No More Robots
No More Robots business and news from across the web.
Thank You For Your Application Is an Interview Sim, Out NowThe indie RPG and simulation game Thank You For Your Application, developed and published by IceLemonTea Studio with No More Robots, is now available on Steam for PC. The game puts players in the role of a junior interviewer tasked with deciding the fate of job applicants, exploring themes of corporate loyalty and worker struggles. Console and mobile versions are planned for later this year.
'Larger budgets and longer schedules do not lead to better games:' Thank You For Your Application recoups dev costs in 22 hoursThe narrative-driven interview simulator Thank You For Your Application, developed by IceLemonTea Studio and published by No More Robots, recouped its development costs within 22 hours of its Steam launch. Publisher No More Robots founder Mike Rose stated the game had a five-figure budget and emphasized that larger budgets and longer schedules do not necessarily lead to better games. The title is also slated for release on consoles and mobile later this year.- Thank You For Your Application has made its development costs back in under 24 hoursThe narrative-driven interview simulation game, Thank You For Your Application, developed by IceLemonTea Studio and published by No More Robots, has recouped its development costs in under 24 hours solely from its Steam launch. The game features resume screening, branching narrative choices, life management, and online shopping elements. Console and mobile versions are planned for release later this year.
Pixel multiplayer roguelike game Another Door announcedPublisher No More Robots and developer Mizar and Alcor Interactive have announced Another Door, a turn-based roguelike game with a pixel art style. The game supports up to four players online or locally and is set to release on PC via Steam later this year. A playable demo is currently available.
Free Play Days – No More Robots TakeoverNo More Robots is celebrating its 10th anniversary with an Xbox Free Play Days event, allowing Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members to play select titles for free from June 4th to June 7th. Games available include Little Rocket Lab, Spirittea, Soccer Story, Descenders, Let's Build a Zoo, Hypnospace Outlaw, Slayers X, Nowhere Prophet, and Family Man, with many also playable on PC via Xbox Play Anywhere. Additionally, Descenders is available for all Xbox players to try during the event.
Thank You For You Application launches June 19thThank You For Your Application, developed by IceLemonTea Studio and published by No More Robots, will be released on June 19th. A new demo is also available, featuring controller support, bug fixes, and additional content. The game places players in the role of a junior interviewer at a major corporation, tasked with vetting applicants while navigating a surveillance state and managing their own finances.
The future of European publishing is diversity, not concentration | OpinionDespite financial struggles at major European publishers like Ubisoft and Embracer, the continent's game publishing sector is thriving with smaller, focused companies. These firms prioritize creative niches, sensible scale, and long-term stability over rapid growth, producing successful titles across various genres and demonstrating a diverse and healthy industry landscape.- Thank You For Your Application.Thank You For Your Application, a politically-driven document checking game developed by IceLemonTea Studio and published by No More Robots, is set to launch on Steam on June 19. Players will act as interviewers, screening resumes and issuing letters based on company requirements, with multiple story branches and endings influenced by player choices.
'A scope document is not your plan:' Laying the groundwork for indie successBlossom Arcade founder Sophie Smart advises indie developers to distinguish between a scope document and a concrete plan, emphasizing the need for milestones and goals. She recommends the Scrum framework for iterative development and open communication, while cautioning against the rigid Waterfall methodology which can lead to production bottlenecks.- 150+ game devs promote “Fake OS” Steam tag for InterfaceX26 Steam Sale & ShowcaseOver 150 game developers and publishers are collaborating on InterfaceX26, a week-long Steam sale and livestream event from April 27 to May 4. The initiative aims to establish "Fake OS" as an official Steam tag for games that simulate operating systems or digital interfaces. Players can support the campaign by tagging relevant games on Steam.
Papers, Please dev, Lucas Pope, isn't talking about new game due to AI concernsDeveloper Lucas Pope, known for Papers, Please and Return of the Obra Dinn, is withholding details about his new game due to concerns about artificial intelligence. He expressed worries that AI could be used to copy or exploit his work, impacting the creative process he values. Pope is not interested in using AI to speed up development, emphasizing the importance of understanding all aspects of game creation.
'Video games are cooked' — founder of No More Robots condemns gen AI in gaming and says 'from a publisher perspective, it's mega annoying'Mike Rose, founder of No More Robots, has strongly criticized the use of generative AI in video games, stating that it makes the industry 'cooked' from a publisher's perspective. He notes the increasing prevalence of AI-generated content in game demos and art, making it harder for publishers to compete. Rose believes that despite negative sentiment, AI usage in games is inevitable and will continue to grow.
"Video games are cooked": Publisher head says "it doesn't matter" how many of us hate gen AI, Pandora's box has opened and "it's gonna get used now"Mike Rose, founder of No More Robots, believes generative AI's integration into game development is irreversible, likening it to Pandora's box. He notes the increasing prevalence of AI-generated assets in game demos and the competitive pressure it creates for publishers. Despite player backlash, Rose asserts that the ease of AI tools will lead to their widespread adoption, fundamentally changing how games are made.
How does Papers, Please creator Lucas Pope deal with sharing his work in this era of AI? A severe lack of postingLucas Pope, the creator of Papers, Please and Return of the Obra Dinn, is hesitant to share details about his current projects due to concerns about AI content scraping. He expressed this sentiment during a podcast appearance, noting that the current internet climate makes him uncomfortable discussing his work in progress. Pope also reflected on the pressure of following up his critically acclaimed titles.
Return of the Obra Dinn developer Lucas Pope doesn't feel comfortable talking about new projects because maybe they'll be "slurped up by AI"Indie developer Lucas Pope, known for Papers, Please and Return of the Obra Dinn, is hesitant to discuss his upcoming projects due to concerns about them being "slurped up by AI" or copied. He expressed this sentiment on the "Mike & Rami Are Still Here" podcast, noting a general discomfort with revealing work-in-progress details in the current climate. Pope also reflected on his past successes and whether he should continue developing new titles.
Papers, Please creator Lucas Pope no longer feels comfortable talking about work-in-progress games: 'the situation…Indie developer Lucas Pope, known for Papers, Please and Return of the Obra Dinn, expressed discomfort discussing his current work-in-progress games due to industry trends like AI and potential copying. He also reflected on whether he might retire on a high note after his previous successes.
"Weird and bats**t" Steam launch of two different indie games with the same name ended in 3x more sales than expected: "It all absolutely popped off"Two unrelated indie games, both titled "Piece by Piece," launched on Steam around the same time, leading to unexpected sales boosts for developer Gamkat and publisher No More Robots. This naming coincidence resulted in roughly triple the expected sales and a significant increase in wishlists, as many players purchased the games as a bundle.
Two indie games with the same name accidentally launched days apart, so the devs averted disaster by working together: "I made back what I put into the game in the first 24 hours"Two unrelated indie games, both titled Piece by Piece, launched on Steam days apart. The developers, Neon Polygons and Gamkat, collaborated with publisher No More Robots to create a bundle deal, which has led to success and positive community reception for both titles.
'We're honoured to share the same name': Two indie devs accidentally released games with the same name only days apart and it ended in the most wholesome way possibleTwo indie games, both titled 'Piece by Piece,' were accidentally released on Steam within days of each other. The developers from Neon Polygons and Gamkat connected and handled the situation amicably, even creating a discounted bundle for both games. This wholesome resolution highlights a positive approach to unexpected coincidences in the crowded indie game market.
Respawn, PlayStation Studios and EA Full Circle among first speakers for Develop:Brighton 2026Develop:Brighton has announced its first speakers for the 2026 conference, including representatives from Respawn Entertainment, PlayStation Studios, and EA's Full Circle studio. The event, scheduled for July 14-16, will feature talks on game development, marketing, audio design, and business strategy from various industry professionals.