Today, 2K and Gearbox Software shared new details regarding the upcoming Raid Boss encounter for Borderlands 4, Subjugator and Thol the Invincible. Starting May 28, any Vault Hunters looking for a new endgame challenge can take on these formidable foes as part of the Version 1.7 update, which is free for all players.

Subjugator and Thol the Invincible live in service to the Timekeeper, isolated on an island off the coast of the Fadefields where they await challengers. This encounter begins as a tag team battle against the hovering Subjugator and the hulking Thol. Once one is eliminated, the remaining boss will retreat to a distinct arena to reach full power in an ascended form, triggering a life-or-death duel.

Vault Hunters who manage to defeat this duo will have the chance to earn powerful new rewards:

• One New Pearlescent Weapon:
  • Jail-Broken Gatling (Order SMG): For each hit on an enemy, gain a buff that increases fire rate, damage, weapon recoil, and the chance to fire additional projectiles.
• Four New Legendary Items:
  • Lockjaw (Torgue Assault Rifle): Fires explosive projectiles that will bounce between multiple targets.
  • Shammy Kablammy (Tediore Pistol): Douses enemies in hot Moonshine, then throws an explosive projectile when reloading that burns doused enemies with Incendiary damage, scaling with how many targets are lit ablaze.
  • Flak Cannon (Vladof Heavy Weapon Ordnance): Shreds enemies with a hail of bullets.
  • Collector (Order Shield): Weathers any storm with a huge capacity and a quick recharge rate, offset by a longer recharge delay.
• Five New Class Mods: A unique Class Mod will be available for each current Vault Hunter. A sixth Class Mod will be added to this loot pool in Q3 2026 when the next Vault Hunter arrives in Story Pack 2.
• New Firmware:
  • Active Fire: At Tier 3, unleashing a charge weapon’s full-charge shot the moment it’s available will deal bonus damage, providing increased lethality as a reward for precision timing.

As a reminder, players must beat the main campaign before they can take on Subjugator and Thol the Invincible. Be sure to tune in to the Gearbox DevCast on May 26 deep-diving into the design, lore behind this fearsome dual boss fight, and offering a look at the battle arena of the Raid 2 encounter.

For dedicated Vaulter Hunters pushing the highest Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode (UVHM) levels, Version 1.7 will also raise the level cap to UVHM Level 7. Additionally, this update includes a community-requested Shared Character Progression toggle. Previously introduced in Version 1.5, players are able to share progress for SDUs, collectibles, and more, and this new toggle allows players to roll a new Vault Hunter with a completely clean slate to rediscover Kairos as if for the first time.

Update 1.7, including Subjugator and Thol the Invincible, is the latest free drop outlined in the Upcoming Content Roadmap. Looking ahead, Version 1.8 is scheduled for late June, introducing a free Takedown and the paid Bounty Pack 3 DLC on the same day.

For the latest information on Borderlands 4, visit www.borderlands.2k.com.

Controller enhancements make 2026’s earnest can’t-miss tale feel right at home on handheld

PHILADELPHIA – May 14, 2026 – Perfect Tides: Station to Station, the coming-of-age narrative adventure from developer Three Bees and winner of the 2026 IGF Award for Excellence in Narrative, embraces life in the big city on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 today.

Guide Mara Whitefish’s unforgettable journey through her first year of college and independence in a story full of meaningful relationships, authentic mid-2000s experiences, and a trusty brick cellphone. As a fledgling writer, soak up everything higher education and the big city have to offer – captivating classes, ponderous works of literature, and the whirlwind emotions of young adulthood.

Balance Mara’s time between educational pursuits, new (and old) relationships, and personal development as she searches for her place in a changing world. Explore the city using the public transit system and draw from the books Mara reads, the conversations she has with her peers, and her hard-earned life lessons to complete writing assignments. Help decide whether she blossoms into a promising young author or languishes in obscurity and mediocrity.

Mara’s choices won’t always be the ‘right’ ones, but they’ll always be authentic. Meredith Gran, creator of the hit webcomic Octopus Pie and the award-winning Perfect Tides, has filled every chapter of Perfect Tides: Station to Station with memorable, sharply observed characters and heartfelt moments to form the stage for Mara’s competing desires to be successful as a writer and loved by others.

“The Switch has always felt like a natural home for Perfect Tides: Station to Station, so we’ve worked with our friends at Clickpulp to make sure the handheld controls feel perfect,” Gran said. “I think Switch players will agree that it was worth the wait.”

Perfect Tides: Station to Station is available now on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. It is also available on PC and Mac via Steam. For more information, please visit the official website, follow the team on Bluesky and Twitter/X, join the community on Discord, and search #PerfectTides on all social media platforms.

About Three Bees

Three Bees is an independent game development studio founded by cartoonist and animator Meredith Gran. From 2007-2017, Meredith wrote and illustrated the webcomic popular Octopus Pie, amassing more than 100,000 readers over its 10-year run. 

In 2022, Three Bees released its first title, Perfect Tides, a conduit for explorations of time, love and sexuality, creative drive, and the buried past. Its next title, Perfect Tides: Station to Station, is out now. It further meditates on the early years of adulthood, of moments both scarring and sublime.

For more information, visit the official website.

The Aquarium is heading to PC and consoles, offering a relaxing game that combines an aquarist simulator with adventure and exploration of the underwater world. The player can catch rare fish specimens with their own hands and collect beautiful corals. Since May 13, everyone can check out the free demo of The Aquarium on PC. The game will be released in 2026 in Early Access on PC. Later on, The Aquarium will also be available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

The game is being developed by Eiwar Games, an independent studio from Turkey. The publisher of The Aquarium is Ultimate Games S.A.

Catch, breed, and admire the underwater world!

The Aquarium is a relaxing aquarium simulator with open-world exploration elements and the ability to collect rare fish specimens. The game allows players to explore rivers, lakes, and oceans, first by boat or water scooter, and then by diving underwater in search of aquatic wonders. In The Aquarium, you can catch fish with your own hands, which requires the right approach so as not to scare the creatures away. The caught specimens are then registered in a special FishDex catalog. It is also possible to collect corals and other underwater treasures.

Running and developing your aquariums is also an important part of the game. At home, you can arrange and decorate the space however you like. The player is, of course, also responsible for feeding and breeding the fish.

The game by Eiwar Games stands out for its elements related to the life of an aquarist. In the nearby village, you can trade and interact with residents and tourists. It is also worth taking care of your rest, especially since a shower and strong coffee can improve your character attributes for the next dive.

Steam Store – https://store.steampowered.com/app/4135330/The_Aquarium_Demo/

The Aquarium gets a free demo

A free demo of The Aquarium has been available on the Steam platform since May 13. Here, the player can test the main gameplay mechanics, including discovering fishing spots from a boat and catching fish by hand. The Aquarium Demo also lets you create your own aquariums with selected decorations and plants.

As Eiwar Games announces, players will find much more content in the full version, including completely new ecosystems and advanced mechanics, such as the ability to create new species. After the Early Access release on Steam, the title will be further developed, taking into account the community’s feedback and ideas.

The Aquarium – Key Features:

• Create wonderful aquariums;
• Dive and explore the underwater world;
• Catch rare fish specimens and collect corals;
• Trade and manage your aquariums;
• Take care of the fish.

The game will debut in 2026, first on PC in Early Access. Versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles are also planned.

LOS ANGELES – MAY 14, 2026 – Netmarble, a renowned developer and publisher of high-quality games, has released a new update for its AFK RPG THE KING OF FIGHTERS AFK that introduces a large-scale PvP mode, new fighters, and a variety of in-game events. 

Headlining the update is the addition of the new competitive content “Champions Cup.” This new multi team PvP mode features thrilling battles between three teams comprised of seven Fighters each, offering a completely different experience from the traditional 5 vs 5 format. Champions Cup matches take place every weekend and are limited to players ranked within the top 50 in Ranked Battle. This new PvP mode purely focuses on Fighter combinations and strategic team compositions . Players who achieve high rankings can earn exclusive rewards. 

The new update also introduces Orochi Yashiro as a new Fighter. With the Cosmos Attribute and the Special synergy, Orochi Yashiro brings signature skills such as “Odoru Daichi” and “Barren Earth” to the battlefield. A special Pick-Up Event for Orochi Yashiro will run through May 27 that doubles his appearance rate through Premium Summon Also, the Red Rose Night 14-Day Check-In Event will reward players with over 10,000 Premium Points. 

Another featured Pick-Up Fighter is Haohmaru, a fearless swordsman who roams the world in search of worthy opponents and is associated with the Fury synergy. Players can experience his signature skills including “Ougi Kogetsuzan” and “Tenha Hadansen.” The [Fury] Synergy Fighter Summon Event will be available until May 27 that increases the summon rates of Fighters with Fury synergy.

Various events and new content are now live as well. The Vibrant Spring Special Check-In Event offers rewards including Pick-Up Fighter Selection Ticket, Unique Pet Summon Box, DNA,and more. Additionally, a new mini-game called “Chang Koehan’s Iron Ball Fight” has been added, where players can earn Rubies daily by clearing waves of enemies in a fast paced action experience. 

Additional limited-time events include Lucky Elpy (May 18 – May 22), where players can obtain the Legendary Supporter Hanzo Hattori, and Book of Adventures (May 21 – June 3), featuring the Legendary pets Hedgemaru, Haohmaru’s companion pet, and Arma.

THE KING OF FIGHTERS AFK is based on SNK’s “THE KING OF FIGHTERS” IP. The game features iconic fighters from “THE KING OF FIGHTERS” series reimagined in pixel art graphics that gamers are familiar with from THE KING OF FIGHTERS R-2 on NEOGEO POCKET COLOR, allowing players to build their own team of favorite Fighters and enjoy dynamic combats. Players can strategically create their decks by combining at least 5 and up to 25 different Fighters and formations.

For the latest news and information on THE KING OF FIGHTERS AFK, visit the official website.

“THE KING OF FIGHTERS” is an iconic fighting game series that led the fighting game craze in the 1990s, with over 15 titles released to date. THE KING OF FIGHTERS and its Fighters have been receiving strong support among fans around the globe for decades as the series’ systems and stories have evolved over time. 

About Netmarble Corporation

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

ⓒ SNK CORPORATION ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ⓒ Netmarble Corp. & Netmarble Neo Inc. 2024 All Rights Reserved. 

LOS ANGELES – MAY 14, 2026 – Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality games, has  launched a new update for its collectible RPG Seven Knights Re:BIRTH, celebrating its 1st Anniversary with a variety of events. 

The update welcomes [Double Spear Hunter] Karl Heron, a Legendary Attack-type hero and a member of the Night Crow. To celebrate his arrival, Karl Heron Rate Up Summon is now open to give players a higher chance to obtain Karl Heron Players can also earn generous rewards by completing given missions during the Karl Heron Power Up Event. 

A wide range of in-game events are now underway as part of the 1st Anniversary 7K Festival. These include the 1st Anniversary 7K Festival-themed check-In, special mission, and challenge mission events. Players can also check out the 1st Anniversary 7K Festival Shop, where event currencies collected through gameplay can be exchanged for special rewards.

Through the anniversary celebrations, players can obtain various rewards including Special 1st Anniversary Summon Voucher, 1st Anniversary Celebration Ring Box, Four Lords of Old Equipment Box, Pet Summon Vouchers, Rubies, and Brilliant Skill Enhancement Stones. In addition, the 1st Anniversary 7K Festival Summon allows players to designate a smaller pool of Wish Heroes compared to existing Wish Summons, increasing the chances of obtaining their desired hero.

The update also includes additional anniversary rewards such as three different coupons that grant valuable items. The “Producer Kim’s Coupon” allows players to restore previously consumed 6★ Legendary Accessory used during refining or exchange for a 5★ Legendary Accessory Selection Box through the Crafting system. Players can also obtain the “Team Lead Sohn’s Coupon,” which can be used to acquire a Legendary hero, and the “Creative Director Hwang’s Coupon,” which can be used to obtain a Legendary Pet. Special anniversary costumes are available now as well.

Seven Knights Re:BIRTH inherits the key elements of the original Seven Knights, Netmarble’s flagship IP that has surpassed 100 million cumulative downloads, including its story, characters, combat systems, and core mechanics while enhancing the gameplay experience with modern gameplay features and the latest trends. 

More details on Seven Knights Re:BIRTH are available on the official website and forum. Fans can also stay up-to-date with the latest information on the game by following official social channels on Facebook and YouTube. 

About Netmarble Corporation

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

Vancouver, Canada – [May 14, 2026] – Relic Entertainment has just launched Company of Heroes 3: Dare & Destroy. This new Battlegroup DLC is now available on Steam for $24.99 USD | £19.49 GBP | €22.99 EUR. The DLC delivers four new Battlegroups – one for each faction – alongside new Cosmetics and a 2.4.0 game update featuring balance changes and gameplay improvements. Dare & Destroy expands Multiplayer and Co-Op/Skirmish vs. A.I. gameplay with powerful new units, elite forces, specialized vehicles, and all-new tactical options for veteran commanders and returning players alike.

Battlegroups are supplemental forces that players bring into battle, granting access to distinct abilities and strategic choices that shape how each match is played. In Dare & Destroy, each faction receives a new battlegroup designed to introduce fresh tactics and new ways to approach combat.

Four New Battlegroups

• US Forces – Free French Battlegroup 

Employ robust defenses and stalling tactics to subdue enemy assaults and buy time for a breakout.

Form a defensive line with French Rifle Sections, concrete Bastions and Tourelle defenses, while Railway Artillery and the venerable Char B1 Heavy Tank force a rout.

• Wehrmacht – Siege Breaker Battlegroup

Mobilize siegeworks and specialist units to break enemy fortifications and create an opening for the vanguard to exploit.

Test the enemy line with additional infantry weapons and Flame Halftracks. Once a breach has been detected, crack apart even the most stubborn defensive line with Siege Specialists and the iconic Sturmtiger Heavy Tank.

• British Forces – Special Service Battlegroup

Deploy elite raiding forces to deny resources and harass the enemy where least expected.

Raiding vehicles, Commandos and Snipers will ambush and whittle enemy units down, before fading away into the dust. Scorched Earth tactics will drain the enemy of their vital resources and punish every undefended hole in their frontline.

• Deutsches Afrikakorps – Elite Forces Battlegroup 

Develop an advanced and experienced force of infantry, aircraft and ground vehicles to outpace the enemy.

Lead a core of veteran infantry and vehicles with the Command 8Rad Armored Car, dominate the battlefield with Ace Stuka Squadrons, and deliver the killing blow with the mighty Tiger Ace Heavy Tank.

Company of Heroes 3: Dare & Destroy is available now on PC via Steam. The accompanying 2.4.0 update is free for all Company of Heroes 3 players.

Launching on Steam with 25% Discount Off and Available as a Free Update on all Other  Platforms, Version 2.0 Introduces New Features, Improvements, and More Brutal Battles

Milton Keynes, UK, May 14, 2026 – Today, developer MercurySteam and publisher 505 Games are thrilled to announce that their dark fantasy action-adventure game Blades of Fire is now available on Steam. The Steam release includes Version 2.0 of the game, featuring major updates and improvements, new achievements and Steam Deck support, plus the Adventurer Pack, the Artbook, and the award-winning original soundtrack by Óscar Araujo. Version 2.0 is also available today as a free upgrade on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Epic Games.  

Watch the Blades of Fire – Version 2.0 Steam Launch Trailer:

In Blades of Fire, players take on the role of Aran de Lira, the last warrior alive with the ability to forge true steel in a world where metal turns to stone, and the power of the blade rules all. Players embark on a journey of mastery, as combat favors brains over brawn. Strategically assemble your arsenal to account for the brutal enemies Aran will face, and forge weapons with precision, as there are no do-overs and make every strike of the hammer count. Battles are deliberate, weighty, and unforgiving – the key to a successful outcome is careful observation of your opponent, and taking advantage of their missteps and weaknesses, striking at the right moment. A strategic, observant warrior will emerge victoriously, while those who fight with reckless abandon will meet a terminal fate.

Version 2.0 introduces brand-new content, guaranteed to provide a challenge and make every playthrough feel fresh:

• New Game Plus: Relive Aran’s adventure anew while maintaining most progression and stats. As an added challenge, enemies scale to the player’s health. Thanks to 27 New Game Plus exclusive forge statues that unlock new weapon parts, Aran will be more than ready for a fight.
• New Challenge Level: Titanium Difficulty: A brutal challenge recommended for only the most experienced fighter, players will battle their way through enemies with enhanced health, armour, and a 20% damage increase, and Bosses rebalanced with stricter timing-based mechanics.
• Anvil Trials: Travel to the arena and re-challenge bosses defeated in the main story in time-limited combat to earn rewards that will help you along the way. But be wary – bosses are ready for you and bring on new mechanics to up the challenge.
• Arcana: Collect medals during the Anvil Trails and exchange them with Aran’s scholarly companion Adso, who will then grant ancient spells that grant passive buffs to your weapons.
• Transmutation: This new system allows players to convert materials directly at the forge. Convert materials into any other desired – as long as it has been discovered by Aran.
• …and More: Capture the epic scenery and key moments with the newly added Photo Mode, unlock new Achievements, fully remap your mouse and keyboard control bindings, and even better – you can now pet the Ox! Additionally, improvements such as expanded death and mutilation variations, improved animation transition, and Nvidia DLSS4 implementation will provide a richer experience, and full Steam Deck support allows players to take their battles along with them on the go.

Blades of Fire – Version 2.0 is now available on Steam with a limited time launch discount of 25% off on the standard price of $39.99 USD / £34.99. Blades of Fire is currently available on PC via the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. 

The Version 2.0 upgrade is now available as a free update on all other platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Epic Games Store (PC). 

About 505 Games

505 Games, a subsidiary of Digital Bros, is a global publisher of video games across all major platforms. With a diverse portfolio of critically acclaimed titles, 505 Games is dedicated to delivering unique, high-quality gaming experiences.  

About MercurySteam

Mercury Steam Entertainment S.L., doing business as MercurySteam, is a Spanish video game developer based in San Sebastián de los Reyes, Madrid. It was founded by former members of Rebel Act Studios, who had developed Severance: Blade of Darkness in 2001. Other titles include Clive Barker’s Jericho, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow trilogy, Metroid Samus Returns, Spacelords and Metroid Dread.

[New York – May 14, 2026] – Six One Indie is thrilled to announce the return of the Six One Indie Showcase on Thursday, May 21st, 2026, beginning at 8:50 AM PT / 11:50 AM ET. The event will stream on IGN, GameSpot, and Six One Indie’s YouTube channel, featuring a curated lineup of 61 innovative indie games from developers and publishers worldwide.

The event kicks off with the Petey’s Play Now Pre-Show at 8:50 AM PT / 11:50 AM ET, which highlights 5 recently released and overlooked indies. The main Showcase then follows, starting at 9:00 AM PT / 12:00 PM ET and features world premieres, showcase debuts, and exclusive looks at a carefully crafted 56 additional upcoming games across platforms. 

This year’s Showcase features one of the most diverse lineups that Six One Indie has ever had. From more standard genres such as survival horror, roguelikes, and cozy gems to some first-ever genre blocks showcasing often overlooked style of games. The Showcase also features several developers on screen to introduce their projects to the world. 

Once the Showcase concludes, audiences can head to the official Showcase homepage to explore hands-on previews of some of the games shown, and the Six One Indie Showcase Steam event will go live and run through Monday, May 25th, so players can wishlist, play demos, and even buy some games to add to their library! 

Since its debut in 2022, the Six One Indie Showcase has featured nearly 275 indie games, from solo dev passion projects to international studio debuts. What began as a small DIY passion project has blossomed into a professionally produced premiere showcase while maintaining the zero-barriers, zero-cost values in benefit of the developers.

Save the date! The Six One Showcase returns on May 21st, 2025, and you can find out more about the upcoming Six One Indie Showcase by visiting the official website.

About Six One Indie

Six One Indie strives to be a critical backbone for the indie scene, supporting developers and bringing overlooked games to audiences through curated events and thoughtful media.

The Six One Indie Showcase, Demo Days, and The Indie Game Awards serve as premier platforms for discovering, promoting, and celebrating indie games and the human beings behind them. We aim to give indie games the visibility they deserve while fostering a community of developers, players, and enthusiasts who share a passion for the indie scene.

Consisting of a team with deep experience across event production, game marketing, content creation, and games media, Six One Indie is more than just a platform—it’s a catalyst. Whether through our showcases or our publishing efforts, we’re dedicated to ensuring indie games thrive in a competitive industry, and that the voices of developers, both emerging and established, are heard loud and clear.

Survive 30 minutes of supernatural investigation, ghost chases, and Korean folklore horror

BEIJING –May 14, 2026 – The night is unremarkable – until it isn’t. Developer AIXLAB, publisher Smilegate, and co-publisher Thermite Games have announced that the free demo for The Alley, the first-person psychological horror game set in the maze-like, claustrophobic alleyways of Korea, is now available on Steam. Trapped in an unassuming, everyday labyrinth, you’ll have to use your camera, keen observational skills, and clever wits to investigate the supernatural forces stalking you – and survive.

The Alley – Official Demo Launch Trailer

High school student Soyeon steps out of evening class and into streets she has walked a hundred times before. But something has changed. The alley stretches longer than it should. The exit never comes. The bracelet her shaman grandmother pressed into her hands years ago suddenly begins to glow — it is not only a warning and a guide, but also the only thing standing between her and whatever stirs in the dark.

At its core, The Alley is a game of anomaly detection and consequence. The bracelet signals that something is wrong; the player must uncover what it is. Photograph anything suspicious, then send your assessment to your grandmother by MMS — is it a Ghost Trace, something that you could never experience in the real world, or a Ghost Feint, something strange yet still possibly existing in reality? Every correct judgment is a step toward the truth, while every mistake brings something dangerous closer.

The world of The Alley is rooted in Korean folk tradition – mudang shamanism, an ancient bloodline of spiritual power passed through generations. AIXLAB, a studio with nearly a decade of horror environment craft behind it, has recreated the texture of Korea’s backstreets with painstaking fidelity: the layout feels familiar, but the signage, storefronts, and alley details quietly insist that you do not belong here. That uncanny distance is where the dread takes hold.

“We want to create spaces that are completely ordinary to Koreans to feel terrifying through atmosphere alone – and global players can also experience a kind of horror they haven’t encountered before,” noted the development team at AIXLAB.

Before its Steam debut, The Alley won Top 10 at the 2025 STOVE Indie Awards and drew over 2,000 broadcasts from Korean streamers and content creators. Today’s new demo features approximately 30 minutes of gameplay and supports Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, Japanese, Russian, and Korean languages.

Key Features

• Spot the Anomaly, Make the Call: The bracelet reacts; the rest is on you. Photograph what’s wrong, judge if it’s a Ghost Trace or a Ghost Feint, and send your decision by MMS. A displaced box, a toy sounding off in an empty alley – every finding demands a tough decision, and every mistake comes with a consequence.
• Survive a Vengeful Ghost Chase: The ghost is always watching you, always following. When you feel its presence, don’t look back, just run! These moments of fear and the sprint for survival after are among the game’s most visceral.
• The Korean Alley, Faithfully Recreated: The streets feel familiar – narrow alleyways, local storefronts, everyday life continuing as normal. That familiarity makes every anomaly stand out even more.
• Unique Spin on Korean Folk Horror: Mudang shamanism, the Yeonhwa clan’s centuries-old curse – The Alley builds its mythology from traditions that feel unlike Western or Japanese horror. Report enough Ghost Traces, collect the keys, open the Box of Truth, and find out what has been buried.
• Your Phone Is All You Have: MMS, camera, incoming calls. The smartphone is not a gimmick – it’s the game’s primary conduit between the player and the supernatural, delivering horror through the most familiar object in your pocket.

The Alley is waiting. The demo is free on Steam. Go find what doesn’t belong — or lose yourself in a maze that has no end.

About AIXLAB

AIXLAB is a small content production company that has been producing horror VR games since 2017. It launched horror VR games such as Haunted House VR and Forbidden Art VR, and won the Korea Game Awards for its realistic environmental representation and experience. With The Alley, the studio makes its debut in PC gaming and has garnered attention for its realistic environments and unique experience.

About Smilegate

Smilegate is a leading global game development and publishing company headquartered in Pangyo, South Korea. Best known as the creator of CROSSFIRE, the world’s most popular first-person shooter with over 1 billion registered players worldwide, Smilegate is committed to delivering world-class entertainment across various genres.

Beyond its flagship title, the company has expanded its portfolio with critically acclaimed games such as Lost Ark, a record-breaking MMORPG, and Epic Seven, a top-tier mobile RPG. Smilegate is also a major player in the global esports scene, hosting the annual Crossfire Stars (CFS) tournament. With a vision of “Creating a world through games and more,” the company continues to diversify into media, venture capital, and social contribution through the Smilegate Foundation.

About Thermite Games

Thermite Games is a publishing company behind hit titles such as Tales of the Neon Sea, LONESTAR, House of Legacy, Teatopia, and more. Founded in 2020, Thermite Games consists of young, passionate gamers and industry professionals.

From Legendary, Award-Winning Game Designer Jonathan Blow (The Witness, Braid) Comes a Massive Puzzle Game on Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam later this year!

LOS GATOS, Calif. –May 14, 2026 – Arc Games, a leading publisher of AA and indie titles for PC and console, and Thekla, Inc. are excited to announce that Order of the Sinking Star, the massive, highly anticipated puzzle adventure led by legendary, award-winning game designer Jonathan Blow, is officially making its way to Nintendo Switch 2™  this year.

Order of the Sinking Star is set to be an epic adventure to play on Nintendo’s latest console. Players will be able to come and go as they like, free to take on the puzzles they discover at their own pace – making it a perfect game to play either on-the-go for quick puzzle-solving sessions or in the comfort of their own home for longer sessions. Today’s trailer gives a quick overview of what players can expect in this massive puzzle adventure when it launches later this year.

Excited to jump into this epic puzzle adventure? Wishlist the game today on Steam

“We’re very happy to bring Order of the Sinking Star to Nintendo Switch 2,” said Jonathan Blow, Founder of Thekla, Inc. and award-winning game designer behind Braid and The Witness. “The game is huge and has many, many puzzles, so Switch 2’s portability is really nice here; you can just pick it up and play it in short bursts or really dive in for a long time.”

“We’re entering the Switch 2 space in a major way with our first release for the platform being Order of the Sinking Star,” said Yoon Im, CEO of Arc Games. “Ever since the console was announced, we’ve been looking forward to the chance to bring one of our games to the platform. With Switch 2’s impressive features, including its instant-resume features, we believe it makes it the perfect home for this innovative puzzle adventure from the incredible team at Thekla, Inc.”

Order of the Sinking Star will also launch on Steam with Steam Deck support this year. Stay tuned for more news on the game in the coming months!

ABOUT ORDER OF THE SINKING STAR

From legendary director Jonathan Blow (Braid, The Witness) comes Order of the Sinking Star, a massive narrative adventure featuring more than one thousand hand-crafted puzzles designed to put your intellect to the test. You are transported to a realm of curious magic, dangerous contraptions, and vicious monsters. You’ll explore four distinct worlds, each with its own mechanics, characters, and stories, and then watch as they all collide.

As the worlds merge, and characters meet one another, puzzle systems intertwine, creating surprising new possibilities. Explore at your own pace, revisit worlds and return to challenges as you see fit. Discover unique playable characters, master evolving gameplay mechanics, and decipher the deep mysteries of a sprawling, interconnected game world. Blending exploration, storytelling, and ever-progressing mechanics, Order of the Sinking Star invites you into a mysterious, living puzzle unlike anything you’ve played.

Game Features

• Master a Thousand Interwoven Challenges –Embark on an innovative puzzle adventure with dozens of game mechanics and hundreds of hours of unique gameplay. Each puzzle builds on the last, introducing new game mechanics that reward curiosity and persistence.
• Choose Your Path, Roam at Your Pace – Explore four expansive, mysterious game worlds, each with its own characters, rules, dangers, and secrets waiting to be uncovered. Come and go as you like; you are free to take on the puzzles you discover at your own pace.
• Take the Helm of Some Unlikely Heroes – A queen, a thief, a warrior, a wizard, and a talking boat are just some of the heroes of this tale. Each character wields complimentary abilities and has captivating stories to tell.
• Decipher an Epic Tale – As playable characters begin to meet and worlds collide, the mystery untangles. Through gameplay and notes you collect, you learn more about this enigmatic realm. Piece by piece and clue by clue, you’ll uncover the secrets of the Order of the Sinking Star.

To learn more about the game, please visit orderofthesinkingstar.com.

ABOUT ARC GAMES

Arc Games is a leading independent publisher of AA and indie video games — including premium and live-service titles — across North America, Europe, and Asia. Originally founded in 2008 as Perfect World Entertainment, the company later rebranded as Arc Games and continues to expand its presence as a global publisher. Known for bringing beloved titles such as Neverwinter and Star Trek Online to players around the world, Arc Games has also delivered a strong portfolio of original releases, including REMNANT II, Remnant: From the Ashes, the Torchlight series, and Fellowship, as well as distinctive indie experiences like Frosthaven and Have a Nice Death.

Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area with offices in Amsterdam and Shanghai, Arc Games is dedicated to supporting talented game creators and delivering high-quality, memorable gaming experiences. For more information, please visit www.arcgames.com.

ABOUT THEKLA, INC.

Thekla, Inc. is an independent video game studio led by Jonathan Blow, known for creating critically acclaimed titles like The Witness and Braid. Originally established in 2009, the studio is based in Denver, Colo., and focuses on making games with high artistic and technical quality. The studio is currently working on Order of the Sinking Star, the studio’s most ambitious and massive puzzle adventure yet, set to launch in 2026.