languages: English, Korean, Japanese, Simplified & Traditional Chinese
What Lies Ahead — Next Fest & Beyond

The demo is available right now, completely free — no keys, no hoops, just head to the Steam store page and start swinging. Come October 19, LumberBoy will be part of Steam Next Fest, where HiddenStageGames will showcase even more of the island, new features, and what players can expect from the full release. Whether you’re a casual logger looking to unwind or a completionist chasing every last upgrade, this is one growing adventure you won’t want to miss.

Grab the LumberBoy Demo here:

#LumberBoy #HiddenStageGames #SteamNextFest #SteamNextFest2026 #IndieGames #PixelArt #CozyGaming #IncrementalGame #IdleGame #IndieDev #KoreanIndie #GamingNews #TechMash
24th September 2026
Spin the Beat — MR. RECORDS Demo Spins onto Steam! Rhythm, Records & Cosy Charm
Step behind the counter, dust off the turntable, and get ready to groove — Wired Productions and developer Glee-Cheese Studio have officially launched the first public demo for MR. RECORDS on Steam, inviting players into a record shop where every day holds a new story and every song becomes an adventure.

By Day — Run the Shop. By Night — Live the Music

MR. RECORDS follows George, a lifelong dreamer who finally opens the record store he’s always wanted. The game unfolds in two beautifully woven halves:

Days — Cosy Record Shop Management
- Welcome a colourful cast of customers, each with unique tastes and stories
- Recommend the perfect record — match moods and preferences to keep the music flowing
- Restock shelves, organise your collection, and tend to the shop
- Meet Buzz, George’s loyal dog and constant companion
- It’s warm, peaceful, and full of heart
? Nights — Rhythm Adventures Come Alive

When the doors close, the music takes over. Every track transforms into a vibrant, imaginative rhythm stage where you:
- Jump, kick, slide, and dash to the beat across handcrafted levels
- Experience original songs that range from upbeat pop to soulful ballads
- Encounter rhythm battles, surreal minigames, chase sequences, and visual surprises
- Perfect your performance to unlock harder versions of each track
- Follow George’s story through memories, photographs, and moments that reveal his past — hopes, regrets, friendships, and the courage to start anew
More Platforms Confirmed

Alongside the demo, Wired Productions has announced that MR. RECORDS will also arrive on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, joining the previously revealed PC (Steam, GOG, Epic) and Nintendo Switch 2 versions. Full release is targeted for early 2027.

Ready to Play
- Demo: Live now on Steam — free to download
- Steam Next Fest: The game takes centre stage October 2026
- Wishlist: Available now across all storefronts
The turntable is spinning, the door is open, and George’s story is just beginning. Will you find your perfect record?

Find out more here

#MRRECORDS #WiredProductions #GleeCheeseStudio #RhythmGame #CozyGaming #IndieDev #SteamDemo #SteamNextFest #TechMash
23rd September 2026
Embrace the Quirks: ‘Life Is a Dungeon: Lean into It.’ Wishlist Page Lives on Steam Ahead of October Launch!
Publisher syn Sophia, Inc. and developer Anonymous Works have officially opened the Steam store page for their upcoming title, Life Is a Dungeon: Lean into It.—a fresh, quirk-filled dungeon-crawling roguelite RPG coming to PC and Mac on October 27, 2026.

If you are a fan of strategy, deep build customisation, and games that respect your multitasking habits, this is definitely one indie gem you’ll want to smash that wishlist button for.

What Is Life Is a Dungeon: Lean into It.?

The story follows a band of four eccentric adventurers who find themselves banished from the royal capital. Left with no choice but to venture into the desolate Land of Impermanence, the party stumbles upon dark secrets hidden by the Church—and the true nature of the world itself.

Instead of your typical generic fantasy heroes, Life Is a Dungeon shakes up the traditional dungeon crawler formula by giving each of its four playable characters distinct Traits (or compulsions) that drastically change your floor-clearing objectives:
- The Hunter (Frugal): Bound by greed and saving resources, the Hunter must open every single treasure chest on the floor before advancing.
- The Fighter (Aggressive): Driven by bloodlust, the Fighter must defeat every enemy on the floor to clear it.
- The Blacksmith (Perfectionist): Obsessed with gear, the Blacksmith cannot leave until every ore deposit and piece of equipment is found.
- The Mage (Collecting Habit): A hoard-happy practitioner who must gather all natural resources and alchemical ingredients on the floor to proceed.
These traits force players to adapt their strategy and pathfinding dynamically, giving every dungeon run a completely unique set of priorities based on who is taking the lead.

Risk, Reward, and… Munching on Chips?

One of the standout design choices in Life Is a Dungeon is its seamless, mouse-only control system. Designed to let players switch effortlessly between full manual control and automated pathfinding, the developers joke that the controls are “easy enough to use while munching on chips.” Perfect for casual sessions, secondary-screen gaming, or deep tactical planning alike.

Combat and progression, however, are far from casual. As you delve into the depths:
- Double-Edged Skills: Characters acquire random skills during exploration that carry both heavy benefits and annoying drawbacks—reflecting human quirks and compulsions.
- Deep Build Customisation: While run progression resets upon death, equipment brought out of the dungeon can be permanently kept, upgraded, and combined with skills to create wildly specialised playstyles.
- Stamina & Appetite Management: Detours, heavy skills, and flashy movement combos eat up your Stamina fast. If you don’t manage your food intake and balance your build’s energy consumption, the dungeon will punish you quickly.
Steam Next Fest & Launch Details

Gamers eager to get a head start won’t have to wait long to sample the action. Life Is a Dungeon: Lean into It. will be participating in the Steam Next Fest: October 2026 Edition from October 19 to October 26.

The full game launches right after on October 27, 2026 for Windows and macOS at a standard price point of $10 USD (with regional pricing and an opening launch discount planned).

Head over to the Steam Store Page now to add it to your wishlist!

Find out more here

#LifeIsADungeon #synSophia #AnonymousWorks #IndieDev #Roguelite #RPG #SteamNextFest #PCGaming #MacGaming #GamingNews #TechMash
1st September 2026
Gear Up & Blast Off: Ballast Games Announces Launch Date for ‘Cloudbreaker’
Take to the Skies! Cloudbreaker Brings Inventory Management Bullet Heaven Action to Steam This September

If you love fast-paced arcade action, tactical gear management, and intense roguelite survival, get your wishlist ready! Ballast Games has officially announced that Cloudbreaker, their highly anticipated inventory-management bullet heaven shooter, is launching on Steam on September 15th!

From Next Fest Hit to Full Launch

If the name sounds familiar, you might have caught Cloudbreaker during its breakout demo debut at the June Steam Next Fest. Players immediately fell in love with its addicting blend of endless bullet hell action and clever puzzle-like inventory organisation.

Since the festival, the incredibly dedicated two-person team at Ballast Games has been working tirelessly. Taking player feedback to heart, they’ve spent the last few months polishing mechanics, tuning balance, and adding fresh content to make sure the full release hits all the right notes.

What is Cloudbreaker?

At its core, Cloudbreaker combines the thrilling swarm-survival mechanics of the “bullet heaven” genre (think Vampire Survivors meets classic aerial shoot-’em-ups) with deep, strategic inventory management.

Instead of just mindlessly collecting power-ups, every item you pick up has a physical shape and size. How you organise your inventory grid directly impacts your firepower, defensive capabilities, and elemental synergies.

Key Features to Look Forward To:
- Grid-Based Inventory Tactics: Fit weapons, power modules, and passive upgrades into your grid to unleash chaotic, screen-clearing combos.
- Relentless Aerial Swarms: Fly through dynamic skies and dodge thousands of projectiles while taking down massive boss encounters.
- Deep Replayability: Experiment with different builds, unlock new gear, and adapt your strategy every run.
- Handcrafted Indie Passion: Built from the ground up by a passionate duo who truly care about community feedback.
Mark Your Calendars!

Whether you’re a veteran of roguelite shooters or just looking for your next addictive indie hit, Cloudbreaker promises endless fun and strategic depth.

Cloudbreaker officially launches on Steam on September 15th. Don’t forget to head over to Steam, add it to your Wishlist, and support this incredible two-person development team!

Find out more here

#Cloudbreaker #IndieDev #Steam #GamingNews #BulletHeaven #Roguelite #BallastGames #PCGaming #Techmash #SteamNextFest
6th August 2026
Dimension-Shifting Madness! Bohemia Interactive Blasts Off With Cosmo Tales At Convergence Showcase 2026
Bohemia Interactive—the legendary studio behind powerhouse titles like Arma and DayZ—has taken a delightfully whimsical detour into deep space. The studio made waves at Convergence Showcase 2026, delivering a stellar update on their highly anticipated family-friendly roguelite adventure, Cosmo Tales.

Bohemia debuted an all-new, adrenaline-pumping trailer alongside a fresh crop of vibrant screenshots, giving players a deeper look into the game’s frantic, dimension-shifting universe.

If you missed the showcase, here is a breakdown of what you need to know about Cosmo Tales and its upcoming release!

Shift Dimensions, Change Reality

At its core, Cosmo Tales is a fast-paced space adventure with a twist. Inspired by a striking 1970s retro sci-fi aesthetic mixed with the look of a modern 3D-animated movie, you take the wheel of a witty, talking “cosmobile.”

The game’s standout mechanic is its real-time dimension shifting. With the hit of a button, players can completely flip the game on its head. Shifting dimensions changes the reality around you—meaning enemy behaviours, tactical possibilities, your abilities, and even the visual style of the environment transform instantly.

Epic New Cars Confirmed for Day One (And They Have Deep Roots!)

Beyond highlighting the game’s chaotic roguelite gameplay, the new Convergence trailer dropped a major announcement: there will be multiple playable cars available on day one of Early Access!

While we previously knew about a vehicle inspired by the classic Škoda 1203, the developers have now confirmed two exceptionally rare, real-world inspirations making their way into digital form:
- The Škoda 110 Super Sport Ferat: Drawing inspiration from the legendary Czech automotive prototype famous for its starring role in the cult horror film Ferat Vampire. Only a single prototype of this car was ever built in reality, making it a dream come true for car enthusiasts to pilot in-game.
- The Škoda Felicia Fun: Inspired by the highly distinctive and sought-after utility car produced in limited quantities in the late 90s.
By reviving these iconic, rare vehicles as sentient cosmobiles, Bohemia Interactive is blending classic automotive history with high-octane space combat.

Play the Demo Now – Early Access Coming Soon!

Can’t wait to jump into the driver’s seat? You don’t have to. Following a successful debut during Steam Next Fest, Bohemia Interactive has confirmed that a public demo of Cosmo Tales is currently live and available on Steam right now!

It is the perfect opportunity to experiment with your combat builds, test out the layered enemy defences, and master the dimension-shifting mechanics ahead of launch.

Release Date Window

Mark your calendars! Cosmo Tales is officially scheduled to enter Steam Early Access in September 2026. Bohemia Interactive will be announcing the exact release date very soon, so make sure to head over to Steam to add it to your wishlist today.

Are you ready to pilot a talking car through the multiverse? Check out the trailer, download the demo, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Find out more here

#CosmoTales #BohemiaInteractive #ConvergenceShowcase #GamingNews #IndieGames #SteamNextFest #Roguelite #SciFiGaming #TechMash #PCGaming
20th July 2026
Angry Birds to Angry Battlers: Why Warena is Your Next PC Gaming Obsession
The tactical card battler genre is about to get a serious shake-up, and it’s arriving from a very unexpected, highly pedigree’d source.

If you spent any part of the 2010s flinging furious fowls at green pigs, you’re already familiar with the work of Tuomas Erikoinen—the original artist behind the iconic Angry Birds characters. After conquering the mobile world and racking up over 50 million downloads across various projects, Erikoinen and his indie studio, Part Time Monkey, are trading mobile screens for PC monitors.

Their latest creation? Warena, a real-time tactical card battler that launches on Steam today (July 14, 2026), and it looks set to steal your sleep.

Real-Time Chaos: No Turns, No Waiting

Forget everything you know about traditional card games where you politely wait for your opponent to figure out their move. Warena throws etiquette out the window in favour of simultaneous, real-time chaos.

Both players act at the exact same time. Your objective is simple but intense: manage your mana pool, deploy troops, cast devastating spells, and push down lanes to tear down the enemy base before they do the same to yours. It’s a high-stakes tug-of-war where reading your opponent’s intent and timing your counters is everything.

“I love short, round-based games like Rocket League where you always want to go for one more round,” says creator Tuomas Erikoinen. “I played a lot of Clash Royale and kept thinking: this would work on PC if you built it right. Warena is that game.”

The Ultimate Hybrid: Clash Royale Meets Traditional RTS

Warena beautifully bridges the gap between two distinct gaming worlds, offering a unique hybrid experience:
- The Speed and Immediacy of Clash Royale: Matches are fast, punchy, and instantly engaging. It’s built for that “just one more game” loop that will have you looking at the clock, suddenly realising it’s 3 AM.
- The Strategic Depth of a Classic RTS: Don’t let the quick match times fool you; there is serious tactical weight here. With mid-match deck evolution via “Runes” and unique “Hero Skills” chosen at the start of the game, the deck you finish with will look wildly different from the one you started with.
Built for Pure Competition

In a refreshing move for the modern gaming landscape, Warena is entirely built around skill. Every single card in the game is earned purely through play. There are no pay-to-win mechanics or hidden stat advantages here—just visible stats, clever strategies, and split-second decision-making.

Whether you want to test your mettle against the AI in the single-player campaign or climb the competitive ladder in ranked 1v1 PvP, victory relies entirely on your brainpower and reflexes.

If you’re looking for a competitive strategy fix that doesn’t require a hardcore, hundreds-of-hours time commitment to enjoy, Warena is calling your name. Head over to Steam, grab the deck, and prepare for battle.

Find out more here

#Warena #IndieGames #PCGaming #SteamNextFest #CardBattler #RTS #GamingNews #TechMash #PartTimeMonkey
13th July 2026