Indie Developers The Game Kitchen Bring Unique Spanish Visual Style and Storytelling Flare to PC, PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch™

ROSWELL, Ga. – August 21, 2024 – Revealed during the Future Games Show as part of Gamescom 2024, Tripwire Presents, the publishing division of Tripwire Interactive that focuses on releasing great games from other independent studios, today announced they will publish The Stone of Madness on Windows PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and the Nintendo Switch™ system, for release in early 2025. Developed by The Game Kitchen, acclaimed developers of Blasphemous and Blasphemous 2, The Stone of Madness is a tactical stealth adventure title following five uniquely flawed prisoners attempting to escape from an asylum in 18th century Spain, presented from an isometric perspective with stunning hand-drawn artwork inspired by Francisco de Goya. The title is currently available for wishlisting on all platforms. 

“The passionate team at Tripwire Presents is a pleasure to work with,” said Maikel Ortega, Game Director at The Game Kitchen, “The Game Kitchen studio cannot wait for the world to finally discover The Stone of Madness.”

“We were big fans of The Game Kitchen and the work they did with the Blasphemous series, and Tripwire Presents is thrilled at the opportunity to publish their next title,”said Matt LoPilato, CEO of Tripwire Interactive, “The Stone of Madness shines with a uniquely creative art style, engaging narrative, and gameplay that fans are sure to enjoy. We’re especially excited to help bring this title to all major console and PC platforms at release.”

The Stone of Madness is a tactical stealth adventure game set in a Spanish madhouse in the late 18th century, presented with gorgeous hand-crafted, period-inspired artwork. Located in the Pyrenees, a timeworn Jesuit monastery is home both to a madhouse and a prison; five mysterious characters have been imprisoned between its walls under different pretenses. Plagued by cruel punishment, madness, and despair, they will soon devise a plan to escape this place and its evil inhabitants, relying on each other to face their deepest fears.

The Stone of Madness key features include:

Escape the Monastery: Control all five characters independently to aid in their escape, taking care to preserve each member’s sanity as much as possible. As they explore the corridors and rooms of the monastery they may discover useful tools or clues to aid their escape. They must avoid detection at all times, their jailers are not known for their mercy.

Manage the Madness: Each character carries their own unique traumas and phobias contributing to their own respective madness. Managing their mental health will be crucial to their escape, using a system of character progression and regression. Failing to maintain a character’s sanity can trigger new negative traits including paranoia, dementia, or bouts of violence.

Discover the Secrets Within: Choose between two different escape plans, with each campaign featuring unique stories, objectives, and surprises. These plans will play out through a day and night cycle separating daytime actions and nighttime preparations, giving the prisoners time to rest and recover. Most actions will be best performed during daytime, even with the jailer’s presence, however the darkness of night offers unique opportunities, and risks. There is a reason most inmates rarely venture out after dark.

Experience Stunning, Hand-painted Art Style: The visuals in The Stone of Madness have been lovingly hand-painted and animated, drawing heavy inspiration from 18th-century artist Francisco De Goya. An isometric perspective allows players to explore scenes and observe minute details as if they’re adventuring through a Goya painting brought to life.

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, the 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, and DECEIVE INC., a unique multiplayer game of stealth and spycraft. The division most recently announced a publishing agreement for Rogue Waters, an upcoming tactical turn-based rogue-lite game of piracy and mythological beasts developed by Ice Code Games, at Gamescom 2024.

For more information on The Game Kitchen, visit their official website and follow them on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn. To learn more about Tripwire Interactive please visit their official website and follow them on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

Today at gamescom, Xbox announced release dates of the new Xbox Series X|S console selections, with four new accessibility offerings available as early as today, as well as new in-game content in Forza Horizon 5. For more information on Xbox’s latest hardware options and updates to Forza Horizon 5, see below:

Xbox Series X|S Consoles

Announced earlier this year at the Xbox Games Showcase 2024, new console options will be released on October 15, with select countries following on October 29. Pre-orders for the new Xbox Series consoles start today, including the Xbox Series S – 1TB in Robot White, Xbox Series X – 1TB Digital Edition in Robot White, and Xbox Series X – 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition.

• The Xbox Series S – 1TB ($549.00 AUD) is equipped with 1TB of storage and is featured in Robot White. Now with double the storage, you can store even more of your favorite games.
• The Xbox Series X – 1TB Digital Edition ($699.99 AUD) is equipped with 1TB of storage, is all-digital, and is featured in Robot White for the first time.
• The Xbox Series X – 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition ($999.00 AUD) is equipped with 2TB of storage and features a unique design and includes a matching Xbox Wireless controller with a Galaxy Black D-pad and Velocity Green back case.

New Accessibility Offerings

Created in partnership with the Gaming & Disability community and nonprofit organisations, new accessibility hardware will include the Xbox Adaptive Joystick, complementary 3D printable files for adaptive thumbstick toppers with Xbox Design Lab, and two Designed for Xbox controllers: ByoWave’s Proteus Controller and 8BitDo’s Lite SE 2.4G Wireless Controller. More information on each can be found below:

• The Xbox Adaptive Joystick ($29.99 USD ERP), is an affordable entry-level, singular, wired joystick designed to meet the needs of players with limited mobility as a companion for the Xbox Adaptive Controller and other Xbox controllers, including the Xbox Wireless Controller or Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2. The Xbox Adaptive Joystick will be launching in early 2025 in select Xbox markets worldwide and sold exclusively through the Microsoft Store. 

• 3D printable files for adaptive thumbstick toppers, is a complementary service offered with Xbox Design Lab that allows players to configure six different 3D printable thumbstick topper designs for the Xbox Adaptive Joystick, the Xbox Wireless Controller, or the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2. These thumbstick topper files are additional options beyond the standard thumbsticks that come with controllers. Xbox Design Lab outputs the design files that players can then 3D print or take to any 3D printing service of their choosing. The 3D printable files for  adaptive thumbstick toppers are available now with Xbox Design Lab.

• The Designed for Xbox Proteus Controller ($299 USD ERP), created by our partners at ByoWave, is a modular adaptive kit giving disabled gamers the tools to build their own way to play. The unique modular video game controller kit features innovative ‘snap and play’ parts that easily connect together and comes with everything that gamers need to play their favorite Xbox games on console and PC right out of the box. The ByoWave Proteus Controller is now available in select markets worldwide.

• The Designed for Xbox Lite SE 2.4G Wireless Controller ($59.99 USD ERP), created by our partners at 8BitDo, is a compact and lightweight controller designed for gamers with limited mobility, featuring low-resistance buttons and Hall Effect joysticks with greater sensitivity. The unified face-button layout offers easy access to all buttons on the top of the device, and comes with large, programmable Super Buttons that are also compatible with the Xbox Adaptive Controller. The 8BitDo Lite SE 2.4G Wireless Controller is now available in select markets worldwide.

Beyond these controllers, Xbox shared details around toggle hold, a new accessibility feature, and accessible packaging for the Xbox Adaptive Joystick and new Xbox Series X|S console options.

To learn more about our new console and accessibility offerings, visit the Xbox Wire for the latest updates linked here.

New Hide & Seek Game Mode in Forza Horizon 5

In addition, Playground Games announced a new game mode coming to the Forza Horizon 5 Horizon Festival on September 10: Hide & Seek.

• In this new multiplayer mode, players will be assigned one of two roles — Hiders or Seekers. Hiders will be tasked with getting to a location in a set amount of time while Seekers try to prevent them from doing so, and each role will have a specific set of stock vehicles available to them. Hide & Seek will have its own progression track to level up and earn new badges, accolades, and achievements.
• Once Hide & Seek launches next month, a new location will be added to the in-game map to enter the mode. It will also be accessible through the Online page of the Main Menu.

For the full details on the upcoming Hide & Seek game mode, check out the post on Forza.net.

Combining deep narrative gameplay and atmospheric environments, Retrieval will release on PC, PS5 and XBOX X | S

[Barcelona, Spain – August 21st 2024:] Veteran developer founded studio, 333Studios, today announce Retrieval, a new cinematic horror adventure, will be released on PC and consoles. A rich blend of immersive storytelling, gripping gameplay and deep character development, Retrieval is available to wishlist now on Steam and the Playstation Store.

To celebrate the announcement the studio has released a brand new trailer that premiered at the Future Game Show.  The trailer showcases an exclusive look at real-time footage captured with RTXDI®, an NVIDIA technology that significantly improves ray-traced shadows and reflections. Additionally, it features fully 3D audio using Dolby Atmos® technology, with sound designed by Wild Cat Records.

This award-winning title invites players to step into the shoes of Hana Loshe, the courageous commander of a research team stranded on the distant planet Ryhalian. Set in a mysterious retro-futuristic base, players will navigate through a ravaged world in a bid to survive, facing relentless challenges and terrifying adversaries at every turn.

Retrieval offers a gripping narrative filled with unexpected twists, delving into themes of friendship, love, loyalty, and horror.  The game’s rich character development and compelling storytelling will captivate players as they uncover the chilling secrets of Ryhalian.

With its atmospheric visuals powered by NVIDIA and haunting 3D sound design, Retrieval promises an immersive gaming experience. Players will embark on this perilous journey with Hana Loshe and experience the intense drama and thrilling gameplay in this survival horror adventure that blurs the lines between cinema and gaming. 

Retrieval is available to wishlist now on Steam and the Playstation Store now with Xbox to follow. 

For more information please visit: https://www.333-studios.com/retrieval/

About 333Studios

333Studios is an independent Spanish-American games development studio on a mission to bring imagination to life through advanced technology. Supported by industry leaders like NVIDIA and PlayStation®, the passionate team constantly push the boundaries of game development to create immersive and engaging experiences that transport players to new worlds. 333Studios is dedicated to delivering the highest quality gaming experiences, combining the artistry of film with the interactivity of gaming through detailed cinematics, compelling storytelling, and innovative gameplay. Founders Pau Moreno and Christian Sokol bring extensive expertise in graphics, texturing, programming, cinematic direction, and environmental design from their work with renowned studios such as NaughtyDog, TheHungryBeast and Daloar Studios (Ex-PentakillStudios). Their debut title Retrieval won Game of the Year at the PlayStation® awards in 2023. 

LONDON (Aug. 21, 2024) – Independent developers Mureena and Psychoflow Studio, alongside indie publisher Kepler Interactive, today revealed a brand-new “Ignition” trailer for the upcoming action-adventure platforming game Bionic Bay, launching in 2025. 

Watch the new Bionic Bay trailer below:

Featuring stunning high-detail pixel art, tight and precise platforming and chaotic physics-based gameplay, Bionic Bay tasks players with escaping an ancient biomechanical world filled with imaginative technology and deadly traps. Players will make daring leaps across bottomless chasms, avoid lethal laser beams and flamethrowers and unleash the potential of the unique swap mechanic to move, defend and attack mysterious technology by using their own character’s momentum to interact with the environment. Use physics to your advantage and overcome the puzzles and challenges ahead – environments (and our protagonist) will burn, break, freeze, explode and get vaporized as you move ahead and conquer the challenges and many pitfalls that await. 

Bionic Bay will launch in 2025 and is available to wishlist on Steam now. For more information, follow the official social channel, or follow Mureena’s Juhana Myllys for behind-the-scenes looks on his own social page on X. 

About Mureena: 

Finnish solo developer Juhana Myllys is responsible for art and design. Previous projects as an artist and a designer includes indie hits Badland and Badland 2. 

About Psychoflow Studio: 

Taiwanese indie game studio is formed by industry newcomers. This two-man company is formed by programmers who are handling the technical side of Bionic Bay. 

About Kepler Interactive: 

Kepler Interactive – led by the founders of Kowloon Nights – is a developer and publisher that operates on a co-ownership model. Its studios are given strategic leadership roles, all while continuing to develop their games their way, with no creative limitations. Kepler’s partner studios are as varied as they are talented, including A44 Games in New Zealand, Alpha Channel and Timberline in North America, Awaceb, Ebb Software, and Sloclap in Europe, and Shapefarm in Asia. Kepler Interactive itself is headquartered in London. 

Leamington Spa, UK – 21st August, 2024: Leading UK games publisher Kwalee and Spanish developer Digital Mind S.L. have revealed a new gameplay trailer for The Spirit of the Samurai. The trailer showcases the game’s three playable characters: Takeshi, a skilled samurai; Kodama, a brave but tiny spirit; and Chisai, a warrior cat. The trailer also features the game’s custom combo editor, combat system, new enemies, and bosses. The Spirit of the Samurai is set to release on PC in Fall 2024.

In The Spirit of the Samurai, players will assume the role of Takeshi, a Japanese samurai tasked with defending his village from the relentless onslaught of Oni; Chisai, his warrior cat companion and a small but feisty Kodama. Prepare to confront legions of tengu, undead creatures, and the terrifying Jorogumo, all inspired by Japanese mythology. Brace yourself for a truly unique and intense stop-motion cinematic adventure.

Wishlist the game on Steam and The Epic Games Store, The Spirit of the Samurai is coming to PC in Fall 2024

About The Spirit of the Samurai

Assume the role of Takeshi, a Japanese samurai who has to protect his village from the onslaught of an Oni attempting to conquer the land with his undead army. Fight against his army of tengu, undead and the horrifying Jorogumo, all inspired by Japanese mythology, in a unique, brutal stop-motion cinematic adventure.

Defend the Forbidden Village 

Explore a meticulously crafted world alive with Japanese mythology and folklore. Wander through ruined villages, mountain caves, desolate cemeteries, and more. Battle yokai, undead monsters, and demons, all expertly rendered in a highly detailed, Ray Harryhausen-esque stop-motion style.

Three Spirits Bound by Fate 

Fight through the undead hordes as three distinct characters: Takeshi, a skilled samurai; Kodama, a brave but tiny spirit; and Chisai, a warrior cat. Each interacts with the world in a different way, from intense sword combat to precise platforming and exploration.

Wield Legendary Power

Confront legions of demons armed with the weapons of ancient Japan: the iconic katana, the versatile yari spear, and the formidable bow. Unleash devastating special power attacks and combos unique to each character as you fight your way to the Oni’s castle.

Every step taken and foe vanquished grants you invaluable experience. Harness this to unlock the true potential within you, enhancing your abilities, honing your stats, and above all mastering an array of awe-inspiring moves that you can form into custom combos.

About Kwalee

Kwalee is a multi-award-winning games publisher and developer based in Leamington Spa, UK, and has published a growing catalogue of PC and console titles including Wildmender and ROBOBEAT along with upcoming titles The Precinct, The Spirit of the Samurai, Voidwrought, Hordes of Hunger and In Sink.

Founded by games industry icon and Codemasters co-founder David Darling CBE, who is joined by a team of global games experts with studios in the UK, India, Portugal and China, Kwalee is on the lookout for high-quality games to publish on all platforms and encourages developers to get in touch.

Officially recognised as ‘Best Publisher’ (TIGA 2022), Kwalee is also highly active in the industry, as an ambassador of not-for-profit organisation Women in Games and a regular supporter of charities like Safe In Our World, GamesAid and SpecialEffect.

About Digital Mind S.L. 

Established in 2001, DIGITAL MIND S.L. stands as an esteemed 3D animation studio renowned for its exceptional expertise. Their team of highly skilled creatives and state-of-the-art facilities enables them to cater to a diverse array of production needs. From captivating feature films and enlightening documentaries to immersive engineering simulations, compelling presentations, effective marketing materials, thrilling video games, cutting-edge virtual reality experiences, meticulous reconstructions, and any project that demands the finesse of digital animation, they offer a comprehensive range of services to bring visions to life.

SAN FRANCISCO – August 21, 2024 – Maui the Shapeshifter, a gorgeous 2D hand-drawn Metroidvania based on the titular shapeshifting Polynesian demigod from Play on Worlds (Ebenezer and the Invisible World), swims ashore with its first trailer, as revealed during the Future Games Show at Gamescom.

Master Maui’s legendary shapeshifting powers to save the wildlife of a Polynesian island from the corrupt force of Cemyk, a nefarious creature from another world. Transform into majestic animals with the help of spirit Aumakua and wield Maui’s magic fish hook while exploring a naturally enchanted island brimming with secrets, challenges, and obstacles.

Shapeshift into a Hoary Bat to reach new heights, slide down hills while blocking dangerous projectiles as a Green Sea Turtle, or glide across great distances as a Kamehameha Butterfly. Creatively channel the power of incredible animals to drive out the mutated wildlife introduced to the island by Cemyk.

Unleash Maui’s iconic hook to manipulate the environment, solve puzzles, and create new paths across the island. Upgrade the fish hook to enhance strength, range, and other stats. Scour land and ocean to discover new and rare equipable powers through a robust slot system.

Traverse a sprawling Metroidvania map with rich and diverse biomes, including jungles, volcanoes, mountains, beaches, and even the legendary Menehune village. Go beyond the natural realm, where a hidden spiritual world awaits. Interact with NPCs across the island–some eager to help, others…not so much. Explore and uncover the secrets of the awe-inspiring island paradise all rendered in breathtaking hand-drawn art teeming with vibrant hues.

“After spending so much time in the chilly realm of Ebenezer and the Invisible World, we wanted to create a colorful experience in a different environment while staying true to our love for Metroidvanias,” said Carlos Martin, Founder of Play on Worlds. “With Maui the Shapeshifter, we hope Metroidvania fans will follow us onto the island and take on a whole new adventure.”

Maui the Shapeshifter will be available on PC via Steam. For more information, visit the game’s official website, follow the team on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, and search for #MauitheShapeshifter on social media.

About Play on Worlds

Play on Worlds is a video game company that produces high-quality indie budget games committed to excellence in gameplay and deep universes. The team’s first commercial release was Ebenezer and the Invisible World, a supernatural, fantasy adventure based on Charles Dickens’ classic ghost story, A Christmas Carol. Their follow-up game, Maui the Shapeshifter, continues the team’s passion for high-quality 2D Metroidvanias. 

Today’s all-new Future Games Show trailer invites you to a demonic world hiding in the shadows of suburbia

COLOGNE, Germany – Aug. 21, 2024 – During today’s Future Games Show at Gamescom, publisher Twin Sails Interactive announced that Bloomtown: A Different Story will launch on Sept. 24, 2024, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. Developed by Lazy Bear Games (the team behind Graveyard Keeper and Punch Club) and Different Sense Games, explore a seemingly pleasant slice of 1960s Americana in this Persona-inspired JRPG mixing turn-based combat, monster taming and social elements.

Bloomtown is a quiet and cozy American suburb, but this is only a façade – a demon world is growing beneath the surface, children are disappearing, and it’s up to you to save the town! Playing as Emily and her younger brother Chester on summer vacation, you’ll tame monsters from the Underside and create your own demon-hunting squad with unique team synergies.

Make the most of your summer holiday adventure! Explore the city’s secret areas, exercise at the gym, work at the grocery store, take up gardening, or make resourceful friends. The decisions – and the adventure – are yours!

Key Features

• A New JRPG Adventure: Inspired by beloved classics like the Persona series and Earthbound, Bloomtown balances social life with demon taming, pulse-pounding turn-based combat, and a gripping story. It’s up to Emily to figure out the mysteries of mystical disappearances and save the townsfolk’s souls!
• Two Worlds Collide: Enter the dark Underside which lurks upon the children of Bloomtown. Encounter the inner demons of the townsfolk brought to life as monstrous manifestations of fear and vices.
• Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Use your own demons’ and allies’ unique abilities to defeat fiends and dungeon bosses in turn-based, tactical battles.
• Capture & Tame Demons: Weaken unique demons to capture and add to your own demon-hunting squad. Level up your demons and fuse them to create powerful synergies for battling in the Underside.
• A Summer Vacation to Remember: Fighting demons won’t take up all your time in Bloomtown! Explore the town, pick up jobs, make friends or take it easy – how you spend your time is up to you.

Bloomtown: A Different Story is available to wishlist now on Steam, the PlayStation Store, and the Microsoft Store. For more information, follow the game on Twitter and join the community on Discord.

About Twin Sails Interactive

Twin Sails Interactive is an international video game publisher, part of the Asmodee Group, an Embracer company since March 2022. Based in Paris, our team of passionate professionals partners with developers to help drive their titles to success. Originally known as a specialist of digital board-game adaptations under the name Asmodee Digital, Twin Sails expands Asmodee’s reach into original, creative titles aimed at a wide audience on PC and consoles. Following the release of the acclaimed Gloomhaven adaptation and Ember Knights‘ full launch crowning its well-received early access period, Twin Sails is publishing indie gems Survival: Fountain of Youth, Wantless, Innchanted, News Tower, Amberial Dreams and Bloomtown, with more yet to be announced. To learn more: www.twin-sails.com.

About Lazy Bear Games

Lazy Bear Games is an international game development studio based in Vilnius, Lithuania. We develop games for PC and consoles: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch.

About Different Sense Games

Different Sense Games is an international game development studio based in Vilnius, Lithuania. With our title Bloomtown, we wish to bring memorable gaming experiences inspired by classic JRPGs with modern twists.

Debuted today during the Future Games Show at gamescom, coming soon to PC and consoles

TOKYO – 21 August 2024 – Faaast Penguin, the free-to-play chaotic multiplayer racing game developed by historia Inc., dives belly-first onto Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store in September this year, as announced at Future Games Show at gamescom. Pre-register for access to special skins, and test the slopes during Open Beta Test from Friday, 6 September at 18:00 PST until Sunday, 8 September at 21:00 PST.

Roll, slide and glide from summit to finish line in a reckless downhill race solo, alongside up to four friends in online multiplayer, or in a battle royale against forty fearless penguin pals. Knock competitors off-course, zoom across speed boosts, scoop up items, and take risky shortcuts while jockeying for first place in a fast-paced battle race.

Pump up the momentum across island resorts, desert pyramids, lush forests, and much more with 16 tracks available at launch and more to come afterwards. Deftly maneuver to reach the finish line and survive the cut, staving off elimination after every round. Winners can hop aboard a ride to the next race, but losers get left behind to try their luck by starting a new race at the summit.

Careen towards Sardine Cans to increase speed, and collect 10 cans to fuel up an impervious, high-speed Ultimate Ride boost on a rocket. Ram into rivals to bump birds skyward to give enemies a brief taste of flight while slowing their momentum. 

Collect the most points at the end of 4 races to achieve victory! Customize outfits, Rides, Ultimate Rides, and emotes to stand out! Some outfits even change based on gameplay. Since performance is not affected, why not enjoy vacation in style? Return for each additional season and enjoy new themes and added courses! 

“Faaast Penguin was designed to be an exhilarating experience for all ages, as if you were on an activity tour of a resort the moment you launch the game,” said Shun Sasaki, Producer / Game Designer at historia, Inc. “In the races, you can attack your rivals to fly into the sky and gain advantages, which we believe is a gaming experience that has never been seen before. We hope you will experience the thrill of taking shortcuts by successfully launching a series of attacks!”

Faaast Penguin arrives on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series XIS, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store in September 2024. For more information, follow historia Inc. on X (formerly Twitter).

About historia, Inc.

historia Inc. is a developer based in Tokyo behind titles such as The Caligula Effect 2 and LIVE A LIVE with an aim to create heart-touching, life-changing gaming experiences. 

Set sail on stormy seas and explore the rugged Nordic coast in an original narrative adventure from TomorrowHead Studio, coming to PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2025

SPOKANE, Wash. – Aug. 21, 2024 – International independent game developer TomorrowHead Studio today revealed the first trailer for its debut game, WILL: Follow The Light, during the Future Games Show. WILL: Follow The Light is a realistic, single-player, first-person journey through the harsh northern latitudes, coming to PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2025.

TomorrowHead Studio is a new international game development company headquartered in Spokane, Washington. Deeply inspired by the wanderlust of travel and exploration, TomorrowHead wants to send players on journeys of discovery – to explore places and worlds they’ve never been to before.

WILL: Follow The Light is a narrative adventure taking players on a journey across stormy seas and rugged Nordic shores. Players will take the helm of a sailing yacht – piloted with realistic controls and developed in collaboration with arctic voyagers – and navigate the cold and hostile environments of far-northern seas.

Players will assume the role of Will, a fearless man who grew up on the sea, as he ventures north in search of his missing son. WILL’s story explores the relationship between father and son in an adventure taking players on an emotional rollercoaster through wild thunderstorms, the ringing silence of loneliness, and a tale about the importance of caring for loved ones.

Players will face challenges on the sea and on land. As players progress, they will solve puzzles rooted in real life, chart their path using an authentic weather station and lifelike navigation system, and traverse snowy trails by dog sled in search of answers.

“We have been working together on WILL for more than two years, so today’s announcement is an exciting moment for our team,” said Roman Novikov, Founder and Game Director at TomorrowHead Studio. “At TomorrowHead, we are inspired by some of the best games in the genre and what they do so well – Firewatch’s feeling of escape and loneliness… Alan Wake’s visuals and atmosphere – and we have invested deeply in art and technology to bring players a narrative adventure that will see players exploring the world in a whole new way. We’re looking forward to revealing more later this year.”

Players can wishlist WILL: Follow The Light on Steam and keep up to date with TomorrowHead Studio on the official website, Twitter/X, YouTube, Tiktok, Instagram and Reddit.

About TomorrowHead Studio

Headquartered in Spokane, Washington, TomorrowHead Studio is an independent game developer with a global team spread across the world. Our people are deeply inspired by travel, so we want to share our passion with players, sending them off to explore places and worlds they’ve never been before. With a strong background in CGI, we are eager to deliver realistic visuals and unique adventures that fully immerse players in the narratives we create, making them feel like an integral part of the story. Our debut project, WILL: Follow The Light, is set to release in 2025.

THIS IS GUN FU. New trailer showcases cinematic combat, boss fights, and soundtrack by composer Le Castle Vania (John Wick franchise)

Limassol, Cyprus – 21 August, 2024 – International games developer Nekki today revealed the hard-hitting new trailer for SPINE at the Future Games Show, featuring all-new in-game action, cinematics, parkour, boss fights, and the debut of SPINE’s original score by producer and composer Le Castle Vania (John Wick, Payday). Featuring cinematic combat in a futuristic cyberpunk world, SPINE will define the gun fu game genre when it launches for PC and consoles in late 2025.

The trailer offers first looks at a spectacular parkour chase, new finishers, and boss fights against an enemy wearing a large combat exoskeleton and a ninja equipped with a spine of their own, deploying spider mines to dominate the battlefield. Movie fans may notice some homages to iconic action movies, including a close-quarters hallway fight and flock of white doves.

Today’s new trailer also showcases the debut of the game’s original soundtrack by producer and composer Le Castle Vania, whose music features throughout the John Wick movie franchise. Stream the new single from SPINE now on Le Castle Vania’s Spotify, Soundcloud and YouTube.

About SPINE

SPINE is a single-player, story-rich action game where the player takes on the role of rebellious street artist Redline, accompanied by her sentient combat implant, Spine. Players join them as they challenge the autocratic AI regime of Tensor Corporation while learning to trust each other. 

SPINE features camerawork and combat choreography by action movie stunt specialists and is powered by Unreal Engine 5 and Nekki’s original animation engine, Cascadeur, making players the star of their own action movie where no two fights are the same.

“We believe a truly cinematic game should immerse players in its world and story through action, not just cutscenes, a huge focus in SPINE is on fluidity of movement and combat,” said Dmitry Pimenov, Producer of SPINE. “Today’s trailer featuring early gameplay is a glimpse at how we’ll deliver on that promise, with real-life stunt work from action movie specialists, a camera that puts players in the heat of the action, free-flowing combat and takedowns that let players orchestrate their own action scenes, and a hardcore soundtrack from artists like Le Castle Vania!”

SPINE features:

• Movie-Like Experience – SPINE puts players inside the action with a dynamic combat camera that makes every fight feel like a movie, without ever stealing control from players.
• Innovative Combat – A thrilling fusion of cinematic gunplay and beat ’em up. Dive into the chaos of SPINE‘s combat, where every move is a dance between gunfire and raw, close-quarter bullet mayhem. It’s not just a game; it’s an artistic canvas for your own style of destruction.
• Unrivaled Atmosphere – Dive into an action-packed narrative set against the backdrop of a captivating cyberpunk world. Explore the contrast between the gleaming, utopian facades and the gritty, decaying alleyways, as each location becomes a stage for adrenaline-fueled gunfights.
• Gripping Narrative – Embark on a gritty journey into the near-future with Redline, a rebellious street artist, and her AI companion, Spine — a combat implant with a mind of its own. Together, they stand against an oppressive AI regime, and every fight they have sends ripples through the streets they navigate, changing the lives of the people they meet.

SPINE has collaborated with NVIDIA to harness cutting-edge NVIDIA RTX technologies, including AI-powered NVIDIA DLSS 3 and ray tracing, to deliver enhanced visual quality and a smoother, more immersive gaming experience. Get an exclusive first look at SPINE with DLSS 3 in the new SPINE X NVIDIA trailer, revealed yesterday.

Players can wishlist SPINE on Steam, PlayStation and Xbox, and keep to date with SPINE on the official website, Discord, Twitter/X, Tiktok, Facebook, and Reddit. For those interested in the game’s universe, Nekki publishes a webtoon comic “SPINE: Bullet Dancers” that lets fans dive into the world of SPINE before the game is released.

About Nekki

Headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus, Nekki is a leading developer and publisher in the gaming industry, known for creating high-quality action games and the proprietary animation software Cascadeur. With global downloads exceeding one billion, Nekki’s portfolio includes famous titles like Shadow Fight and Vector. With SPINE the company continues to push boundaries, creating a new action IP for PC and consoles. For more information, please visit https://nekki.com.