Playstack
Playstack business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
The Mortal Shell 2 open beta was downloaded 250,000 times over the weekend
The open beta for Mortal Shell 2, the sequel to the 2020 action RPG, saw 250,000 downloads over the weekend. Developer Cold Symmetry expressed gratitude for the strong response and is implementing player feedback into the full release, which is planned for later this year. The beta is currently available on Steam.
Star Trek: Outposts Unknown Announced
Magic Fuel Games and Playstack have announced Star Trek: Outposts Unknown, a new outpost building simulation game. The game focuses on the Federation's infrastructure management and is set to release in the same timeframe as Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
This Is the Most Intriguing and Unsettling Game About Fishing Coming to PS5
Playstack and The Water Museum have released a new trailer for the upcoming PlayStation 5 adventure game, About Fishing. The game blends the meditative rhythm of fishing with a quiet mystery, featuring retro visuals and hinting at uneasy truths to be discovered beneath the surface.
Star Trek: Outposts Unknown's demo introduces an upbeat settlement builder, though my crew of clocking-out ship slackers wouldn't last a day in RimWorld
The demo for Star Trek: Outposts Unknown offers a cheerful take on the settlement builder genre, where players assist an alien civilization rather than merely surviving. Unlike typical colony sims, the game features a Starfleet mothership providing support and a place for crew to rest, though managing resources and crew morale remains crucial. The preview notes that while the game is more relaxed, it still requires strategic planning to avoid idle periods and ensure progress.
If you've ever wanted to play Geoguessr with a narrative twist, Locator: The Search for Abigail is what you've…
Locator: The Search for Abigail is a Geoguessr-inspired detective game where players search for a missing archaeologist on an alien planet. The game, developed by Empty Exhibit and published by Playstack, features a narrative twist on location-based guessing mechanics and was recently shown at the PC Gaming Show with updated visuals.
Star Trek: Outposts Unknown announced
Publisher Playstack and developer Magic Fuel Games have announced Star Trek: Outposts Unknown, a new builder and management game set in the Star Trek universe. The game is in development for Windows PC and is scheduled for release later this year. Players will lead their crew across new worlds, researching, exploring, and building outposts while facing a mysterious cosmic force.
Mortal Shell II Open Beta
Cold Symmetry and Playstack have launched an open beta for Mortal Shell II, the sequel to the soulslike action RPG. The beta is available now for Windows on Steam, allowing interested players to test the game.
How to watch the PC Gaming Show 2026, including Exodus extended gameplay reveal highlights
The PC Gaming Show 2026 will air on June 7, featuring over 50 games, including extended gameplay highlights from Exodus. Hosted by Sean "Day[9]" Plott and Mica Burton, with a pre-show hosted by Frankie Ward, the event will showcase world premieres from numerous developers and publishers. The broadcast will be available on multiple platforms including Twitch, YouTube, and Steam.
Backrooms to triple previous A24 opening weekend record at $85+ million
The film adaptation of the internet meme 'Backrooms' has achieved a massive opening weekend, grossing an estimated $85-$88 million, significantly surpassing A24's previous record holder, 'Civil War'. The film's success is noted for its connection to online gaming culture, with director Kane Parsons dreaming in 'Portals' and the film's environments appearing in games like 'Straftat' and 'Roblox'.
A private equity company has acquired Balatro publisher, Playstack
Integrated Media Company, which also owns Fandom, GameSpot, and Metacritic, has acquired Playstack, the publisher of the popular game Balatro. This acquisition marks a significant move in the gaming industry's business landscape.
Balatro publisher Playstack only discovered it because they had a guy checking all the new releases on Steam every day:…
Playstack's head of discovery, Patrick Johnson, explained that the publisher found the hit indie game Balatro by manually checking new Steam releases daily. Despite Balatro having few wishlists initially, Playstack recognized its potential and reached out to developer LocalThunk. The article also mentions Playstack is in the process of being acquired by Integrated Media Company for $151 million.
Owner of Fandom and GameSpot looking to buy Playstack, the publisher of Balatro
VantageCo, a subsidiary of Integrated Media Company which owns Fandom and GameSpot, is looking to acquire an 84.5% stake in the publisher Playstack for £112.4 million. Playstack, known for publishing the award-winning game Balatro, is valued at £125 million. The deal is subject to shareholder approval, but Playstack's owner TruFin's board is recommending shareholders vote in favor.
Balatro publisher Playstack to be sold to GameSpot parent company for around $151 million
TruFin, the parent company of Balatro publisher Playstack, is selling its 84.5% stake in Playstack to VantageCo. VantageCo is a subsidiary of Integrated Media Company, the owner of GameSpot, for approximately $151 million.
Business and Finance
Playstack, the owner of Balatro, has been sold to the parent company of Fandom and GameSpot. Separately, NetEase reported a 6.9% increase in games revenue for Q1, reaching $3.7 billion.
Balatro publisher Playstack could soon belong to the same private equity firm that owns Fandom and GameSpot
Playstack, the publisher behind acclaimed indie titles like Balatro, is set to be acquired by Integrated Media Company, a subsidiary of private equity firm TPG. This move would place Playstack under the same ownership umbrella as Fandom and GameSpot. Despite Playstack's reported success, its current owner, TruFin, is encouraging shareholders to approve the approximately $151 million sale, citing capital allocation strategy.
Fandom and GameSpot owner set to buy Balatro publisher Playstack
Integrated Media Company (IMC), owner of Fandom and Gamespot, has conditionally agreed to purchase Playstack, the publisher behind games like Balatro, from its current owner TruFin for approximately £112.4 million. Playstack CEO Harvey Elliott stated that the change in ownership will not alter the company's strategy or commitment to publishing indie games. TruFin CEO James van den Bergh expressed confidence that IMC is an excellent platform for Playstack's future success.
Nintendo Download: 28th May (North America)
The latest Nintendo Download update for North America features a wide array of new games for the Nintendo Switch eShop. Titles include "Mina The Hollower," "Bluey’s Quest For The Gold Pen," "eFootball Kick-Off!," and "FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH," among many others across various genres. Demos and free trials are also available for select titles.
The owners of Fandom and Gamespot want to acquire Balatro publisher Playstack
Integrated Media Company, owner of Fandom and Gamespot, is set to acquire Balatro publisher Playstack for £112.4 million through its subsidiary VantageCo Limited. The deal, announced by Playstack owner TruFin, is pending shareholder approval. Playstack CEO Harvey Elliott stated that the company's strategy and team will remain unchanged.
Balatro Publisher Playstack Is Being Sold to the Parent Company of GameSpot and Fandom
Playstack, the publisher of the hit game Balatro, is being sold to Integrated Media Company (IMC), which also owns Fandom and GameSpot. TruFin, Playstack's majority owner, announced the sale for approximately £112.4 million, with the deal valuing the company at around £125 million pending shareholder approval. Playstack's CEO stated that operations will continue as usual, with no change to the company's strategy or commitment to publishing indie games.
Balatro publisher Playstack sold to GameSpot and Fandom parent company
Playstack, the publisher behind games like Balatro and Abiotic Factor, is being sold to Integrated Media Company (IMC), the parent company of GameSpot and Fandom. The deal, announced by Playstack's current owner TruFin, values Playstack at approximately £125 million ($169 million). IMC is an investment group focused on entertainment brands.
