Thunderful
Thunderful business and news from across the web.
Atari appoints Andreas Deptolla as president of Atari EuropeAtari has appointed Andreas Deptolla as the new president of Atari Europe. Deptolla, formerly the chief technology officer, aims to strengthen Atari's network of publishers, studios, and partners across the region. The company is also focused on expanding existing European studios and is open to strategic acquisitions while continuing to invest in talent and high-quality projects.
"Det blev en väldigt personlig berättelse" – Elden Pixels-medgrundaren om A Void HopeMikael Forslind, co-founder of Elden Pixels, discusses the development journey of their atmospheric puzzle adventure game, A Void Hope. Initially a technical prototype inspired by The Lost Vikings and Braid, the game evolved significantly with the addition of music by Waveshaper and a deeply personal narrative co-written with Frida Windelhed, drawing inspiration from horror films and personal experiences of loss and grief.
Jobs roundup: June 2026 | Bernard Kim joins Appcharge advisory boardSeveral key appointments and elections have occurred in the games industry. Bernard Kim has joined Appcharge's advisory board, Romain Dijoux is the new studio head at Netflix's Night School Studio, and the German Games Industry Association has elected a new executive board. Other notable moves include Sam Hilary at Team17, Charlotte Spurgeon and Celeste Valentine at Imprint Studios, and leadership changes at Side.
Planet Of Lana II: Children Of The Leaf ReviewPlanet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf expands upon its predecessor with a more complex narrative and intricate puzzle mechanics. The sequel introduces new gameplay elements where Lana can hack machines and Mui can control creatures, leading to more involved puzzle sections. While the story delves into ethical dilemmas regarding resource extraction and machine usage, some plotlines feel unresolved, though the developers suggest this is intentional for player interpretation.- REPLACED Accolades Trailer Celebrates Cyberpunk Adventure’s ReleaseSad Cat Studios and Thunderful have released an accolades trailer celebrating the launch of REPLACED on PC and Xbox Series X|S. Critics have praised the narrative-driven 2.5D platformer for its cinematic visuals and storytelling, calling it a "visual marvel" and "amongst the best of the year."
- ASKA’s 600,000-Strong Viking Horde Gets Honey-Coated Update To Celebrate Steam’s Medieval FestSand Sailor Studio and Thunderful have released the 'Hearth & Honey' update for their Early Access game ASKA, coinciding with Steam's Medieval Fest. This update introduces beekeeping and mead brewing to the Viking settlement simulation, adding new production chains and buildings like breweries and taverns. The update also includes settlement storage statistics and crawler hunting, with the game currently available at a 20% discount.
- Cyberpunk platformers, gallivanting geckos and other new indie games worth checking outThis article rounds up recent and upcoming indie game releases and showcases. New titles like Replaced, Gecko Gods, Mouse: PI for Hire, Dosa Divas, and A Storied Life: Tabitha have launched, with Hades 2 also arriving on consoles. Upcoming games mentioned include Agefield High: Rock the School, The Backworld, A Study in Blue, and Elementallis.
- REPLACED Out Now! Play One Of 2026’s Most Anticipated Games On PC & XboxThe retro-futuristic platformer REPLACED is now available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam Deck. Developed by Sad Cat Studios and published by Thunderful, the game features a narrative-driven cyberpunk adventure set in an alternate 1980s America. A new trailer celebrates the launch, which includes a Supporter Edition with the soundtrack.
- New Behind-The-Scenes Video Reveals The Process Behind Planet of Lana II’s Acclaimed Visuals and SoundA new behind-the-scenes video details the art, animation, and sound design processes behind Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf. The game has received critical acclaim for its visuals and music since its release on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation platforms.
Best New Xbox And Game Pass Games For April 2026April 2026 will see a diverse range of new games released for Xbox and PC, with many titles also launching day one on Game Pass. Notable releases include the roguelike Hades II, the cyberpunk action platformer REPLACED, and the unique word game Beyond Words. The month offers a variety of genres, from RPGs and survival horror to simulation and fighting games, ensuring something for every player.- Square Enix bäst på Metacritic under 2025Square Enix has been named the top game publisher by Metacritic for 2025, marking the first time the company has achieved this ranking. The analysis considers average game scores, the proportion of critically acclaimed titles, and the number of games receiving scores of 90 or higher. Several Swedish publishers, including Thunderful and Raw Fury, also placed in the top 10.
Metacritic Names Top Game Publishers of 2025 With Square Enix LeadingMetacritic has released its annual ranking of top game publishers for 2025, based on the critical reception of their released titles. Square Enix secured the number one spot, driven by strong performances from Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and other titles. Capcom and Gamirror Games followed in second and third place, respectively, with Microsoft rounding out the top five.
Metacritic's 2025 Rankings Show A Major Shift In Top PublishersMetacritic's 2025 publisher rankings reveal significant shifts, with Square Enix topping the list followed by Gamirror Games and Capcom. Nintendo saw a notable rise, while Sony dropped from fourth to 21st place. The rankings are based on critical reviews, excluding sales and user scores, and consider factors like average Metascore and the percentage of good and bad reviews.- Planet of Lana II Accolades Trailer Celebrates Rave Reviews For “Star Wars Story Made By Studio Ghibli”Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf has been released to critical acclaim on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch, among other platforms. An accolades trailer highlights rave reviews, with some publications calling it a "Star Wars Story Made by Studio Ghibli" and "deserving of a spot on the narrative-platformer Mount Rushmore." A demo is available for players to experience the cinematic adventure.
Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf launch trailer – cinematic puzzle adventure sequel on Nintendo Switch 2, SwitchThunderful and Wishfully have released the launch trailer for Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf, a cinematic puzzle adventure sequel. The game is available on Nintendo Switch 2 and features a hand-painted world where nature meets technology, focusing on companionship and environmental puzzles.
Planet of Lana II Children of the Leaf Launches Across PC, Consoles, and Game Pass | Invision Game CommunityPlanet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf has launched worldwide on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch, and is available on Xbox Game Pass. Developed by Wishfully Studios and published by Thunderful, the sequel expands on the original's cinematic puzzle-platformer gameplay with new environments, puzzles, and an expanded narrative focusing on Lana and her companion Mui.
Nintendo Download: 5th March (North America)The latest Nintendo Download update for North America brings a variety of new games to the eShop, including Pokémon Pokopia, Blue Prince, Minishoot' Adventures, and Rotwood. The update features a diverse range of genres such as RPGs, action games, puzzles, and simulations, offering players numerous new titles to explore on the Nintendo Switch.
Planet of Lana II Review | TheXboxHubPlanet of Lana II is a brilliant puzzle platformer that matches and sometimes surpasses its predecessor in visual splendor and emotional narrative. While it excels in its hand-painted art style, clever mechanics, and orchestral soundtrack, the game is criticized for its linearity, lack of difficulty, and occasional pacing issues, preventing it from achieving a perfect score.
Every Game Delayed Right Now (2026 Edition)Numerous video games scheduled for release in 2025 and 2026 have been delayed, with developers citing reasons such as the need for additional polish, relocation due to conflict, or engine changes. Notable titles affected include Grand Theft Auto VI, Ark 2, Fable, and Path of Exile 2, with new release windows now extending into late 2026 or beyond for many.
Planet Of Lana 2 review - the prettiest landscapes in gamingPlanet of Lana 2 is a visually stunning 2D puzzle game that unfortunately offers little improvement over its predecessor. While its art style and sound design are exceptional, the game suffers from simplistic and recycled puzzles, as well as slightly clumsy controls, leading to a disappointingly bland experience.