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Welcome to Daily Indie News Roundup #5, where we bring together the most important stories from across the indie games world and the wider games industry, without overwhelming your feed. While our focus remains firmly on indie and mid-sized projects, some developments are simply too significant to ignore, and today’s roundup reflects that balance.
Keen Games has officially confirmed that Enshrouded will exit Early Access with a full 1.0 release in Autumn 2026, nearly three years after its breakout debut. Ahead of launch, the studio will release one final major Early Access update, featuring the long-requested Adventure Sharing system alongside extensive balancing, combat improvements, and performance optimizations.
Willis Studios has announced a new Steam demo for Belle Citique, a cozy city designer focused on harmony between architecture and nature. Featuring terrain-adaptive building systems that naturally form canals, bridges, tunnels, and plazas, the game emphasizes organic growth rather than environmental replacement. Inspired by titles like Townscaper and Tiny Glade, Belle Citique invites players to attract residents and wildlife alike while shaping peaceful, living cities.
NIRVANA has announced a Steam Playtest for Annulus, a dark fantasy, turn-based tactical RPG inspired by medieval warfare. Running from January 23 to January 30, 2026, the test allows players to experience the war-torn continent of Noviseth as mercenary captains navigating moral dilemmas, faction conflicts, and brutal combat.
Beak Berry Games has announced Woodland Rebels, a 2D survival game blending town management and open-world exploration. Set in a woodland where animals have gained humanoid intelligence, players must unite fractured animal villages against an invading human threat. Featuring procedurally generated worlds, resource management, disasters, and large-scale battles, the game is now live on Steam with a trailer showcasing its unique premise.
Snoopy & The Great Mystery Club is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on March 17, bringing a family-friendly action-puzzle adventure starring the iconic Peanuts cast. Players can swap between different Snoopy personas, solve mysteries, and team up with characters like Charlie Brown and Lucy. A Deluxe Edition will include bonus mini-games, cosmetics, and classic Peanuts comics accessible in-game.
Quantumfrog and THQ Nordic have announced that Pumuckl and the Crown of the Pirate King will launch on March 5, 2026, for PC and Nintendo Switch. Based on the beloved German character created by Ellis Kaut, the game blends humor, exploration, puzzles, and optional co-op gameplay into a lighthearted pirate adventure designed for players of all ages.
Solo developer Asa Longino has confirmed March 3, 2026, as the release date for BrawlMart, a physics-driven party game built around fast-paced minigame chaos. Supporting local and online multiplayer, workshop-created arenas, and even phone-based participation, the game emphasizes accessibility and unpredictable fun. A free demo featuring 12 minigames is already available on Steam.
Welsh studio 10six Games has announced YOU vs ZOMBIES, a story-driven roguelite launching into Early Access in August 2026. Players assume the role of a time-traveling wizard ghost, possessing different characters across timelines in a desperate attempt to stop the apocalypse. The game blends dark humor, tactical combat, and narrative themes of trauma and identity.
Cozy narrative builder Bubblegum Galaxy will launch on March 12 for PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC. Developed by Smarto Club, the game invites players to rebuild a deleted galaxy by designing vibrant planets, completing missions, and interacting with quirky coworkers. A new trailer highlights its relaxing gameplay and whimsical mystery-driven storytelling.
Publisher Dear Villagers has confirmed that medieval action-adventure 1348 Ex Voto will release on March 12 for PlayStation 5 and PC. The previously announced Xbox Series version has been canceled to allow the team to focus on delivering the strongest possible experience. Set during the Black Death in Italy, the game follows a deeply personal journey across a war-torn peninsula.
Ratcheteer DX, an improved version of the 2022 Playdate title, will launch on March 5 for Switch, PC, and Mac. Featuring full color visuals, CD-quality audio, and new languages, the game places players in a frozen underground world filled with exploration, tools, and boss encounters. A demo is available now, with progress carrying over to the full release.
Curve Games and Turtle Juice have announced MECHBORN, a roguelike deckbuilder launching in late 2026 across consoles and PC. Blending ’90s mech anime with Greek mythology, the game replaces traditional hands with a conveyor-belt card system, allowing for strategic positioning and devastating combos. A pre-alpha demo is available via itch.io.
Knight’s Path has been revealed as a story-driven action RPG set in a low-fantasy world inspired by the Holy Roman Empire. Players follow Alryk, a disgraced noble rebuilding his life through discipline, sacrifice, or self-interest. The newly released trailer showcases grounded melee combat influenced by Historical European Martial Arts
Aggro Crab has released a video outlining its 2026 roadmap for PEAK, confirming one final biome update planned for this year alongside slower update pacing. The studio also reaffirmed that forklift-based multiplayer game Crashout Crew is nearing completion, with additional “secret projects” teased but not revealed.
Aquila Interactive has released A Gilded Year in Review, detailing Gilded Destiny’s major milestones in 2025, including its publishing partnership with Hooded Horse and Closed Alpha launch. Looking ahead, the studio teased early work on naval systems and deeper political and economic mechanics planned for 2026.
Ubisoft has officially confirmed sweeping changes to its internal structure, including the closure of multiple studios, cancellation of six games, and delays for seven more. The overhaul introduces a new Creative House model designed to give teams end-to-end responsibility over major franchises, while targeting €200 million in additional cost savings. The restructuring will result in significant layoffs, an estimated €1 billion operating loss in fiscal 2026, and a mandatory return to full in-office work.
Scotland has unveiled a national Game Action Plan aimed at growing its games sector beyond £1 billion by 2030. Backed by the Scottish government, the initiative includes funding programs, studio incubation, education reform, and the eventual creation of a National Games Innovation Centre. Phase One will launch as a two-year pilot featuring a £5 million funding scheme and the appointment of a Chief Games Officer.
Talking Tom developer Outfit7 has launched a new internal division called PlayValley, focused on expanding into new IPs and platforms. The studio’s first Steam release is planned for Q2 2026, marking Outfit7’s debut on the platform. The division aims to create intuitive, satisfying gameplay experiences beyond the company’s existing mobile portfolio.
Sensor Tower’s State of Mobile 2026 report shows mobile gaming revenue rising modestly to $81.8 billion in 2025, while non-game apps surged ahead to $85.6 billion. No new mobile games crossed the $1 billion revenue mark, highlighting a shifting market where apps like ChatGPT and CapCut dominate consumer spending.
Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters has confirmed that Netflix Games will prioritize cloud-based TV gaming in 2026. Following strong engagement with party titles like Pictionary and LEGO Party!, the company plans to expand its cloud-first strategy, including an exclusive soccer game tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A major PwC survey of over 4,400 CEOs across 95 countries reveals that 56% have seen no financial gains from AI investments so far. With costs rising and returns lagging, industry leaders, including Microsoft’s Satya Nadella and Bill Gates, have warned that the AI boom risks becoming a bubble unless it delivers meaningful real-world impact.
Today’s roundup covers a wide range of stories shaping the future of independent games.
The indie games scene doesn’t slow down and neither do we.
An IGN trailer recently highlighted 1348 Ex Voto, an upcoming third-person action-adventure game set in Italy during the Black Death.
This update comes after a long development journey that began with a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2021.
Deep knowledge of chess is not required and the developer has made it clear that learning strict openings or endgame…
Knight’s Path is an upcoming action RPG made almost entirely by solo developer Jan Tichota.
The latest controversy about LGBTQ characters began with a former viral screenshot shared on X.
The Outer Worlds 2 is less an isolated disappointment and more a sign of a changing market.
In a new Patreon-exclusive article (free-to-read for anyone), I break down the full workflow behind our reviews.
Both Pillars of Eternity games used backer betas, which gave early access to players who supported the projects.
What shocked publishing lead John Buckley was not the number of pitches, but the terms developers had come to accept.
Welcome back to Daily Indie News Roundup, your one-stop snapshot of everything happening across the indie games and the wider…
To keep your feed clutter-free, we’ve once again gathered the latest headlines from across the indie gaming space.
We’re already halfway through January 2026, and the new year is off to an incredible start for gaming.
![[OPINION] Gaming Exclusives Are Losing Their Value: Who Really Breaks the News in Gaming Anymore](https://www.indie-games.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Gaming-Gaming-Journalism-300x200.jpg)
There is a growing problem in gaming media with exclusives and question arises who really breaks the gaming news anymore…
We are still fine-tuning this format, so please bear with us as we improve.
In BEFORE I GO, you take control of an inner child trapped in limbo, moving through a symbolic journey toward…
Instead of flooding your feed with dozens of individual posts, here’s everything you need to know from the indie games…
![[OPINION] Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft Unite on Safety – Here’s Why That Matters](https://www.indie-games.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Gaming-Industry-big-tree-300x200.jpg)
At its best, the alliance sends a strong signal that online safety is no longer something to be handled in…
It is an easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys beautiful worlds, strong narratives, or tactical depth.
Today’s roundup covers a wide range of stories shaping the future of independent games.
The indie games scene doesn’t slow down and neither do we.
An IGN trailer recently highlighted 1348 Ex Voto, an upcoming third-person action-adventure game set in Italy during the Black Death.
This update comes after a long development journey that began with a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2021.
Deep knowledge of chess is not required and the developer has made it clear that learning strict openings or endgame…
Knight’s Path is an upcoming action RPG made almost entirely by solo developer Jan Tichota.
The latest controversy about LGBTQ characters began with a former viral screenshot shared on X.
The Outer Worlds 2 is less an isolated disappointment and more a sign of a changing market.
In a new Patreon-exclusive article (free-to-read for anyone), I break down the full workflow behind our reviews.
Both Pillars of Eternity games used backer betas, which gave early access to players who supported the projects.
What shocked publishing lead John Buckley was not the number of pitches, but the terms developers had come to accept.
Welcome back to Daily Indie News Roundup, your one-stop snapshot of everything happening across the indie games and the wider…
To keep your feed clutter-free, we’ve once again gathered the latest headlines from across the indie gaming space.
We’re already halfway through January 2026, and the new year is off to an incredible start for gaming.
There is a growing problem in gaming media with exclusives and question arises who really breaks the gaming news anymore…
We are still fine-tuning this format, so please bear with us as we improve.
In BEFORE I GO, you take control of an inner child trapped in limbo, moving through a symbolic journey toward…
Instead of flooding your feed with dozens of individual posts, here’s everything you need to know from the indie games…
At its best, the alliance sends a strong signal that online safety is no longer something to be handled in…
It is an easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys beautiful worlds, strong narratives, or tactical depth.
