Fertile Publishing Grounds: Positive Impact Games & ByteRockers’ Games Plant Partnership for The Regreening

The Regreening is a soilpunk fairytale about restoring nature and making a home in a folklore-inspired world

 
 
2026 - Berlin, Germany | Indie publisher ByteRockers’ Games signs on The Regreening developer Positive Impact Games.
 
After a successful first venture into publishing last year with the relaxing kingdom-builder Let Them Trade by Spaceflower, followed by the promising partnership with the young talent creating the atmospheric poem-writing adventure OKU at Irox Games, this third title fully cements ByteRockers’ Games as a supporter of small studios with a strong vision.

    “We are excited about the new partnership with a rising indie team that, at the same time, brings a wealth of industry experience. This women-led powerhouse of a studio impressed us right from the start, just as much as the core game idea of restoration itself. An important and beautiful topic without the usual ‘serious games’ touch. We aim to help this team achieve the success they absolutely deserve.” — Maik Reichelt, CEO of ByteRockers’ Games 

The Regreening calls itself a soilpunk fairytale: a farming simulation about restoring a deserted world and getting back in touch with nature. Players meet ancient spirits based on Baltic folklore and explore the state of their new home at their own pace. The satisfying transformation of the environment through gardening, crafting, and befriending the local fauna captures the genuine joy of living in tune with your surroundings. ​
 

This is the debut game of Positive Impact Games: a Hamburg-based remote studio founded in 2024 by industry veterans who were awarded the Gamecity Hamburg Prototype Fund. ​

The Regreening - Official Announcement Trailer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9LxtEKE4RE):

 
 

The studio is led by Managing Director Volha Kapitonava, an experienced Producer and Mentor with Marketing background. She is flanked by Creative Director Marie-Anne Hachey (prev. gamigo, THREAKS), Technical Director Merve Meszaros (Engineer with 10 years' experience and renowned Public Speaker), and Art Director Max Besseling (prev. Grinding Gear Games).
 

    “Teaming up with ByteRockers' Games felt like finding our people. Their excitement for The Regreening and their love for meaningful, cozy games perfectly match where our hearts are. As a team rooted in care, craft, and community, we couldn’t ask for a better partner to help us grow our first title.” — Volha Kapitonava, Managing Director of Positive Impact Games

 

As a team, they aim to make wholesome & cozy games that uplift, connect, and inspire change by addressing important contemporary topics. When asked what makes their games special, they cite “the power of play to transform” as core to designing games that build you up and strengthen the soul.
 
Q1 2026 remains a busy time for publisher ByteRockers’ Games, who are currently preparing for the launch of their in-house coding bullet heaven Net.Attack().
 

About The Game

The Regreening is a cozy simulation game about restoring nature in a soilpunk fairytale. Grow plants to create living ecosystems, become friends with ancient spirits, make your own upcycling hub, and hug ALL the animals!
 

Can you transform this deserted world into a joyful home again?
 

Key Features

•     Plant & Cultivate: Discover new seeds, choose which animal habitats to restore, learn powerful plant synergies, and create beautiful living biomes according to your vision.


•     Recycle & Craft: Clean up old junk to collect crafting materials and upcycle them into beautiful decorations for your home, or powerful watering systems for your plants.


•     Befriend Folklore Spirits: Meet mythical nature spirits willing to give you mighty abilities in exchange for your help (and maybe a few shiny objects.)


•     Enjoy the Fruits of Your Care: Harvest flowers and berries to plant in new areas or to give as gifts to your favourite animals and friends.


•     Made for cozy gamers: The Regreening offers a completely stress-free experience with no timers or pressure, where every gentle action helps nature recover, wrapped in a rich atmosphere with adaptive music and ASMR-like forest sounds, guided by intuitive mechanics and heartfelt folklore storytelling.

About Positive Impact Games

Positive Impact Games is a women-led studio based in Hamburg and founded in 2024 by five experienced games industry veterans. They are a multicultural team that makes wholesome and cozy games that uplift, connect, and inspire change by addressing important contemporary topics. Their debut game is The Regreening, a cozy soilpunk simulation game.

positive-games.com

 

About ByteRockers’ Games

Berlin-based development studio and publisher of indie games that loves to rock n' roll. Currently working on the code-based bullet hell Net.Attack() and a space-themed mining simulator named Exovia, the company has a long track record of releasing quality games since 2018.

As publishing partner and proud resident of the German games capital, supporting small teams with fresh ideas has become the signature of ByteRockers' Games, who make a point to show face at local events of all sizes and even take on the role as industry advocate with the politicians and media in town.

byterockers.games
 

Copyright © 2026 ByteRockers' Games, All rights reserved.
 



Article by: Susan N.

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Relax with a New Horse Riding Simulator Demo on Steam Ahead of Release!

A free demo of Storm Horse Simulator, a relaxing simulator with adventure and light survival elements, has been available on PC since May 6. Players can explore an open world of wild horses and charming lands. The full game will release on PC in 2026, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions to follow.

Storm Horse Simulator is being developed by INDIE FORGE STUDIOS S.R.L., and the game’s publisher is Ultimate Games S.A.

Gallop towards freedom and save the herd!

Storm Horse Simulator is a cozy adventure game with simulator elements, set in an open world. The player takes on the role of a wild horse named Storm, the son of the legendary Amadeus. Humans have broken up the herd, but not every human in this story is an enemy. The main plot focuses on rescuing the scattered herd and restoring balance in relations with humans.

Storm Horse Simulator offers an open world with forests, mountains, deserts, plains, and rivers. The adventure features a day-and-night cycle and a dynamic weather system.

The gameplay features simple controls and deep mechanics for simulation fans, combining nature exploration, light survival elements, and a peaceful narrative.

The developers place great emphasis on advanced solutions regarding herd behavior. Caring for the animals’ condition, searching for food and water, and avoiding threats are also important. The player also decides the character's and the entire herd's development.

Since May 6, a free demo of Storm Horse Simulator has been available on Steam, featuring 6 story missions that introduce the adventure. These missions present the game world and main characters. After completing them, you can try optional challenges.

In the Storm Horse Simulator Demo, players can test the main gameplay mechanics, including caring for and protecting the herd, exploring parts of the open world, and responding to threats. In the full version, the game will offer significantly more missions, expanded mechanics, and completely new gameplay elements.

Storm Horse Simulator – Key Features:

• An open world adventure and simulation game;
• Relaxing gameplay with accessible controls;
• A charming world of wild horses;
• Various lands with a dynamic weather system;
• Caring for and developing the herd.

The full version of Storm Horse Simulator will be released on PC in 2026. The game is also planned to be released on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Article by: Susan N.

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Wordbound by Kettle Games is Headed to Steam

VANCOUVER, CANADA, MAY 6, 2026 | The viral words-to-life puzzle game 'Wordbound' is coming to Steam and is available to wishlist now, Kettle Games announced in a new gameplay teaser during the Creature Feature & Friends Showcase.

Footage of the mixed reality version of the game went viral last summer, gathering over 10M views across social media, showcasing unique gameplay where 3D objects are stretched to transform into words made of letter tiles, and words are squished to transform into 3D objects. 

In contrast to the mixed reality footage shown previously, the latest teaser shows the words-to-life mechanic translated to flatscreen using mouse controls.

“After Wordbound's positive reception last year, we grew the team and our vision has become more ambitious,” says lead developer Andy Bacon. “We're excited to tease this glow up of the game and bring it to a wider audience with the flatscreen version on Steam.”

Kettle Games also showed new footage of the mixed reality version in a companion teaser during the showcase and confirmed the two versions of Wordbound are being developed simultaneously.

You can wishlist Wordbound now on Steam and Meta Quest.

About Wordbound

Wordbound is a cozy puzzle game where you transform words into objects to repair a scrambled world. Explore vibrant dioramas full of hidden clues and collect letter tiles to bring words to life. Discover thousands of handcrafted objects as you become a master wordsmith!

About Kettle Games

Kettle Games is an independent video game developer exploring the future of play. Founded in 2025 by Andy Bacon (DAVIGO, Apple) and based in Vancouver, Canada, the studio’s debut title is the upcoming puzzle game Wordbound for PC and Meta Quest 3/3S.

Article by: Susan N.

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Cozy New Creature Collector Game Bobo Bay Launches on April 29th!

United States, April 2, 2026 | Bobo Bay, a relaxing and colorful island adventure brought to you by NewFutureKids, will officially launch on Steam on April 29th, 2026.

Blending exploration, creativity, and laid-back gameplay, Bobo Bay invites players to escape to a tropical world where they can train Bobos, partake in friendly (sometimes) competitions, and immerse themselves in a peaceful seaside experience. With its charming aesthetic and adorably retro design, the game offers a welcoming retreat for players seeking both relaxation and cuteness.

Key Features of Bobo Bay

• Collect and raise a wide variety of unique Bobos
• Compete in fun, lighthearted challenges and events
• A vibrant island setting full of charm and personality
• Relaxing, exploration-driven gameplay
• Creative customization and trait-breeding elements

With its official release just weeks away, Bobo Bay is poised to deliver a refreshing indie experience with a retro, Chao Garden inspired twist, perfect for players looking to unwind, collect adorable creatures, and prove themselves competitively.

What is Bobo Bay?

Bobo Bay is a charming pet simulation and creature collecting game that combines creativity, strategy, and competition into an engaging blend of exploration and challenge. In the game, players collect, mash (breed), accessorize, and train adorable little creatures called Bobos - each with unique appearances, traits, and personalities - as they prepare to compete in races and other scheduled competitions across the world of Starling Isle.

At the heart of Bobo Bay is its deep customization system: Bobos come in thousands of combinations of body shapes, colors, patterns, eye styles, stats, and mood traits, allowing players to craft truly one-of-a-kind companions. Throughout their lifecycle, Bobos evolve from saplings into full-grown buds, and players may even unlock new opportunities to help them sprout into evolved forms with different features and competitive strengths.

Bobo Bay Aerial Town

The game’s world is richly detailed with a cute central town where players can explore shops for accessories, register new Bobos, visit the doctor, drop them off at camp, adopt from shelters, or buy snacks to enhance their performance. In addition to traditional races, players can tackle structured progression tracks called Sagas, complete a variety of Trials, and even challenge legendary Bobo Stars - special rivals that, if defeated, reward players with rare saplings of the same species.

Whether traversing serene environments in search of new Bobos or strategizing which traits and outfits will give them the edge in competition, Bobo Bay emphasizes player choice, community engagement, and replayability. Its cozy vibe, vibrant visuals, and blend of simulation and racing elements make it appealing to fans of both creature-collecting games and relaxed, creative worlds.

Where can I play Bobo Bay?

You can download the Bobo Bay Demo via Steam today, with full release scheduled for April 29th, 2026.

If you’re interested in staying in the loop on all things Bobo Bay and the plans for future content, everyone is invited to join the Official Discord server, where feedback and suggestions are always welcome!

Article by: Susan N.

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Experience Parenthood Through the Eyes of Unique Puzzle Game in Escape the Baby Alarm's Demo

Aarhus, Denmark – March 24, 2026 | When Danish mother and game developer Julie Normann Bjørnskov became a parent, she realized something was missing from the games she loved. Parenthood, especially motherhood, was rarely portrayed as a real, complex experience. With Escape the Baby Alarm, she set out to create the kind of game she couldn’t find. Now, she invites players to get a sneak peek of her work through a public demo on Steam.

Escape the Baby Alarm is a short, relaxing puzzle game built around escape-room inspired challenges. It’s an honest and cozy take on the chaos and love of early parenthood, reshaping the noise, mess, and constant mental juggling of the first year into something calm and playable. The game is coming soon to PC and mobile.

“Escape the Baby Alarm is a personal and heartfelt project for me,” says Julie Normann Bjørnskov, creator of the game. “It’s my way of transforming the messy and beautiful reality of parenthood into something playful and interactive.I’m creating it not only because parenting is an important theme that deserves far more space in the games industry, but also because it’s creatively irresistible. Parenthood is full of unexpectedly funny moments.Those moments translate surprisingly well into gameplay. For me, this project is about honoring those experiences and turning them into something warm, relatable, and joyfully playable.”

Escape the Baby Alarm’s story unfolds through a series of hand-drawn scenes where players solve visual puzzles inspired by everyday life as a new parent, from stepping on rice in their socks to facing the quiet fear of not doing well enough, both practically and emotionally. The experience moves through the many layers of becoming a parent and builds toward a confrontation with the “Am I a Good Mother?” monster. Blending an interactive comic style with classic point-and-click gameplay, the game creates a calm narrative space where small clues are woven naturally into the visuals.

Key Features

• Short, relaxing puzzle experience
• Escape-room inspired challenges set in everyday family life
• Hand-drawn scenes filled with small, visual clues
• Puzzles drawn from real moments, from rice on the floor to tired mornings
• Calm gameplay with no time pressure

A playable demo of Escape the Baby Alarm is available on Steam. Julie invites parents, and anyone who enjoys wholesome puzzle games, to wishlist the game and follow its development to stay up to date.

About Julie Normann Bjørnskov

Julie Normann Bjørnskov is a Danish game developer with a background in interactive design. Her creative practice spans illustration, animation, sound, music, graphic design, and game development. She began making games after returning from maternity leave, initially creating titles for the Playdate console. Her debut game was staff-picked in the Playdate store, featured in Wholesome Direct, and received the “Leap of Faith” game award. Through her work, Julie explores parenthood as an honest, emotionally real theme in games.

Article by: Susan N.

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Bobo Bay Releasing in April of This Year!

United States, February 23, 2026 | Steam Next Fest is a shining global spotlight on hundreds of upcoming titles, and Bobo Bay recently participated in the highly anticipated digital celebration. Hosted on Steam, the week-long event invites players worldwide to explore, download, and experience free demos from some of the most exciting indie and emerging games currently in development.

As part of the festival, Bobo Bay is launching a demo, offering some players their first hands-on opportunity to explore its colorful world and engaging gameplay systems. Designed to capture the heart of discovery and creativity, Bobo Bay welcomes players into its lively coastal setting where adventure, charm, and player-driven exploration take center stage. 

Bobo Bay

Steam Next Fest has become one of the most influential discovery events in the gaming calendar, providing developers with direct access to a global audience while giving players a curated preview of future releases. Throughout the festival, participants can tune into developer livestreams, join community discussions, and wishlist their favorite upcoming titles. For Bobo Bay, this moment represents both a celebration of progress and an important step toward full launch in April.

The Bobo Bay demo showcases key features that define the experience, offering a guided introduction to its core mechanics while leaving ample room for experimentation and replayability. Players can explore vibrant seaside environments, collect little creatures called Bobos, train them to participate in competitions, and meet the friendly NPCs in town.

From its inviting aesthetic to its thoughtful design philosophy, Bobo Bay emphasizes accessibility and immersion. The world encourages curiosity, rewarding players who take the time to experiment and explore.

Community engagement plays a central role in Bobo Bay’s development journey. During Next Fest, NewFutureKids will actively gather player feedback, monitor impressions, and evaluate gameplay data to improve Bobo Bay before April release. There will also be a community event running on the Official Bobo Bay Discord where fans can take screenshots of their favorite Bobos and submit the images for a chance to win an exclusive prize.

Official Bobo Bay Discord

What is Bobo Bay?

Bobo Bay is a charming pet simulation and creature collecting game that combines creativity, strategy, and competition into an engaging blend of exploration and challenge. In the game, players collect, mash (breed), accessorize, and train adorable little creatures called Bobos - each with unique appearances, traits, and personalities - as they prepare to compete in races and other scheduled competitions across the world of Starling Isle. 

At the heart of Bobo Bay is its deep customization system: Bobos come in thousands of combinations of body shapes, colors, patterns, eye styles, stats, and mood traits, allowing players to craft truly one-of-a-kind companions. Throughout their lifecycle, Bobos evolve from saplings into full-grown buds, and players may even unlock new opportunities to help them sprout into evolved forms with different features and competitive strengths.

The game’s world is richly detailed with a cute central town where players can explore shops for accessories, register new Bobos, visit the doctor, drop them off at camp, adopt from shelters, or buy snacks to enhance their performance. In addition to traditional races, players can tackle structured progression tracks called Sagas, complete a variety of Trials, and even challenge legendary Bobo Stars - special rivals that, if defeated, reward players with rare saplings of the same species.

Whether traversing serene environments in search of new Bobos or strategizing which traits and outfits will give them the edge in competition, Bobo Bay emphasizes player choice, community engagement, and replayability. Its cozy vibe, vibrant visuals, and blend of simulation and racing elements make it appealing to fans of both creature-collecting games and relaxed, creative worlds. 

Where can I play Bobo Bay?

You can download the Bobo Bay Demo via Steam, with a full release planned in April this year.

You can also play Bobo Bay through Patreon!

If you’re interested in staying in the loop on all things Bobo Bay and the plans for future content, everyone is invited to join the Official Discord server, where feedback and suggestions are always welcome!

Article by: Susan N.

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Metro Sim Hustle Available on PlayStation 5!

Metro Sim Hustle is available on PlayStation 5 from February 19. This unique simulator combines metro driving with street life in an open-world city. Metro Sim Hustle was previously released on PC, where it received a positive reception from players.

Metro Sim Hustle was created by the independent Canadian studio Departure Interactive, also known for Bartender Hustle and Denizen. The game first launched on PC in 2021 and currently holds 76% positive user reviews on Steam. Ultimate Games S.A. is handling the PlayStation 5 release.

Metro driving and street life

Metro Sim Hustle is a unique simulator that blends metro driving with street life, featuring raw emotions and satirical takes on city survival.

The game lets players operate a metro system with full control over a suburban train. Players must manage the timetable, monitor speed, stop at platforms, and handle passenger service.

In Metro Sim Hustle, players must also take care of the character’s basic needs, including food, personal hygiene, mental health, and housing. In all of these areas, the developers offer a wide range of options and a high degree of player freedom.

Players can also take part in numerous side activities and tasks in the open-world city. These include completing various jobs, helping city residents, fighting in an arena, or taking on more questionable assignments. In Metro Sim Hustle, players can visit locations such as shops, bars, an arcade, a casino, and a nightclub.

Metro Sim Hustle – Key Features:

• metro and street-life simulator;
• realistic metro driving mechanics;
• engaging side activities;
• a wealth of attractions in an open-world city;
• character and apartment management.

Metro Sim Hustle was released on PlayStation 5 on February 19, 2026.

Article by: Susan N.

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Decorate Competitive Venues with Style in Sports Renovations Today!

Montpellier, France – March 27, 2025. Polish indie developer Goat Gamez and French independent publisher Dear Villagers are excited to announce that Sports: Renovations is available now on Steam at a price of $24,99 with a launch discount of 20% during the first 2 weeks. Players can now get their hands on this relaxing simulator and put their renovation skills and gear to the test as they tidy, clean, repaint and repair old sports venues to ultimately save their local basketball club, which they have to restore completely in Sports: Renovations. 

Players will rebuild the glory of old gyms, courts, and pitches, access to a wide range of tools and equipment, and upgrade them during their journey across venues filled with memories and souvenirs tied to the glory of former champions or full of hopes for future generations of athletes, in a wholesome storyline. 

Along with the Goat Gamez team, Dear Villagers has also made the decision to delay the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of Sports: Renovations at a later date in order to make sure players can play to the best version possible on consoles. They will let players know about the new release date for the console versions when they are confident that the game can be experienced with the same level of enjoyment as on PC.

MAIN FEATURES

• Renovate dilapidated sports facilities;
• Immerse yourself in a wholesome storyline and complete side quests;
• Buy new tools and upgrade the equipment you already own;
• Earn money for your renovation jobs and use it to expand your base of operations – each room unlocked will add some perks;
• Buy cosmetic items you can place around your office;
• Collect memorabilia in your Trophy Showcase and discover the history of sports.

Use the money you earn to upgrade your equipment and expand your headquarters – each unlocked room comes with its own perks, advantages and sometimes with a little side quest.

Along with the hard work they will perform, players will have to put on their interior designer hat as they will buy and place items around several work sites and their own base of operation: a derelict basketball court in their hometown. Collect trash, clean up the dirt from walls and floors, give the place a fresh coat of paint, fix broken fixtures, furnish and decorate the place. Remember to take a photo before and after to prove how good a job you did!

About Goat Gamez

Goat Gamez SA is a video game developer and producer founded by Movie Games and Robert Lewandowski. The company focuses on creating sports-themed games, which it approaches in an unconventional way: Goat Gamez games focus on sports emotions shown from an unusual perspective, including from behind the scenes.

About Dear Villagers

Based in the South of France, in sunny Montpellier, we are a boutique publishing label composed of a team of twenty people. Open-minded and versatile, Dear Villagers offers handcrafted marketing and production guidance. Our mission: We tell memorable stories through memorable games. We love pixels, but we believe in people.

Article by: Susan N.

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