Explore a vast sci-fi world of environmental puzzles, hidden secrets, and narrative-driven discovery as a mysterious autonomous AI
Virginia, United States – 29 June, 2026. Indie developer Electric Machine Games is excited to announce that The Core, the immersive narrative-driven action-adventure game, will launch into Steam Early Access on August 13th, 2026.
Developed by a solo creator, The Core is the debut PC title from Electric Machine Games, the studio founded by the developer behind the mobile phenomenon Tall Man Run, which has amassed more than 250 million downloads worldwide. Following extensive community feedback gathered through multiple public playtests and a Steam demo, players will soon be able to experience the first chapters of this ambitious sci-fi adventure as it begins its Early Access journey.
In The Core, players awaken as an autonomous AI deep within a long-forgotten facility, stripped of their memories and uncertain of their purpose. Exploring a mysterious world of abandoned machinery, forgotten technology, and bleak dystopian landscapes, players must uncover the truth behind their creation while mastering movement, puzzle-solving, exploration, and combat.
The initial Early Access release will feature three fully playable story chapters, along with 30 standalone challenge missions known as Cain’s Trials. These unique scenarios reward players with Tech currency used to progress through the main narrative, while timed challenge modes and Steam leaderboards offer additional replayability for those seeking mastery.
Built with community collaboration at its heart, The Core will continue to evolve throughout Early Access with new story content, additional trials, gameplay improvements, and enhancements driven by player feedback.
About The Core
The Core is a narrative-driven action-adventure that blends exploration, puzzle-solving, platforming, and combat within a mysterious sci-fi world. Awakening as an autonomous AI with no memory of your past, you must uncover the truth behind your creation while exploring vast industrial facilities, forgotten underground systems, and eerie outdoor landscapes reclaimed by nature.
As you journey deeper into the world, you’ll unlock powerful upgrades, master momentum-based traversal, solve environmental puzzles, and use a versatile energy tool to manipulate machinery, overcome obstacles, and defend yourself against hostile threats. From dark corridors and decaying technology to forests, cliffsides, and abandoned surface environments, every area hides new secrets waiting to be discovered.
Scattered clues, recordings, and remnants of a lost civilisation gradually reveal the fate of humanity and the purpose behind your existence, transforming a search for answers into a much larger journey of self-discovery, mystery, and survival.
After months of community-driven development, The Core is ready to welcome players into its world. Wishlist now on Steam and prepare to begin your journey when Early Access launches on August 13th.
