New Venture Fund, Backed by KRAFTON, Inc., Introduces Innovative Investment Model to Support the Next 100 Indie Developers Over Three Years

TORONTO, Canada – April 22, 2025 – Blue Ocean Games today announced the launch of its $30 million USD fund with a mission to transform early-stage indie game development.
 
Founded by Damian Lee, former Head of Investments at KRAFTON, Inc. (parent company of PUBG Studios, Unknown Worlds, and others), Blue Ocean Games aims to discover and empower promising indie developers who fall outside traditional investment criteria. Through its unique funding model, Blue Ocean Games creates pathways for groundbreaking game concepts that might otherwise never reach players. The company’s first fund is backed by KRAFTON, Inc.
 
“There is a structural problem in the indie game industry where the gap between what investors are willing to fund, what developers dream of creating, and what players crave has grown too wide,” said Damian Lee, Founder and Managing Partner of Blue Ocean Games. “Beyond simply filling a funding gap, we are trying to reimagine the ecosystem itself. By aligning player demand with developer passion through community validation and reliable funding, our goal is to create an environment where mutual benefits naturally drive success and growth. This isn’t just about picking winners; it’s about expanding the playing field so that more visions can become reality.”
 
The fund employs a distinctive investment instrument called SAIL (Structured Agreement for Indie Launch), which provides developers with:

• Investment at the concept stage, before the first playable build
• Funding of $100,000 per developer (up to $300,000 per team), disbursed over two years
• Objective, market-validation milestones rather than subjective checkpoints
• Hybrid equity and revenue share agreement that balances developer control with investor returns
• Developer retention of IP ownership

The fund will also provide practical support beyond financing, including incorporation assistance, bookkeeping services, and mentorship from industry veterans. Developers will be grouped in cohorts, creating a collaborative community that can share knowledge and resources. While the inaugural fund is currently optimized for solo developers and smaller teams who are first-time founders, the company plans to expand support to include larger, more experienced teams in the future through subsequent funds.

“At KRAFTON, we believe that innovation in the games industry often comes from the indie community, yet early-stage funding is one of the biggest challenges for new developers,” said Maria Park, Head of Corporate Development at KRAFTON Inc. “Blue Ocean Games offers indie developers a forward-thinking model that provides critical financial support that fosters a sustainable path to success. We’re looking forward to working closely with them and seeing the incredible games that emerge from the program.”

Central to Blue Ocean Games’ talent discovery approach is “Rising Tide,” a new, ongoing series of online competitions and challenges designed to help developers validate ideas, gain recognition, and advance their projects—whether or not they seek funding. The first Rising Tide challenge will launch on May 1, 2025, in partnership with Global Game Jam, with applications for direct funding opening simultaneously.

“Rising Tide is an idea proving ground for game developers at every stage and from every background,” explained Lee. “It’s a great opportunity to validate ideas and gain the confidence needed to dedicate more time and resources to a project. Participants can pursue funding if they choose, but there’s no obligation. By supporting developers at the concept stage with validation and potential funding, we are not just investing in games—we’re investing in the future of the industry and the next generation of creative talent.”

Indie developers worldwide interested in participating in Rising Tide or seeking funding through Blue Ocean Games are encouraged to visit http://www.blueoceangames.com/.

About Blue Ocean Games
Blue Ocean Games is an early-stage venture fund dedicated to supporting the next generation of indie game developers. With a focus on funding “blue ocean” concepts with market validation, we empower ambitious creators to turn their ideas into commercially viable games. Blue Ocean Games was established in Toronto with the assistance of the Toronto Global and The Embassy of Canada to South Korea. Founded by former KRAFTON investment head Damian Lee, Blue Ocean Games is committed to breaking down barriers to entry in game development and fostering a more inclusive, innovation-driven industry.

About KRAFTON, Inc.

Headquartered in South Korea, KRAFTON, Inc. is dedicated to discovering and publishing captivating games that offer fun and unique experiences. Established in 2007, KRAFTON is home to globally renowned developers that include PUBG STUDIOS, Striking Distance Studios, Unknown Worlds, VECTOR NORTH, Neon Giant, KRAFTON Montréal Studio, Bluehole Studio, RisingWings, 5minlab, Dreamotion, ReLU Games, Flyway Games, Tango Gameworks and inZOI Studio. Each studio strives to continuously take on new challenges and leverage innovative technologies. Their goal is to win over more fans by broadening KRAFTON’s platforms and services.

KRAFTON is responsible for premier entertainment properties, including PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, PUBG MOBILE, The Callisto Protocol, NEW STATE MOBILE, Moonbreaker, Defense Derby and TERA. With a passionate and driven team across the globe, KRAFTON is a tech-forward company that possesses world-class capabilities and is set on expanding its business horizons to encompass multimedia entertainment and deep learning.

Plus, PowerWash Simulator’s penultimate DLC – Muckingham Files 5 – is available now

April 17, 2025 – Brighton, UK – FuturLab, the award-winning UK game studio, has announced two new exciting updates to its titles, PowerWash Simulator and PowerWash Simulator 2. 

PowerWash Simulator 2 and Galaxies
Following its announcement earlier this month, FuturLab provided the next look at PowerWash Simulator 2 as part of the Galaxies showcase, which took place live on Twitch today. In 60 seconds, the development team provided a sneak peek at Split Screen Co-op, Soap, Home Base and more levels! The footage shown in the video is ‘in-development’, and further improvements will be made to the game before launch later this year.

The Muckingham Files 5
While you wait, treat yourself to a sweet clean-up! Muckingham’s Dessert Parlour is in a sticky situation after an unexpected visit from a rogue raccoon has left a lasting impression. Not just on the other patrons, but the counters, walls and ceilings too.

Melt away goop by the scoopful and savour soft-serve satisfaction in the fifth instalment of The Muckingham Files. Restore the Dessert Parlour to its former knickerbocker-glory and indulge in a dirt-busting delicacy so good that you’ll want a second helping.

PowerWash Simulator 2 is currently in development for PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, and releases late-2025. FuturLab is excited to share more information in April.

Wishlist now on Steam and visit the website for more information about PowerWash Simulator 2.

The Muckingham Files 5 for PowerWash Simulator is available now on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®5 (PS5®) and PlayStation®4 (PS4®).

About FuturLab

An award-winning game studio based in Brighton, UK, we have developed and published remarkable games on PC and console since 2003. Our best known titles include: Velocity 2X, Tiny Trax, Mini-Mech Mayhem, Peaky Blinders: Mastermind and, most recently, PowerWash Simulator. We believe that healthy and happy teams create the best games, which is why we promote a positive working environment with many benefits and zero crunch. 

Start your engines and get ready to rally! Desert Race Adventures is revving up for launch this summer.

April 22, 2025 – Black Smoke Studios are excited to announce the launch and release a brand new trailer for a strategic rally adventure game, Desert Race Adventures. Desert Race Adventures is coming out this summer, on PC (Steam) and Nintendo Switch!

Developed by a Portuguese indie team, Firedrake Games, and published by a Finnish studio and publisher, Black Smoke Studios, Desert Race Adventures is a retro-inspired strategic adventure game with a roguelike twist. 

It’s Oregon Trail meets the Dakar Rally!

Set out on a race across Europe and Africa. Manage your team, vehicle and supplies strategically as you navigate the treacherous terrain. Each challenge on the road forces difficult decisions that impact your journey. Lead your pilot team to victory, and finish with a high score! Or try, fail, and try again…

ABOUT THE GAME

Desert Race Adventures is a rally adventure game with a roguelike twist. 

Race across Europe and Africa, manage your vehicle’s resources and crew. Each decision you make on the road will affect your run, so choose strategically.

Core Elements

• Manage your crew and resources: From selecting your team members to managing your vehicle’s resources, every decision impacts your journey. Carefully allocate your food, fuel, and spare parts to sustain your team and maintain your vehicle.
• Sh*t happens on the road: Event encounters can either propel you forward or set you back. Choose your course of action wisely!
• Retro-inspired visuals: Drive into the beautifully crafted, retro-inspired world. It’s a pixel-perfect combo of retro visuals and modern gameplay.
• Race and race again: With multiple strategies and pilot combos to explore, and the unpredictable nature of the event system… every run will be a unique adventure!

About Black Smoke Studios

Black Smoke Studios is a team of over 30 highly experienced professionals from Finland who share the passion and drive for creating video games. The team has been working together for 15 years in previous companies and roles, and eventually decided to form as one at Black Smoke Studios. bsstudios.co

Copyright © 2025 Black Smoke Studios, All rights reserved.

Brave the dark world of the future in this new sci-fi stealth-action adventure from the creators of Close to the Sun

LIMASSOL, Cyprus — April 22, 2025 — Today ESDigital Games and developer Storm in a Teacup are excited to release Steel Seed, the new stealth-action game set in a dark sci-fi world where humanity stands on the brink of extinction. Available today on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S for $39.99|€39,99 (with an additional 15% launch discount available on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation for PlayStation Plus subscribers), Steel Seed is a gripping action-adventure experience from the visionary team behind the critically acclaimed Close to the Sun.

Steam and Epic Games Store players can also grab the Deluxe Edition of Steel Seed today for $44.99 (with an additional 15% launch discount available), which includes the game’s 15-track digital OST composed by Andrea Remini, a digital artbook, two unique in-game costumes, and 23 HD wallpapers. The Deluxe Edition will be available digitally on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, alongside a physical edition of Steel Seed on PlayStation 5, starting May 23.

After a catastrophic event rendered Earth uninhabitable, machines took control of the remnants of humanity. Join Zoe and her flying drone companion Koby as they investigate the depths of a hostile underground facility in search of answers and the key to mankind’s survival. Master a thrilling combination of dynamic combat, stealth, and parkour in a richly detailed world full of dangerous enemies and immersive storytelling. Steel Seed isn’t just about survival — it’s about exploring the fine line between human and machine. Trust and control. Resilience and despair.

Key Features

• Explore A Post-Cataclysmic World: From towering industrial landscapes to eerie biodomes, the world of Steel Seed is haunting, immersive and deadly. Discover a hand-crafted world and narrative that challenge the very nature of humanity.
• Master Stealth, Parkour & Dynamic Combat: Adapt your playstyle with a unique blend of stealth-action gameplay:
• Stealth & Strategy – Use shadows, distractions, and the environment to evade or take down enemies.
• Dynamic Combat – Face off against various enemy types and challenging bosses, each with unique abilities.
• Upgradeable Abilities – Customize Zoe’s playstyle with three distinct skill trees featuring 40 different upgrades.

• A Companion Like No Other: Zoe’s only ally is Koby, a prototype drone that’s more than just a tool, but a crucial partner, offering guidance and helping solve puzzles together. Koby is Zoe’s emotional anchor in a desolate world, creating a formidable duo in the face of any challenge.
• A Thought-Provoking Sci-Fi Adventure: Experience a deep and compelling narrative journey with a story revised and edited by BAFTA-winning writer Martin Korda.

Steel Seed is available today on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, as well as PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. For more information, visit https://esdigital.games.

About ESDigital Games

ESDigital Games is a global video game publishing company specializing in premium indie and mid-core games for both PC and consoles. ESDigital Games has published and distributed original titles, including 9 Monkeys of Shaolin, Redeemer, AWAKEN – Astral Blade, Unusual Findings, Cats on Duty, Deck of Ashes, and many more. The publisher’s catalog will get even richer in the coming months and years with eagerly awaited games such as Sky of Tides, Island of Winds, and Memory Lost, as well as future updates of REMEDIUM, Battlejuice Alchemist, and Scholar of the Arcane Arts.

About Storm in a Teacup

Storm in a Teacup was founded in 2013 by industry veteran Carlo Ivo Alimo Bianchi with the goal of crafting high-quality, immersive gaming experiences. Known for its distinctive art style and skilled international team, STC has released multiple titles across Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PC, and PC VR. Now, with Steel Seed, the studio is making its entry into the AA premium market, pushing the boundaries of stealth-action gameplay and narrative-driven storytelling.

Today, Blizzard Entertainment unveiled the truth from the Lord of Lies. Diablo IV: Belial’s Return begins 30 April AEDT / UTC+8. The Lord of Lies takes center stage in Season 8 as players join new allies, wield sinister Boss Powers, and banish Apparition Monsters while on the quest for truth… whatever that may be.

• Questline: Belial, Lord of Lies, has returned to warp reality to his will. Pursue the truth with the Lord of Lies quest. Daring wanderers can clash with the Exalted Lair Boss, Belial, and others in the new Lair Boss rework.
• New Events: Apparition Incursion events plague Sanctuary thanks to Belial’s Return in an open-world, multiplayer boss rush style. Defeat these targeted waves of enemies for better rewards.
• New Boss Powers: Become your own boss with 24 powers available and 48 main and modifier combinations! Earn Spectral Ash from Apparition Legion Events to upgrade your owned powers.
• New Reliquary System: The Battle Pass is getting a major overhaul: the new Reliquary System provides multiple routes and rewards to increase player choice and create a more customisable and chaseable rewards experience.
• Diablo IV’s first collaboration – BERSERK: In Diablo IV’s first external collab, running from 7 May AEDT / UTC+8 until the end of Season 8, players can don the most iconic looks from the classic manga to slay demons in the most badass Diablo fashion yet.

For more information about Belial’s Return, see the blog here.

GORN 2, the skull-crushing sequel to VR smash hit GORN, has stepped into the arena to take virtual reality’s most outrageous gladiator sim into the next generation.
 
New developers Cortopia, working alongside original series creators Free Lives, have delivered a sensory experience with in-your-face combat so irresponsibly violent you’ll check your headset for blood spatters when the fight is over.

Ascend to a heavenly realm where the souls of all the gladiators you slaughtered in the first game now dwell—and kill them again. Discover new weapons, new arenas, new traps, new enemies, and new bosses as you raise Hell in the heavens and prove your battle prowess before an army of terrifying foes.
 
This brutally slapstick brawler is breaking bones on Meta Quest and SteamVR now, with PSVR2 to follow later this year.
 
Key features

• Engage in fierce gladiatorial battles powered by an outrageous fully physics-driven combat engine, savagely striking down foes with a bountiful collection of 35 devastating, uniquely violent weapons–including many monstrous new additions to your gladiator’s arsenal
• Journey through a series of heavenly realms populated by the fallen heroes of the original game. Here you’ll battle the five sons’ champions: powerful bosses primed to unleash fresh challenges upon even the most seasoned, blood-flecked arena veteran
• GORN 2 is everything GORN was but MORE. More weapons, more enemies, more arenas, more traps, more power-ups, and more hilariously over-the-top combat. If you loved the first game, but still feel a raging yearning for more, GORN 2 will sate your blood-thirst

Conquered all five heavenly arenas? Then stand your ground in the relentless non-stop onslaught of Endless Mode, or try creating your own battlefields of destruction in Custom Mode. Get creative and crush your opponents any way you choose, no matter how outlandish

The latest trailer for DOOM™: The Dark Ages from id Software premiered at WrestleMania 41 yesterday, offering a glimpse of the DOOM Slayer’s epic, cinematic story. As the superweapon of gods and kings, the DOOM Slayer will stand and fight against the legions of Hell with a new arsenal of brutal weapons of mass destruction.

DOOM: The Dark Ages launches on May 15 for Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, PC, and Battle.net. Pre-order the Premium Edition to receive two days of early access, along with the Digital Artbook and Soundtrack, the Divinity Skin Pack, and access to the campaign DLC coming at a later date. See all pre-order options here: https://doom.bethesda.net/en-AU/the-dark-ages/buy-now

To learn more, check out the official website at https://www.doom.com.

For more information head over to the Bethesda News site.

Clash steel at a 20% discount until April 27

Tokyo — April 21, 2025 — Rise of Rebellion, the 3D action RPG weaving together swordsmanship and Earth magic developed by solo developer Hytacka and published by Kodansha Game Creators’ Lab, launches today on PC via Steam with a 20% off launch sale until Sunday, April 27th.

Invaders have taken over the once-peaceful town of Tella, and the highly skilled Tel warriors, who possess a special connection with the Earth, must fight back to reclaim their land. Take up the sword and attune to the elements to repel the unwelcome mercenaries.

Master the art of the blade in tense melee battles. Unleash a mixture of swift and powerful strikes with light-heavy combo chains, and power up each attack with special Arts to repel enemy advances and restore health. Overwhelm opponents with movement and attack mixups like jumping strikes or gap-closing swipes, and ambush unsuspecting enemies to assassinate them with a fatal blow. 

Mind each movement and ration out offensive onslaught to maintain stamina. Dodge in every direction, or parry at the perfect time to break an enemy’s guard. Smite staggered foes with Wrath of Earth by using Arts when they are low on stamina, inflicting additional damage.

New enemies await in each corner of the island, and each boss is more powerful than the last. Cut down spear-toting combatants, axe-wielding brutes and towering trolls, and earn new abilities from the skill tree after successive victories. Dive deep into Rise of Rebellion’s lore by discovering journals and artifacts left behind by the town’s inhabitants, and unveil a story of Tella’s demise to find a hopeful path forward.

“Rise of Rebellion features intense combat where every button press yields consequences. The Button-mashing gameplay can yield disastrous results if not careful,” says Hytacka, creator of Rise of Rebellion. “Our community provided so much helpful feedback when the demo launched, and we have taken their input into the 1.0 build we’re sharing today.”

About Kodansha Game Creators’ Lab

Established in 2021, Kodansha Game Creators’ Lab is the fourth department of the prestigious entertainment publishing company Kodansha Ltd., founded in 1909. Its motto is “Everything for the creator,” reflecting the company’s goal to support young talents and introduce indie creators to the wider public.

Knock on the Coffin Lid: Complete Edition will arrive on consoles including DLC expansion Nightmares of Millenis

MIDIAN – (April 21, 2025) — Developer Redboon today announced that Knock on the Coffin Lid: Complete Edition, a fantasy-mystery whodunnit RPG wrapped in a deckbuilder, releases on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in May. This edition includes the full base game along with the Nightmares of Millenis DLC expansion, which delivers 100+ hours of content that has already captivated PC players with its branching storylines, strategic card-based gameplay, and immersive world-building (https://redboon.net/, $34.99).

Knock on the Coffin Lid beckons players down a path shrouded in mystery, where the empty throne of the Northern Gate awaits its rightful ruler. As players investigate their own untimely demise, the fate of the land of Midian trembles in their hands. Each decision made will weave the threads of destiny, shaping the fates of goblins, orcs, and elves in both wondrous and perilous ways. 

Craft your deck to summon allies, cast powerful spells, and fortify your defenses on a shifting battlefield. As the terrain and the tides of battle change, tacticians must adapt to overcome these ever-evolving challenges. Along the journey, uncover over 200 unique items, from enchanted weapons to ancient armor, each bestowing mighty abilities and strengthening your prowess with both active powers and passive blessings.

The upcoming console release of Knock on the Coffin Lid: Complete Edition will include the latest expansion, Nightmares of Millenis, which nearly doubles the gameplay experience. This new chapter brings players into uncharted realms, where new dangers and ancient secrets lie. Shape your destiny with new storylines, revisit past choices, and confront fresh, formidable foes lurking in the shadows. Harness the power of Tarot cards to twist the course of battle, adding an extra layer of strategy to every encounter.

TOKYO – April 21, 2025 – Video game publisher and developer Cygames, Inc. (HQ: Shibuya, Tokyo; President: Koichi Watanabe, hereinafter referred to as “Cygames”) has partnered with Churchill Downs Racetrack (“Churchill Downs”), home of the Kentucky Derby®, to become a sponsor at the 151st Kentucky Derby. As part of the sponsorship agreement, the Unbridled Sidney Stakes Presented by Cygames will be held on Kentucky Oaks Day on Friday, May 2.

In addition, from May 2 through 3, Cygames will have an on-site activation where visitors can play video game demos and take photos.

What is the Kentucky Derby?

The Kentucky Derby® is an American horse race run by three-year-old thoroughbreds, and the first of three events comprising the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. With a total prize value of $5 million (USD) for this year, the event also boasts a storied history dating back to 1875 and is the most watched horse racing event in North America, earning it the reputation of being “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports®.” Additionally, Derby Week, held in the same week as the Kentucky Derby, features the prestigious Kentucky Oaks, a race for three-year-old fillies that has run for 150 years, among other races and events.

Unbridled Sidney Stakes Presented by Cygames to be Held on May 2

On Kentucky Oaks Day, May 2 at 1:44 p.m. ET*, Cygames will sponsor the Unbridled Sidney Stakes, a 1,100-meter (5 1/2 furlong) Grade III race for fillies and mares aged three and older. The race features a purse worth $400,000 (USD). During the event, Cygames’ logo will be featured on the starting gate, saddle towels of the contending horses, and signage at the finish line.

*Race order and time are subject to change.

Play Games and Take Photos at the Cygames Booth in the Infield  As part of the infield experience from May 2 through May 3, Cygames will feature demos of various Cygames titles including: Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, Granblue Fantasy: Relink, and Umamusume: Pretty Derby. A 360-degree panoramic photo spot will also be set up for visitors to take photos.

“The Kentucky Derby has a long and prestigious history as the first of the races that make up the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, and I consider it a great joy for Cygames to be a sponsor,” said Koichi Watanabe, President of Cygames. “My hope is that, through our partnership, we can provide an opportunity for potential fans to get to know Cygames and its content.”

For more information, visit the official Kentucky Derby website and follow their official social pages on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube  to stay up to date.