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Metroidvania MIO: Memories in Orbit quickly established itself as one of the genre’s latest stand-outs

Focus Entertainment and Douze Dixièmes are today celebrating MIO: Memories in Orbit’s critical success with a brand-new trailer. Distinguished by its striking art direction and an equally remarkable original soundtrack, this French‑crafted metroidvania has resonated strongly with international critics, securing a Metacritic score of 84/100.

Watch the MIO: Memories in Orbit Accolade Trailer.

MIO: Memories in Orbit launched January 20th and is available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch (both generations), and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and Microsoft Store. The game is also playable day one on Xbox Game Pass and runs seamlessly on Steam Deck.

Composed by Nicolas Gueguen, the game’s original soundtrack is now available across all major streaming platforms — including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Bandcamp, and more.

Listen to the OST here. 

MIO: Memories in Orbit is priced at €19.99, with a 10% launch discount still available for Steam and Xbox players. Owners of the Nintendo Switch 1 version receive free access to the Nintendo Switch 2 version.

Fantasy Extraction-RPG Eldegarde is Out Now on PC, features New PvE Mode

Notorious Studios is pleased to announce that its debut title, extraction-RPG Eldegarde is available now on Steam, bringing dynamic fantasy combat and RPG mechanics to players on PC.


Eldegarde launches today following a successful period in Early Access, receiving over 3,000 Mostly Positive review, and building a dedicated community of players who have supplied the development team with invaluable feedback in the lead up to launch. 


Players can pick from a selection of iconic fantasy classes, including classics like Warrior, Rogue, Wizard, and Priest, as well as the newly added Paladin. Eldegarde’s 1.0 launch also introduces a PvE mode, allowing newcomers to learn the game’s maps and combat mechanics at their own pace, playing the game in a whole new way, safe from the flagship full loot PvP experience.


Eldegarde has been created by Notorious Studios, a team composed mostly of Blizzard veterans and led by former World of Warcraft Game Designer Chris Kaleiki.


“Eldegarde is a game that raises the bar on so many stagnant RPG systems like class design, combat, PvP and progression found in many RPGs and MMOs” said Chris Kaleiki, Founder of Notorious Studios. “Extraction has really taken off recently with Arc Raiders. Eldegarde is really the Fantasy RPG version of that experience, so we feel it has a ton of potential. This genre is still very much in its infancy.”


Eldegarde is available now on Steam priced at $24.99 / €24.99 / £21.99.


Notorious Studios
Notorious Studios is a venture-backed start-up headquartered in Irvine, California, with a global team of passionate developers. Founded by core developers from Blizzard Entertainment who worked on iconic titles like World of Warcraft, Diablo, and Overwatch, the studio is committed to creating immersive and engaging worlds that foster community and creativity. With a team of 30 talented individuals, including remote employees from around the world, Notorious Studios is focused on delivering high-quality gaming experiences built for players, not powerpoint. Our current project, Eldegarde, exemplifies our dedication to building rich, player-driven narratives within dynamic, ever-evolving gameplay environments.
For more information, visit https://www.notorious.gg/ or follow us on social media at https://x.com/notostudios.

BEING & BECOMING REVEALS 2026 RELEASE WINDOW & NEW STEAM PLAYTEST OUT NOW

The collective dream calls to you! Publisher CRITICAL REFLEX (Mouthwashing, No, I’m not a human) and developer Ichthys have released a new open playtest on Steam today for the atmospheric, pixel-art metroidvania Being and Becoming, alongside the reveal that the game will officially launch this year! Play through the game’s intro, explore multiple locations, learn to use several types of weapons and abilities, meet different NPCs, and fight two epic bosses plus a wide variety of enemies.

You are a would-be martyr, rescued from a watery grave and plunged into the Collective Dream: defy the prophecy of The Word, defeat the corrupted, gain new weapons and abilities from those who came before, and save the Dream by breaking the other dreamers free of The Word’s tyranny. Don’t let beauty dull your vigilance: the deeper you descend, the more treacherous the world becomes.

Key Features

  • Discover Echoes of the Past: Follow in the footsteps of the divers who came before you and take what they no longer need. Find new weapons and abilities to help you explore the Collective Dream.
  • Expand Your Arsenal: Assemble an array of weapons wielded by noble spirits ensnared within the torment of The Word. Weave intricate combinations of attacks to annihilate your foes.
  • Explore an Interconnected World: Venture across a vast, interconnected world which unfolds with unique visual style and mechanics.
  • Gorgeous Pixel-Art Aesthetic: From picturesque to grotesque, each location has its own ambience and feel, decorated with detailed handcrafted backdrops. Each boss has a distinctive personality, emphasized not only by the story, but with dozens of unique animations and environmental interactions.
  • Fully Voiced-Over Characters & Atmospheric OST: A diverse cast of charming and terrifying voice-acted characters and bosses. The soundtrack is filled with dynamic and atmospheric tracks that are both shaped by and directly shape gameplay.

Play the Being and Becoming playtest now on Steam and wishlist the game today! To dive deeper into all things CRITICAL REFLEX, visit www.criticalreflex.com, and follow along on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube!

About Ichthys

Ichthys began as a single man’s dream and grew into a collective dream encompassing a team of talented people with a shared goal in mind: to live by the rule of cool and tell meaningful stories. Working diligently for The Word, this team of dreamers put their heart and souls (literally) into creating visually stunning games that awaken spirits.

About CRITICAL REFLEX

CRITICAL REFLEX is an indie game publisher obsessed with genre-blending, rule-breaking, brain-melting games. We help devs polish the weird, sharpen the wild, and launch their projects loud. Known for titles like Buckshot Roulette, Lunacid, Mouthwashing and No, I’m not a Human, we champion the unforgettable experiences. Genre is a prison and we ate the warden.

About CR Channel

CR Channel is the CRITICAL REFLEX publishing label focusing exclusively on indie horror. Join the Discord here

Walking Simulator Finding Polka gets Steam page and new trailer

Lidlocks is excited to share the Steam page of “Finding Polka”, a heartfelt walking simulator about a young girl’s journey to find her beloved dog. 
 

Friendy has a peaceful life alongside her beloved dog, Jazz. One day, she spots a dog in town that looks just like her childhood dog, Polka. Before she even realises it, Friendy and Jazz begin running after this piece of her past.

Game Features

  • Produced with the theme ‘fun in every step’ to create a magical journey with every step
  • A vast world created with lines of ballpoint pen, inviting players to encounter friends and reveal secrets
  • Explore from city to forest to ocean! Look closely and you’ll find everything from unique objects, fishing platforms and even rhythm games
  • Quirky yet endearing characters – a giraffe with an extra long neck waits patiently for.. something, a cat that’s always hungry and a star that keeps getting buried. Help them out and they may also help you in return!
  • Unspoken understanding – this game has no words or sentences. You’ll be able to feel and communicate with the characters through facial expressions, small gestures and sound effects

Game Information

Title: Finding Polka

Genre: Walking simulator

Number of Players: 1

Platform: Steam

Release Date: Q3 2026

Developer/Publisher: Lidlocks Inc

Languages: English, Simplified Chinese and more!

Trailer

Steam

YouTube

X

About Lidlocks
 

“Lidlocks” is the name of the torture device used to immobilize the eyes, featured in the film “A Clockwork Orange.” We chose this name with the hope of creating content that “makes it impossible to look away.” We are currently developing “Finding Polka,” a dog-finding walking simulator, with support from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s Sofu Acceleration Program.

Dystopian job simulator LOW VALUE JOB now available on Steam

#LOWVALUEJOB, a #dystopian job #simulation game centered on endlessly repeating a single, simple task: sorting mechanical parts scattered across a desk made by developer #YAYOIKAIHATSU is now available on #Steam.

All gaming intel: chrisjonesgaming.net 🎮 Level up your feed!

#gaming #gamingnews

Indie thriller game Radiolight is now Steam Deck verified

#IcebergInteractive and #KrystofKnesl have announced that #TheFirewatch and #StrangerThings-inspired #indie thriller #Radiolight is now #SteamDeck verified

All gaming intel: chrisjonesgaming.net 📷 Level up your feed!

#gamingnews #gaming

Strategos Launches January 20th

#Strategos, a #realtime tactics #wargame focused on simulating warfare across nearly a thousand years of the ancient world, will officially launch January 20th on #Steam

All gaming intel: chrisjonesgaming.net 🎮 Level up your feed!

#MicroProse #gaming #gamingnews

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How did a Tardis get into Garry’s Mod?

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Backyard Baseball ’01 releasing on Steam & mobile devices July 8th

CHICAGO – June 30, 2025 – Following the chart-topping success of the relaunch of Backyard Baseball ’97, Playground Productions will launch Backyard Baseball ‘01 on July 8th on Steam and mobile devices. As part of the announcement, 28 of the original 31 MLB Pros are returning to the game including Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, and Cal Ripken, Jr.  Mega Cat Studios, which developed the other Backyard games relaunched over the past year with Playground Productions, will develop ’01 as well.

Similar to the remastered ’97 game, the 2001 relaunch will include the classic gameplay for touch and modern PC controls. Backyard Baseball ‘01 will include official MLB marks, including usage of individual team logos, names and likeness.

“We’re honored to partner with MLB to bring this iconic game to modern gaming devices for the first time. Backyard Baseball ‘01 was a game-changer in many ways—introducing some of the sport’s biggest legends into the Backyard universe,” said Lindsay Barnett, CEO, Playground Productions. “We can’t wait for fans to relive the joy of building their dream team with both our beloved original characters and baseball’s greatest pros from that unforgettable era.”

“Backyard Baseball stands out with a special place in so many fans’ memories thanks to its endearing qualities and features that were especially rare for a video game of its time. We are really excited to play a small part in authenticating this revitalization with MLB marks and look forward to the full circle moment where those who played this beloved game as children can bring it to a new generation in their families and friends,” said Jamie Leece, MLB’s Senior Vice President, Gaming & Virtual Reality.

The news comes on the heels of Playground Productions’ announcement in mid-June that Backyard Baseball ’97 is now available on Nintendo Switch and PS5. In October, Playground relaunched Backyard Baseball ’97, which quickly became a global top selling sports game on Steam, and in November, the company re-launched “Backyard Soccer ’98 on Steam.”  In March, Baseball ’97 launched on mobile in iOS and Android as the #1 game in sports, family and kids games on the iOS app store for paid games.

Contact: 

For Playground Productions and Interview Requests:

Brandon Shaw 

Brandon@BShawCommunications.com

For Review Requests:

Frank DiPersio

PR Manager, Mega Cat Studios

Frank@megacatstudios.com

Step into Tales of The Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game in Wholesome Direct Showcase

At the Wholesome Direct digital showcase today, Wētā Workshop welcomed viewers home to The Shire in a brand-new trailer for the Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings™ Game featuring charming gameplay, serene surroundings, and in true Hobbit fashion – plenty of food.

The new trailer gives glimpses of life in Bywater, meeting new friends and familiar faces. Decorate your own Hobbit hole, exactly as you like, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life in The Shire. Bask in colourful seasonal changes as you stock up your pantry by fishing, gardening, foraging and trading ingredients for shared meals with friends. Your fellow Hobbits don’t need an excuse for a party, they’re just waiting for your invitation….when you’re ready, of course!

You can check out the full trailer here.  Additional assets can be downloaded here.

In addition, those eager to jump in can wishlist the game now on PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S!

From the creative studio Wētā Workshop, live the cosy life of a Hobbit in the wonderfully serene landscape of The Shire. Discover, decorate, and share in this peaceful corner of Middle-earth. Launching on July 29, 2025, for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, the game will be available digitally and physically worldwide. Pre-orders for the $39.99 Retail Edition and iam8bit Exclusive Edition are available now for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 at talesoftheshire.iam8bit.com.

For all the latest updates on the game, follow Tales of the Shire on X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. 

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