Iconic franchise and its community of 500M+ pay homage, look ahead through birthday releases, in-game offerings, collaborations, and more

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – Feb. 4, 2025 –Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) proudly celebrates 25 years of The Sims™. Since its launch in 2000, The Sims has captivated players worldwide with its unparalleled creativity and charm. The beloved life simulation game and pop culture phenomenon started from humble beginnings but quickly became one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time, with more than 500 million lifetime players to date. As The Sims celebrates its 25^th birthday, its commitment to innovation and creativity remains as strong as ever, with continued expansions designed to inspire and connect players worldwide.

500 MILLION THANK YOUS

When The Sims first launched, it pioneered the life simulation genre, which today is one of the fastest-growing segments in the video game industry. The Sims remains a leader in the genre, appealing to a diverse global audience and fostering one of the largest gaming communities particularly among female gamers. 

“The Sims is more than just a game – it’s an entertainment platform offering a canvas for creativity and a medium for storytelling, amplified by our worldwide community of Simmers,” said Kate Gorman Revelli, Vice President and General Manager, The Sims. 

“We are proud to have built such a strong community around shared values over the past 25 years. As we celebrate this milestone together, we look back at the past and what we have accomplished so far, while keeping a clear focus on what is next for The Sims. Our eyes are set on one goal: to continue expanding The Sims universe across modalities of engagement, including more entertainment experiences. We have a lot to share over the next 25 years, from a movie to more in-game gameplay, content creation, and social connection points. We are now more than ever energized to continue building platforms that involve, engage, reward, and delight our community.”

WHERE’S THE PARTY AT?

Today, February 4, beginning at 2 PM PST, The Sims will host The Sims 25 Hour Livestream, uniting The Sims community for an epic, global celebration of all things The Sims for 25 consecutive hours of gameplay, giveaways, and streams that are not to be missed. Celebrity fans including rapper and singer Doja Cat, rapper Latto, and Drag Queen comedy duo Trixie Mattel & Katya will join in on the celebration, making it an unforgettable event for fans. Simmers can also look forward to appearances from a variety of fan-favorite Sims storytellers, builders, and streamers from around the world, including Angelo & Lexy, LoserFruit, Cristinini, Dan & Phil, Plumbella, SpringSims, Ironmouse, Ebonix, Krystalogy, Julien, Deligracy, Caryn & Connie, and many more. 

Birthday Events and Updates across The Sims 4 and The Sims FreePlay

Also today, a massive The Sims 4 base game update adds more than 70 new in-game items for all players to enjoy, as well as introducing a special The Sims 4 Blast From The Past Event. 

The Sims 4 music fans will also be rewarded with new songs in Simlish on the in-game radio from popular musical artists, including Kim Petras’ “XXX” on the Pop station and Gigi Perez’s “Fable” on the Alternative station. Simmers can also unlock Keke Palmer’s “The Game Song” for the Retro station, in The Sims 4 Blast From The Past Event.

In addition, players of The Sims FreePlay can also celebrate with special events and rewards and enjoy 25 days of in-game gifts, featuring some of the most famous items from The Sims’ history.

THE SIMS IS… ICONIC

The Sims and The Sims 2 Retro Re-Releases

Longtime fans and new players alike can experience the magic of The Sims from the early 2000s, with the re-releases of The Sims and The Sims 2 with The Sims 25^th Birthday Bundle. The bundle began to roll out globally on January 31, 2025 via EA app™, Epic Games Store, and Steam® for modern PCs running Windows 10 and 11.

25^th Birthday Merch Collection

The Sims 25^th Birthday merchandise collection, featuring limited edition apparel, retro pins, a 2000s-themed gamer mat, and more, are available on February 5, 2025 at shopthesims.com.

Plumbob Green with Pantone® 

The Sims is seeing Plumbob Green with its new official Pantone® color, created in collaboration with the Pantone Color Institute. The new signature color pays homage to The Sims’ iconic green Plumbob, which has become a symbol for personal expression and creative inspiration. According to the Pantone Color Institute, Plumbob Green is a supercharged yellow-green imbued with vitality. A richly saturated hue, its animated appearance exudes a positive approach and upbeat attitude. The bold Plumbob Green invites a spirit of playful happiness. Simmers can catch the color Plumbob Green in the 25^th Birthday merchandise collection.

YouTube Collaboration

YouTube has always been a central hub for Simmers to showcase, stream, and relive their creativity in The Sims. To celebrate today’s milestone, The Sims is teaming up with YouTube to spotlight The Sims community across formats on YouTube, from a new effect on YouTube Shorts to a long form video in partnership with lilsimsie and many more global Sims creators! Be sure to head to YouTube today to catch all the surprises in store – including a special transformation of the YouTube logo (known as the Yoodle). The power of two iconic symbols – the YouTube icon and the Plumbob – join together for a special celebration of The Sims community on YouTube.

The Ultimate Sims Playlist on Spotify

The Sims has teamed up with Spotify for the ultimate throwback: a playlist curated for you based on YOUR top songs featured in Sims games. From unforgettable pop hits to beloved indie anthems, this playlist celebrates the artistry, creativity, and partnerships that have fueled The Sims community for over two decades. Whether you’ve been a fan from the start or are just discovering the magic of The Sims, this playlist is the perfect way to celebrate the soundtrack that has brought so many player stories to life.

MySims: Cozy Bundle Retro Re-Release

MySims fans can look forward to the PC release of the MySims: Cozy Bundle on March 18, 2025. The bundle, currently available on Nintendo Switch, features retro re-releases of two fan-favorite games, MySims and MySims Kingdom, where players can unleash their creativity as they explore familiar worlds full of puzzles to solve, locations to discover, tons of characters with big personalities to meet, and a lot to build, paint, and decorate.MySims: Cozy Bundle is available for preorder on PC via EA app™, Epic Games Store, and Steam®.

Find downloadable assets for The Sims 25^th birthday via the EA Press Portal here. For more information about The Sims and the 25^th Birthday celebrations, check out The Sims 25^th Birthday newsroom post.

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About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company develops and delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, mobile devices and personal computers.

In fiscal year 2024, EA posted GAAP net revenue of approximately $7.6 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality brands such as EA SPORTS FC™, Battlefield™, Apex Legends™, The Sims™, EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL, EA SPORTS™ College Football, Need for Speed™, Dragon Age™, Titanfall™, Plants vs. Zombies™ and EA SPORTS F1®. More information about EA is available at www.ea.com/news.

EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS FC, Battlefield, Need for Speed, Apex Legends, The Sims, Dragon Age, Titanfall, and Plants vs. Zombies are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. John Madden, NFL, FIFA and F1 are the property of their respective owners and used with permission

SteamDolls, the debut stealth-meets-action platformer delight by French-Belgian studio The Shady Gentleman, will launch February 11th at 1pm EST / 10am PST / 6pm UTC into Steam Early Access. A new trailer has been released as well, officially revealing the launch date.

Play as the bloodthirsty, witty, and just a bit kooky Whisper (played by David Hayter) and balance both stealth and brutality as you make your way through a comic book-inspired steampunk city on the verge of anarchy. A free demo also remains available, featuring the intro sequence the game. The game will be available in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish at launch, and contain about 6 chapters of the game, totaling an estimated 5-7 hours of content. The game’s developers are hoping to gather player feedback to improve mechanics, balancing, and content leading up to the 1.0 launch.
 
The title, originally teased to the public back in 2019, boasts a reunion of AAA voice actors from the Metal Gear Solid franchise (no relation to studio), including David Hayter, Christopher Randolph, and Jennifer Hale. It bills itself as a unique stealth-lite meets action platformer experience, with a hint of brutal combat and deep levels of exploration. The release date announcement trailer can be viewed below:
 Originally conceived based on a comic book from the development studio and then Kickstarted soon after, SteamDolls has been a passion project of its director. The game features a beautiful comic book inspired 2D-meets-3D aesthetic, with a spattering of unique, fully voiced cinematic cutscenes. It boasts a large world to explore split across unique zones, such as a beautiful yet far overgrown chapel, a hellish underbelly seemingly made of flesh, an electrified industrial bunker, a city overrun by an insect-like infection, and more! Put the treasure found during your explorations to good usage back in your home base by upgrading The Whisper and his skills to better suit your gameplay style,  unlocking unique lore and cutscenes, and putting your finest trophies on display.

Of course, the title has more to offer than just its AAA voice work and beautiful art. In-game, you’ll find yourself entrenched in the utter brutality of a labyrinthine city gone mad. Sleuth through the shadows of the world and lose yourself in every nook and cranny of this city – and the blood of its inhabitants. Taking the role of The Whisper(David Hayter), you’ll have to balance stealth and brutality to make your goals into reality. Launch head-first into combat assassinate your enemies by performing devastating finishers, or lurk in the shadows and slip between the cracks undetected. Experience the narrative of the Steamdolls universe, and delve into not only the story of this dying world but also the secrets found in its shadows. Hack into terminals and experience the memories of the past, and the ghosts that lurk in the remnants of the modern world. 

Features:

• Novel stealth-lite gameplay mixed with platforming and brutal action
• Gruesome finishers and combat
• Use your hacking skills to experience the memories of the world, solve puzzles, and glimpse into the past…and future
• Beautiful comic book-inspired 2D meets 3D aesthetics
• A vast world to explore filled with unique zones and grotesque creatures, filled with secrets
• AAA voice cast, including David Hayter (Solid Snake) as the voice of The Whisper, as well as Christopher Randolph and Jennifer Hale.
• Hand-drawn Cutscenes mixed with 3D cinematic inserts
• Upgradable skill-trees; choose your gameplay style and master it.
• Customize the Whisper’s home base, and unlock lore and other trophies.

The game is developed by French studio The Shady Gentlemen, and publishing assistance from Top Hat Studios, Inc. Additional images, such as full resolution screenshots and key arts/logos, can be found attached.

• Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1305260/SteamDolls__Order_Of_Chaos/ 

About The Shady Gentlemen

The Shady Gentlemen is a french creative studio comprised of Yoann Peter, Etienne Vrithof, and Jeremy Hagry. The studio has worked together on the SteamDolls graphic novel prior, and has developed other titles, including for VR in the past.

About Top Hat Studios, Inc. 

Top Hat Studios is your favorite publisher of fine indie delicacies, primarily supporting Japanese-inspired, retro-themed, and highly creative titles. As a company started by and working with grassroots developers and incubating developer talent, Top Hat Studios focuses on supporting games all the way from blockbuster productions through to niche and boutique experimentations.

Top Hat Studios’ diverse portfolio includes hits such as Crypt Custodian, Alisa, Athenian Rhapsody, Frogun, Ova Magica, SONZAI, Labyrinth of the Demon King, and many more. Unique in its relationship to its partnered developers, Top Hat Studios is more than just a publisher but rather a strategic long-term partner, and provides a suite of resources to its developers, which include publishing, business development, corporate advisory, product & long-term strategy, creative media, tools, co-development, and engineering & porting expertise working with all major engines and codebases.

Turn-based Tactical Game from Tripwire Presents and Ice Code Games Brings Unique Gameplay and Narrative Focus to More Platforms, Free Content Update to PC

ROSWELL, Ga. – Feb. 4, 2025 – Avast, ye landlubbers! Tripwire Presents, the publishing division of Tripwire Interactive that focuses on releasing great games from other independent studios, and developer Ice Code Games, creators of the critically acclaimed Hard West 2, announced that Rogue Waters, the pirate-infused tactical turn-based roguelite title, has departed port and is now available digitally on the PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S systems, and Xbox One family of consoles. The high-seas adventure is now available digitally on console platforms for a MSRP of $29.99, with a 20% launch discount active until Feb. 11. The Nintendo Switch™ system version of the game will be released at a date to be announced later. Rogue Waters was released Sept. 30, 2024 on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, and is currently on sale on Steam, discounted 40% off its regular price of $29.99 until Feb. 17. With turn-based tactical gameplay on both land and at sea, Rogue Waters puts players in control of Cutter, an immortal pirate captain at the helm of a swashbuckling adventure rife with betrayal, plunder, and mystical forces as he plots course for revenge against his former Captain, the infamous Blackbone. 

Developer Ice Code Games also raised the sail on a new update with fresh content for the PC version of Rogue Waters. Available to download on PC for free, and to be released on consoles for free at a later date, this latest update adds new playable and enemy characters in addition to a full ship’s hold of bug fixes and improvements. Take on enemies as the new Sea Witch, a mystical character capable of swapping places with an enemy or ally during battle to turn the tides, and beware the mighty new Sea Wolf enemy unit, a slow moving elite unit whose powerful attacks are so devastating that they even leave the Sea Wolf stunned for a turn. For full details on the latest patch, visit the official notes. 

Rogue Waters is a tactical turn-based rogue-lite set in a pirate world overtaken by a terrible curse. Recruit a ragtag crew of pirates and grow them into fierce warriors, befriend and call upon classic creatures of pirate myth, chart a course through an ever-changing game world, and turn the tides of battle on land or sea by manipulating the map to gain an advantage in a fresh take on tactical turn-based combat. The crew and the Kraken await your command–will ye heed the call?

Rogue Waters key features include:

• Become the Captain – Embrace the chaos of the pirate life as you chart your course through the ever-changing world and plan your naval and melee combat strategy.
• Assemble Your Crew – Recruit new members to your crew, each with a randomized skill tree allowing you to experiment and develop them into the legendary pirates they were always meant to be.
• Ever-Changing Land and Sea – Tackle fresh new challenges as the game world shifts randomly with each subsequent run.
• Turn the Tides – Utilize your ship’s artillery during naval combat to manipulate the terrain,  giving your crew a strategic advantage during melee encounters. It’s cannonball-based map customization! 
• Revolutionary Melee Tactics – Flex your skills as an expert tactician while remaining fully connected to the action with a fresh new take on turn-based tactics designed to replicate the violent dance of close-quarters and naval combat.
• Summon Creatures from the Deep – Creatures thought only to exist in myth are being abused and exploited by enemies. Defeat their captors and gain their trust to earn the ability to call upon these mythical beasts in battle.

Tripwire Presents is a developer-first publisher that has helped many talented independent studios bring their creative visions to players worldwide, including Espire 1: VR Operative and Espire 2, gold standards for the virtual reality stealth genre, Road Redemption, a vehicular combat road rage adventure and spiritual successor to the popular Road Rash series, Chivalry 2, the multiplayer first-person slasher inspired by epic medieval movie battles, DECEIVE INC., a unique multiplayer game of stealth and spycraft, and The Stone of Madness, a tactical stealth adventure title following five uniquely flawed prisoners attempting to escape from an asylum in 18th century Spain, developed by The Game Kitchen. The division is now releasing Rogue Waters, a tactical turn-based roguelite game of piracy and mythological beasts developed by Ice Code Games, on additional console platforms following the original release on PC.

About Ice Code Games

Ice Code Games is an independent video game developer based in Warsaw, Poland, renowned for its award-winning title, Hard West 2. The studio specializes in crafting strategic and tactical games, leveraging its deep expertise to not only create engaging experiences but also develop proprietary tools powered by Artificial Intelligence. Currently, the studio is engaged in an R&D project focused on expanding the use of Machine Learning to enhance the testing and balancing of strategic game frameworks.

About Tripwire Interactive

Formed in 2005 as a humble independent developer founded by gamers who found success in the video game modding community, Tripwire Interactive has developed and self-published multiple critically acclaimed titles in the wildly popular Killing Floor and Rising Storm franchises, which have collectively sold over 30 million units to date. The studio’s last internal project, Maneater, broke new ground in the popular action RPG genre and tasked players with taking on the role of a deadly shark with the uncanny ability to evolve as it feeds. Since its release in 2020 Maneater has sold over 14 million units worldwide across all platforms.

Since then, Tripwire Interactive has expanded its business with the publishing division, Tripwire Presents, turning its experience and resources to include publishing titles spanning multiple platforms and genres from other talented independent studios. Tripwire Presents aims to help like-minded independent studios bring their titles to market, including Chivalry 2 developed by Torn Banner Studios, Espire 1: VR Operative and Espire 2 developed by Digital Lode, DECEIVE INC. developed by Sweet Bandits Studios, Road Redemption developed by EQ Games and Pixel Dash Studios, The Stone of Madness developed by The Game Kitchen and Rogue Waters developed by Ice Code Games. Tripwire Presents continues to grow their portfolio, and are always on the lookout for the next great team and game.

Playtest sign-ups are now open for the deep-sea survival-horror

Watford, UK – 4^th of February, 2025 – Wired Productions proudly stick to its commitment to supporting independent developers and are thrilled to announce its latest partnership with Portuguese indie studio Camel 101 (Those Who Remain, Syndrome) for the release of their upcoming horror FPS, Beneath.

To celebrate this exciting new collaboration, a closed beta playtest for Beneath is now available for sign up. Players eager to explore the game early and provide valuable feedback can sign up now here.

Following the success of psychological thriller Those Who Remain in 2019, Beneath marks a renewed collaboration between Wired Productions and Camel 101. Drawing inspiration from iconic titles such as F.E.A.R., Resident Evil, and Half-Life, Beneath is a Lovecraftian first-person survival horror that promises to deliver a gripping blend of action, psychological tension, and atmospheric storytelling.

When seasoned diver Noah Quinn’s routine expedition descends into chaos, he finds himself trapped in the depths of the ocean, where an ancient evil lurks. As supplies dwindle and nightmarish creatures close in, Noah must confront horrifying mutations, creeping madness, and a sinister conspiracy that threatens humanity itself.

• Every Shot Counts: Navigate scarce supplies and ammunition while maintaining your sanity against the horrors lurking in the depths.
• Stealth and Combat: Hide in the shadows to conserve resources or engage in adrenaline-pumping battles as you delve deeper into darkness.
• Deadly Enemies: Confront a terrifying mix of foes, from ruthless soldiers to grotesque Lovecraftian monstrosities — master their tactics to survive.
• Explore Hidden Depths: Equip your specialized deep-sea dive suit and navigate oxygen limits as you uncover the secrets of the ocean’s abyss and deep-sea research stations.

“It’s a pleasure to work with Bruno and Ricardo again,” said Leo Zullo, Managing Director at Wired Productions. “They are a passionate and talented team, and as brothers, their bond resonates deeply with Wired. Long-term relationships are important to us and we will put our hearts and souls into Beneath and them.”

“We couldn’t be more excited about teaming up with Wired! Our previous partnership on Those Who Remain was a success, so we already know the value they bring to the table”, said Ricardo Cesteiro, co-founder and Managing Director at Camel 101. “Beneath is our most ambitious project to date, and we’re sure that their passion and expertise will be invaluable in helping us bring the game to its full potential.

About Wired Productions
Wired Productions is a true Indie Publisher proudly presenting a diverse range of specially curated games from some of the greatest storytellers and independent developers. Named as “Indie Publisher of the Year” at the MCV / Develop Awards, Wired is home to an award-winning collection of titles including: DIG VR, Gori: Cuddly Carnage, Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles, Arcade Paradise VR, Tin Hearts, Martha Is Dead, The Falconeer, The Last Worker, and Deliver Us the Moon. Upcoming titles include: Hotel Architect, Beneath and KARMA: The Dark World.

About Camel 101
Camel 101 is an award-winning game development studio dedicated to crafting unforgettable gaming experiences. Our visionary team pours passion and creativity into every project, from engaging casual games to challenging tactical wargames and thrilling horror adventures. We strive to captivate gamers worldwide by pushing the boundaries of game development and unlocking the full potential of interactive entertainment.

At Camel 101, we’re not just creating games; we’re creating lasting memories that stay with players beyond the final credits. Join us in our mission to enhance the gaming landscape—we love playing, making, and discussing games. It’s in our DNA.

Immerse yourself in eerie soundscapes and tense harmonies with the original soundtrack out now on Steam

TOKYO, JAPAN – February 4th 2025 – Shueisha Games, a leading independent video game publisher, is proud to announce that an Urban Myth Dissolution Center manga will be available for free on February 13th, coinciding with the game’s launch on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. The manga, titled “Case File: Kune Kune”, will feature an original story not found in their highly anticipated game. Additionally, Shueisha Games is pleased to announce that the atmospheric soundtrack for the game is also now available on Steam, giving fans an early taste of its spooky audio ahead of the game’s launch later this month.

“Case File: Kune Kune”, is an original story that follows the team as they take on a mysterious case involving a comatose construction site surveyor, his cousin’s shock-induced isolation, and a desperate wife seeking answers. As the investigation unfolds, the Dissolution Center finds that there’s more to the incident that meets the eye, revealing a dark family history, a cursed mountain, and a chilling connection to a well-known Japanese urban legend – Kune Kune. The manga will release at the same time as the game, on February 13th at 00:00 JST, and will be available for free on Manga Plus in English.

Ahead of the game’s launch later this month, immerse yourself directly into Hankababunko’s Urban Myth Dissolution Center Original Soundtrack, featuring 32 tracks composed by the sound director Ada-P (あだ-P), as well as the unique J-rap main theme, written by MURASAKI and performed by Kanna Katata, With synthesizers harmonizing with the pixel art to create creepy tension, tracks convey the senses of eeriness, mystery and the enigmatic nature of urban legends that inspire the game.

About Urban Myth Dissolution Center
Dive into this a single-player psycho-detective mystery adventure where you take on the role of Azami Fukurai, tasked with unraveling mysteries as she helps run the day-to-day operation of the titular Dissolution Center. She’s no ordinary rookie, though, possessing the ability to see the memories of places through her glasses. Utilizing her unique gifts and abilities, Azami must navigate cursed relics, dimensional anomalies, and otherworldly creatures in search of answers, delving into the paranormal activity surrounding each case.

Urban Myth Dissolution Center is set to launch worldwide on February 12, 2025, and in Japan on February 13 at 00:00 JST, on PC, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5. The game will support multiple languages, including English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, and Hindi.

About Hakababunko

Hakababunko is a talented group of Japanese game creators known for their expertise in crafting mystery and adventure games. They stand out for their distinctive use of pixel art as a unique artistic expression. Their flagship series, MAKOTO WAKAIDO’s Case Files, earned the prestigious Shueisha Game Creators CAMP Award at the 2021 Google Play Indie Games Festival. This recognition led to their collaboration with Shueisha Games on the development of Urban Myth Dissolution Center.

About Shueisha Games

Shueisha Games, founded in February 2022 and headquartered in Tokyo, is an enthusiastic and experienced team responsible for the planning, development, and sales of many titles for consoles, PCs and smartphones.

Bespell your many apprentices as you build science and the arcane arts alike in this upcoming sandbox wizard academy management sim.

Golryon, The Planar Danse – [February 4, 2025] Indie studio The Planar Danse is delighted to announce wizard academy management sim The Fool’s Apprentice, set to cast a spell on Steam in Q1 2025. As the director of a newly-formed magical academy, get ready to welcome clueless would-be wizards, guide them through scientific research, and ensure the future of arcanoscience–at any cost! Some apprentices may die, but that is a risk mages are willing to accept! 

As an Arcanist, your own skill and research have given you prestige and reputation among the elite wizards of the Arcane Conservatory. Now, it is time to begin your very own research, to build the future of magic! With a slew of new applicants at the door of your wizarding abode, the fate of the city of Golryon, and the lives of your apprentices, are entirely in your hands.

Cast spells on your students to gently nudge them in the right direction, including levitation, mind control, and disintegration, all in the name of educating them in the ways of magic… and more importantly, adding to your name and tenure. The most promising among your pupils will surely thrive – as for the rest, the greatest of discoveries were not made without a few tragedies, now were they?

Your stature and fame as an accomplished Arcanist give you the freedom to forge your own path. As your wizard’s tower grows, you can choose to research long-forgotten powers, run increasingly risky experiments and become the ultimate guardian of the arcane arts–far from the eyes and ears of the chaff citizenry of Golryon, of course.

Or, will you decide to defy the Conservatory altogether and customize your school to become a welcoming, peaceful place of study? In The Fool’s Apprentice, you must balance the path of your academy, all while responding to narrative dilemmas and making new discoveries to spread magic among the populace, or keep it for yourself.

Remember; the city’s eyes are upon you, your actions will affect your reputation! Help shape the future of mankind and you will earn the love of the public, but claim every spell in the name of the magocrats and the inhabitants of the tumultuous city of Golryon will be quick to riot! Your arcane research shall know no bounds, just try not to get imprisoned for arcane malpractice!

Key Gameplay Features:

• Spell-Slinging Studies: Educate hapless apprentices by directing their studies, managing their magical skills, and using them, in turn, to research new arcane sciences.
• Designs and Dilemmas: Make your academy truly yours through cosmetic and eldritch decorations, workstation upgrades, and by solving narrative Dilemmas. Each of which will react to your choices and shape the future of magic.
• Can You Meet Golryon’s Demands?: Your background does not make you immune from the demands of the city’s ruling class or its spell-less paupers, you’ll need to fend off (or fulfill) requests for resources, such as choosing guilds to side with, being forced to take in a nobleman’s inept child, or managing which side to craft magical weapons for during a war.
• Magic for All! (Or Just a Privileged Few): Captivate the citizens of Golryon by bringing the arcane sciences to the people. Or, run the risk of riot by keeping it all to yourself.

The Fool’s Apprentice will be released on Windows PC via Steam in Q1 2025. A playable demo is available via the Steam page.

About The Planar Danse

The Planar Danse is a cooperative creative studio built on the premise of developing expansive worlds, providing value to players, and creating job security for developers instead of bottom line profit.  The Planar Danse is the developers’ fantasy universe of the same name and comprises both games and novels, with more than 1.5 million words written within them so far. In addition to the wizard school management sim The Fool’s Apprentice, launching early 2025, three previously released games and novels are available, all connected to the setting, with more planned for the future!

Blood Bar Tycoon is a vampire bar management simulation game that launches on Steam on February 4th

Namur, Belgium – February 3, 2025 – Clever Trickster is thrilled to announce the launch of Blood Bar Tycoon, a supernatural management game, arriving on February 4th on Steam!

Sink your teeth in and rule the night! Step into the darkly quirky world of Blood Bar Tycoon and turn rundown bistros into thriving vampire hotspots. Attract unsuspecting humans, keep your immortal patrons well-fed, develop outrageous blood-harvesting contraptions, and outwit relentless vampire hunters. Will you rise to become the ultimate ruler of Crimson City?

ABOUT THE GAME

Blood Bar Tycoon is a vampire bar management game. Build bars and blood factories, lure humans to harvest their blood, process it, and serve your customers: other vampires. Research quirky machines and deal with hunters! Expand through Crimson City to become a mighty Elder!

• Revamp your vampire bar! As a vampire bar manager, transform shabby bistros into the trendiest bars in the neighborhood! At the same time, lure those clueless mortals into your quirky blood factory to feed other vampires. Manage stocks, avoid bankruptcy, and prevent your Blood Bars from being burned by hunters.
• Run your business – Hire low-level vampires as minions to carry out your dirty work. Manage their priorities to optimize your operations and satisfy both your mortal and immortal customers. Don’t forget to feed them as well! Arrange the hallways, rooms, and other amenities to your taste to enhance the prestige of your bar and become the true hotspot of the neighborhood.
• Capture juicy humans! Develop an underground human detention center before processing them in your whacky machines to extract their precious blood in all its forms. What’s better than serving Bloody Slushies or a Bloody Daiquiri to satisfy your wealthiest and most demanding vampire clients? Discover crazy cocktails with new ways to harvest and process blood! If you do things well, humans will leave with a free hangover from your establishment. But in case of trouble, you’ll have a corpse on your hands… and you risk attracting the attention of vampire hunters!
• Unleash Your Vampiric Creativity! You’re not just a vampire bar manager; you’re the architect of a true nocturnal masterpiece. Enjoy extensive freedom to renovate, design, and customize every aspect of your establishment with a wide range of themes and styles. Transform rundown taverns into spectacular bars where every detail, from furniture to lighting, reflects your unique vision. Create the perfect ambiance to attract the most discerning vampires and become a legend of the night! Competitions will highlight the most stunning bars!
• Micromanage or Automate Your Minions! The Choice is Yours! Take command of your minions with micro-interactions, managing them like a true vampire overlord to tackle emergencies. Seamlessly blend micromanagement with automation, assign work sectors, and set priorities to grow your dark empire like an evil mastermind! 
• Handle the whims of Elder vampires – Interact with enigmatic Elder vampires who will guide you through the night and shape your destiny as a Blood Bar manager. But beware, each Elder has a unique personality. Please them, and you’ll be richly rewarded! Disappoint them, and you’ll face their wrath as they plot your downfall.
• Expand through Crimson City! Our first Blood Bar marks the beginning of your ascent to dominate the blood trade in Crimson City! Each new bar presents new challenges to overcome at your own pace. Prevent your impatient and voracious customers from feeding directly on your human clients. Improve your facilities, machines, and staff. Utilize research and new systems to enrich yourself more quickly! Analyze your indicators to become the best vampire bar manager in the city.
• Your Ultimate Goal: Becoming an Elder! Try to please the Elders to gain their favor, or suffer their wrath! Understand their personalities and learn how to flatter them. Will you ally with the crazy Yumeko, the voluptuous Sophie, the megalomaniac Vladimir, or someone else? Take control of every district of Crimson City with their help to become one of them and rule for eternity! Will you achieve your vampiric goals or fail miserably?

Ludovic Mahieu, co-founder of Clever Trickster, commented: “Ben, our creative director, and I came up with the idea for Blood Bar Tycoon during our role-playing game sessions several years ago. For me, creating this game was a unique opportunity to combine my love for management games and the vampire universe, while also allowing us to express our quirky and offbeat humor! Today, we are very excited to bring the game to life starting on October 28.”

Virginie Maréchal, also co-founder of Clever Trickster added: “We are thrilled to have taken this project as far as we could with a young and passionate team, combining the challenges of a game with complex mechanics with the adventure of launching a new studio. I am very proud of the journey we’ve made and grateful to all our partners and the players who have supported us from the beginning. We can’t wait for the world to discover Blood Bar Tycoon, especially through the open beta.”

ABOUT CLEVER TRICKSTER

Clever Trickster is a video game development studio founded in 2022 by gaming veterans passionate about strategy and management games. These genres have influenced the principles that guide the team: efficiency and innovation. The studio’s ethos values equality, collaboration, and autonomy, creating an inclusive and supportive environment. The team constantly strives to improve in order to deliver enriching gaming experiences, while keeping fun at the heart of work.

Official Website: https://bloodbartycoon.com/

Use acoustic proximity voice chat, investigation tools, and deception items to fool your friends!

Salt Lake City, USA, February 3rd, 2025 – Something sinister is afoot in Snowfall Games’ upcoming multiplayer murder mystery game, It Was You. Are you cunning enough to kill your friends and cover your tracks or perceptive enough to expose a carefully orchestrated murder? Find out when It Was You launches on Steam later this year.

It Was You invites 5-12 players to a murder mystery-themed Halloween party at the haunted Tylock Estate. Upon arrival, party attendees will be given a role—detective or killer—and tools to manipulate, uncover, or plant evidence of a murder.

Detectives have a range of tools at their disposal to uncover the truth—whether it’s using a magnifying glass to trace footprints, a blacklight to reveal hidden blood splatters, or even a lie detector to expose a suspect’s role. Meanwhile, killers rely on deception, using items like a spray bottle to erase their fingerprints or tape to plant someone else’s. They can even drag a body into a closet, hoping it remains undiscovered. At any moment, players can call for a discussion and vote to exile whoever they believe is guilty.

Acoustic proximity voice chat introduces lifelike reverberation and occlusion, causing voices to echo in the long corridors of the Tylock Estate. When a player enters a room and shuts the door, conversations from outside are naturally muffled, adding an unprecedented degree of immersion. To execute the perfect murder, killers must ensure the door is closed and no one is around —or risk detectives overhearing the victim’s scream echoing through the halls.

Every party feels alive with the addition of non-player guests. Killers must eliminate these NPCs first, creating a buffer that allows real players to investigate and participate in the narrative of every game before they risk becoming victims.

“We’re huge fans of social deduction games and think the appetite for it is only growing, with Jubensha, the real-life role-playing rendition of murder mysteries, being the third highest grossing form of entertainment in China, earning $3.4 billion across 10 million players,” said Jaden Holladay, Co-Founder and Engineering Director at Snowfall Games. “While we’ve loved social deduction games like Among Us, Town of Salem, and First Class Trouble, we felt there was more we could bring to the genre by adding new tools to play with, such as acoustic proximity voice chat, first-person perspective, and an array of tools to investigate a crime scene– resulting in a more realistic and complex murder mystery experience!”

About Snowfall Games

Snowfall Games started during the 2020 global pandemic when lifelong friends Austin and Jaden, stuck at home, saw a gap in the social deduction genre—one that craved deeper gameplay, stunning visuals, and a true murder mystery theme. Having spent their childhood creating—building elaborate Halloween experiences for neighborhood kids, designing firework displays in Roller Coaster Tycoon, and learning game engines—they turned their passion into careers. Jaden made his mark developing Marine Arena 2, one of StarCraft 2’s most-played mods, and later worked on Hogwarts Legacy, New World, and Lost Ark. Meanwhile, Austin blended his computer science expertise with self-taught artistry, mastering 3D modeling and rendering to bring their vision to life. From two developers to a full-fledged team, Snowfall has spent four years driven by passion, countless late nights, and relentless ambition—culminating in its first game, It Was You.

Take an early trip to Bukovie ahead of PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Switch release with demo now available on Steam

Geel, Belgium – February 3rd 2025 – Rogueside is thrilled to announce that the first demo for its narrative-driven murder mystery game, Best Served Cold, is now available, allowing players to take a trip to the fictional city of Bukovie and get a taste of the atmosphere and intrigue that will be coming to PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Switch with the game’s full release. To celebrate the release of the demo on Steam, Rogueside has also released a brand new gameplay trailer that shows off the game’s evocative art, investigation mechanics and drink mixing.   

Website: https://www.rogueside.com/

In  Best Served Cold, you play as a bartender at a speakeasy where potential suspects and witnesses gather. The police are stumped by a series of murders shaking the local community, and an ambitious young detective has enlisted you to help crack the case. You’ll need to impress him to keep running your illegal establishment. Serve your patrons cocktails to loosen their tongues, gather clues and solve the murders!    

Meet a fascinating cast of intriguing characters seeking solace or stirring up trouble in ‘The Nightcap’, a bar renowned for its varied clientele that spans the social strata. Lend an ear to your patrons and form a bond as you get to know their backstories – you’ll no doubt fall in love with the fascinating cast, but you’ll still have to coax out confessions and uncover clues using the friendships you build. Remember, even the tightest of lips can be loosened with the right mix of charm, persuasion and alcohol.  

“We’re thrilled to reveal Best Served Cold for PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Switch with our new trailer,” said Antje Van den Heuvel, Art Director at Rogueside. “Once players get a taste of the atmospheric world we’ve crafted, meet some of our fascinating characters and start pulling at the threads of our murder mystery, we think they’ll be back at the bar asking for another serving! The demo will be available throughout the whole of Steam Next Fest, so we hope you check it out! ”.      

Key Features

• Collect clues to solve murders while working at “The Nightcap” – an illegal bar under an upscale bookstore – as part of a thrilling murder mystery
• Mix cocktails to manipulate your patrons’ mood
• Meet fascinating characters, build relationships and learn their backstories  
• Go back to your apartment each day to connect clues on your evidence board and make new deductions
• Experience a richly crafted world inspired by the cultural revival of 1920’s Bucharest
• Learn about a city where cultural, political and economic shifts are fragmenting the old order
• Enjoy a story crafted by writers Joshua Aldred and Thomas Welsh, known for his work on Cloudpunk

About Rogueside

Rogueside is an independent Belgian game developer on a mission to bring joy and excitement to players all over the world. Their team is made up of dedicated game enthusiasts who are passionate about crafting quality games that can be enjoyed by anyone. Whether it’s through quirky characters, breathtaking visuals, or puns galore, the studio is dedicated to crafting games that bring a smile to your face and leave you with a sense of joy and satisfaction.