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How Planet of Lana became a hit through dogged determination after being rejected "hundreds" of times
Wishfully Studios' debut platformer, Planet of Lana, achieved success after hundreds of rejections by persevering through a naive development process. The team, with backgrounds in film, faced initial publisher skepticism due to an inadequate demo and unrealistic plans, but secured a deal with Xbox after a year of developing a vertical slice. This led to a partnership with Thunderful and a successful 2023 launch, with plans for a sequel and a Hollywood movie adaptation.
FIFA World Cup developer Refactor Games reportedly shuttered by Delphi Interactive
Refactor Games, a studio co-owned by Delphi Interactive, has reportedly been shut down shortly after releasing FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition for Netflix Games. Meanwhile, Atari reported significant revenue growth for its 2025-26 fiscal year, driven by acquisitions, though its consolidated group posted a net loss.
Atari's core business returns to profit, but consolidated group posts $5.5m net loss as Thunderful drags on results
Atari's core business achieved operational profitability for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, with revenue reaching a decade high of $65 million. However, the consolidated group, including the recently acquired Thunderful, posted a net loss of $5.5 million due to Thunderful's significant operating loss. The company's Games and Hardware segments saw substantial growth, and Atari also acquired IP rights to several Ubisoft titles and expanded its stake in Thunderful.
Atari appoints Andreas Deptolla as president of Atari Europe
Atari 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.
"There's a wealth of talent here, our focus is on how to leverage and support it" – Atari appoints Andreas Deptolla as Atari Europe president
Atari has appointed Andreas Deptolla as the new president of Atari Europe, overseeing approximately 100 employees and European headquarters. Richard Snowdon, CEO of Coatsink, has been named vice president of Atari Europe. Deptolla aims to leverage European talent and support acquired studios by focusing on core values and providing expertise in areas like finance and publishing, while also exploring organic growth in distribution and licensing.
"Det blev en väldigt personlig berättelse" – Elden Pixels-medgrundaren om A Void Hope
Mikael 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 board
Several 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 Review
Planet 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 Release
Sad 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 Fest
Sand 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 out
This 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 & Xbox
The 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 Sound
A 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 2026
April 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 2025
Square 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 Leading
Metacritic 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 Publishers
Metacritic'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, Switch
Thunderful 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 Community
Planet 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.
