Gather the courage to collect yourself before the foot of the dreaded Wendigo

NEW ZEALAND — Jan. 14, 2026 — Calling all supernatural stalkers! A demo for Folklore Hunter, the co-op urban legend hunting survival game developed by Liquid Donkey Games, emerges from the darkness today on PC via Steam at 12:00 PM PST ahead of the game’s 1.0 launch on Friday, Jan. 30, after its successful Early Access debut in 2020.

Experience the entirety of the Wendigo hunt, one of the three major story hunts of Folklore Hunter. Wander dark, decrepit woods home to a host of natural wildlife coexisting with the beastly Wendigo, inspired by North American Algonquian folklore. It lurks in a forest with strange caves, environmental puzzles, and a seemingly shifting landscape. Bullets alone won’t stop it. Search for the clues and conduct the ritual to seal it away.

Folklore Hunter will offer three story hunts in total. Along with the Wendigo, track down the vampiric Strigoi of Romanian legend through an uninhabited ghost village gone vacant from the creature’s macabre presence. The legendary Mothman lies in wait on a strange island, ready to meet the hunting party for the imminent 1.0 launch.

The full version features online co-op for all hunts and game modes, and enables hunters to customize a loadout of cameras, crucifixes, explosive canisters, and other unlockable equipment. Prepare for chaotic Contract Hunts where each outing offers randomized environments and puzzles, with full Steam Workshop support for mod-minded community members to share their own custom content.

“The demo provides a good glimpse of the horrors coming with the full launch later this month,” said Jayde Cohen, Founder and sole developer at Liquid Donkey Games. “Hunting the Wendigo provides different tension points, atmospheres, and environmental puzzles compared to the other creatures in the game. It’s been a long time since the first Early Access release, but the Mothman hunt will be worth the wait.”

Play the debut demo of Folklore Hunter today on PC via Steam before it fully enters the lairs of legendary beasts as 1.0 launches Friday, Jan. 30, with a price increase from the current $11.99 to $17.99. For more information, follow developer Liquid Donkey Games on Twitter and join everyone huddled around the fire over on Discord.

About Liquid Donkey Games

Liquid Donkey Games is an independent game development studio based out of New Zealand, founded and operated by solo developer Jayde Cohen. Creativity and fun fuel Jayde’s creations, and when combined with his passion for the suspenseful and foreboding bring about survival horror experiences like Folklore Hunter supported by the chaotic camaraderie of co-op. Jayde’s storytelling techniques embed themselves into the very worlds he creates, and offer a unique perspective of humanity told through interactive, emergent scenarios.

Wales, UK — Jan. 14, 2026 — HumantiZ,the isometric open-world zombie survival sandbox by developer Yodubzz Studios and indie.io, prepares for the end of the world and the end of Steam Early Access with a 1.0 launch on PC via Steam on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026.

Humanity has fallen. The dead rose, the world burned, and only the rotting husk of civilization remains. In HumanityZ’s 1.0 launch, return to a world that has become even more vicious, unpredictable, and alive with terror. Survival isn’t a goal: it’s a war that never ends, with plenty of post-launch content updates already on the pipeline.

Fight to exist and resist extinction as one of the last living humans. Scavenge through the ruined bones of the old world for supplies, build fortified bases before dusk swallows the light, and craft weapons to keep nightmares at bay. The wilderness has grown feral, the undead are hungrier, and the few survivors left are one bad decision away from joining their ranks. Team up with up to four friends to increase the chances of survival, or choose to die alone.

The 1.0 release of HumanitZ marks the most chilling evolution of the game to date, featuring new content, optimizations, add-ons, and more, that wouldn’t be possible without the community’s help and input. Survivors now step into the apocalypse with fully redesigned character models and deeper customization than ever before. Skill trees and professions have been rebuilt, transforming progression into a high-stakes journey shaped by tactical choices, branching paths, and risky multiclassing. 

The revamped infection system turns every zombie encounter into a frightening strategic gamble. Infection now creeps through the bloodstream in real time, so stay alert, treat wounds early, and pray for survival before your lungs fill with rot. 

HumanitZ’s bleak world has become far more hostile yet far more rewarding. Anywhere, USA, has been completely reimagined with denser environments, unpredictable hazards, and new points of interest hiding both essential resources and unspeakable threats. Abandoned hospitals, forgotten strongholds, toppled suburbs, overrun woods, and more locations hold secrets for sharp-eyed survivors.

Only the bravest will seek out what once seemed unreachable: The Island, a new endgame region for elite players. Remote, mysterious, crawling with evolved threats, and shrouded in rumors of a truth long buried beneath blood and ruin, the Island serves as the ultimate survival test.

In the apocalypse, every sunrise means borrowed time. Every zombie is a promise of pain. And every step toward survival demands cunning, grit, and a refusal to die. 

“We’ve come a long way since launching into Early Access in 2023. Shaped by both our development team and an incredibly passionate community, HumanitZ 1.0 has mutated and evolved into something terrifying and incredible,” said Yozza, Lead Game Designer. “This release marks the next major evolution, and both long-time and new players will find a deeper, more immersive zombie experience packed with all-new content and improvements, with even more still to come

HumanitZ eliminates a zombie takeover as it exits Steam Early Access for Windows PC on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026.  It will include language support for English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, and Italian. 

For more information and the latest updates, visit HumanitZ’s official site, follow the game Twitter/X, TikTok, and Instagram, and join its official Discord.

About Yodubzz Studios

Yodubzz Studios is an independent game developer based in the UK, focusing on co-op multiplayer experiences with emphasis on accessibility and community features. Its debut title is the hit zombie open-world survival, HumanitZ.

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!

A colorful satirical weapon-forging tycoon with a sharp bite: trade resources, sign royal contracts, and decide whether you profit from — or push back against — war economies. 

Namur, Belgium — January 13, 2026: Belgian indie studio Clever Trickster today released Magic Forge Tycoon on Steam (PC, Steam Deck, Linux). The game is available for $11.99 USD, with a 20% launch discount for a limited time. Behind its cheerful fantasy vibe, Magic Forge Tycoon is a satire of modern geopolitics — where conflict drives markets, scarcity becomes leverage, and “business” can shape the fate of nations. 

In Magic Forge Tycoon, you don’t play a chosen one — you play a supplier of power. Run your astral forge, craft and enchant weapons, and fulfill contracts for competing kingdoms. Track shifting alliances, rising tensions, and active wars, then use the market to your advantage: stockpile before prices surge, sell into demand, back one faction over another, or try to keep the balance from tipping too far. Every decision leaves a mark — prosperity for some, collapse for others. 

The release follows Clever Trickster’s satirical debut, Blood Bar Tycoon, which skewered consumer society by turning humans into literal “product” for vampires and placing the player under the influence of the powerful. With Magic Forge Tycoon, the studio turns its lens toward imperialism and war profiteering, asking what “neutral trade” really means when your craft can bless a kingdom — or help doom it. 

Developed as the studio’s second game in just one year, Magic Forge Tycoon draws inspiration from Game Dev Tycoon, The Executive, Weedcraft Inc, and other management classics — with an added focus on geopolitics and resource trading.

Key features

• Forge & Enchant: craft weapons through patterns, settings, and enchantments. Quality matters.
• Contracts & Influence: supply competing factions, earn favor, unlock perks, and shape outcomes.
• Reactive Resource Market: buy/sell materials in an economy impacted by war, alliances, and scarcity.
• Satirical Moral Pressure: profit from conflict or resist it. Either way, consequences ripple outward.

Quote
“Magic Forge Tycoon looks cheerful on the surface, but it’s really about how conflict creates opportunity for a few, and how easy it is to justify ‘business’ while shaping the fate of others,” said Ludovic Mahieu, co-founder at Clever Trickster.

Availability

Magic Forge Tycoon supports 13 languages at launch, including English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Turkish.

ABOUT CLEVER TRICKSTER
Clever Trickster is a Belgian indie studio founded in 2022, focused on strategy and management games with strong themes, sharp systems, and player-driven stories.

Iconic Underwater Adventurer Returns to the Deep

HALF MOON BAY, CA – January 14, 2026 – A&R Atelier announced today that Ecco the Dolphin is officially in development. Originally released in 1992, Ecco the Dolphin garnered critical and commercial acclaim at launch.

“It has been years in the making and we’re honored to bring Ecco back,” said Ed Annunziata, Chief Creative Officer of A&R Atelier. “Ecco has always been more than a game about a dolphin—he’s a bridge between worlds.”

While specific details are still under wraps, A&R Atelier is pleased to share that, in fact, several new Ecco the Dolphin products and games are currently in development. Information regarding these upcoming projects and partnerships will be announced at EccoTheDolphin.com as developments unfold.

Additionally, A&R Atelier has launched the official Ecco the Dolphin Discord server, where fans and newcomers can connect with developers and join the community hub for all things Ecco. The community will receive exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and early looks at what’s to come.

To join the community and receive the latest news and updates about Ecco the Dolphin, please visit EccoTheDolphin.com.

ABOUT ECCO THE DOLPHIN
First released in 1992 for the Sega Genesis, Ecco the Dolphin is an iconic video game franchise that brought underwater adventure to life. Known for its innovative Metroidvania gameplay mechanics, haunting soundtrack, and environmental themes, the series has inspired generations of gamers and musicians worldwide.

ABOUT A&R ATELIER
A&R Atelier is a California-based developer founded in Half Moon Bay by veteran game developers, including the original creators of Ecco the Dolphin. Focused on crafting fun and innovative gaming experiences, the studio is dedicated to exploring the next wave of storytelling and design for iconic game franchises.

Developed by A&R Atelier. SEGA, Genesis and Ecco the Dolphin are SEGA trademarks. © SEGA

60% of Brits Say They’d Rather Play a Puzzle Game Than Scroll Social Media

London, UK – 14 January 2026 – Marking World Logic Day, new research commissioned by Mindset GO! – a free-to-play, logic-based puzzle game – suggests Brits are increasingly seeking more mindful ways to spend time on their phones, with puzzles and logic-based games emerging as a way to fight “brain rot”.

• Over half of Gen Z and Gen Y believe phones are damaging their mindset
• Nearly 60% say doomscrolling negatively impacts their attention span
• More than 50% of young people report their attention span is worse 
• Almost 90% of Brits admit to using their phone while watching TV 
• 27% of Gen Z still believe watching TikToks and Reels is beneficial for their logical thinking

New consumer research shows that over half1 of Gen Z and Gen Y believe phones are damaging their mindset, and almost 60%2 admit that doomscrolling has a negative impact on their attention span. Over 50%3 of young people also say their attention span is worse than it was five years ago. The study further reveals that 89%4 of Brits use their phone while watching TV. Despite widespread concern about the negative cognitive effects of social media, 27% of Gen Z still believe watching TikToks and Reels is beneficial for their logical thinking.

• 55% in Northern Ireland, 41% in Scotland and 35% in Wales believe phones are damaging their mindset. 
• 53% in Northern Ireland, 41% in Scotland and 43% in Wales say doomscrolling negatively impacts their attention span. 
• 61% in Northern Ireland, 48% in Scotland and 52% in Wales report their attention span is worse than 5 years ago.
• 63% in Northern Ireland, 66% in Scotland and 57% in Wales prefer logic-based games over mindless social media scrolling.

“I’ve always wanted to make mentally rewarding games that leave players feeling good about how they’ve spent their time,” said Ste Curran, creator of puzzle game Mindset GO!. “The data clearly shows that many people believe excessive social media and phone use is negatively impacting their mental wellbeing and focus, while logic-based games are increasingly seen as a positive, mindful alternative. With the start of a new year – when people are thinking about self-care, mood-boosting habits and healthier routines – there’s a real appetite for a digital reset, and Mindset GO! can offer that alternative.”

Against this backdrop, World Logic Day – which celebrates reasoning, critical thinking and the foundations of rational thought – feels particularly timely. Many consumers say they actively associate logic-based games and puzzles with a positive mindset, with over 60%5 of Brits choosing puzzles and logic-based games over mindless scrolling as a healthier way to engage with screens.

One such logic-based puzzle game is Mindset GO!, a free-to-play puzzle game for web and mobile, designed to challenge the brain and reward players by turning spare moments into meaningful play. Built around an innovative Venn-diagram-based puzzle mechanic, Mindset GO! challenges players to think visually and logically by sorting shapes according to shared attributes. The game blends logic, reasoning, observation and order — making it easy to start playing but increasingly challenging to master.

Unlike passive scrolling, logic-based puzzle games have been shown in wider research to support cognitive engagement and mental stimulation – aligning with growing public interest in brain-training games and apps, mindful phone use, and digital wellbeing. Mindset GO! offers mentally rewarding, short-form and accessible puzzle gameplay without the time pressure often seen in other games, allowing players to solve puzzles at their own pace.

As World Logic Day encourages people to celebrate thoughtful reasoning, the message from consumers is clear: in a world of infinite scrolling, many prefer experiences that challenge the mind, support focus and leave them feeling better.

Puzzle fans can download the Mindset GO! app for free on iPhone and Android via the App Store and Google Store, or have a taster of the game online via a web browser. 

Players can collect and showcase their progress through My Sets – a personal trophy cabinet of Shape Sets they’ve unlocked and claimed. Each Shape Set is a carefully crafted group of puzzle pieces built around a unique set of shared rules and visual themes, from Bauhaus to Cupcake.

Completing Weekly Events or Map Zones earns players new Shape Sets, and solving every rule within one unlocks a coveted golden badge. Once claimed, these sets are yours to keep and play with forever. It’s all part of Mindset GO!’s mantra: Sort. Slide. Solve.

Visit the Mindset GO! website for a taster of the game: mindset.game

About Mindset GO! Mindset is an all-new puzzle game using observation and logic to sort shapes into sets. By solving daily challenges, unlocking rules and completing weekly themes, you’ll embark on a journey of discovery, earning badges, sharpening your mind and growing your unique mindset along the way. It is available to download for free from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Sydney, Australia – January 14th, 2026: The countdown is officially on! With just 30 days until launch, REANIMAL is charging into its final month on a high note: the game has now surpassed 1 million demo downloads and has earned widespread recognition as one of the most anticipated games of 2026. Today, THQ Nordic and Tarsier welcome a whole new audience into the REANIMAL demo on Nintendo Switch 2.

Play the demo now on Nintendo Switch 2 here!

REANIMAL has now been featured on multiple ‘Most Anticipated Games of 2026’ lists, earning recognition from top-tier outlets and finding itself in very good company.

“I am really thrilled to have so many people playing the demo and hearing all the reactions so far! We pour a lot of heart and soul into the games we make, so to see all these people loving what we do is a great feeling for all of us!”, says Oliver Merlöv, CEO of Tarsier “We are now gearing up for the release of REANIMAL on Feb 13th and after all this hard work, we can’t wait for people to get their hands on it! “

Pre-Order REANIMAL now to secure the Foxhead & Muttonhead Masks:

JB Hi-Fi: https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/nintendo-switch-2-reanimal
EB  Games: https://www.ebgames.com.au/product/ps5/332264-reanimal

Website: https://reanimal.thqnordic.com 

About the REANIMAL Demo:

In this co-op demo, players start at the very beginning, including the reunion of orphaned siblings trying to survive the most dire circumstances. The Boy and The Girl, our protagonists, then begin their desperate search for their missing friends together. Explore eerie environments such as the Mill and Trainyard, and uncover the first fragments of the dark mystery that binds this unsettling world.

REANIMAL will release on Nintendo Switch 2™, PC, PlayStation®5, and Xbox Series X|S on February 13th, 2026. Follow @Tarsier and @THQNordic for the latest REANIMAL updates.

About REANIMAL:

REANIMAL is a completely new horror adventure featuring couch and online co-op multiplayer, a rich narrative, and game world that is at once captivating, terrifying and layered in mystery.

Tavern Manager Simulator is now available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S as of January 13. This relaxing management game puts players in the role of a tavern keeper. The title stands out with its tavern development and management options, engaging mini-games, and a fantasy-themed setting. The game previously launched on PC, where it holds over 90% positive reviews. A PlayStation 5 release is scheduled for February 5.

Tavern Manager Simulator was created by One More Time, an independent studio from Georgia. The game debuted on PC in 2024 and quickly gained recognition from players. On Steam, it currently boasts a 91% positive rating from more than 3,700 player reviews. The console versions were prepared and published by Ultimate Games S.A.

Create the Most Famous Tavern in the Kingdom

Tavern Manager Simulator is a tavern management simulator set in a medieval fantasy world. Players start with a ruined shack that, with effective management, can become the most renowned tavern in the kingdom.

Xbox Store – https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/store/tavern-manager-simulator/9PMQNL927S85

Gameplay first focuses on rebuilding the tavern, then on expanding and upgrading it. The title offers a wide range of mechanics related to venue management, cooking, and customer service.

Players must purchase resources, maintain furniture and decorations, and invest in essential upgrades. Gameplay variety is enhanced by mini-games such as pouring beer, cooking in a cauldron, and chopping meat and vegetables.

The developers of Tavern Manager Simulator have also implemented a day-and-night cycle, seasonal events, and a reputation system. A successful tavern keeper must also maintain cleanliness in the establishment and make use of fairy assistance.

Tavern Manager Simulator – Key Features:

• Fantasy-themed tavern keeper simulator
• Tavern development and management
• Relaxing gameplay
• Cooking and customer service
• Engaging mini-games

Tavern Manager Simulator launched on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S on January 13, 2026. The game will also arrive on PlayStation 5 on February 5, 2026.

CODE VEIN II new trailer highlights the exciting new gameplay systems coming to the game when it launches on 30 January for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. The trailer offers a deep dive on character creation tools, Revenant combat, and an expanded look into the different environments that players will discover on the frontier.

An upcoming CODE VEIN II Character Creator demo is available for free on 23 January, letting you use the game’s deep customisation to create characters you can transfer into the final game.

This trailer spotlights key features that you will utilise to survive the post-apocalyptic world in CODE VEIN II. It provides an in-depth look at several systems and features of the game, starting with combat. The combat in CODE VEIN II  gives you a lot of control and possibilities to create your playstyle through your weapon choice, Jail artifact, Formae or Blood Code, letting you find how to get the upper hand in combat.

Your partner will also play an important part, not only through their strengths and weaknesses but also when you are down as the Restorative Offering will let them restore your health.

The trailer also emphasizes the story: you are tasked to save a world on the brisk of collapse and will journey across the flooded ruins of the Sunken City, The Undead Forest, the Corroded Scar, the isolated MagMell Island, and more as you interact with legendary heroes of the past to try and save your future, doing the most of your character to overcome challenging foes and epic bosses.

Finally, the trailer showcases the game’s robust character customisation system. Players can fine-tune every detail, from body type and hairstyle to facial expressions, accessories, and makeup. The Character Creator Demo, launching 23 January 2026, offers 64 save slots that transfer directly into the final game, giving you a head start in creating your ultimate Revenant Hunter.

For more information about CODE VEIN II and other titles from Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe please visit https://www.bandainamcoent.eu.

Battlefield Studios announced today an extension of Battlefield 6 and Battlefield REDSEC first season, will include new weekly challenges, a Bonus Path, and a continuation of the Season 1 Battle Pass.

The first season will now run until the launch of Season 2 on February 17, with the Season 1 extension update being released on January 20. This extended launch has been implemented to allow extra time to further develop and refine Season 2 as a result of community feedback.
 
Available on January 27, the Frostfire Bonus Path gives players the chance to unlock new free and premium customisation rewards, including a Weapon Package and a Soldier Skin, as well as XP Boosts, by advancing through the tiers of the Frostfire Bonus Path. Premium Tier Rewards require purchase of the Season 1 Battle Pass.
 
Free rewards from the Frostfire Bonus Path will include a Hardware XP Boost, a Vehicle Skin and playercard customisation items, while Battle Pass owners can grab a new Weapon Package, a Career XP Boost and additional customisation items.
 
The Frostfire Bonus Path can be completed concurrently alongside the Season 1 Battle Pass. Players do not need to choose to make progress between a Season 1 Battle Pass Path – i.e. Rogue Ops, Soldiers Of Fortune – and the Frostfire Bonus Path. Each Bonus Path Tier requires 10 Bonus Path Points to unlock, with a total of 110 Bonus Path points required to fully complete the Bonus Path. Unlike previous Bonus Paths, all Bonus Path Points for the Frostfire Bonus Path are earned through Weekly Challenges; there are no Bonus Challenges associated with this Bonus Path.
 
Later this update, the team will be celebrating Valentine’s Day! Another set of Daily Login Rewards will be introduced, alongside several Double XP Weekends throughout the update period.
 
The Season 1 extension update also includes various updates and fixes. Full information about what those updates and fixes entail can be found in the “Game Updates” section of our website here.

Visit us on Battlefield.com. Join the official Battlefield community channels over at discord.gg/Battlefield. Follow us on @Battlefield to stay informed on the latest updates, and @BattlefieldCom for the rollout of live updates.
 
About Battlefield
Battlefield is a storied franchise renowned for uncompromising combat gameplay, and all-out warfare, for over two decades. 100 million players and 5 billion hours played later, Battlefield Studios is defining the future of the first-person shooter with the biggest launch in franchise history with Battlefield 6, and a new era beginning with Battlefield REDSEC.

[Brazil] – January 13, 2026 – Mayor Games, in partnership with indie.io, are proud to announce that Elemental Brawl is now available on Steam. Designed for online and couch multiplayer, Elemental Brawl puts players in the show of a slew of cartoony characters about to clash in a fast-paced brawl mixing platforming, elemental puzzles, and unpredictable twists of gameplay into one party-rich package!

The core gameplay revolves around clever use of six distinct elements spawning across the game area. Each of them has a core function: Water creates slippery puddles and slows down players, reducing their control over the character, fire destroys the environment and deals enhanced damage, while earth produces globs of dirt that can be used to strategically place obstacles or protect characters from incoming damage. 

However, the key to victory lies in cleverly mixing the randomly appearing elements together, to create ingenious and powerful combinations: Fire and water create steam, which can be used both for damaging players or propelling them and other objects around the map, while earth and water create mud perfect for trapping players. 

The possibilities are limited only by the players’ imagination. Clever mixing rewards skillful play and players thinking on their feet, while additional minigames randomly selected throughout the rounds of the match ensure that players of every skill level and degree of imagination have a fair chance at winning. The minigames range from races to destroy opposing team’s statues, protecting payloads delivered to the target base, or even hunting hidden items in a constantly changing arena. 

Cooperation is key – and not always easily foreseeable. Every team-based minigame reshuffles players and those who found themselves working together for a shared goal in the previous round may very well find themselves squaring off against each other in the next one. As such, even those who are lagging behind might find themselves competing for the top spots thanks to the power of team work! With fast-paced, seemingly chaotic fun that rewards finding the right balance between competition and cooperation, Elemental Brawl is a package for players of all ages, skills, and preferences – now available on Steam!