Grab a Plunger, Hold onto Your Extremely Fragile Raft and Try Not to Get Set on Fire

Today, Goose Byte Games and Balor Games are weirdly proud to reveal Sponge Break, a chaotic 1-4 player co-op rafting adventure. Sponge Break transforms players into sponges escaping the tyranny of the kitchen sink on a raft held together by little more than wishful thinking. The game features drop-in co-op, full solo support, proximity voice chat with sponges that lip-sync to players’ voices and physics-driven raft traversal where one mistake can flip the raft, scattering gear, dealing damage and quickly ending the team’s escape.

Watch the Sponge Break Reveal Trailer Here:

In Sponge Break, the rules are simple: you’re a sponge. You’re on a raft. The river is trying to destroy you. Chaos everywhere. You and up to 3 friends are trying to escape, crammed onto a raft and armed with your trusty plunger-hook.

Use proximity voice chat to work together (or don’t), steering the raft together down the rapids to freedom. Solve puzzles to open pathways, navigate environmental dangers, avoid being set on fire and fight beavers… yes: beavers.

Key Features:

• 1 to 4 sponges with drop-in co-op gameplay. That friend who’s always “5 minutes away” can show up 40 minutes late and immediately make it worse. Playable solo too, no judgment.
• Proximity voice chat. Will you sing a shanty, scream a warning or calmly listen to your crew panic in real time?
• Real physics, real consequences. Navigate down the world’s most dangerous rapids. Steer wrong, flip it and lose all your stuff. Take a hit, and the raft will come apart under you. 
• Actual teamwork tools. A plunger that functions as a grappling hook lets players grab any object that isn’t bolted down, along with a shared raft stash for the loot you’ll definitely lose.
• 100+ unlockable cosmetic options. Customize your sponge’s eyes, eyebrows, mouths, hats, your inflatable buoys, even your plunger. Plus emotes, for celebrating a clean run or pointing very clearly at whoever blew it… It was Doug. It’s always Doug.
• Multiple biomes with a variety of hazards. The full journey will take you through sewers, rivers, abandoned facilities, and more! Hang out at safehouses between levels to patch up, revive, restock and have a quick argument before setting sail again. 

To celebrate the announcement of Sponge Break, Goose Byte Games and Balor Games are launching a playtest starting today.Invites will roll out in waves through July 28th. Sign up for a chance to join the playtest here: https://sponge-break.firstlook.gg/

All DLCs on Switch 2 will be free to make up for the game’s poor state at launch

Nicosia, Cyprus (July 7, 2026) | Today, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader received a major update to the Nintendo Switch 2 version, which includes improved visuals, enhanced performance, and fixes for the numerous bugs experienced at launch. Furthermore, as an apology for the less-than-stellar Switch 2 launch in December 2025, Owlcat Games announced that all additional content, including all story DLCs, will be free for Switch 2 players.
After Rogue Trader’s initial launch on Switch 2, the team at Owlcat received feedback on the various issues with the version’s shaky build stability. Determined to make amends, the team worked hard to optimize the build, squash bugs, and improve both the game’s visuals and performance, ensuring that the game is stable and looks much better. Further details about the update can be found in this blog post.

In order to make up for the disappointment of the initial launch, starting today, all additional in-game content will be free on Nintendo Switch 2, including Deluxe Edition content and all DLC. The first two DLCs, Void Shadows and Lex Imperialis, are available now; the third and upcoming fourth DLC will follow later.

In Rogue Trader, players take on the role of a scion of an ancient dynasty of daring privateers who reign over their own trade protectorate and explore the fringes of Imperial space with the blessing of the Emperor Himself. By virtue of their Warrant of Trade, the Rogue Trader is endowed with privileges and power beyond imagination, as well as the task of expanding the borders of the Imperium. A gargantuan voidship of immense strength and innumerable personnel ready to follow their leader without question is at their disposal. Show your subjects mercy or disdain, stay faithful to the Emperor or consort with the enemies of Humanity — the Rogue Trader’s every decision sends ripples across entire star systems, changing the in-game world and those who inhabit it. Rogue Trader has now sold more than two million copies.

Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is available for PC via Steam, the Epic Games Store, and GOG, as well as console via PlayStation 4|5, Xbox One and Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.

About Owlcat Games

Owlcat Games is a developer and publisher with a passion for RPGs and narrative-driven experiences. What began as a small team of games industry veterans with a love for tabletop roleplaying has evolved into a truly international studio. Headquartered in Cyprus with over 450 employees worldwide, Owlcat continues to grow, drawing talent from across the globe, and still finds time to roll dice together every week, in person and online.

Previous titles include the critically acclaimed Pathfinder: Kingmaker, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, and Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader.

About Games Workshop

Games Workshop Group PLC (LSE:GAW.L), based in Nottingham, UK, produces the best fantasy miniatures in the world. Games Workshop designs, manufactures, retails, and distributes its range of Warhammer Age of Sigmar and Warhammer 40,000 games, miniatures, novels and model kits through more than 550 of its own stores (branded Games Workshop or Warhammer), its own web store, and independent retail channels in more than 50 countries worldwide. More information about Games Workshop and its other related brands and product ranges (including its publishing division ‘Black Library’ and its special resin miniatures studio ‘Forge World’) can be found at www.games-workshop.com.

The free-to-play co-op zombie shooter launches alongside the Combat Specialist Pack, adding new weapons and tactical gear at launch.

July 7, 2026- Codename CURE II, the free-to-play cooperative first-person shooter that drops five-player squads into the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse, launches on Steam July 24, 2026. Developed by Raptor Byte and published by indie.io, the game arrives alongside the Combat Specialist Pack, a $9.99 DLC discounted 20% at launch that adds new weapons, attachments, and military-inspired cosmetics for every class. Players curious to get a head start can already try the game’s core mechanics and co-op gameplay through the demo, currently live on Steam.

Codename CURE II places players in the boots of an elite military squad tasked with executing a dangerous plan to eliminate a zombie scourge. Assembling a team of up to five soldiers, squads tackle dynamic objective-based missions, fighting through hordes of infected with a dynamic gore system that reacts to every encounter, scavenging for resources to fuel their arsenal and adapting to the ever-changing threats of a post-apocalyptic world. Tactical coordination and resource management are key to survival against overwhelming odds in this class-based shooter, where even the AI enemies adapt to the gear your squad has unlocked.

The game also distinguishes itself with flexible playstyles and accessibility in mind. While built for online co-op, Codename CURE II supports offline play with AI bots, letting solo players experience the full campaign without needing a team. Adjustable difficulty settings and custom volume controls round out an experience designed to welcome players of different needs and preferences.

Key features:

• Five-Player Co-operative Action: Assemble a squad of up to five friends or play offline with AI bots to tackle intense missions together.
• Dynamic Objective Missions: Navigate procedurally generated scenarios where no two mission runs are ever the same, demanding fresh strategic thinking and teamwork every time.
• Resource Scavenging: Search the environment for supplies to customize and upgrade weapons, ensuring your squad is ready for any encounter.
• Class-Based Combat: Choose from five distinct player classes, each offering unique abilities to complement different tactical approaches.

Squads looking to gear up further can pick up the Combat Specialist Pack, launching alongside the base game at $9.99 with a 20% discount at launch. The pack adds new firearms, tactical attachments, and cosmetic gear, giving players new ways to customize their loadout from day one.

Codename CURE II follows the original Codename CURE, which reached over two million players on Steam. The sequel rebuilds that experience with modern tools and expanded systems, while keeping its focus on cooperative gameplay, replayability, and mission-driven action against the infected.

“In making Codename CURE II, we wanted to recapture what made the original so fun, but modernise and improve upon pretty much everything. From dynamic gore systems to additional enemy types, cool but limited features present in the first game, such as maps having pre-set branching paths, evolved here into a full procedural generation system where no two mission runs are ever the same. Each class now has a full selection of weapon and attachment options, more competent/believable AI systems which even utilise the gear you have unlocked when filling roles. After many years of development, we’re very excited to get this into the hands of gamers, both existing fans and new players alike,” said Raptor Byte. 

Codename CURE II launches free-to-play on Steam July 24, 2026.

ABOUT RAPTOR BYTE
Raptor Byte is a two-person independent studio made up of a UK-based programmer and a US-based 3D artist, specializing in free-to-play, class-based multiplayer shooters. Their debut title, the original Codename CURE, earned a Very Positive rating on Steam across more than 16,00 user reviews and accumulated over 2.5 million players. Codename CURE II is their most ambitious project to date. 

ABOUT INDIE.IO
indie.io is home to over 100 of the world’s best independent video games and developers. Our platform was built to provide independent developers with the resources, services, and management tools needed for success. Through collaboration and passion, we strive to cultivate a diverse and vibrant gaming landscape that resonates with players and creators alike!

Become a Creature of the Night and rule broody Sangavia with a truly unique vampire

Oberhaching, Germany, July 7, 2026 – From the very start of the Early Access phase of Vampires: Bloodlord Rising, the sinister open-world action-adventure from development team Mehuman Games and publisher Toplitz Productions, the dedicated community was very vocal about one feature, they are desperate to have: a character creator, so they are not restricted to playing Dragos, the hero pre-set by the story.

With the dark open world of broody Sangavia set as a background, giving the player the ultimate freedom to follow the story’s path or explore the land at free will, it is the next logical step to give the virtual vampires the same amount of freedom and options to express themselves with their character appearance.

Vampires: Bloodlord Rising on Steam

Starting with comprehensive templates and a variety of impressive base settings, you can create both female as well as male characters and then start finetuning their appearance in detail with more than 30 sliders. To make it even more appealing, you have absolute freedom to create two very distinctively different looks for the aristocrat mode, which allows you to walk among the mortals and for the hunter mode, in which you are a ruthless predator stalking or catching your prey. Add to that a selection of activity and background perks boosting certain character values, while giving others a slight disadvantage and you’ll experience an in-depth character creator that not only adds visual variety, but extends to the gameplay experience as well.

Vampires: Bloodlord Rising is available in Early Access for PC via Steam, GOG and Epic Games Store, with a solid content update roadmap in place. Head over to the respective official store pages for more information or join our official Discord server to stay updated not only about Vampires: Bloodlord Rising but all the exciting games from Toplitz Productions.

About Mehuman Games
Mehuman Games is a team of nearly twenty professionals – from artists to gameplay designers to programmers. At the heart of this passionate group are members of the former Movie Games Lunarium – the studio responsible for the undeniably successful games Lust from Beyond and Lust for Darkness. Currently we are combining our passion for telling unique stories with the latest technological solutions of the Unreal 5 engine to venture into the opportunities of combining epic storytelling with open world sandbox gameplay. 

About Toplitz Productions
The German-Austrian publisher, whose name originates from the mysterious Toplitz Lake in the heart of Austria, develops and publishes games with “heart & soul” for all platforms. The company consists of a healthy mix of experienced industry veterans and young talents, all of whom are passionate gamers. They enjoy working with creative developers on many exciting titles, such as those from the “Dynasty” and “Giant” series.

Tokyo, Japan, July 7, 2026 | Studio Loading, Kibou Entertainment and Alunite Inc. are excited to announce that ORPHEUS: TO HELL AND BACK, the retro action-puzzle adventure originally released as a physical Game Boy cartridge, will launch on Steam on July 13th, 2026. The Steam release is published by Alunite Inc., a Tokyo-based anime company. A demo is available now.

Funded on Kickstarter with over €16,000 raised, more than double its initial goal, Orpheus: To Hell and Back brings the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice to life in glorious 8-bit, 80s chibi-anime style.

About the Game
Set in a stylized vision of ancient Greece and the underworld, players take control of Orpheus as he descends into Hades to rescue his lost love. The game blends classic puzzle-solving with action elements, featuring environmental challenges and enemies that can be manipulated through the magical power of Orpheus’ lyre. Players can perform different melodies to charm, put enemies to sleep, or instil fear, opening multiple strategic paths through each level.

ORPHEUS: TO HELL AND BACK embraces the limitations and charm of retro hardware while expanding its reach with a PC release on Steam.

Key Features

• Music-based combat: Use three lyre melodies to charm, slow or repel enemies and push them into traps.
• Action-puzzle gameplay: Navigate the depths of Hades across a series of puzzle levels.
• 80s chibi-anime aesthetic: Adorable pixel art and original chiptune music.
• Retro authenticity: Originally released as a physical Game Boy Color cartridge.
• Available in English and Japanese.

About Studio Loading
Studio Loading is an independent Italian game development studio dedicated to creating unique, retro-inspired experiences focused on preserving the classic take on games from the “golden age” of gaming without compromise.

About Kibou Entertainment
Kibou Entertainment is an independent Italian game development studio focused on “mixing the classic way of making games with the new one”. With several published projects and collaborations with PLAYISM and Kadokawa, the studio is now expanding with new projects in development.

About Alunite Inc.
Alunite is a creative studio based in Tokyo, specializing in high-quality 2D animation, storyboarding, and art direction. Alunite is deeply rooted in the anime industry, contributing to major productions such as Apothecary Diaries, Digimon Beatbreak, Pokemon and more!

Richard Snowdon appointed Vice President of Studios, Europe

Paris, France  (July 7th, 2026) – Atari today announced that Andreas Deptolla has been appointed President, Atari Europe, a new position reporting to Wade Rosen, Atari chairman and CEO. In this role Deptolla will oversee Atari’s  growing European presence, including development studios in the UK and Sweden, and business operations in Germany.

“Since joining Atari in 2023, Andreas has established himself as a valued and influential leader, contributing to the company´s revitalization,” said Wade Rosen, Chairman and CEO of Atari. “In this expanded role Andreas will direct our growing European business footprint and play a key role in reestablishing Atari as an iconic gaming and pop culture brand.”

Deptolla will continue to manage the recently established European business headquarters in Munster, which also serves as an important technology hub for the company, creating tech-based products including the world’s most comprehensive video games database MobyGames, and connecting Atari’s global business with its development resources in India.

Deptolla is a seasoned international executive with extensive experience managing technology, innovation, and large-scale initiatives. He joined Atari in August, 2023 as Chief Technology Officer. Based in Munster, Germany Andreas established and oversees the company’s IT, computer engineering, reporting and analytics capabilities, which have given the company a data-driven edge in the highly competitive gaming space. He also established the company’s presence in India, which supports Atari’s global technology initiatives and infrastructure.

Prior to his position at Atari, Deptolla served as President and Board Member at ThrivePass, a Denver-based employee benefits and technology company he co-founded in 2014. He currently serves on the boards of HR technology company Wishlist and video game publisher Apogee Entertainment.

“Europe represents tremendous potential for Atari, not only as a market for our games, but as a deep well of talent and potential partnerships we can leverage to drive our business forward,” said Deptolla. “This last year has really been pivotal for our European expansion, and we have very exciting things in the pipeline!”

Additional key positions appointed in Europe
Atari has appointed Coatsink CEO Richard Snowdon as Vice President of Studios, Europe, where he will oversee the company’s game development projects across the region and report directly to Andreas Deptolla, President of Atari Europe. 

Earlier this year, Atari completed its acquisition of Thunderful Group, strengthening its European presence through the addition of the UK-based development studio Coatsink and the Swedish studios Stormteller Games and Early Morning Studio. 

To learn more about Atari, please visit atari.com and our investor site.

About Atari
Atari is an interactive entertainment company and an iconic gaming industry brand that transcends generations and audiences. The company is globally recognized for its multi-platform, interactive entertainment, and licensed products. Atari owns and/or manages a portfolio of more than 400 unique games and franchises, including world-renowned brands like Asteroids®, Centipede®, PONG®, and RollerCoaster Tycoon®. The Atari family of brands includes game developers Coatsink, Digital Eclipse, Early Morning Studios, Hipster Whale, Implicit Conversions, Infogrames, Nightdive Studios, Stormteller Games, and the community-based sites AtariAge and MobyGames. Visit us online at www.Atari.com.

Atari shares are listed in France on Euronext Growth Paris (ISIN Code FR0010478248, Ticker ALATA) and OTC Pink Current (Ticker PONGF).

©2026 Atari Interactive, Inc. Atari wordmark and logo are trademarks owned by Atari Interactive, Inc.

SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada Season 5 launches today and welcomes Drifters in a New Era in Amasia. Players can now access the Old Amasia: Outer Rim Expedition, a new Exploration Zone, available with the purchase of the “Season 4 Additional Content Pack”.

Two new regions, Storm Hunt and Polluted Forest, will also push Drifters beyond their limits. Within these zones, new Giant SS rank AO crystals are available alongside new threats looming all over the gathering storm. The new season also expands the Magus customisation with the possibility to unlock your partner’s true potential.

With new areas to explore and threats to defeat, Drifters’ bound to their Magus will be put to the test. Can they continue their journey together?

SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

For more information about SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada and other titles from Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe please visit: https://www.bandainamcoent.eu, or follow us on Instagram. Join the conversation on X.

LOS ANGELES – JULY 6, 2026 – Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality games, unveiled a new wave of details for their upcoming game Solo Leveling: KARMA during Anime Expo 2026, including an expanded look at the game’s original storyline, the debut of the all-new Corrupted Hunters, a brand-new trailer and key art, and the surprise casting of acclaimed actor Troy Baker as the Monarch of Destruction.

The panel titled “Solo Leveling: KARMA – Expanding Universe” took place on July 4th at the JW Marriott Diamond Ballroom in Los Angeles, where Aleks Le, the English voice of protagonist Sung Jinwoo, joined members of the development team to introduce fans to the game’s expanded universe.

During the presentation, Netmarble revealed additional details about Solo Leveling: KARMA‘s original storyline, which explores the untold 27-year war between Jinwoo and the Monarchs. Following the events of the original series, Jinwoo enters the Dimensional Gap after using the Cup of Reincarnation, embarking on a prolonged conflict against the Monarchs that has never been depicted before.

Fans also received their first look at the Mutated Hunters, who are the original enemies created by the Monarchs to eliminate Sung Jinwoo. Gameplay footage showcased Jinwoo battling these formidable foes while teasing the emotional conflict that arises as familiar faces return as enemies.

Created exclusively for Anime Expo 2026, brand-new key art and a promotional video were also unveiled. The artwork features Solo Leveling: KARMA‘s original version of Sung Jinwoo alongside Antares, the Monarch of Destruction, the Mutated Hunters, and additional original characters unique to the game. The trailer concludes with a teaser hinting at another major reveal coming this September.

One of the biggest surprises during the panel was the announcement that acclaimed actor Troy Baker will voice Antares, the Monarch of Destruction, in Solo Leveling: KARMA. Although Antares has previously appeared in promotional materials for the game, this marked the first official reveal of his English voice actor.

Unable to attend Anime Expo in person, Troy shared a special video message with fans: “I really do love the show, and I’m freaking out. I’m proudly stepping into the shoes of the Monarch of Destruction, the King of Dragons, Antares.”

Aleks Le also treated attendees to a live dubbing performance using an in-game story sequence that recreated an intense confrontation between Sung Jinwoo and Antares. Attendees were also treated to a first look at new game footage, giveaways, a Q&A session, and a trivia contest where the winners received exclusive posters signed by both Aleks Le and Troy Baker.

Solo Leveling: KARMA is currently in development as a roguelite action RPG for mobile. Featuring isometric hack-and-slash combat, players combine different weapon types, buffs and combat upgrades to create unique builds and experience a different style of battle with every run.

A full recording of the “Solo Leveling: KARMA – Expanding Universe” panel is now available on the official YouTube channel.

Following the event, Netmarble is also hosting a giveaway on the official X account for fans in North America from July 6th through July 12th, with five winners receiving a collaborative poster signed by Aleks Le and Troy Baker.

Further updates will be shared through the official website, YouTube, and X channels.

©Solo Leveling Animation Partners

©Netmarble Corp. & Netmarble Neo Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About Netmarble Corporation

Founded in Korea in 2000, Netmarble Corporation is a leading global game developer and publisher. Through acclaimed franchises and strategic partnerships with top-tier IP holders, the company delivers innovative and engaging gaming experiences to audiences worldwide. As a parent company of Kabam, SpinX Games, Jam City, and a major shareholder of HYBE and NCSOFT, Netmarble’s diverse portfolio includes Solo Leveling:ARISE, Seven Knights Re:BIRTH, RAVEN2, MARVEL Future Fight, and The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross. More information can be found at http://company.netmarble.com.

Take charge of a professional esports organization and build a legacy from the ground up 

KRAKOW, Poland – July 6, 2026 – The wait is over. Esports Manager 2026, the deep esports management simulation from Neurona Games and indie.io, is available now on PC via Steam and the indie.io Store. Backed by more than 180,000 wishlists ahead of launch, the game puts players in full control of a professional esports organization, from contract negotiations and roster construction to live match tactics.

Behind every championship run is a manager juggling budgets, egos, and a ticking tournament clock. Start an organization from scratch or take the reins of an established team, then manage the financial, psychological, and logistical pressures that come with running a modern esports operation. Every contract signed, every player developed, and every sponsorship deal struck carries weight, and there is no scripted campaign or forced ending. The journey continues for as long as a manager stays in the chair.

Talent decisions sit at the heart of the experience. Players scout and recruit across a competitive transfer market, weighing the cost of marquee signings against the upside of developing hungry rookies. Weekly training plans shape both skill growth and morale, while the in-depth Talk module lets managers work through conflicts and motivate rosters through honest, meaningful conversations. Hiring extends beyond the roster too, with analysts, coaches, and media specialists available to round out a full backroom staff.

When it is time to compete, Simulation Mode puts players directly into the action. Matches unfold in real time with dynamic, reactive scenarios, live casters calling the action just like a real esports broadcast, and every tactical call made in the heat of competition can swing a series. The roster pool draws from over 325 real organizations and real reputations, including Eternal Fire, Copenhagen Wolves, Passion UA, m80, GamerLegion, NiP and many others, so the pressure to perform is never just a number on a screen. Sign the wrong star, and a manager risks fracturing a roster that real fans are already watching.

Besides the game itself, you also have the opportunity to manage your own database of players, teams, sponsors, tournaments, and staff. If you want to add 2016 rosters into the game – you can do that any time! Want to have a Major in your city? No problem!

“Esports management is a world where one bad signing can unravel an entire season, and one great conversation with a struggling player can turn a team around. We wanted players to feel that weight in every decision they make. Every system in this game exists because the real world of esports demanded it. We cannot wait to see what kind of managers our players turn out to be,” said Andrii Chupyr, Product Director at Neurona Games.

Esports Manager 2026 is available now on PC for $19.99 USD, with a 20% launch discount on both Steam and the indie.io Store.

ABOUT NEURONA GAMES

Founded in 2019 by the dynamic duo of Andrii Chupyr and Bohdan Buiak, fueled by their shared passion for gaming and a commitment to innovation, the entrepreneurial team set out to redefine the gaming landscape. From its humble beginnings, Neurona Games has rapidly evolved into a powerhouse of creativity and technological prowess. Find out more through their official website.

ABOUT INDIE.IO

indie.io is home to over 100 of the world’s best independent video games and developers. Our platform was built to provide independent developers with the resources, services, and management tools needed for success. Through collaboration and passion, we strive to cultivate a diverse and vibrant gaming landscape that resonates with players and creators alike!

July 6, 2026 | Bohdan Kvas is excited to announce that I Know a Spot, a cozy campsite building game, will launch on PC via Steam on July 14th, 2026. A free demo is available on Steam.

Play the Demo – Wishlist on Steam

About the Game

If you love the peaceful, no-pressure building of Tiny Glade or ShantyTown, I Know a Spot brings that same energy to the great outdoors. Explore a variety of locations across forests, lakes, mountains and seasonal environments, set up your perfect camp, customise your car and enjoy the peace and quiet with your dog.

No timers. No objectives. Just you, the outdoors and a very good dog.

Key Features

• Campsite building: Place objects freely to create warm, inviting scenes across a variety of nature locations.
• Car customisation: Personalise multiple cars with different models, colours, wheels and accessories.
• Dog companion: A loyal dog walks around camp, reacts to the environment and sits nearby.
• Peaceful exploration: Explore forests, lakes, mountains and seasonal environments with no pressure and no objectives.

About Bohdan Kvas
Bohdan Kvas is a solo developer based in Ukraine. I Know a Spot is their debut title.