Introducing the new Protagonist, new locations, character overhaul, more
SEATTLE – April 17, 2026 –Hello Neighbor 3, the new installment in the survival horror stealth franchise played by more than 40 million people, developed by Eerie Guest Studios and Nikita Kolesnikov, the creator of the original game, and published by tinyBuild, welcomes players to its Pre-Alpha version on Steam today.
Looking for a change of scenery? Perhaps a cozy, not-at-all-strange neighborhood? Come on down to Raven Brooks for this Pre-Alpha test, offering a glimpse into Hello Neighbor 3’s core narrative and gameplay. Every nook and cranny from the build is part of its complete canon story, including the reveal of the new Protagonist. That’s you!
Whether this is players’ first time meeting the Neighbor or if they have been watching from across the street, Eerie Guest and Nikita Kolesnikov designed Hello Neighbor 3 to serve as the best entry point in the beloved horror franchise, requiring no prior knowledge of the series to enjoy the neighborhood.
Arrive in Raven Brooks on a corporate mission: find the missing employee who is the only person who knows the whereabouts of a very important report. However, what begins as a routine search quickly unravels into something far more unsettling. Locals make no secret of their distrust of the corporation, and you will soon learn that in Ravens Brook, disappearances are anything but rare.
This Pre-Alpha introduces a new objective system providing guidance through the narrative while preserving the Hello Neighbor series’ free-roam spirit. Loop-based progression replaces the pressure of speedrunning: when a loop ends, it restarts seamlessly with objectives and collected knowledge carrying over.
Character behavior has been overhauled to feel more deliberate and predictable, with sneaking working better than ever. The Raven Brooks map has also been expanded with new locations, items, and visual upgrades. Oh, and get ready to meet the Neighbor for the first time!
“We’re building Hello Neighbor 3 around the idea that there is no wrong way to play,” said Nikita Kolesnikov, franchise creator. “With the Pre-Alpha, we’re going to see how players actually use that freedom.”
Having evolved from the team behind the original Hello Neighbor, Eerie Guest is an internal studio of tinyBuild comprising a 15-person group of creators, with half of the team based in the Netherlands and the other half scattered around the world. The studio strives to create system-based games with personal stories and an uncanny art style.
About tinyBuild
tinyBuild started as an indie game developer and morphed into a developer-publisher you can’t miss. Our dedication to creating long-term partnerships and elevating recognizable franchises has resulted in many successful collaborations with talented developers from all over the world. The company has released dozens of games, including Hello Neighbor, Graveyard Keeper, SpeedRunners, and more. Although headquartered in the Seattle Area, USA, the company has established a strong global presence with studios across the US, the Netherlands, Latvia, and throughout Eastern Europe.
A new episode of Beyond the Light, focusing on the title song and the music of 007 First Light, is also available now
007 First Light is Available for Pre-Order Now on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2*, PC, and at Amazon.com
Copenhagen, Denmark – Friday, April 17th, 2026 – IO Interactive, the award-winning developer and publisher behind the globally acclaimed HITMAN franchise, and Amazon MGM Studios revealed today the title sequence of 007 First Light, during the BAFTA Game Awards ceremony held in London, United Kingdom. The title song is performed by multi-platinum selling and award-winning singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey, written and composed by Lana Del Rey & David Arnold, marking the return of the composer to the Bond franchise. 007 First Light is set to release on May 27, 2026, featuring a reimagined origin story of James Bond, still inexperienced and sometimes reckless, as he takes his first steps into the world of espionage.
The title sequence follows the Bond franchise’s long-lived tradition of the opening credits showcasing the game’s motifs and identity. The title sequence and title song of 007 First Light set the tone for Bond’s reimagined origin story with a modern yet classic flair. Built around striking visuals and a rich cinematic atmosphere, it brings together the main themes of James Bond’s journey in the game, as he enters the world of espionage. Anchored by Lana Del Rey and David Arnold’s powerful title song, the sequence embraces the franchise’s legacy while bringing its own identity, honoring James Bond’s return to gaming after more than 13 years.
Alongside the title sequence and title song, IO Interactive also released the fourth episode of Beyond the Light, focusing this new entry on the game’s soundtrack. This new episode includes interviews with Dominic Vega, Missions and Audio Director on 007 First Light, and The Flight, the composer duo behind the score of 007 First Light. In those interviews, the different speakers dive into the unique opportunity of working on the Bond franchise and share how they came up with the music that has been created for 007’s new era in gaming.
Watch the 4th of episode of Beyond The Light here
007 First Light is scheduled to launch on May 27, 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, and Summer 2026 on Nintendo Switch 2. Pre-order now* and get a free deluxe upgrade, including a 24-hour early access**. All details can be found at https://ioi.dk/007firstlightgame.
*Pre-orders on Nintendo Switch 2 are limited to physical editions
**24-hour early access limited to digital editions only
ABOUT Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey is an American singer-songwriter who rose to prominence with her 2012 album Born to Die. Since then, she has sold more than 77 million albums worldwide, amassed tens of billions of global streams and is the sixth most-streamed female artist of all time on Spotify. Her debut album Born To Die currently holds the record for the longest charting album by a woman in the history of the US Billboard 200 album chart. She has received 11 GRAMMY® Award nominations, including Album of the Year and Song of the Year for her 2023 album Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, which debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 and became her sixth No. 1 album in the UK. Across her career, she has also won multiple BRIT Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards. Del Rey has released nine studio albums, including Ultraviolence, Honeymoon, Lust for Life, and the critically acclaimed Norman F**ing Rockwell!, which was widely named among the best albums of the decade, with Rolling Stone UK naming her the ‘Greatest American songwriter of the 21st century’.
ABOUT David Arnold
David Arnold is an award-winning British composer and producer renowned for his powerful orchestral style and contemporary approach to film and television scoring. Arnold is best known for scoring five films in the James Bond series, helping to shape the franchise’s modern musical identity. His film credits also include Independence Day, Stargate, 2Fast2Furious, Narnia, Zoolander, and Hot Fuzz. For television, Arnold composed the score for the acclaimed BBC series Sherlock, earning a Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Music Composition. He also served as Musical Director for the London 2012 Olympic Games, overseeing music for both ceremonies of one of the most-watched global live events. Arnold continues to work across film, television, and live productions as one of the most respected composers in contemporary screen music, writing and composing the title song for the upcoming game 007 First Light.
ABOUT 007 First Light
007 First Light is a third-person action-adventure game that blends IO Interactive’s signature stealth and action gameplay mechanics, featuring a fully original, re-imagined origin story of a young James Bond. Players will step into the shoes of a 26-year-old Bond, a promising yet sometimes rebellious Royal Navy air crewman who is recruited into MI6, immersing them in the exotic and dangerous world of espionage captured in the films. Bond’s adventures will take players all around the globe, coming face to face with allies and foes while choosing how they overcome obstacles and challenges, whether it be with brute force, cunning guile, or charming wit. 007 First Light will release on May 27th, 2026, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, and Summer 2026 on Nintendo Switch 2.
ABOUT IO Interactive
IO Interactive is an independent video game developer and publisher with studios in Copenhagen, Malmö, Barcelona, Istanbul, and Brighton. As the creative force behind some of the most talked-about multiplatform video games in the last two decades, IOI is dedicated to creating unforgettable characters and experiences using their award-winning proprietary Glacier technology.
IO Interactive will develop and publish a reimagined James Bond origin story with 007 First Light and is currently developing a new IP under the codename Project Fantasy. For more information, visit: https://ioi.dk
ABOUT Amazon MGM Studios
Amazon MGM Studios is a leading entertainment company focused on the production and global distribution of film and television content. Original series premiere on Prime Video, which is available to watch on hundreds of compatible devices in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Original films are produced and acquired by the studio for theatrical release and exclusively for Prime Video. Amazon MGM Studios also produces content for MGM+, the premium pay television network.
Something more is going on than a simple elevator crash on Mars
Nicosia, Cyprus, (April 17th, 2026) | Today, Owlcat subsidiary META Publishing and developer Pokuch gave a first glimpse into the story of their upcoming Sci-fi survival game Blind Descent during Gamestar’s Find Your Next Game show. The co-op survival-craft title will launch in Early Access on Steam later this year, with its full release launching on both PC and console.
After an elevator crash at an excavation site on Mars, the player discovers a hidden world below the surface of the planet. After surviving the crash, they start looking for their missing crew members… but it seems there might be someone else present with a different agenda. Another, presumably scientific, team had descended into the Martian depths to study a local infection. During their survey, they encountered sophisticated alien technology blocking all their comms, as well as several artificial structures that may be the remnants of an unknown civilization — though to what end is unclear. The most peculiar discovery is that these Martian infections affect human organisms differently, causing mutations that enable them to form symbiotic bonds with their environment.
In Blind Descent, players have to start from scratch after crashing at a Martian excavation site and discovering a marvelous and dangerous world below the surface. They must craft tools, build a reliable shelter, and adapt to a reactive and hazardous alien environment through the in-game symbiosis system. Through multiplayer co-op, survivors can brave the dangers of Mars alone or in a group of up to four players.
Blind Descent is set to launch in Early Access on PC via Steam in 2026 and will come to consoles upon its full release.
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.
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.
Nicosia, Cyprus, (April 17th, 2026) | Shadow of the Road, the tactical RPG developed by Another Angle Games and published by Owclat Games, received a new story overview trailer. Debuted during Gamestar’s Find Your Next Game showcase, the new trailer depicts the factions and forces vying for power in the game’s alternative version of 19th century Japan. Shadow of the Road launches later this year, with the release date to be announced.
Shadow of the Road’s Japan depicts an alternative version of the 19th century Bakumatsu Period — a country full of clashing factions and world views, where a group of travelers get embroiled in the war between Shōgun and Emperor. However, it’s not just traditional soldiers they have to deal with: The East Nippon Company has bolstered the Emperor’s forces with advanced mechs, wreaking havoc on both military and civilians. Furthermore, the kami and yōkai, entities from Japan’s folklore and mythology that also are a part of this world and have their own goals.
Key features of Shadow of the Road:
Your Story: Join a daring journey led by Tokugawa’s spymaster, who recruits ronin warriors Satoru and Akira to protect a boy with immense, uncontrollable powers. As the adventure intensifies, they are joined by characters, each of whom has their own history and motivation. Together, they confront escalating challenges, striving to reclaim their honor and change the course of the war.
Your Choices: Every choice guides these characters along unique paths, shaping who they become. Player decisions will determine if they form new bonds, sever lifelong friendships, or mend family ties.
Your Team: Take on the role of a master strategist and become an elite team of characters with a variety of backgrounds and skills, each with their own motivations, desires, and fears, and set them on unique paths.
Your Fight: Experience turn-based combat with a samurai tactical vibe. Each team member brings unique abilities to the battlefield, and their personal goals and relationships influence every encounter. Master these dynamics and strategic maneuvers to lead the team to victory.
A demo for Shadow of the Road is available now on Windows PC via Steam.
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 Another Angle Games
Another Angle Games is a team of seasoned developers with experience spanning both AA/AAA and indie projects, united by a shared passion for crafting ambitious and immersive gaming experiences. Their collective portfolio includes acclaimed titles such as Outriders (People Can Fly), The Witcher series (CD Projekt Red), and Ghostrunner (One More Level).
Build by Day, Defend by Night. A God Game Reimagined –
Guildford, UK – 17/04/26 – 22cans drops their official launch trailer for Masters of Albion today. Launching into Early Access at $24.99 (USD) minus an early adopters 10% discount via Steam on the 22 April 2026 at 18:00 BST. Masters of Albion blends city-building, simulation, and real-time combat into a single player-driven experience defined by freedom, creativity, and consequence. In the words of its creator, Peter Molyneux, Masters of Albion is the culmination of a lifetime’s work in the games industry, bringing together mechanics from previous much-loved titles like Black & White, the Fable series, and Dungeon Keeper
With systems-driven gameplay at the heart of the game, Masters of Albion reimagines and reinvigorates the God Game genre, placing complete control in the hands of players, and ensuring that every decision made carries weight.
This sentiment reflects a return to form for Peter Molyneux and the team at 22cans, with Masters of Albion positioned as both a homage to the foundations of the genre and a step forward in how those systems are realised. By day, players can navigate through the story, explore the world and design, build, and manage fully customisable towns with a freedom not found in many city builders.
By night, however, players find themselves in a very different world, one in which they must defend their towns against increasingly volatile threats from the creatures of the night in real-time combat, utilising every power they have available to them to keep their towns from destruction.
This contrast between creation and survival sits at the heart of the experience, allowing players to enjoy the juxtaposition of a cosy day of god work helping your people live and work, and the terrors of a night where every second is marked with danger.
Masters of Albion is built around experimentation, bringing together ideas that defined earlier god games with new mechanics that expand how players interact with a modern game world.
Developed by a team that includes Peter Molyneux, Mark Healey, Russell Shaw, Kareem Ettouney and Iain Wright, Masters of Albion combines decades of experience in game development across all disciplines. It is a team that is packed with the people behind genre-defining titles such as Fable, Black & White, and Dungeon Keeper, bringing those influences together into a modern interpretation of the God Game.
Players can wishlist the game on Steam ahead of its Early Access launch on April 22nd.
Players who purchase and play within the first week of release will receive an exclusive Founders Paint Pack, a limited set of premium in-game colours available only to early supporters.
In Airborne Empire, players guide a flying city across the skies while uniting distant kingdoms. Over the past year, Airborne Empire has expanded significantly through Early Access updates, introducing a massive biome expansion, Hard Mode, Pacifist Mode, Creative Mode, and a 20-stage Survival Mode.
The 1.0 release adds a brand-new snow-covered biome featuring fresh quests, a formidable boss fight, and powerful new upgrades including a jet engine that propels the city into high-speed flight.
This aerial RPG-citybuilder combines role-playing, construction, and open-world exploration high above the clouds. Players guide a flying city across ever-changing biomes, recruit a cast of avian allies, and unlock upgrades to keep their civilization aloft. But danger is always close—sky pirates threaten to bring everything crashing down.
Airborne Empire is the follow-up to The Wandering Band’s BAFTA-nominated Airborne Kingdom. This new, standalone experience brings expanded world exploration, deeper role-playing mechanics, and colorful characters, as well as all-new combat.Airborne Empire is available on Steam for $29.99, with a 50 percent launch discount bringing the price down to $14.99.
About The Wandering Band The Wandering Band is an indie games studio focused on creating unique, high-quality interactive experiences that challenge genre boundaries and explore new topics through game mechanics. It was founded by industry veterans Frederik Gareau and Zachary Mumbach in 2018. The founders have decades of combined AAA experience, with work spanning multiple hit franchises like Dead Space, Battlefield, and Star Wars. In 2020, they released their first title Airborne Kingdom, which received a BAFTA nomination for “Best Debut Game.”
About Stray Fawn Studio Stray Fawn Studio is a ten-person indie game studio based in Zurich, Switzerland and the publisher of Airborne Empire. The studio gained recognition with several strategy and simulation games, especially The Wandering Village, a unique city-builder set on a giant creature. Following its success, Stray Fawn expanded into indie game publishing and is now supporting other developers on their journey.
The new platform helps aspiring creators turn their ideas into real console games
Gaijin Entertainment announces the launch of a new series of monthly game jams for its open development platform, EdenSpark, with a total prize pool of $250,000 across the full annual program. Designed to bring together aspiring creators, the EdenSpark Game Jam initiative offers a recurring opportunity to build, publish, and showcase original games.
Each month, participants will receive a new theme via official community channels and have 14 days to create a playable project using the EdenSpark platform. Developers can take part in the jam solo or in small teams of up to 10 people. Every monthly jam features a $5,000 prize pool with three winners selected by the EdenSpark team and one award determined by the participant voting.
At the end of the 12-month period, winners from each of the 12 monthly competitions will be shortlisted for a grand finale, where the organizers will select three projects, with prizes distributed as follows: $50,000 USD for 1st place, $35,000 USD for 2nd place, and $15,000 USD for 3rd place. In addition, nine or more $10,000 USD grants will be awarded to selected promising projects to help the developers turn their vision into a real game.
Beyond prizes, all EdenSpark game developers gain access to a unique pathway: the opportunity to bring their projects to consoles through the EdenSpark platform even without a registered company or costly legal paperwork. At the same time, unlike closed ecosystems offering similar experience, EdenSpark developers will retain full ownership of their games and are free to self-publish them anywhere they see fit.
“We hope that this initiative will empower developers to turn ideas into fully playable experiences.” – says Anton Yudintsev, founder of Gaijin Entertainment.
The first monthly jam will start on May, 1st, and the developers are already welcome to join the jam page, start experimenting with the EdenSpark tools, set up their teams and ask questions regarding the event and the platform via official social media communities.
About Gaijin Entertainment Gaijin Entertainment is the developer and publisher of the online games War Thunder, Crossout, Enlisted, CRSED: F.O.A.D. and Star Conflict as well as other PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, iOS and Android titles across several genres. The company’s diverse portfolio has received a range of mass media and game industry awards including such as Gamescom Award and many more. Official website: http://gaijinent.com/
Play a standalone three-chapter prologue today, then master a roguelike deckbuilder where poker hands become weapons, build-defining chips reshape every run, and survival depends on how well you play the hand you’re dealt.
Shanghai, China – April 17, 2026. Indie developer Breaker Games today announced that Apokerlypse, the strategic roguelike card battler set in the world of Apocalypse Party, will launch on PC via Steam on April 29, 2026, with a free standalone Prologue available now, giving players an early taste of the chaos to come.
But this isn’t poker as you know it. Set in the world of Apocalypse Party, Apokerlypse drops players into a post-apocalyptic tavern where cards are weapons, and every hand could be your last. The goal is simple: empty your hand before your rivals, but survival is anything but.
Blending poker-style combinations like Pairs, Straights, and Full Houses with roguelike progression, players must outplay opponents using powerful combos, smart strategy, and game-breaking abilities. Every run is a race to the top where mastering your deck means everything.
Inspired by the cultural hit ‘Fight the Landlord’, Apokerlypse delivers fast-paced, endlessly replayable runs where the odds are always stacked and always shifting.
Enter the Free Prologue – Become the Master of the Underworld
Available now, the free single-player prologue, Hell is Empty, Demons Are Playing Apokerlypse, offers a standalone, story-driven prequel set before the events of the full game.
Here, the script is flipped.
Players take on the role of Satan, rising from a lowly underworld functionary to challenge the very forces of Hell in a brutal ascent to power. Across three narrative chapters and six handcrafted boss encounters, you’ll face former allies, uncover a shocking, hidden conspiracy, and piece together the missing fragment of the Apocalypse Party lore to see the world in a whole new light.
Designed as both an introduction and a challenge, the prologue delivers a tightly curated single-player experience, with its final chapter pushing players to their limits, boasting a clear rate of less than 10%. Will you be the one to beat the odds?
From Prequel to Full Game – The Real Challenge Begins
While the prologue focuses on a narrative-driven solo experience, the full release of Apokerlypse expands into a deep, replayable roguelike with both single-player progression and PvPonline multiplayer.
At launch, players can:
Challenge real player builds asynchronously, facing decks crafted from across the globe
Compete in 2–3 player online multiplayer matches, a rare twist for the genre, where players bet it all in chaotic, strategy-driven showdowns
Experience a separate multiplayer mode featuring unpredictable mechanics like Destiny Cards and Party Feasts that radically shake up every match
Whether playing solo or with friends, Apokerlypse offers multiple ways to test your strategy, and your nerve.
Build. Break. Dominate.
Every run is an opportunity to bend, and break, the rules:
5 Unique Heroes with distinct playstyles, skills, and chip pools
70+ Skills and Affixes enabling wildly different builds and strategies
400 Demon Chips that fundamentally alter how the game is played
13 Card Enchantments to transform individual cards into run-defining power plays
Full Deck Control with classic deckbuilding systems to buy, remove, and refine your cards
The result is near-limitless build diversity, where no two runs ever play the same.
Climb the Ladder. Defy the Odds.
For solo players, Apokerlypse offers a deep progression system where every run feeds into your climb toward becoming a legendary cardsharp. As your rank increases, so too does the challenge, pitting you against increasingly complex and powerful opponent builds.
Adapt, evolve, and push your strategies to their limits as you rise through the ranks.
Step into the Hell is Empty, Demons Are Playing Apokerlypse Prologue now to experience the story, master the mechanics, and prepare for what’s to come with the full Apokerlypse launch on April 29. Wishlist Apokerlypse on Steam now and get ready to play your hand when the stakes are highest.
About Breaker Game Studio:
Breaker Game Studio was established in January 2023 as a beacon of innovation and dedication in the gaming industry. Its core members hail from the renowned Lilith Games, bringing with them a wealth of experience and expertise in game design and programming. The founders of Breaker Game Studio are recognized figures in the gaming industry, known for their extensive experience in game development and management. This blend of talent and experience forms the foundation of the studio’s success. The genesis of Breaker Game Studio was inspired by the indie game “Project Zero,” created by the studio’s founder, Wilson. Released in September 2022, “Project Zero” achieved remarkable success, quickly rising to the top of Steam’s ‘Hot New Games’ list and earning overwhelmingly positive reviews from players worldwide. This success laid the groundwork for the establishment of Breaker Game Studio.As a rising star in the gaming world, Breaker Game Studio is committed to delivering top-tier content that resonates with players across the globe.
Choose your path and quell the ancient god that torments the island in this 2000s throwback RPG
[Cologne, Germany – April 17, 2026] — Pick up your sword! The first playtest for Asterfel launches today, and it will be featured in Steam’s Medieval Fest. Play as a shipwrecked survivor new to the island of Asterfel, where every choice you make is vital to your fate. Choose between one of three different factions to align yourself with, learn more about the island through immersive quests, and defeat powerful, punishing enemies. Will you be able to free the island of Asterfel from itself and from an ancient god’s wrath?
Missed it? Check out the Asterfel Playtest Trailer!
About Asterfel:
A Cursed Island Shaped by Greed – Besieged by conflict, the King’s magical mines have stirred up mutant terrors, and roused an ancient God from its slumber. Nature and magic have become erratic, and dead things crawl out of their graves to wreak havoc.
Three Factions, A Nation Divided – Three factions rule over the divided island of Asterfel: the Crown Wardens, the rebellious Kindred, and the magical Scholars. Choose which to work with, or lend your sword to all, as you decide on your path.
Let Steel And Magic Lead Your Way – An intense, in-depth combat system allows you to wield swords, bows, or magical runes to cast spells. Whether up close or afar, tackle fights your way. Mix up your play-style and upgrade your abilities to overcome the odds.
Choose Your Own Fate – You are a shipwreck survivor, new to Asterfel. Take on quests, align with factions, gather resources, and craft your own gear.
A World That Fights Back – Discover arid landscapes, dense jungles, and ancient ruins, where terrors lurk behind every corner. The further abroad you travel, the more difficult enemies become.
Get a Closer Look with the New 13 Minutes of Asterfel Alpha Gameplay Video!
Join the Asterfel playtest TODAY on Steam, do not tarry! Don’t forget to drop a wishlist to stay in the loop about Asterfel’s development. The island of Asterfel awaits you.
About Mysteria Studio UG
Mysteria Studio UG is an established German indie game development studio with a worldwide team, founded in 2012. We strive for high visual quality, engaging gameplay, and technical excellence to offer gamers the best possible experience.
The team behind Asterfel is deeply influenced by iconic titles like The Witcher and the Gothic series. We’re committed to crafting a world that feels alive.
Update 0.18 introduces new power jump, glider progression, overhauled beginning player experience, and much more
Los Angeles, CA – April 17, 2026 – Loric Games and Snail Games USA have just launched the largest update yet for their airborne open-world survival RPG crafting game Echoes of Elysium, now available on Steam Early Access. Major Update 0.18 is a big step toward making Echoes of Elysium feel better the moment you jump in, while also adding more depth to how you move and interact with the world.
This update radically reworks how the game introduces itself so it’s clearer, smoother, and easier to get into. There’s now much more room for player expression through movement, with a new Power Jump ability that lets you launch yourself further and higher, adding a lot more mobility. Your glider now has a progression system where it’s something you earn, craft and upgrade over time, making it a core part of your journey. This update also brings 150 unique items, and hints have been completely reworked to be more helpful and less intrusive. Alongside all of that, there’s a large pass on fixes, performance, and polish across the game, based directly on player feedback. You can check out the full patch notes here.
“Update 0.18 is a massive step forward for the game, especially if you’re just jumping in or bringing friends along for the first time,” said Loric Games cofounder and CEO Brian Johnson. “We’ve spent a lot of time reworking the first-time experience to make things feel more natural, clearer, and less overwhelming. A lot of the early friction points from player feedback in Discord and both positive and negative reviews have been smoothed out, and systems should introduce themselves in a way that makes more sense as you play.”
This is just the beginning, as Loric has shared the Echoes of Elysiumroadmap, teasing plans to deliver ongoing updates focused on stability, accessibility, and quality-of-life – including critical fixes, expanded localization, controller support, ship customization, and Steam Deck support. The roadmap includes continuous improvements and content updates delivered between two major content expansions planned for 2026.
Set in the enchanting world of Elysium, where ancient mechanisms coexist with serene skies and breathtaking landscapes, players must set sail for adventure in airships of their own design. Your fleet is more than simple transport, but your base of operations where you can transport supplies, craft materials, and engage in aerial combat against an armada of adversaries.
Work alone or with friends in up to 6-player co-op as you uncover the mysteries of a forgotten paradise where danger lurks in the form of soul-powered clockwork beasts. Gather, craft, and grow in power as you fight for survival across a fractured landscape of diverse environments. Harvest unique resources to craft vital tools, contraptions, and airships, all aiding in your defense and exploration. Everything you would normally do on the ground in survival RPGs happens in the sky for a unique airship-focused experience.
About Loric Games Loric Games, a venture-backed game development company headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, stands at the forefront of creating immersive online gaming experiences. With a commitment to innovation, Loric Games continues to captivate audiences worldwide. loricgames.com
About Snail Games USA Snail Games is a leading global developer and publisher, known for delivering innovative, immersive gaming experiences across a range of genres and platforms. With a legacy of technological innovation and a focus on community engagement, Snail Games is shaping the future of interactive entertainment. snail.com
