Daily Indie News Roundup #19 (13. 2. 2026.)

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Apologies for the radio silence over the last couple of days, the Daily Indie News Roundup has been on a brief, unplanned hiatus. It’s been an incredibly busy week, and I simply didn’t have the time to put the posts together properly. The good news is that things should be back to normal next week.

Cooking Simulator 2: Better Together Reveals Full Gameplay and Co-Op Focus

The next evolution of the hit culinary sandbox has officially stepped into the spotlight. Cooking Simulator 2: Better Together has unveiled a brand-new full gameplay trailer, offering an in-depth look at expanded co-op systems, deeper progression, and significantly enhanced realism. Designed from the ground up with online co-op as a core pillar rather than a secondary feature, the sequel allows players to run professional kitchens together for the first time in the franchise.

Hela Shares Valentine’s-Themed Gameplay Teaser Ahead of 2026 Launch

The charming mice of Hela have offered players a heartwarming Valentine’s-themed glimpse into their upcoming adventure. The new mini-trailer focuses on connection and camaraderie within the game’s sweeping open-world journey. Hela is set to launch in 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, with a deeper dive trailer expected later this month.

Hunt the Night Lands on Consoles February 26, 2026

Developer Moonlight Games and publisher DANGEN Entertainment have confirmed that Hunt the Night will launch on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on February 26, 2026. This retro-inspired action RPG casts players as Vesper, a Stalker navigating the ruined world of Medhram in a desperate struggle against an endless cycle of annihilation. The game blends fast, precision-driven combat with multi-phase bosses and dark fantasy lore steeped in atmosphere.

Neva: Prologue DLC Expands Alba’s Story on February 19

Nomada Studio and Devolver Digital have announced Neva: Prologue, a paid DLC expansion launching February 19 for $2.99 on PC and consoles. The expansion explores how Alba and Neva’s destinies first became intertwined. Set after the events of the main game, the DLC follows Alba into corrupted swamps as she encounters a frightened wolf cub. Players must earn the cub’s trust while navigating three new locations filled with unique mechanics, new enemies, and intense boss encounters.

The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince Comes to PC on March 11

NIS America has confirmed that The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince will arrive on PC via Steam on March 11. Originally released in 2018 for PlayStation and Switch platforms, this fairytale action-adventure tells the tragic story of a wolf who blinds a prince and disguises herself as a princess to guide him toward a cure. Players alternate between wolf and princess forms, solving environmental puzzles and navigating dangerous forests filled with traps and hostile creatures.

AI LIMIT DLC “Eirene’s Furnace of War” Launches March 27

Publisher CE-Asia and developer SenseGames have revealed Eirene’s Furnace of War, a new DLC expansion for AI LIMIT launching March 27. The expansion continues protagonist Arrisa’s journey following the main game’s conclusion, sending players into the Temple of War to confront the Warfare Bishop Eirene. The DLC introduces new areas, a mysterious boss encounter, reworked returning bosses with enhanced mechanics, and additional weapons, armor, spells, and seals.

The Boss Gangster: Criminal Empire Available Now in Early Access

Tripwire Presents has announced its partnership with Turkish developer BEF Games to publish The Boss Gangster: Criminal Empire, an open-world crime management title currently available in Steam Early Access. Set in a fictional 1980s Night City, players build a criminal empire from scratch by managing nightclubs, hiring loyal crews, influencing corrupt officials, and eliminating rival gangs.

Machine Mind Launches March 5 on Steam

Publisher Targem Games and developer Chudo-Yudo Games have announced that Machine Mind will launch March 5 on Steam. The post-apocalyptic action title combines survival and RTS elements in a world devastated by nuclear war and viral catastrophe. After a spaceship crash preserves the player’s consciousness within a mechanical shell, survival depends on scavenging parts, constructing vehicles, building bases, and fending off raiders.

Sovereign Syndicate Launches on Consoles

Victorian steampunk RPG Sovereign Syndicate has launched on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. Replacing dice with tarot cards, the narrative RPG follows three playable characters investigating the disappearance of society’s most vulnerable amid cult conspiracies. Character customization is shaped through narrative decisions, unlocking new tarot cards that influence gameplay outcomes.

Industry News

Mina the Hollower Set to Eclipse Shovel Knight’s Scope

Yacht Club Games has revealed that Mina the Hollower will surpass the total size of every campaign within Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove combined. More than six years in development, the Game Boy-inspired action-adventure features dozens of interconnected regions, over 25 bosses and mini-bosses, 60 trinkets, New Game Plus, and a full level-up system. Its newly announced Spring 2026 release window follows a prior delay from its October 2025 target.

Developers Debate Self-Publishing on Consoles and Hidden Costs

A growing number of indie developers are choosing to self-publish on consoles rather than partner with publishers. While the “hard costs” of devkits and legal setup are tangible, industry voices highlight overlooked “soft costs” such as certification loops, controller integration, UI redesign, and months of opportunity cost. Certification processes alone can introduce multi-week delays, and first-time developers often fail initial submissions multiple times. The broader takeaway is clear: keeping 100% revenue may come at the expense of time, runway, and momentum.

Creative Director Adrian Chmielarz Criticizes Highguard’s Launch

Adrian Chmielarz, creative director at The Astronauts and known for Witchfire, publicly criticized Wildlight Studios’ Highguard, arguing the game was fundamentally flawed rather than undone by “gamer culture.” Responding to claims that external negativity influenced its failure, Chmielarz pointed to generic world design, uninspired characters, and genre fatigue as core issues. The debate highlights tensions between market competition, online discourse, and internal studio dynamics when high-budget projects fail.

ZA/UM Hopes to Remain Independent Despite Disco Elysium Success

A representative from ZA/UM, the studio behind Disco Elysium, expressed a desire to avoid becoming a triple-A studio despite the success of its debut. With just under 100 employees across Estonia, the UK, and Portugal, ZA/UM remains independently owned. The studio emphasized that while the industry faces economic challenges, creativity has never been stronger, pointing to titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as proof of appetite for ambitious, story-driven games outside mega-publisher structures.

Edmund McMillen Addresses Cameo Controversy in Mewgenics

Edmund McMillen, co-creator of Mewgenics and The Binding of Isaac, has addressed discussion surrounding the inclusion of cameo voices from creators with differing political views. McMillen explained that the game intentionally includes voices across ideological spectrums, arguing that artistic exploration often benefits from contrast. He stated he does not necessarily share the views of contributors and emphasized that many cameo decisions were made years ago.

Steam Keyword Trends Reveal Rise of “Co-Op,” “Cozy,” and “Roguelike”

New data analysis examining Steam capsule descriptions from 2020–2025 reveals significant shifts in keyword usage. The word “co-op” has surged both in overall game descriptions and among titles grossing over $100,000 lifetime revenue. “Cozy” titles have grown linearly but consistently, while “survival” peaked among high-performing titles in 2023 before stabilizing. Meanwhile, keywords such as roguelike, idle, horror, crafting, and loot have seen notable multi-year growth. Out of roughly 21,000 new games analyzed in 2025, only 6.5% surpassed $100,000 in lifetime revenue, a stark reminder of the competitive landscape.