Daily Indie News Roundup #17 (9. 2. 2026.)

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It’s been 17 days since we launched our Daily Indie News Roundup, a special editorial dedicated to the latest updates in the gaming industry. We’re honestly blown away by the positive reception so far! Thank you for the support and we’re excited to keep bringing you your daily dose of indie news.

The Dark West Revealed as Occult Frontier ARPG from Black Hand Studio

Independent studio Black Hand has officially unveiled The Dark West, a dark and atmospheric Action RPG set in a corrupted frontier where religion has faded and supernatural forces have taken hold. Combat is designed to be fast, brutal, and unforgiving, emphasizing survival over spectacle. Players shape their characters through deep skill trees, evolving equipment, and a unique poker-inspired deck system, where forming familiar card hands unlocks powerful combat effects and synergies.

Abracademia Brings Cozy Idle Wizard Life to the Bottom of Your Screen

Seele Games has announced Abracademia, a cozy idle life-simulation game set in a magical academy, marking the studio’s first release on Steam. Designed to run quietly at the bottom of the screen, the game allows players to manage their wizard’s life while working, studying, or playing other games. Players create their own mage from scratch, choosing appearance, background, personality traits, and even their wand. After passing an entrance exam, they are sorted into one of five covens, each offering unique storylines, challenges, and rewards.

Pluto Launches in 2026 with Experimental Spellcasting Roguelike Deckbuilding

Indie.io and Siege Wizard Interactive have confirmed that Pluto, their darkly comic roguelike deckbuilder, will launch on Steam on March 9, 2026. Developed by a small two-person team with help from collaborators, Pluto blends turn-based deckbuilding with a tactile spellcasting system that emphasizes physical gesture combinations. Rather than simply playing cards, players must construct spells by overlapping sigils and patterns, creating emergent magical effects.

Incantation Brings Taiwanese Horror to Consoles in April 2026

Cinematic horror adventure Incantation is set to launch digitally on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows on April 8, 2026. Physical editions for Switch and PS5 will also ship through Playasia, while a free demo will arrive on PS5 on April 1. Originally developed by Softstar Entertainment and published by eastasiasoft, Incantation is based on the Taiwanese live-action horror film of the same name. The game uses a first-person cinematic perspective to immerse players in a story deeply rooted in Taiwanese folklore and cultural symbolism.

Constance Confirms Console Launch on PlayStation and Xbox

Blue Backpack has announced that their critically acclaimed 2D metroidvania Constance will arrive on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on May 1, alongside its previously announced Nintendo Switch release. Originally released on PC in December 2025, Constance received widespread praise and was frequently compared to Hollow Knight and Celeste for its tight platforming, fluid combat, and emotional storytelling.

Bloomies Turns Your Desktop into a Cozy Creature Habitat

Bloomies introduces a unique twist on idle and monster-collecting games by running directly on the player’s taskbar. Players plant seeds, hatch eggs, and raise over 100 different creatures that grow alongside daily computer use. Each Bloomie has ranks and rarities, including special Sparkle Bloomies. While the game focuses on peaceful collection and customization, Shadow Bloomies occasionally invade, triggering automatic battles and boss encounters.

RETRO NEWS

Rayman Creator Hints at HD Remake of the 1995 Classic

Rayman creator Michel Ancel has suggested that a remake of the original 1995 Rayman is currently in development. In an interview with Retro Gamer, Ancel revealed that the remake will likely feature HD visuals and additional checkpoints to reduce frustration. The original Rayman is remembered for its difficulty and punishing level design, making quality-of-life improvements especially welcome.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Remedy Appoints Jean-Charles Gaudechon as New CEO

Remedy Entertainment has announced Jean-Charles Gaudechon as its new CEO, effective March 1. Interim CEO and co-founder Markus Maki will remain in place until Gaudechon officially begins. With over two decades of leadership experience at companies like EA and CCP Games, Gaudechon is expected to guide Remedy through a phase of growth and increased independence, particularly in self-publishing.

Discord Introduces Global Age Verification and Teen-By-Default Policy

Discord has announced sweeping changes to its child safety policies, introducing a global “teen-by-default” system beginning in March 2026. All users will be placed under age-restricted settings unless they verify their age through facial estimation or ID submission. These restrictions affect access to adult content, direct messages, and age-gated servers.

Verification will be handled through third-party vendors and AI systems, raising privacy concerns following past data breaches involving ID documents. Discord acknowledges the risk of user backlash but considers the move necessary for compliance and safety.

Sony Confirms 60-Minute State of Play for February

Sony has officially confirmed a major State of Play broadcast on February 12, running for a full hour. The showcase will focus on third-party and indie games alongside PlayStation Studios updates. While no titles have been confirmed, speculation includes projects from Square Enix, Capcom, Konami, and updates on Marvel’s Wolverine, Marathon, and other first-party titles. The unusually long runtime suggests significant announcements are planned.

Dispatch Developers Reflect on Casting Aaron Paul and Creative Risk

AdHoc Studio’s leadership has reflected on the development of Dispatch, crediting its success to a series of crucial creative decisions. CEO Michael Choung and Creative Director Nick Herman highlighted the casting of Aaron Paul as a defining moment. His performance added emotional depth that reshaped the narrative direction of the game. The studio also emphasized its willingness to take risks by focusing on narrative, removing traditional exploration, and committing to unconventional design choices.

Epic and Santa Ragione Clash Over Horses Store Ban

Epic Games has defended its decision to block indie horror title Horses from the Epic Games Store, following accusations from developer Santa Ragione. The studio claims Epic made inaccurate statements about the game’s content and failed to provide proper appeals. Epic counters that internal reviews resulted in an Adults Only rating, violating store policies. Despite the bans, Horses has sold over 18,000 copies and generated enough revenue to clear debts. The dispute has reignited debates over platform transparency and content moderation.

Microsoft Reportedly Planning Multi-Partner Next-Gen Xbox Systems

According to reports, Microsoft plans to collaborate with companies like Asus on multiple next-gen Xbox models, echoing the Steam Machine approach. The flagship system could cost up to $1,000, while partners offer cheaper alternatives. Windows will reportedly power the platform, allowing access to Steam and Epic Games Store. The system is expected to launch around 2027 and may double as a productivity device.

Square Enix Reports Falling Sales but Rising Profitability

Square Enix has released financial results for the nine months ending December 2025, showing declining net sales but improved profitability. Net sales fell 13.3% to ¥215.4 billion, largely due to fewer new releases. However, operating income rose thanks to strong catalog sales and diversified payment systems. Digital entertainment revenue dropped significantly, but profitability improved. As a result, Square Enix has revised its profit forecast upward for fiscal year 2026.

Indie Developer Delays All Living Things After “Meeting a Beautiful Woman”

The developer behind All Living Things has candidly explained the game’s development slowdown, citing a new romantic relationship. In a social media post, Saint Vulture admitted that progress had slowed after meeting someone special. The honesty was met with widespread support from fans, who praised the transparency. Despite the delay, interest remains high due to the game’s unique stop-motion aesthetic and alchemy-inspired puzzles.

Omelet You Cook Navigates Difficult Launch Window

Indie cooking game Omelet You Cook faced major challenges when selecting a release date, attempting to avoid competition with Slay the Spire 2 and Silksong. Despite being forced into an earlier launch, the team successfully navigated the crowded schedule. The game’s scoring system, inspired by Balatro, has helped it find an audience.