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In collaboration with Double Fine Productions and iam8bit, Day of the Devs is an annual celebration of all things indie in the video game space. In essence, it’s an opportunity to showcase the rich and diverse catalogue of independently developed titles that are coming down the pipeline in the foreseeable future.
From chill sims to addictive RPGs to nerve-racking horror experiences, and everything in-between, there’s bound to be several projects on this list that will undoubtedly pique your interest. So, with that all in mind, let’s dive into all the video games that were revealed, teased, and announced at Day of the Devs 2024. Let’s do it!
Simpler Times
Kicking off the showcase, we have the soothing relax ’em up, Simpler Times. Players take on the role of Taina, who gets to relive focal memories from her life through dusty old records, toys from yesteryear, and nostalgia-tinged photographs. Interestingly, the game features “no score, no timer, no combat”. And is more centered around those comfy good vibes you experienced in your youth.
Simpler Times is now available on Steam.
Battle Vision Network
Up next, we have the World Premiere of Capybara Games’ PvP puzzle-battler, Battle Vision Network. Combining color-matching puzzle gameplay with deep turn-based tactics, this zany arcade-style puzzler is being billed as the spiritual successor to 2009’s Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes. Tonally, the game is loosely inspired by the Eurovision Song Contest, meaning fashion and style is high up on the agenda.
Battle Vision Network is coming to mobile, PC, and console in 2025.
Cairn
It’s fair to say that mountain-climbing is largely an unexplored summit in video games. That’s all about to change, however, as The Game Bakers premiered its next project, which is all about scaling a mountain that has never been explored before. From the creators behind 2016’s Furi and 2020’s Haven, Cairn tasks players with surviving a deadly climb while balancing resources, managing pitons, and choosing the best route to take.
Cairn is scheduled to arrive on PC and consoles in 2025.
Petal Runner
The next World Premiere was Petal Runner, which is an 8-bit style open world RPG, with gorgeous hand-drawn anime cutscenes that is reminiscent of early Pokemon titles. You join a duo of friends called Cali and Kira who’re special motorcycle couriers known in-game as Petal Runners. Players will need to make deliveries, befriend new companions, take part in minigames, and unravel a sweet and wholesome coming-of-age story.
Petal Runner is expected to come to PC later this year.
Karma: The Dark World
If you’re on the hunt for something a little more Lovecraftian, Orwellian, or horror-themed, then Karma: The Dark World may just be the perfect blood-splattered ticket. In this first-person psychological thriller, players enter an eerie and dystopian world ruled by the oppressive Leviathan Corporation. Unspeakable body horror? Check. Disturbing imagery? You got it. A downtrodden population with TVs on their bonce? Wow, you’re a mind reader!
Karma: The Dark World is expected to arrive on PC,
UFO50
If one new game wasn’t enough for you, then how about 50? Now we have your attention. Yes, UFO50 serves as a portal into your favorite old-school console. Essentially, it’s a compilation of 50 games, which run the gamut between platformers, shoot ’em ups, puzzlers, roguelites, and RPGs. Mossmouth — the team behind Spelunky and Spelunky 2 — emphasise that these are no mere minigames, either. In fact, half of the games feature couch co-op or multiplayer, and thankfully, the entire catalogue is unlocked from the off. Phew!
UFO50 is scheduled to launch on Steam on September 18, 2024.
Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit
Spry Fox officially premiered the sequel to its 2021 award-winning life sim, Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit. In the follow-up, players must help ghostly bears find peace in a world where kindness is at the heart of everything. Craft, build, explore in a camping island adventure that’s both cute and a teeny-weeny bit spooky. While it’s planned to arrive exclusively on Netflix, the Seattle-based studio promises that there’ll be no extra fees, in-game ads, or in-app purchases.
Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit is scheduled to launch on June 25, 2024 exclusively for Netflix users.
Koira
Koira is an enchanting dialogue-free adventure through a musical forest. You assume the role of the eponymous cat, and must protect your wee doggo from the hazards lurking in the dark. Each character and animal is represented by a different instrument and there’s even as singing mechanic that awakens the local flora and fauna. If you’re into emotional and wholesome journeys, this one is for you.
There’s no set release date locked in for Koira yet, but a demo is arriving on Steam this summer.
Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure
Step into the peculiar shoes of Jemma in Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure, a unique 2D RPG from the artist behind Braid, the designer behind Ethereal, and the writer behind Carto. Embark on a journey of self-discovery as you manoeuver through a strange world ruled by fear. The core concept revolves around movement; when Jemma moves, objects on the same row move with her. If she gets to the end, she loops back. Of course, Furniture & Mattress have a lot of fun designing head-scratching puzzles and absorbing encounters around this core mechanic.
Arranger: A Role-Playing Adventure is slated to arrive on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Netflix on July 25, 2024.
Fear the Spotlight
Rendered using PlayStation 1-era visuals, this spine-chilling ode to the golden age of classic survival horror sees players creeping into a haunted school at night. Seances gone awry, mind-bending puzzles, and horrifying mysteries await as you attempt to unravel a long-forgotten secret from decades ago.
Fear the Spotlight launches on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5,
Screenbound
When it comes to sheer innovation, Screenbound was arguably the most eye-catching game on the roster. Combining 2D and 3D environments, the player must control their way through a myriad of obstacles and hazards using both first-person and 2D perspectives… at the same time! Imagine Fez and Portal had a baby and you’d be on the right track.
There’s currently no release date for Screenbound, though we expect it sometime in 2025 for PC.
Zoochosis
Bodycam experiences are becoming increasingly more common these days and Zoochosis blends this immersive perspective with body horror thrills akin to John Carpenter’s The Thing. You play the role of a zookeeper who must identify infected mutant monstrosities, synthesise a vaccine, and take on the not-so-easy task of curing them all. There’s even a giraffe that transforms into a monster from your worst nightmares. We’re sold!
Expect this first-person horror adventure to hit Steam this summer.
Tom the Postgirl
Who doesn’t like a spot of people watching, eh? Well, little ol’ Tom has a big soft spot for stalking innocently watching the weird and wonderful inhabitants of her town. Explore a strange and mysterious world bursting with personality as you assume the role of Tom the Postgirl, who must deliver packages and, well… watch random people carrying out increasingly disturbing hobbies. It looks surprisingly compelling for such a simple premise, largely thanks to its gorgeous, hand-drawn art-style.
Tom the Postgirl is slated to arrive on PC in Q3, 2025.
Psychroma
Set in a dark dystopian future, Psychroma is a side-scrolling narrative adventure where players assume the role of a digital medium named Haze. Trapped inside a derelict, dilapidated house, you must piece together the past by collecting memory cards, navigating environmental puzzles, and using the game’s unique tarot system that allows players to be possessed by others’ old memories, while experiencing non-linear time. Reminiscent of Lone Survivor with a cybernetic Observer twist, Psychroma delves into themes of identity, violence, oppression, and what it means to be human.
Psychroma is expected to launch on PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5,
Building Relationships
Out of all the games on today’s Day of the Devs roster, it’s safe to say that Building Relationships is possibly the weirdest and most bizarre. And I mean that as a compliment! In it, you assume control of a house who is on the hunt for love. Yep, you read that right. You’ll roll, jump, and chat to the locals, who are also — you guessed it — made of brick and mortar, too. Apparently, it’s not strictly just a dating sim, though it definitely possesses elements of that particular sub-genre. Plus, you can go fishing… for cars. Sign us up!
Building Relationships is expected to launch on Steam later this year.
A Little to the Left: Seeing Stars
Sometimes, there’s simply nothing better than getting your organising on! And with Seeing Stars, the second DLC for the acclaimed laidback 2022 puzzler, you’ll be in your element thanks to 33 more messes to tidy up, and 100 more stars to unlock. Oh, and there’ll be more cats. I mean, more cats makes everything better, right? It’s a scientific fact.
Seeing Stars will launch on Steam (Mac & PC), Nintendo Switch,
Hello Again
Time loops are the du jour at the moment, and Hello Again takes this idea and combines it with super cozy vibes and an island brimming with strange, quirky locals and ancient ruins. There are plenty of puzzles, a visual novel-esque narrative, and a super chill soundtrack to keep you company as you explore. Essentially, Hello Again is what you’d get if you threw The Outer Wilds, Animal Crossing, and Groundhog Day into a blender. But with less Bill Murray, unfortunately.
Hello Again is slated to launch on Steam in 2025.
While Waiting
From the team behind acclaimed optical illusion-centric puzzler Moncage comes a rather bizarre journey centered around the art of waiting. In it, players will learn the virtue of patience and discover the surprising effects of inaction. With exploration, humor, life lessons, and discovery at the core of the experience, this is an innovative puzzler with both heart and a brain.
While Waiting is scheduled to arrive for PC and mobile in 2025.
After Love EP
If you’re looking for an eclectic mix of narrative adventure, dating sim, and rhythm game, then After Love EP may be the gig you’ll want to book. From the Creative Director behind the award-winning, chin-wagging adventure Coffee Talk, After Love EP boasts beautiful art from renowned Indonesian artist Soyatu. With multiple possible endings and an emotionally resonant story about life, death, and relationships, this is one EP you won’t want to miss.
After Love EP comes to Steam, Nintendo Switch,
Phoenix Springs
Enter a neo-noir world oozing with style in this modern point-and-click adventure. Your task is to find your brother, Leo, who has gone awol. With a stunning graphic novel-esque aesthetic and a colorful cast, players must get to the bottom of this enigmatic mystery by collecting clues and piecing together the past. There’s definitely more to this strange town than meets the eye.
Phoenix Springs is slated to launch on PC and Mac on September 16, 2024.
Tides of Tomorrow
Finally, closing our Day of the Devs 2024, we have the World Premiere of Tides of Tomorrow. From the developer behind Road 96, this multiplayer narrative adventure sees players entering a world known as Elynd, which has been devastated by a large-scale flood. What makes this particular game unique is that your friend’s actions in their game can actually shape your own story, though these ramifications are still pretty mysterious. Nevertheless, color us intrigued!
Tides of Tomorrow is coming to PC, though no release date was confirmed.
