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Makers Fund expands game industry footprint through $250 million investment round
Venture capital firm Makers Fund has successfully closed its fourth investment round, raising $250 million to bring its total assets under management to $1.5 billion. The fund, which focuses on interactive entertainment businesses, plans to use this capital to further expand its investments in the video game and broader interactive entertainment industry, backing companies navigating new user behaviors and distribution models.
"Just buy the game on Steam": Indie publisher behind a recent banger that sold 300k copies in its first week warns against key resellers after canceling hundreds of scalped keys
Indie publisher tinyBuild has revoked hundreds of illegitimate game keys for their recently released title, ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs, after it sold 300,000 copies in its first week. CEO Alex Nichiporchik urged players to purchase games through official channels like Steam, warning that keys bought from shady resellers are often obtained through regional pricing discrepancies and can be deactivated. While some legitimate keys from Green Man Gaming were mistakenly revoked, replacements are being issued.
The King is Watching revels in magic, menace and distraction
The King is Watching is a unique blend of city builder and tower defense where players must manage resources and defend their town from waves of enemies. The core mechanic involves directing a king's gaze to specific buildings to generate resources, forcing players to constantly prioritize actions. This clever and engaging gameplay loop, combined with roguelite elements, makes for a compelling experience that mirrors the distractions of modern life.
Chill shop sim about repairing off-brand PS1s makes its budget back "within 12 hours" and earns $3 million…
The indie game ReStory, a shop simulator about repairing off-brand electronics, has achieved significant commercial success shortly after its August 6 launch. Publisher tinyBuild announced that the game recouped its budget within 12 hours and has since grossed over $3 million in sales. The game has also received overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam, with players praising its nostalgic premise and gameplay.
Cozy retro repair sim ReStory earns its budget back in just 12 hours: "We're completely blown away"
The retro repair simulation game ReStory, developed by Mandragora and published by tinyBuild, has recouped its full development budget within 12 hours of its launch on Steam. The game, set in mid-2000s Tokyo, tasks players with repairing broken electronics and has achieved over 100,000 copies sold on its first day, with a 97% positive rating on Steam.
Probably Stolen - Cyberpunk Pawnshop Simulator
Questing Goose Studio and tinyBuild have announced Probably Stolen - Cyberpunk Pawnshop Simulator, a shopkeeper simulation game set in a dystopian sci-fi space environment. The game is scheduled to be released on PC later this year.
Probably Stolen, the cyberpunk shop sim where almost everything will have fallen off the back of a spaceship
tinyBuild and Questing Goose Studio have announced Probably Stolen, a cyberpunk shopkeeping and pawnshop simulator set on a dystopian space station. Players can run various businesses, from gunsmithing to farming, and must navigate questionable merchandise, faction relationships, and rising rent. A Steam playtest is currently available.
SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed gets Nintendo Switch release date, new trailer
tinyBuild and Fair Play Labs have announced that SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed will launch on Nintendo Switch on September 3. The sequel to the 2016 competitive platformer features updated visuals, improved netcode, and supports up to eight players in local and online races.
The King is Watching – And He Deserves Your Full Attention
The King is Watching, a unique blend of city builder, roguelite, and tower defense, has launched on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and PC for £12.49. The game requires players to constantly monitor their kingdom to maintain productivity, offering a frantic balancing act with roguelite elements ensuring replayability. The Xbox version includes the Volcano Update from day one, and the game has received a 5/5 review score.
Next Week on XBOX: New Games for July 27 to 31
Xbox has announced a slate of new games arriving on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Game Pass between July 27th and July 31st. Titles include remakes like Halo: Campaign Evolved, new adventures such as Dispatch and Mistfall Hunter, and various other genres like city builders, RPGs, and puzzle games.
YOUR FAST-FOOD NIGHTMARE BEGINS! HAPPY’S HUMBLE BURGER CULT IS OUT NOW ON STEAM
Happy's Humble Burger Cult, the co-op horror cooking game from Scythe Studios and tinyBuild, has launched on PC via Steam for $9.99. The game, formerly known as Happy's Humble BURGATORY, tasks players with grilling burgers and serving customers while avoiding the mascot Asset Joy. It features reactive voice mechanics and numerous modifiers to ensure unique gameplay shifts.
Oversee a Bustling Kingdom in ‘The King is Watching,’ Coming to Consoles July 29
The roguelite kingdom builder 'The King is Watching' is launching on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch on July 29 for $14.99 USD. Developed by Hypnohead Studio and published by tinyBuild, the game tasks players with inspiring subjects to work while avoiding their natural laziness. The console release will include new maps, enemy races, and modifiers.
The King is Watching gets Nintendo Switch release date, new trailer
tinyBuild and Hypnohead have announced that The King is Watching will be released on Nintendo Switch on July 29, 2026. The strategy simulation game, which previously launched on PC, tasks players with managing kingdom resources and defenses.
SAND: Raiders of Sophie Review
SAND: Raiders of Sophie is an extraction shooter featuring giant mechs called Tramplers, developed by Hologryph and TowerHaus and published by tinyBuild. The game offers a unique take on the genre with its customizable mechs and two modes: Voyage Mode and Storm Dive. While it provides a solid extraction experience with good visuals and sound, it lacks in-depth narrative and crucial features like bosses and events, scoring a 7/10.
Sand publisher celebrates 300,000 copies sold: 'We getting a half hour of air conditioning tonight!'
The steampunk-themed desert game Sand: Raiders of Sophie has sold over 300,000 copies since its early access launch. Publisher TinyBuild's CEO Alex Nichiporchik announced the milestone, noting the game's recent success on Steam with over 40,000 concurrent players. An update rolled out on July 2 caused temporary issues but was quickly resolved.
Griffin Gaming Partners invests in TinyBuild
Venture capital firm Griffin Gaming Partners has acquired a 3.24% equity stake in the developer and publisher TinyBuild. The investment highlights TinyBuild's focus on building its own intellectual property and sustainable franchises. TinyBuild's share price increased by 5% following the announcement.
Business and Finance
NBCUniversal is reportedly considering entering the video game business following a potential split from Comcast. In separate news, Griffin Gaming Partners has acquired a strategic stake in the video game publisher tinyBuild.
The 10 best games I played during Steam Next Fest: June 2026 edition
This article highlights ten notable games showcased during the June 2026 Steam Next Fest, featuring a diverse range of indie titles. Despite the overwhelming number of demos, the author found several promising games, including Moss: The Forgotten Relic, FISH, and GEPPY-X, maintaining optimism for the future of gaming.
"Can't lose if you never give up": After a last-minute delay and pivot into early access, new extraction shooter grosses $1 million in its first 12 hours as devs battle DDoS attacks
The new extraction shooter Sand: Raiders of Sophie has grossed $1 million in its first 12 hours on Steam after a pivot to early access. Publisher tinyBuild announced the strong financial performance despite ongoing DDoS attacks that have impacted player reviews. Developers Hologryph and TowerHaus are actively working to stabilize the game.
How to change your flare color in Sand Raiders of Sophie
This guide explains how to change the flare color in Sand Raiders of Sophie, a valuable communication tool for players. By holding R and using the scroll wheel, players can select from cyan, red, yellow, orange, and dark blue flares, which last for about 45 seconds. Flares are used for signaling and have infinite ammunition.
