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Another packed day in the indie and gaming world brings a wave of demos, release dates, major updates, industry shifts, and behind-the-scenes stories from developers navigating an increasingly competitive landscape. From Star Trek and Scott Pilgrim to cozy mining sims, survival adventures, and major platform changes at Valve, here’s what today’s roundup brings.
GameXcite and publisher Daedalic Entertainment have confirmed that a playable demo for Star Trek: Voyager – Across the Unknown will arrive on Nintendo Switch 2 in early February, ahead of the game’s full release on February 18. The title is launching simultaneously on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Players must manage ship systems, crew morale, and unpredictable dangers while navigating far from Federation space.
Toorai’s cozy underground mining collectathon DigDigDrill is officially coming to Nintendo Switch on March 18, 2026, with pre-orders opening on February 18 via the My Nintendo Store. Published by Phoenixx Inc., the game emphasizes relaxed exploration without combat, timers, or pressure. Players descend through hundreds of underground layers, collecting resources, hidden chests, and rare materials.
Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War has unveiled a new narrative focus through the introduction of Major Samantha “Sammy” Dietz. Presented via an in-universe interview hosted by General Johnny Rico, the reveal frames Dietz as a central figure in the game’s story. Set 25 years after the original film, the campaign follows Dietz as she recounts her hunt for the Assassin Bug during the First Bug War.
Cygnus Cross has announced that Emberville, its debut action-adventure RPG, will enter Early Access on Steam this summer. Development began in 2023, and the project gained major attention through its partnership with popular streamer CohhCarnage, who has been deeply involved in co-creation. Emberville blends farming, combat, and RPG systems with a two-button combat foundation and a weapon-bound combo system.
Tribute Games and Universal Products & Experiences have confirmed that Scott Pilgrim EX will launch digitally on March 3 for PC and consoles. Alongside the announcement, two new playable characters were revealed: Matthew Patel and Robot-01. The beat ’em up continues Tribute’s legacy following Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, combining modern mechanics with classic arcade sensibilities while celebrating the Scott Pilgrim universe.
Shiny Shoe and Big Fan have announced Destiny of the Railforged, Monster Train 2’s largest post-launch expansion, arriving February 2 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S for €9.99. A Switch version will follow shortly. The DLC introduces Soul Savior mode, where players fight powerful bosses in any order and equip captured Souls to cards for unique effects. Two new characters from the Railforged Clan, Herzal and Heph, join the roster.
FireVolt has revealed WheelMates, a cooperative adventure where two players control RC cars inside the home of an eccentric scientist. The game is launching on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S in 2026, with a Steam playtest planned for February. Players solve puzzles using jump boosters, grappling hooks, magnet wheels, and physics-based tools. The house acts as a Metroidvania-style environment, encouraging backtracking and discovery.
Indie studio Embers has unveiled Coral Social Club, a multiplayer-first social experience set in a surreal underwater world. Players become whimsical mermaids, including cat-mermaids, who sing to collect fish, grow their voices, and customize their appearance. The game emphasizes relaxation, self-expression, and casual social interaction. It is currently in development for PC via Steam.
Size Five Games and No More Robots have released Earth Must Die on Steam for €11.99. The animated adventure features an eccentric storyline about stopping Earth’s destruction and includes voice talent such as Alex Horne and Ben Starr. The release follows an unusual verification process, where Valve requested footage of a controversial in-game scene before approving the game. Despite the hurdles, the game is now available and offers 8–10 hours of narrative-driven gameplay.
The Pale Piper, a story-driven precision platformer inspired by the Pied Piper myth, has released a new trailer and updated demo. The game focuses entirely on movement-based gameplay, with no combat and harsh consequences for mistakes. Players navigate a decaying interconnected world, uncovering environmental storytelling while mastering tight platforming mechanics.
Gameforge and Nordic Trolls have released a comprehensive progress update for Under a Rock, revealing that the survival adventure has passed 450,000 wishlists. Recent improvements include expanded procedural generation, underwater exploration, advanced base building with cloud-synced blueprints, research systems, and refined combat. The game continues development for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC, with no release date yet announced.
Chinese studio San San Er Chuan has announced On the Edge, a turn-based Wuxia RPG developed in Unreal Engine 5. Set in the same universe as its animated series, the game features a new protagonist and original storyline. No release date has been revealed, but the project aims to preserve traditional Wuxia aesthetics while offering modern RPG systems.
Badass Mongoose’s Helix: Descent N Ascent will appear at Steam Next Fest from February 23 to March 2, with a demo launching earlier in February. The game is scheduled for Q2 2026 on PC and Switch. Its monochrome art style draws from vintage comics and manga, while music by Jim Guthrie enhances the atmospheric journey through themes of light and darkness.
Envision Entertainment has detailed upcoming content for Pioneers of Pagonia following its December 2025 1.0 launch. February will bring quality-of-life updates, followed by a paid cosmetics pack in March. The first major DLC, Meadowsong, arrives in Q2 2026, introducing animal husbandry, wineries, fruit farms, and new story content. A free brewery update will accompany it.
Entalto Publishing and ONE O ONE GAMES have revealed The Alighieri Circle: Dante’s Bloodline, a first-person psychological thriller inspired by The Divine Comedy. A demo will be available on February 19 during Steam Next Fest. Players explore ancestral secrets, solve thematic puzzles, and uncover fragmented family history in a modern reimagining of Dante’s Inferno.
The co-op survival horror game Fearwoods has received a major development update, featuring visual upgrades, smoother movement, redesigned weapons, and improved social systems. A new flashlight-based weapon mechanic replaces older tools, while a refined 3D lobby enhances cooperative play. Performance optimizations aim to improve stability across PC systems.
Cooking roguelike Omelet You Cook moved its 1.0 release to February to avoid competing with Slay the Spire 2. Developers worked seven days a week to meet the new deadline and secured a valuable Steam Daily Deal slot. The move highlights how indie developers must carefully navigate crowded release calendars to maximize visibility.
Fire Sparrow Studio has unveiled Sealbreakers, a top-down 3D roguelite beat ’em up focused entirely on unarmed combat. Players assume the role of a knight from the Faceless Order, a disgraced brotherhood sworn never to use weapons after failing to protect reality’s Chaos Seals. Each run allows players to build new fighting styles by stacking punches, kicks, and finishers into evolving combo systems.
Spanish studio Vermila’s debut title Crisol: Theater of Idols has surpassed 150,000 Steam wishlists ahead of its February 10, 2026 release. Published by Blumhouse Games, the first-person survival horror game stars Gabriel, a soldier navigating a nightmarish version of Spain. Players use their own blood as ammunition against demons and religious fanatics.
Valve has clarified that Steam Machine Verified will be less restrictive than Steam Deck verification. Games already verified on Deck will automatically qualify. The company also explained its Steam Controller Puck, designed to minimize wireless interference and reinforce Valve’s “it just works” philosophy.
Jack Emmert has returned to Cryptic Studios as CEO, pledging to revitalize the developer behind Star Trek Online and Neverwinter. After years in leadership roles elsewhere, Emmert says he is more collaborative and focused on long-term stability. With Cryptic recently regaining control of its games after Embracer’s divestment, his return signals a renewed push for independence.
Amazon has announced another round of layoffs affecting 16,000 employees. While it’s unclear whether its gaming division is impacted, cuts span AWS, retail, Prime Video, and HR. The company says it will continue investing in strategic areas, even as it reduces organizational layers.
Coyote Time Publishing has launched in Finland with the goal of helping small studios reach global audiences. Founded by Jussi Loukiainen, the company offers marketing, publishing, and development support. With over 200 small studios in Finland alone, Coyote Time aims to fill a major gap in visibility and community building.
AdHoc Studio’s Dispatch has launched on Nintendo Switch with mandatory censorship, removing player control over adult content filters. Nudity and explicit scenes are automatically obscured. The decision, driven by Nintendo policies, has frustrated fans who enjoyed optional censorship on other platforms, reigniting debates about content restrictions.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed that subscriber acquisition and retention have improved since Microsoft lowered Game Pass pricing back in…
Playstack, the publisher behind breakout hits like Balatro, Abiotic Factor, and The Rise of the Golden Idol, is preparing for…
You will spend your days verifying documents, spotting counterfeit money, dealing with angry customers, and trying to survive under government…
Full Circle uses a turn-based system mixed with real-time timing mechanics, allowing players to chain attacks, and swap party members…
Developer Terahard Studios officially revealed RuneSmith during the Indie Quest 2026 Showcase, and it immediately stands out thanks to its…
Set in the universe of Anima Beyond Fantasy, this title mixes fast-paced hack-and-slash combat with the deeper storytelling and character-building.
If you’ve been looking for a low-stress cozy game to sink time into, Papaya Plaza might be worth keeping an…
The game follows Apranik, a lone traveler exploring a decaying planet in search of an ancient artifact connected to the…
Instead of relying on random numbers or hidden stats, Paradox Tower focuses entirely on planning and decision-making.
Publisher Hooded Horse has officially picked up C-Beams, an ambitious space action RPG from indie developer Distant Light Games.
You command customizable ships powered by magical Jötunn Hearts, harvesting resources from the dead giants scattered across the seas.
The Stop Killing Games campaign argues that players are growing tired of paying full price for games that can eventually…
In our latest editorial, we discuss the launch of Paralives, including its early access price, poor performance, and overly positive…
Tango Gameworks recently updated its official website with a complete timeline of its biggest projects, highlighting classics such as Hi-Fi…
If you've been waiting for a good excuse to try Path of Exile 2, this might be it.
Players compete for the Tsar's favor by claiming sections of a cathedral, gathering resources, and carefully managing construction and decoration…
The story follows Yuna, seemingly the last human left alive after the entire population of Earth mysteriously disappears.
After moving to a quiet Japanese town to live with her father, Shiomi finds herself trapped inside a disturbing mirror…
Cosmic Division has officially launched in Finland under the leadership of Harry Krueger, a veteran developer best known for his…
Crushed In Time is a spin-off of the million-selling There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension and continues the studio's love…
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed that subscriber acquisition and retention have improved since Microsoft lowered Game Pass pricing back in…
Playstack, the publisher behind breakout hits like Balatro, Abiotic Factor, and The Rise of the Golden Idol, is preparing for…
You will spend your days verifying documents, spotting counterfeit money, dealing with angry customers, and trying to survive under government…
Full Circle uses a turn-based system mixed with real-time timing mechanics, allowing players to chain attacks, and swap party members…
Developer Terahard Studios officially revealed RuneSmith during the Indie Quest 2026 Showcase, and it immediately stands out thanks to its…
Set in the universe of Anima Beyond Fantasy, this title mixes fast-paced hack-and-slash combat with the deeper storytelling and character-building.
If you’ve been looking for a low-stress cozy game to sink time into, Papaya Plaza might be worth keeping an…
The game follows Apranik, a lone traveler exploring a decaying planet in search of an ancient artifact connected to the…
Instead of relying on random numbers or hidden stats, Paradox Tower focuses entirely on planning and decision-making.
Publisher Hooded Horse has officially picked up C-Beams, an ambitious space action RPG from indie developer Distant Light Games.
You command customizable ships powered by magical Jötunn Hearts, harvesting resources from the dead giants scattered across the seas.
The Stop Killing Games campaign argues that players are growing tired of paying full price for games that can eventually…
In our latest editorial, we discuss the launch of Paralives, including its early access price, poor performance, and overly positive…
Tango Gameworks recently updated its official website with a complete timeline of its biggest projects, highlighting classics such as Hi-Fi…
If you've been waiting for a good excuse to try Path of Exile 2, this might be it.
Players compete for the Tsar's favor by claiming sections of a cathedral, gathering resources, and carefully managing construction and decoration…
The story follows Yuna, seemingly the last human left alive after the entire population of Earth mysteriously disappears.
After moving to a quiet Japanese town to live with her father, Shiomi finds herself trapped inside a disturbing mirror…
Cosmic Division has officially launched in Finland under the leadership of Harry Krueger, a veteran developer best known for his…
Crushed In Time is a spin-off of the million-selling There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension and continues the studio's love…
