TECHMASH

Tag: #SteamNextFest2026

  • 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

  • Timber & Tranquillity — LumberBoy Demo Drops, Next Fest Coming in October

    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