Version 2 Phase One expands the career tree from 8 paths to 100 and the achievement list from 70 entries to 896.

Warrington, UK — 28 August 2026 — The Fifth Family, the browser-based mafia role-playing game, has completed the largest update in its history. Version 2 Phase One went live on 11 August 2026, five months after the game’s March launch, and rebuilds virtually every system in the game.

Careers expand from eight paths to one hundred, each aligned to one of the game’s five criminal families, each carrying four ranks of permanent passive bonuses and an exclusive item at the top. The achievement system moves from 70 flat entries to 224 four-tier lines — 896 individual claimables — with 26 category capstones layered above them.

Elsewhere the update replaces rather than extends. The Mansion, previously a list of thirteen upgradeable rooms, becomes the Estate: an eight-wing construction tree of twenty-eight nodes with real build times. Collections become Crime Vaults, which can be completed twice for escalating permanent bonuses before converting to a cash trade-in. Heists move from single-roll resolution to staged push-your-luck runs across 110 stages, where players choose between banking what they have and pushing for more.

Three systems are entirely new. The Forge lets players upgrade any of 668 eligible items to +10 across ten published rank tiers. Set Bonuses introduce 30 equipment sets totalling 210 pieces, rewarding players who assemble matching gear. Syndicates adds a Family Favor economy with six tiers, 66 missions and a 157-item store.

Street Intel, the game’s espionage system, has been rebuilt end to end with 240 scenario templates, ten reward bands, a mastery tree per category and five capstone abilities. Vigilantes expands from seven recruitable operatives to 95, funded by a new Alignment Shard currency. Street Racing gains a nine-phase driving mini-game, fifteen races and a 175-part Chop Shop economy.

Almost every system in the game was designed in the first few months, before I really understood how people were going to play it. Phase One is going back through all of it with five months of actual player behaviour to work from. I believe we’ve nailed that and we’re in a great position to now push on.

The update shipped additively. Every V2 system sat behind its own feature flag alongside the untouched V1 code until the cutover, allowing systems to be tested against live data and rolled back individually — an approach the team credits with keeping a rebuild of this size manageable at their size.

The studio has since expanded to two, with Zach joining as Head of Content who gains much of the credits for the design of V2 and upcoming future expansions and updates.

The Fifth Family is free to play in any browser, with companion apps for iOS and Android. The game has grown to over 5,000 registered players without paid advertising.

Play now at https://www.thefifthfamily.com

At a glance — V2 Phase One

About The Fifth Family

The Fifth Family is a persistent browser-based mafia RPG set across ten city districts. Players build a criminal career through crimes, heists, smuggling runs and espionage, join one of five families, and compete in a persistent world that runs whether they are logged in or not. It launched in March 2026 and is developed and now operated by a two-person team.

• Three trophies each go to CD PROJEKT RED and SEGA.
• Capcom and Ubisoft each won two awards
• Games Done Quick (GDQ) honored with the HEART OF GAMING Award.

The winners of the 2026 gamescom awards have been announced: on Friday 28 August, the coveted trophies were presented across a total of 19 categories at the gamescom studio powered by IGN.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt made a strong impression with its gamescom presence and picked up three awards. Fans voted the trailer for the remaster and the ‘Songs of the Past’ DLC as the Best Trailer / Announcement at gamescom Opening Night Live, as well as the pin and medallion – available at the DLC booth – as the Best Merch. The jury was also impressed by the Witcher’s show presence and honored it with the Jury Award for Best Booth.

SEGA also took home three trophies. The publisher’s titles won in the categories Best Audio – Alien: Isolation 2 – and Best PC Game – Total War: WARHAMMER 40,000. Furthermore, SEGA’s diverse range of titles was recognized as the Best Lineup of gamescom.

Two of the coveted prizes each went to Capcom for Onimusha: Way of the Sword, which won the Best Gameplay and Best Sony PlayStation Game categories, and to Ubisoft, which can celebrate winning the Best Nintendo Switch 2 Game award for Rayman Legends Retold and the Jury Award for Best Business Booth.

This year’s HEART OF GAMING Award, the Special Jury Award, goes to Games Done Quick (GDQ). The charity speedrun event has already raised over 50 million dollars for good causes in the past. Games Done Quick will take place in Europe for the first time as part of gamescom as gamescom GDQ from 28 to 30 August 2026. This time all proceeds from donations and sponsorship will go to Gaming for Democracy, an initiative that promotes democratic values and social engagement through gaming culture.

Overview of the 2026 gamescom award winners:

ARTS Group

• Best Visuals: METRO 2039 – 4A Games/Deep Silver
• Best Audio: Alien: Isolation 2 – Creative Assembly/SEGA
• Best Gameplay: Onimusha: Way of the Sword – Capcom
• Most Entertaining: Wanderburg – Randwerk/Sidekick Publishing
• Most Epic: Tides of Annihilation – Eclipse Glow Games
• Most Wholesome: Finding Polka – lidlocks/Parco Games
• Games for Impact: SOKO 1977: Anti-Terror Task Force – Paintbucket Games/Federal Agency for Civic Education

PLATFORM Group

• Best Microsoft Xbox Game: Forza Horizon 6 – Playground Games/Xbox Game Studios
• Best PC Game: Total War: WARHAMMER 40,000 – Creative Assembly/SEGA
• Best Sony PlayStation Game: Onimusha: Way of the Sword – Capcom
• Best Nintendo Switch 2 Game: Rayman Legends Retold – Ubisoft
• Best Mobile Game: Where Winds Meet – Everstone Studio/NetEase Games

GLOBAL Group

• Best Lineup (Jury Award): SEGA
• Best Booth (Jury Award): The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Songs of the Past – CD PROJEKT RED
• Best Booth (Consumer Award): Arknights: Endfield – GRYPHLINE
• Best Business Booth (Jury Award): Ubisoft Business Lounge
• Best Merch (Consumer Award): The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Songs of the Past – Pin & Medallion – CD PROJEKT RED
• Best Trailer / Announcement (Consumer Award): The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered & Songs of the Past DLC – CD PROJEKT RED
• HEART OF GAMING Award (Special Jury Award): Games Done Quick (GDQ)

The gamescom award recognizes the best playable games, trailers and presentations at gamescom. For more information on the gamescom award, visit www.gamescom.de/en/gamescom/gamescom-award

About gamescom:
gamescom is the world’s biggest gaming event and the most important business platform for the international games industry. From 24 to 30 August 2026, it brings together developers, trade visitors, companies and millions of fans from around the world – on site in Cologne and digitally across the globe. The week opens on 24 August with the developer conference gamescom dev. gamescom then opens to the public on the evening of 25 August with the major opening show gamescom Opening Night Live. Throughout the week, gamescom offers a unique blend of entertainment, business and community experience. Alongside gamescom in Cologne, gamescom latam in São Paulo and gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show in Bangkok have established themselves as further successful international gamescom editions.

Koelnmesse – industry trade fairs for the gaming sector:
Koelnmesse is an international leader in organising trade fairs in the gaming and entertainment segments. Hosted at the trade fairgrounds in Cologne, Germany, gamescom is the world’s largest event for computer and video games and Europe’s largest business platform for the games industry. gamescom brings together passionate gamers, business visitors, and exhibitors from across the world with a highly effective approach – in person at the venue and digitally from anywhere in the world. This makes gamescom the premier B2C, B2B, and B2G gaming event. In addition to the event at its Cologne headquarters, Koelnmesse is strategically expanding its portfolio internationally: In Southeast Asia, gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show provides an additional powerful industry platform for the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific games market, comprehensively combining supply and demand. For Brazil and Latin America, gamescom latam is a major event designed to stimulate dynamic growth in this market.

game – The German Games Industry Association
We are the association of the German games industry. Our members represent the entire video game ecosystem, from development studios and publishers to esports event organisers, educational institutions and other related entities. We are co-organisers of gamescom, the world’s biggest event for video games. We are a shareholder in the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body (USK), the Foundation for Digital Games Culture, the esports player foundation, game events and the collecting society VHG, as well as co-host of the German Computer Game Awards. Serving as a central point of contact for media, as well as political and social institutions, we provide comprehensive expertise in areas including market development, game culture and media literacy, and address any inquiries or concerns. Together we are making Germany the heart of gaming worldwide. With games, we enrich the lives of all people.

Further information:
www.gamescom.global

Community-Voted Consumer Award Recognizes the Two-Booth Experience in Hall 8.1; Visitors Can Explore Large-Scale Boss Installations, Playable Challenges and Live Stage Programming Through Aug. 30

COLOGNE, Germany — Aug. 28, 2026 — GRYPHLINE’s Arknights: Endfield booth has been named the Best Booth (Consumer Award) winner at gamescom 2026. Voted on by the gamescom community, the award recognizes the show’s most impressive visitor-facing booth, taking into account its size, design, fan engagement and overall impression.

Spanning two side-by-side spaces in Hall 8.1, the booth translates core elements of Arknights: Endfield into a physical experience. Three large-scale boss installations and panoramic LED displays anchor the space, alongside playable Boss Challenges, a live speedrun competition, stage programming and an Automated Industry Complex-inspired reward conveyor. The win follows Arknights: Endfield receiving Pocket Gamer’s People’s Choice Award 2026 earlier this week, giving the game two community-driven honors during its launch year.

“The team put an enormous amount of thought into every part of this booth, but the most rewarding part has been watching people make it their own – challenging the bosses, comparing clear times, taking photos and staying for the stage,” said Lewis Hu, Global Marketing Manager. “To have the gamescom community recognize that work with Best Booth means a great deal to us. This belongs to everyone who designed, built and operated the space, and to the players who brought it to life.“

Experience the Best Booth Winner

Visitors can experience the award-winning booth through Sunday, Aug. 30. Highlights include:

• Boss Challenge and Daily Finals: Players can face Triaggelos, Nefarith or Alleikhreos and submit their clear time and in-game UID to a live leaderboard. Top performers can qualify for the Daily Boss Speedrun Final Challenge on stage.
• Stamp Collection Event: Visitors can complete the Hero Shot, Boss Challenge, Social Share and Player Survey missions. Completing all four earns one lucky-draw entry, while individual activities offer printed photos and collectible rewards distributed through the AIC-inspired conveyor installation.
• Live programming: A dedicated stage hosts live performances, developer talks and the Daily Boss Speedrun Final Challenge.
• Community activities: Visitors can explore photo installations and the official merchandise store. Fans arriving in Arknights: Endfield cosplay will also receive a surprise freebie.

Activities, rewards and lucky-draw prizes are subject to availability and may be limited each day.

The Arknights: Endfield booths are located in Hall 8.1, Booths B012, B021 remains open during the following gamescom public hours:

• Friday, Aug. 28 –  10 am – 8 pm
• Saturday, Aug. 29 – 9 am – 8 pm 
• Sunday, Aug. 30 – 9 am – 8 pm 

About Arknights: Endfield

Marking the first time the IP has expanded beyond mobile, Arknights: Endfield introduces a new frontier storyline and a world built around exploration, real-time combat and base-building. Arknights: Endfield launched on January 22, 2026, and is available on PlayStationⓇ5, PC via the official launcher and Epic Games Store and mobile devices via Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Players can wishlist the title on Steam now, with the launch date to be announced at a later date. This title has been rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB. 

To learn more about the game, visit the official website and X @AKEndfield. For more information about GRYPHLINE, please visit the official company site.

August 29, 2026 – The time has come. RunOut – Hothead Paws launched in Southeast Asia with cross-platform play support, now available to play on PC Steam and mobile via Android Play Store and iOS App Store. Today, WakaStudio celebrates this milestone by inviting players, creators, media, and partners to its RunOut Grand Opening event in Bangkok, Thailand.

RunOut – Hothead Paws is a fast-paced multiplayer party game where every match is filled with unexpected twists. Up to six players compete and outsmart each other on vibrant stages filled with moving hazards, surprise traps, and interactive obstacles. Whether you’re sending friends flying off the map or making a last-second dash for the legendary stuffed bear, each round delivers new doses of chaotic fun.

Players can select from a list of adorable animal characters with varying skills and jump into a variety of game modes where teamwork can be the difference-maker. The great variety of costumes and cosmetics lets players customize their favorite characters and express their own style.

RunOut – Hothead Paws is a party game where action meets 3D environments. It’s easy to learn, highly replayable, and the perfect way to get friends together.

Today’s RunOut Grand Opening event marks an important milestone for WakaStudio as the studio celebrates the game’s official Southeast Asia release with the local gaming community. Guests can experience live gameplay, meet the development team, take part in community activities, and get a closer look at what’s planned for the future of RunOut – Hothead Paws.

“Seeing players across Southeast Asia finally jump into RunOut has been incredibly rewarding for our team,” said WakaStudio. 

“Today’s event is our way of celebrating everyone who has supported us throughout development. We’re excited to continue growing the game with new content, updates, and community events”.

About RunOut – Hothead Paws

RunOut – Hothead Paws is a multiplayer party game for up to six players that tests quick reflexes, clever strategies, and a sprinkle of chaos to determine who gets to take home the legendary stuffed bear. The game supports cross-platform play and is now available to play on PC Steam and mobile throughout Southeast Asia via Android Play Store and iOS App Store, offering a unique blend of platforming, combat, and party gameplay.

About WakaStudio

WakaStudio crafts multiplayer games where fun is everything and everything is fun. Passionate about creating immersive experiences that bring joy to players worldwide. Let’s play and level up the gaming world together!

Featuring Jorane, the new episode looks at the music, instruments and sound design behind the different characters, eras and districts of Amsterdam

Montréal, August 28, 2026 – Less than a week after the Early Access launch of 1666: Amsterdam, Panache Digital Games has released its third and final Developer Diary, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the music and sound design of the game.

Featuring singer-songwriter Jorane, the episode explores the creative process behind the soundtrack, the instruments and techniques used by the team, and how Amsterdam itself influenced the music and sounds heard throughout the game.

Featuring:

• Philippe Charron – Audio Director 
• Jorane – Singer & Songwriter 
• Eloi Painchaud – Mixing & Mastering Engineer 
• Sophie-Agnès Mongeau – Sound Designer
• Patrice Désilets – Co-Founder & Creative Director

The Developer Diary introduces the artists behind the sound of 1666: Amsterdam and the process behind its musical identity, including why Jorane became a natural choice for the project.

The episode explores how music and sound change across characters, time periods and districts of Amsterdam. Noa and Aaron each have their own musical theme, reflecting their different perspectives within the game.

It also looks at the instruments and audio techniques used throughout production, and how Amsterdam itself influenced the game’s music and sound design. The episode features footage from the 1666: Amsterdam Preview Event in July, where Jorane performed music from the game live.

This third Developer Diary concludes the series, following previous episodes focused on the creative vision and artistic direction of 1666: Amsterdam.

1666: Amsterdam is now available in Early Access

1666: Amsterdam is now available in Early Access on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. The game will continue to evolve throughout Early Access, with player feedback helping the team refine and expand the experience as development continues.

About 1666: Amsterdam

A cycle is ending. Another one is beginning. Take part in Noa’s Commencement as she inherits the mantle of the Collector. Unravel a mystery that spans centuries. Choose the companion that will walk beside you. Follow the traces left behind in a city shaped by secrets, power, and memory. This is where everything begins. 

About Panache Digital Games

Panache Digital Games is a Montréal-based independent studio founded in 2014 by Patrice Désilets and Jean-François Boivin. With a team of over 60 developers, the studio creates bold, original experiences that push creative and systemic boundaries, with a strong focus on player-driven narratives and emergent gameplay.

New playtest for the Sci-fi survival game also now live on Steam

Nicosia, Cyprus (August 28th, 2026) — Today, Owlcat subsidiary META Publishing and developer Pokuch launched a new public playtest on Steam for Blind Descent, the upcoming sci-fi survival game set below the surface of Mars. Furthermore, composer Jack Wall, famous for creating the music of the Mass Effect Trilogy, as well as Jim Lordeman, composer of several Call of Duty: Black Ops soundtracks, will contribute several pieces of music to the game.

The new trailer shows what the new playtest has to offer and gives a first impression of Jack Wall’s and Jim Lordeman’s music for the game:

In the new demo players will discover a redesigned early game, expanded alien ecosystem, and an evolving Martian research base at the heart of their survival.

The opening hours have been significantly reworked, placing greater emphasis on exploration, discovery, and environmental storytelling while introducing new progression systems, creatures, dangers, and survival mechanics. Rather than constructing a base from scratch, players will now uncover an abandoned scientific research facility buried beneath the Martian surface (visual and gameplay representation of the base may change during the development and based on the feedback of players). This plague-infested complex becomes the center of progression throughout the playtest.

The Martian world itself has also undergone substantial changes. Nearly every existing alien creature has been remodeled or redesigned to appear more biologically unique, with many receiving updated behaviors to create more varied encounters. The same philosophy has been applied to the planet’s alien flora, introducing new plant interactions and environmental hazards that encourage players to observe, experiment, and adapt before safely exploiting the ecosystem around them.

The Martian atmosphere will be significantly enhanced by music from legendary composers Jack Wall and Jim Lordeman, who have joined Blind Descent to create original music and some additional compositions for the game, respectively.

Widely recognized for defining the musical identity of BioWare’s acclaimed Mass Effect trilogy, Jack Wall has composed for numerous award-winning games throughout his career, helping shape some of the industry’s most memorable science-fiction soundscapes. Jim Lordeman, a long-time collaborator with extensive experience in game audio production and composition, including work on the Call of Duty: Black Ops series, contributes additional original music that expands Blind Descent’s emotional and atmospheric range.

Together with electronic music producer Corvad, previously announced as part of the soundtrack team, Blind Descent brings together composers from different musical backgrounds to capture every aspect of humanity’s descent beneath Mars, from wonder and discovery to tension, survival, and the unknown.

Players can join the new Blind Descent playtest beginning August 28 by requesting access through the game’s Steam page.

About META Publishing
META Publishing is a growing publishing label owned by Owlcat Games, specializing in gameplay-first titles with co-op multiplayer features. The label has a solid portfolio, including games like Biped, Spirit of the Island, Train Valley 2, and more. New upcoming titles from META Publishing are Blind Descent, and Nested Lands.

About Pokuch
Pokuch is a young game development studio based in Turkey, working on its first title: Blind Descent. The studio’s goal is to create games with unique concepts, a strong artistic direction, and engaging gameplay.

Celebrated Supernatural (Un-)Life Sim Has Already Surpassed 200,000 Copies Sold Worldwide

London, UK — 28 August 2026 — Marvelous Europe today announced the launch of the physical Nintendo Switch™ 2 Edition of Moonlight Peaks across Europe, available now for €49.99 / £44.99. The physical edition includes an exclusive collectible sticker sheet featuring fan-favourite residents of Moonlight Peaks, alongside a digital soundtrack.

Developed by Little Chicken Game Company, the supernatural (un-)life sim has already surpassed 200,000 copies sold worldwide since its launch in July. The game has also earned glowing reviews from critics and players alike, cementing its place as one of this summer’s standout cosy releases.

Experience life as a vampire in a magical town full of werewolves, witches, mermaids, and more in Moonlight Peaks!In this heartwarming, supernatural (un-)life sim, players set out to show their skeptical father that a life of compassion is possible – even for the undead. Make friends with the other local creatures of the night and perhaps find eternal love in the mystical dating scene. Players will settle down in the family’s haunted cottage, customizing it to suit their own sense of gothic style. Embrace immortality and unlock ancient abilities, master potion brewing, and expand a grimoire of spells, all in the name of a more bountiful harvest. Unravel the mysteries of the seven families that inhabit Moonlight Peaks and bring a bit of light back to this spooky settlement. Just remember to be back in the coffin before the sun comes up!

Key Features

• Uncover a Sweet and Spooky Journey – Customise the perfect vampire persona and build relationships with the people of Moonlight Peaks to learn more about the town’s history. Uncover the secrets of the seven families who dwell there – and maybe even find “tomb” love from any of the two dozen romanceable characters in the process.
• Build Your Dream Gothic Farmstead –Design a custom cozy gothic homestead, turning a forgotten farm into the ideal sanctuary. Obtain new tools and develop the property to grow even more enchanted crops and raise magical livestock.
• Harness Magical Powers – Embrace a supernatural lineage! Shapeshift into other forms to explore all the town has to offer, and study witchcraft to learn spells that will help on the farm or when gathering resources.
• Delight in Dark Diversions – Beyond the farm, enjoy fishing, foraging, and potion-crafting, along with activities like embroidering, flower arranging, and more. Players can even collect cards for the town’s favorite game, Nokturna, to play against other residents.

About Marvelous Europe

Marvelous Europe is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Marvelous Inc., developer of beloved Story of Seasons and Rune Factory games. Established in 2012, Marvelous Europe’s varied portfolio includes both third-party titles such as Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin, Leximan, Cuisineer and Moonlight Peaks in addition to select Marvelous Inc. content.

For more information about Marvelous Europe, please visit www.marvelouseurope.com
Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo

Medieval Dynasty and freshly announced immersive settlement builder Prospera also unveil previously unreleased footage

Oberhaching, Germany, August 28, 2026 – Broken, but not beaten. Barely alive, but resilient. This is how you will start your journey in Vikings Dynasty, the upcoming medieval settlement builder set in the harsh world of Norse mythology. The latest entry in the beloved franchise challenges players to set foot in the Scandinavian Steineyjar archipelago after they shipwrecked and barely escaped with their life.

Developer Digital Daredevils and publisher Toplitz Productions are proud to announce that the latest trailer for Vikings Dynasty premiered at the renowned Future Games Show Summer Showcase, kickstarting the next phase of development and is also now available for publication. At this year’s gamescom in Cologne, Vikings Dynasty is playable and media as well as content creators can take a look at the game at the Toplitz Productions booth in the business area Hall 4.1, Booth # D-038g/C-029g, with more exciting news about the game coming in the next few weeks.

With two more games featured at the Future Games Show, the prestigious event underlined the diverse present and future portfolio of Toplitz Productions. The fan favorite Medieval Dynasty, developed by Render Cube, showcased a fresh gameplay trailer, outlining some of the elements which will come to the game over the coming months.

Last but not least, in addition to the premiere announcement at gamescom, the immersive settlement builder Prospera also unveiled a new trailer. The video gave a glimpse into the beautiful open world of a fictitious Steam Age, where you build humble settlements, grow them into beautiful cities and take care of your citizens‘ ever-evolving needs. The game from German development team Active Fungus Studios breaks down genre boundaries, as not only the perspective but also mechanics challenge the way players see city building and management in an open world as well as industrial automation.

About Digital Daredevils:
Gameplay, story and a player experience supported by fabulous art are the branches that Digital Daredevils combine every day, while they work on their debut game in their headquarters in Wrocław, constantly forging new elements in a game world that will surprise and absorb you for many hours. The foundation of the work of all studio departments is passion and a deep understanding of the needs of the modern player.

About Render Cube:
Render Cube is a Polish development studio founded in 2012. In the initial period of its activity, it focused on outsourcing works, commissioned mainly by other game producers, which resulted in cooperation with, among others, CD Projekt, Techland or Platige Image. In recent years, the company has been focusing on the production of its own games, released on PC and console platforms. The biggest title of the studio is Medieval Dynasty, a unique production that combines the best features of such popular genres as survival games, simulators, builders, RPGs and strategies.The company employs over 30 people and is listed on the Polish Stock Exchange.About Active Fungus Studios:
Active Fungus Studios was founded in 2020 with the goal of developing immersive games in Unreal Engine 5. Our dedicated, highly skilled remote team focuses on first-person and third-person experiences across a wide range of genres from msytery and roleplaying to citybuilding. We strive to create games that entertain, challenge perspectives and pull players into another world from the moment they press play.

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.

From humble beginnings to intricate factories: Build and manage a growing metropolis in an open world striving for prosperity, while satisfying the needs of the population

Oberhaching, Germany, August 26, 2026 – City building in an open world enters a new era and puts you right in the center of the industrial revolution like never before. Gone are the times of isometric viewpoints of classic city builders. Once you taste the immersion of building houses, laying train tracks, or decorating a sprawling settlement in full first-person view or from a third-person perspective, you will not want to go back. Orchestrate the workforce, watch the locals go about their daily life and attend to their ever-changing needs as your city lives and breathes around you.  

German independent development team Active Fungus Studios and publisher Toplitz Productions are excited to jointly announce Prospera, a first- and third-person-perspective, open-world city building and automation experience set in a fictitious Victorian timeline that is about to push boundaries and change the way you look at city management and building. The announcement celebrated its premiere at the gamescom edition of Webedia’s renowned Find Your Next Game Showcase and the game is on display at the Toplitz Productions gamescom booth in the business area, Hall 4.1

Feel the heat from the blast furnaces, hear the rhythmic clatter of locomotives, and watch the sunset disappear behind a horizon of towering chimneys. In a huge open world, your imagination is the only limit. Start small by building your first humble production facilities, residential buildings and retail hubs with your own hands and trusty tools, then watch the handcrafted environment come to life as workers and residents alike follow their routines. Build your first automated production lines in a small single factory, then watch your industries grow, as you construct multifaceted production hubs and then merge or extend them into one big industrial complex.

Forge your destiny with your own two hands. In Prospera, logistics are not hidden behind abstract spreadsheets and overloaded menus. They are felt in the heavy crates hauled across cobblestones and the roar of the steam engines you’ve meticulously placed. As your ambitions grow, so must your infrastructure. Laying railroad tracks is not just a strategic choice. It is a front-row seat to the transformation of the world. Experience the breathtaking scale of your industrial empire from the muddy boots of a worker or the polished shoes of a tycoon.
 
Walk the streets of your creation and put yourself in the shoes of the inhabitants, while experiencing the “Prosperity System”. How far do they have to go to fulfill their daily needs? Is there any way to optimize the aesthetics of the streetscape? Don’t forget that the environment needs to be pleasing to the eye, if you want more and wealthier people to move to your city. Decorate the streets with benches, flowerpots, streetlights and many more amenities, while you employ street sweepers and gardeners to keep up appearances. In Prospera, beauty is more than vanity. It is as valuable as currency. While the gears of industry drive your economy, it is the gas-lit boulevards, manicured plants as well as the absence of grime or vermin that will attract the elite and elevate your city from a smog-choked hub to a beacon of Victorian splendor. As the city grows, so do your tasks, options and opportunities.

“When we started development, the core question was, what would it feel like to merge the Victorian atmosphere of Anno 1800 with titles like Satisfactory and games like Medieval Dynasty or Bellwright, while adding a heavy sprinkle of city management?”, says Jakob Braun, CEO and founder of Active Fungus Studios. “Our first prototypes were very promising. And when we started pitching the game to Toplitz Productions, it quickly became evident, that we were absolutely on one wavelength in terms of vision, scope and goals. We couldn’t wish for a better partner for Prospera.”
 
“We are very excited to work with Jakob and his talented team on this project.” adds Stefan Berger, Head of Business Development and Sales, Toplitz Productions. “Their vision for the game, paired with the technical expertise, dedication and passion is a perfect fit for us. We are convinced, Prospera will change how gamers look at city builders and can’t wait to show you more in the weeks and months to come.”

Features

• First- And Third-Person City Building And Management
  Don’t just assign plots. Start building your city with your own hands using tools and blueprints and optimize your infrastructure directly from the viewpoint of your citizens. Walk the streets of your creation, identify and solve problems and make sure that your population’s needs are always fulfilled.
• Economic Simulation with Real Flow of Goods
  Dive into a deep economic simulation with real flow of physical goods. Plan and execute complex production chains, optimize storage and manage your logistics through smart strategy and efficient management.
• Industrial Revolution & Factory Systems
  Experience the spark of the Industrial Revolution, research new technologies and grow your city from a small village into a steam-powered city. Start with a simple factory and watch your business expand. Merge factories, optimize production and create powerful industrial complexes that take your empire to the next level.
• Prosperity System: Aesthetics as Gameplay
  The unique Prosperity System turns aesthetics into a valuable resource, adding a new layer of depth to your city management. Cleanliness, parks and architecture drive progress, while pollution will slow it down.
• Living Citizens & True Simulation
  Witness an authentic NPC simulation, as you walk the streets and watch your citizens live, work and react dynamically. Their needs, supply, and satisfaction directly influence the growth and stability of your city.
• Logistics & Railway Networks
  Build transport networks and master logistics management. From handcarts to railways, scale your economy efficiently and secure the continued growth of your thriving city.
• Expansion & Strategic World
  Explore an open world, establish outposts and unlock new resources. Continuously adapt your strategy and infrastructure to meet growing and changing demands. Shape, observe, and control your city’s evolution, not just as a spectator, but as the planner and architect at the heart of the Industrial Revolution.

About Active Fungus Studios
Active Fungus Studios was founded in 2020 with the goal of developing immersive games in Unreal Engine 5. Our dedicated, highly skilled remote team focuses on first-person and third-person experiences across a wide range of genres from msytery and roleplaying to citybuilding. We strive to create games that entertain, challenge perspectives and pull players into another world from the moment they press play.

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.

On September 4, Retro Arcade Shop Simulator launches on PC in Early Access, letting players create and manage the retro arcade of their dreams. The title offers dozens of machines and attractions, along with a deep economy and extensive venue customization. Releases on PlayStation 5 and XBOX Series X|S are also planned down the line.

Retro Arcade Shop Simulator is the work of independent studio Alt Tab Game from Türkiye. Ultimate Games S.A. is the publisher.

Create Your Dream Arcade!

Retro Arcade Shop Simulator is a game where players build their own retro arcade. This simulator, with management elements, lets players recreate anything from a cozy 80s-style hangout to a massive complex for gamers.

The fun starts with a small arcade that can grow into a large center designed however the player likes, with up to 10 different rooms.

Steam Store – https://store.steampowered.com/app/4010900/Retro_Arcade_Shop_Simulator/

As the business grows, players can buy and place classic arcade cabinets, pinball machines, claw machines, and air hockey tables, among others. The operation can be expanded further with additions like an 8D cinema, pool tables, racing simulators, a cafeteria, a bowling alley, or even a go-kart track. The developers have prepared more than 25 unique machines and attractions.

Gameplay covers managing every aspect of running an arcade, including a token-based economy, bank loans, servicing machines, maintaining cleanliness, and hiring staff. Running a cafeteria also plays an important role, with players serving food and drinks and selling games, comics, and magazines. Retro Arcade Shop Simulator also offers extensive customization options for the venue, with dozens of wall types, floors, signs, neons, and other elements to choose from.

Retro Arcade Shop Simulator in Early Access

The game debuts on PC in Early Access on September 4, introducing the core gameplay mechanics. The developers plan to add new arcade cabinets, decorations, and further economy systems. The full version will also let players personally play nearly every machine in their arcade. Player feedback will be considered as the game is developed and the gameplay refined. As Alt Tab Game points out, the Early Access phase will last around 6 months.

Retro Arcade Shop Simulator – Key Features:

• Create your dream arcade
• Manage your business and finances
• Service your machines and keep the place clean
• Run a cafeteria and sell products
• Grow and customize your venue

Retro Arcade Shop Simulator launches on PC (Steam Early Access) on September 4, 2026. The game is also set to come to PlayStation 5 and XBOX Series X|S later.