Search for:

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

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit Physical Editions Now Available Worldwide

LOS ANGELES – June 20, 2025 – iam8bit, together with developer Mega Cat Studios, launch physical editions of the chilling adventure  Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit. Starting today, fans can buy the physical retail edition and iam8bit Exclusive Edition for Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series X|S with Smart Delivery.
 

The ‘Available Now’ trailer can be viewed here.
 

The iam8bit Exclusive Edition, which includes a haunting glow-in-the-dark poster, three Sticker Sheets and the digital soundtrack, is available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S with Smart Delivery for $34.99.
 

Physical editions for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S with Smart Delivery feature the main game on a cartridge or disc as well as the digital soundtrack for €29.99 / £25.99 from retailers worldwide.
 

All physical editions of Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit can be bought from intothepit.iam8bit.com.
 

Fans in North and South America who purchase the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 versions of the game will receive their shipments after Tuesday, July 1.
 

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit is the latest haunting action-adventure game in the Five Nights At Freddy’s universe. Players must survive five nights of terror by traveling between time periods to solve puzzles, gather clues, and outrun the threats relentlessly in pursuit. By moving swiftly and staying hidden, players just might survive. But be careful—it’s not just their life that’s on the line this time.
 

###
 

About iam8bit

iam8bit is a creative production emporium that’s been boldly redefining the entertainment industry since 2005. Its collaborative works have taken a variety of forms, including groundbreaking community events, immersive art experiences, and exclusive collectibles, all designed to bring surprise and delight to people’s lives. iam8bit played a crucial role in the vinyl renaissance, minting its first record in 2010, and is the industry leader in premium physical editions of top-tier games. iam8bit evolved into financing and publishing games under its iam8bit Presents imprint, including the smash hit Escape Academy and its upcoming sequel; Petal Runner, a love letter to Game Boy Color-era RPGs; and the chill vibes simulator Simpler Times. The company is based in Los Angeles and co-owned/co-creatively directed by Jon M. Gibson and Amanda White. Visit iam8bit.com or follow @iam8bit on Instagram or Twitter.

About Mega Cat Studios

Founded in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mega Cat Studios strives to deliver unforgettable experiences for gamers of all generations. With our hearts firmly planted somewhere in the 1990s and gazes set on the future, our team combines a passion for crafting new retro classics with an unwavering commitment to delivering compelling current-gen content.

Backyard Baseball ’97 now available on Nintendo Switch and PS5

CHICAGO, June 12th, 2025 – Children’s and family entertainment company Playground Productions today announced the long-awaited console debut of “Backyard Baseball ’97.” The widely beloved game that teed up a generation of kid-powered sports entertainment will be available on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 beginning June 12th. 

Following recent chart-topping success on Steam, Android, and iOS devices—where the game hit #1 across multiple categories and was named an Apple editorial pick—the console release continues Playground Productions’ mission to preserve and celebrate the nostalgic fun of the original Backyard Sports titles. The June launch marks a major milestone as Backyard Baseball ’97 is brought to console for the first time. 

“Whether you grew up playing on a family desktop or are just discovering the magic for the first time, this game’s pick-up-and-play charm, funny characters, and nostalgic art style remain unrivaled,” said Lindsay Barnett, CEO of Playground Productions, which owns Backyard Sports, in announcing the launch. “It’s an incredible retro game that celebrates the joy of play, and we’re proud to bring it to kids and families everywhere – in the living room or on the go.”
 

To celebrate Backyard Baseball 97’s console debut, publisher Playground Productions and Mega Cat Studios have released a new trailer, offering a front-row seat to the nostalgic action. Watch the Backyard Baseball ’97 console announcement trailer here for Switch and here for PlayStation


Remastering the original Backyard Baseball game to modern devices was no walk in the ballpark, as the team did not have the source code from the original game. Developer Mega Cat Studios, alongside a dedicated team of passionate fans, made the impossible possible earlier this year – unlocking the game through reverse engineering of the source code for modern console play. 

“For 28 years, this game has held a singular place in sports and game-lovers’ hearts,” said James Deighan, Founder and CEO, Mega Cat Studios. “To be able to bring this game back to life for the modern gamer, to expand the base of those who enjoy playing it, and to have those two audiences play together is a privilege and a pleasure for all of us. We’re excited to bring this to continually new audiences.”

For more information on the launch and Backyard Sports, visit Playground-Productions.com or follow @playground.productions. 


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

Undying Flower Now Available on Steam

[Indonesia] May 16, 2025 — Undying Flower, the debut title from Indonesian indie studio Calcatz, has been released on Steam. Published by indie.io, this emotionally charged interactive narrative invites players to confront grief, trauma, and buried guilt through the surreal journey of a young woman named Nala. Blending exploratory gameplay with symbolic storytelling, players follow Nala as she’s guided by a mysterious entity known only as The Flower, and must relive the most painful moments of her past in search of peace. Request a Key for Undying Flower

The story begins with an experimental treatment that allows Nala to enter a dreamlike realm where memory and emotion shape reality. In this world, players explore pivotal moments from both Nala’s life and the life of her late grandfather, experiencing two sides of the same tragic memory. Through interactive storytelling, players piece together what happened between them and whether anything can be changed.


At the heart of this experience is the Memory World: a space constructed entirely from Nala’s recollections, shaped by The Flower’s interpretation of her past. Initially a blank void, this world gradually fills with emotionally charged objects known as Memory Fragments. Some float in the space like fleeting impressions, while others are grounded, vividly detailed, and tied to specific moments. These fragments—along with symbolic statues and color-coded emotional cues—create a layered, abstract environment where emotion outweighs realism, and every element carries a story.

While the journey Nala takes is surreal and dreamlike, the regret that drives it stems from something painfully human: a misunderstanding between two people who love each other. Undying Flower explores how something as simple as a single argument—a moment that could happen in any family—can spiral into a lifelong source of guilt. That tension between the ordinary and the otherworldly is what gives the story its emotional weight.

“Undying Flower is a story of ‘What if,’” says Eien Nagi, Game Director at Calcatz. “What if a simple misunderstanding—something as ordinary as an argument—could lead to the biggest regret of your life? Regret is irreversible. But what if you were given a chance to change it… would it really go the way you want? We’re excited to see how players interpret the story, sit with the emotions, and reflect on what it means to forgive.”

Players can experience the surreal and emotional journey today on Steam for USD $9.99, with a limited-time discount where players can save 10%.  Join the conversation and share your reflections with the developers on X/Twitter and their Steam Community.

Assets 
Streaming Trailer 
Marketing Assets

ABOUT CALCATZ

Calcatz began in 2015 in the room of a college student with a belief that “video games are the ultimate form of art.” Now a six-person indie studio based in Indonesia, Calcatz blends local cultural inspiration with global emotional themes to craft interactive experiences with meaning. Undying Flower is their debut release—a passion project years in the making.

Find out more at Calcatz’s official website.  

ABOUT INDIE.IO

indie.io is home to hundreds of the world’s most innovative independent video games and developers. Founded in 2020 by Donovan Duncan and Ben Robinson – industry veterans with a collective 40 years of experience across the video game landscape – our mission is to provide support to independent developers and set the standard for gaming creation, management, and promotion. Our tools and services include marketing, QA, playtesting, partnership deals, and distribution to all major platforms to maximize your visibility, revenue, and engagement to ensure long-term success – with no upfront costs. You may know us from Echoes of the Plum Grove, HumanitZ, the Dark Deity franchise, and Coromon!

We’re powered by a worldwide team of 35 remote employees; a mix of semi-professional esports players, developers, and gaming enthusiasts whose passion and technical know-how fuel the company’s mission. As industry experts, we dedicate ourselves to providing innovative marketing support services and integrations; as players, we want to discover and elevate the creators of exceptional, inspiring, and unexpected games of every genre. Join us on our quest to cultivate a vibrant global community of players and creators alike!

Vagrus – the Riven Realms Console Versions Announced

Lost Pilgrims Studios, developer and publisher of Vagrus – the Riven Realms has announced the release for their critically acclaimed game on consoles, bringing it to PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Vagrus – The Riven Realms is a niche blend of strategy, RPG, and interactive novel set in a post-apocalyptic fantasy world where the player takes on the role of a vagrus, a caravan leader trying to make a living in the bleak wasteland. To celebrate this event, Lost Pilgrims presents a trailer for the console releases.

These releases will incorporate both already existing free DLCs with players also being able to purchase all other existing and future DLCs separately, including the forthcoming At the Heart of Ruin, scheduled to release in 2025, and the already available Sunfire and Moonshadow, as well as Old Acquaintances.
 

Described as a complex, difficult, well-written, and lore-rich game by the majority of its players, Vagrus is an absolute curio on today’s market, with nothing quite like it on the console platforms when it comes to the blending of genres and depth of content. The developer has also noted just how much impact those fans have had on the porting of the game to consoles, most of which concerned the UI and UX decisions the team had to make.
 

Vagrus – the Riven Realms and its attendant DLC content is available for purchase digitally on the 31st of March on their respective console digital marketplaces and stores, such as the  PlayStation Store, Xbox Store. For Nintendo, please visit the respective store page of your country/region.

KILL KNIGHT Launches on Epic Games Store

PlaySide Studios is excited to announce that KILL KNIGHT is now available on the Epic Games Store, bringing the pulse-pounding action and critically acclaimed gameplay of this ultra-responsive, top-down action shooter to even more players. Additionally, for 24 hours, KILL KNIGHT will be available for free on the Epic Games Store, allowing new players to dive into the Abyss guilt-free.

Celebrated as one of the best-reviewed games of the year on Metacritic, KILL KNIGHT offers an electrifying mix of layered gameplay, retro-inspired visuals + blood-pumping music. Players must weave through their arsenal, exploit enemy weaknesses, enact brutal executions, manage resources and unleash destructive wraith blasts to lay carnage upon endless demonic hordes.

GAME FEATURES:

  • Fast and visceral top-down, push forward combat that rewards aggression and precision
  • Descend through five fatal layers, each more deadly than the last
  • Four distinct difficulty settings to choose between and overcome
  • Complete challenges to unlock powerful weapons, augments and abilities
  • Ascend the global leaderboards, and compete for high-score supremacy

The Epic Games Store release will also feature the latest KRYSTALIZED UPDATE, which includes powerful new equipment, weekly challenges and updated game modes, designed to both test the most veteran of players and welcome newcomers alike. Speaking of newcomers, tweaks have been made to the lowest difficulty level (Regret) to ensure it is a little more manageable to overcome.

UPDATE FEATURES:

  • New Equipment:
    • INCULCATORS (Pistol): Fires puncturing shards that spike into enemies.
    • DREADFALLER (Heavy Weapon): A laser caster that emits combusting plasma beams and ruptures foes.
    • HOLLOWBRANDT (Sword): Utilises powerful jumping slam attacks that convert kills into empowered heavy weapon shots.
    • UMBRARITE (Armor): Spawns a vengeful Shade to assist in combat.
  • Expanded Augments:
    • METICULOUS AZURITE: Restores heavy ammo when firing Wrath Bursts.
    • ABYSSAL FLOURITE: Pulls in Health Shards when Quick Absorbing.
  • Updated SEVER Mode: Encounter powerful Krystalized Demons that unleash enhanced attacks and offer bonus Carnage Score when slain.
  • New WEEKLY DESCENT Mode: Compete in randomized weekly challenges, featuring rotating equipment and layers. Leaderboards refresh weekly for ultimate bragging rights.
  • DEMON BESTIARY KODEX: Unlock lore and insights on every Demon by spending TOKKENS.

KILL KNIGHT is now available on the Epic Games Store. It’s free for 24 hours, so don’t miss your chance to grab it while it’s available at no cost. After the 24-hour free period, the game reverts to its full price. Stay up to date by checking out KILL KNIGHT on X and TikTok, and following Playside on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

ABOUT PLAYSIDE STUDIOS

PlaySide Studios is an award-winning, independent video game developer and publisher based in Melbourne, Australia – behind games such as Age of Darkness: Final Stand, and the Dumb Ways to Die franchise, as well as the publishers for MOUSE: P.I. For Hire, Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown, and Dynasty of the Sands.

Team Phoenix – the development team at PlaySide behind KILL KNIGHT – consists of a small team of experienced, talented developers, tasked with driving innovation and showcasing PlaySide’s internal development capabilities. KILL KNIGHT marked the premier console project for PlaySide Studios – following more than a decade of game development, with over 70 titles launched across mobile, PC, and VR/AR. 

PlaySide Studios’ recent original IP launches have included the award-winning RTS Age of Darkness: Final Stand, and have seen the studio recognised as Studio of the Year at the Australian Game Developer Awards 2023. 

For more about PlaySide Studios, check out our website: https://www.playsidestudios.com/

Pre-orders now live for Outbreak Shades of Horror: Chromatic Split on Xbox Series X|S!

Players can now preorder Outbreak: Shades of Horror Chromatic Split on Xbox Series X|S ahead of its October 25th launch.  Running on the cutting-edge Unreal Engine 5, Chromatic Split delivers spine-tingling survival horror gameplay and high-stakes exploration just ahead of Halloween for both experienced and novice games with a wide array of difficulty settings.  The game also launches on PC via Steam on October 25th, with PS5 and PS5 Pro enhanced versions releasing in autumn 2024.
 

When Detective Lydia Daniels heads to the Cypress Ridge sewers to meet a contact, she gets much more than she bargains for on the eve of a deadly zombie apocalypse.  Chromatic Split is a standalone story bridging together the events of Outbreak The FEDORA Files: What Lydia Knows and the upcoming Outbreak: Shades of Horror.  Lydia will need to shoot, jump, climb, craft, and sneak through an expansive three act campaign if the city of Cypress Ridge is to have a chance at survival.  She’ll begin her ordeal in the city’s labyrinthine sewer system completely unarmed and at the mercy of her environment before getting access to new items that allow her to progress and fight back.  Will she discover the many secrets of the Cypress Ridge underground?
 

Early on in her exploit, Lydia will discover a lead pipe that not only allows her to combat zombies but also access new areas. Zombies are extremely dangerous and must be approached carefully; Lydia will need to employ stealth and careful movement to avoid attracting a deadly horde.  Landing strategic blows with her melee weapon will stun and even stagger zombies, but getting into large fights is not recommended. Eventually, Lydia will discover weapons like the handgun and shotgun, allowing her to dismember zombie limbs, incapacitating her foes and buying her a chance to escape and continue her journey.  With the ability to swap between third person and first person views at the press of a button, players can enjoy the game however they want!
 

In traditional survival horror fashion, Lydia’s resources are highly limited. She will need to forage through her environment to find precious crafting components, allowing her to create ammo, healing remedies, and more.  The choices are tough; does she combine gunpowder and bullet casings to build more ammunition? Or does she use it to concoct an ink jar, allowing for a one-time save?  With many materials and item types to create, managing her limited inventory is challenging; what items does Lydia keep with her, and which should be stored away into linked item boxes for future use?
 

The power of Unreal Engine 5 enables dazzling effects, massive enemy counts, and intense set-pieces. Moody and intimidating lighting mixes with terrifying sound design to fully immerse layers into the world of Chromatic Split. Lydia doesn’t have much time to take in the bloody, creepy sights as she defeats enemies and solves puzzles, but players can enjoy the slime and grime of the sewers, the decay and rotting flesh of the undead, and the sparking and flickering of subterranean machinery gone awry.
 

Beyond the main quest, Chromatic Split is rich with bonus modes and content.  Obliterate massive numbers of zombies on unique maps in the Onslaught and Besieged Modes, and escape old Cypress Ridge in the ultra-hard Looming Dread Mode. Revisit the main story, and carry over your weapons in New Game Plus.  Secret cheat codes, hidden costumes, and a multitude of achievements can be discovered and unlocked, and all modes can be enjoyed on one of six difficulties, including Assisted for players new to the game and genre.  Post-launch, expect to unleash carnage in the extra Trials of Hank side-campaign, explore optional Developer Commentary for a behind-the-scenes look at the game’s development, and more!
 

The time is nigh for Cypress Ridge, and only Detective Lydia Daniels can prevent a full zombie outbreak from extinguishing the city.  Will she be able to contain the chaos in Outbreak: Shades of Horror Chromatic Split before all hope is lost?
 

From the Developer:

“The first taste of Outbreak: Shades of Horror has arrived via Chromatic Split,” says Julia Wolbach, co-founder of Dead Drop Studios. “This standalone prologue is a tight and moody adventure built on the latest version of Unreal Engine 5, enabling a captivating world and the polished, modern gameplay that survival horror fans have come to expect.  Exploring the underbelly of Cypress Ridge and discovering a wealth of secrets along the way is both deeply satisfying and unnerving, and players will need to contend with nasty creatures and sinister puzzles to emerge victorious.  Add to that a flock of bonus modes, multiple difficulties, and a new game plus, and you have a comprehensive package bound to excite even the most hardened horror veterans.”
 

Platforms and Pricing:

Outbreak: Shades of Horror Chromatic Split debuts on Xbox Series X|S and on PC via Steam on October 25th at an MSRP of $24.99 USD.  International pricing may vary.  Pre-orders for the Xbox Series X|S edition of the game are now available.  Dead Drop Studios will also release both PS5 and PS5 Pro enhanced versions this autumn.  More specific information on launch timing and on which enhancements the game includes when played on PS5 Pro will be revealed in the future.
 

About Dead Drop Studios:

Dead Drop Studios is an indie game developer and publisher created and run by a husband and wife duo which focuses on creating retro-style survival horror games for the modern gamer. Their next announced title, Outbreak: Shades of Horror, is built in Unreal Engine 5 and brings a thrilling next-generation survival horror experience to console and PC platforms.
 

Chris Jones Gaming

Make A Game

At one point Chris Jones Gaming was considering making a game. This was about 15 years ago when we were modifying Star Trek games.

It hasn’t happened, but who is to say it won’t happen. If we were to do that, here’s a bit of what’s involved.

Making a science fiction game involves a lot of stuff, as you might know, including:

  1. Concept development: Developing the game concept, which involves creating the storyline, characters and their interaction with each other, and the setting. This is the foundation upon which the game will be built, where it starts.
  2. Game engine selection: The game engine is the software framework that is used to create the game. Popular game engines used for science fiction games include Unreal Engine, Unity, and CryEngine.
  3. Art and design: Once the game engine is selected, the next step is to create the game’s art and design elements, including 3D models, textures, animations, and user interface.
  4. Programming: The game’s mechanics, features, and interactions are created through programming, using languages such as C++, C#, and Python. I have a few people in mind for this.
  5. Sound and music: Sound and music play a crucial role in immersing players in the game’s world. Game developers must create or license appropriate sound effects and music tracks that fit the game’s theme and mood. I have someone in mind for this.
  6. Testing and debugging: As the game is being developed, it must be tested and debugged to ensure that it is functioning as intended. This involves identifying and fixing bugs, balancing gameplay mechanics, and optimizing performance. This is one of my favorite parts of the process.
  7. Distribution and marketing: Once the game is complete, it must be brought to the gamers of the world. This involves distribution channels, like digital storefronts or physical distribution, and marketing the game through various channels to attract players and fans.

To Make a Game, that is popular, involves quite a lot – and the talent needed isn’t going to work for free. Getting it done involves many different skills and areas of expertise. The author, Chris Jones, is working on all of that. I have talent in mind.

Stay tuned.

I have talked about this before -the fact that I’m bringing it up again means I have not, and will not, drop the idea. Full transparency – I’ve done nothing but think about making a game since I wrote the last article about making a game.

Make a Game - Chris Jones Gaming
Chris Jones Gaming SciFi

Blaseball’s Boom

Musicals and Music video, fan animations and artwork…. for a fantasy baseball browser game?

It’s indeed the case!

Blaseball is an absurdist online baseball game that was split into “seasons” (a la Apex Legends) with a rulebook with chunks that are redacted for the player. There’s a shop with in-game items purchased with in-game money won by backing teams, similar to various irl fantasy leagues.

The trick with this game is the unusual stats, the ability for you (as a player) to vote on actions of the teams or rules of the game, and “blessings” (random powerups) get randomly assigned to the blaseball players on the teams, like “performance enhancing demons” and “bloodlust”.

The trick is both in choice making, and knowing the players enough to decide which teams to bet on.

For fans, the joy is in the story telling, the characters, the competition, and the eagerness of waiting for your team to win.

Chris Jones Gaming

Passionate about Gaming and want a place to write?

I Love Gaming! I Love E3, Gamescom, and anything related to new games and the industry as a whole. I Love reporting on games and hearing about them. Alas, I do not have time to pursue that passion as my life has taken a different turn. Chris Jones Gaming came into fame when we had a team modifying Star Trek: Legacy. I will not ever shut down Chris Jones Gaming – and on that note I am making the following offer:

I want to give someone FULL CONTROL over this website with regard to gaming news and reviews. No Gambling sites, lol. Seriously – If you are passionate about the gaming industry and want to write reviews, talk about new releases, or ANYTHING related to the video game industry for any Platform – please call me 518-223-6044 or email chrisjones@chrisjonesgaming.net.

I am very serious about this, and will conduct interviews. You would need  to be familiar with WordPress – if you have a theme suggestion I am all eyes and ears. 

Again – I am 100% Serious – call me 518-223-6044 or email chrisjones@chrisjonesgaming.net.

 

Passionate About Gaming
Gaming News and the Ultimate Universe