Gone Home
News, coverage and analysis tracking Gone Home across the outlets.
6 Story Games for Players Who Don't Want to Talk | TAGThis article highlights six story-driven games that do not require dialogue choices or role-playing, catering to players seeking a narrative experience without conversational effort. Titles like Journey, Cocoon, Inside, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, Return of the Obra Dinn, and Outer Wilds are discussed for their unique methods of storytelling through environment, music, and observation, with many also being compatible with handheld devices like the Steam Deck.
What are we all playing this weekend?Several members of the gaming publication share their weekend gaming plans, ranging from revisiting Cyberpunk 2077 and Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag to starting new games like The Third Shift and Generation Exile. Some are opting for handheld play on the Steam Deck due to minor injuries or while waiting for home renovations.
Nintendo Switch eShop deals – lowest prices ever for Plucky Squire, Team Sonic Racing, TMNT: Splintered Fate, moreThe North American Nintendo Switch eShop is featuring new deals, including the lowest prices ever for games like Plucky Squire, Team Sonic Racing, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate. The article lists a comprehensive selection of discounted titles available for purchase.
Nintendo Switch eShop deals – lowest prices ever for Enter and Exit the Gungeon, Untitled Goose Game, moreThe North American Nintendo Switch eShop is featuring new deals, including the lowest prices ever for games like Enter the Gungeon, Exit the Gungeon, and Untitled Goose Game. The sale includes a wide variety of titles, with discounts on many popular and indie games.
Embracer layoffs, Nintendo's patent problem, and is Baby Steps an Uncharted sequel? - Patch Notes #46Several game development studios have announced layoffs and closures, including Embracer Group's Eidos Montreal and Ivy Road. Shinji Mikami has founded a new studio, Unbound Inc., with Shift Up. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is performing well at the box office, while Nintendo's patent for a sub-character combat mechanic has been rejected. Rec Room is shutting down due to profitability issues, and VR developer Polyarc has also made layoffs.
Wanderstop studio Ivy Road to close after funding for second game "didn't come to fruition"Indie studio Ivy Road, known for its game Wanderstop, is closing down due to a lack of funding for its next project, Engine Angel. Despite efforts to find a new publisher, the team was unsuccessful, highlighting the current challenges in securing game development funds. Annapurna Interactive plans to release a surprise update for Wanderstop to reach more players.
A year on from launching Wanderstop, Ivy Road are closing their doors after struggling to fund their next gameIvy Road, the studio behind the game Wanderstop, is closing its doors on March 31st, 2026, after failing to secure funding for its next project, Engine Angel. Despite the closure, a surprise update for Wanderstop is still planned, and the game will remain available on all platforms. The team hopes Engine Angel might still be developed in the future.
The Stanley Parable creator and Minecraft composer's indie studio is shutting down after one cozy sim because "it's a particularly tough time for raising game funds"Indie game developer Ivy Road, founded by creators of The Stanley Parable, Gone Home, and Minecraft, is shutting down due to difficulties in securing game funding. The studio had been working on a vehicular combat game called Engine Angel, but the project was canceled as funding failed to materialize.
"We're not perfectly replicating the real world, that would be crazy": The invisible design behind Firewatch's pine cones and picture framesThis article analyzes the subtle yet impactful design choices in Firewatch, focusing on how interactive elements like pine cones and picture frames convey character and narrative. Developer Campo Santo intentionally differentiated object interactions to create a tangible and grounded world, contrasting physics-based objects with those that return to a 'put back spot' to match player intention and character behavior.
"You're not doing parkour off a roof, but the principles were the same": How the makers of Firewatch pulled from Mirror's Edge, Far Cry 2, and Bioshock to tell a new kind of story in a walking simulatorCampo Santo developers discuss the inspirations behind their narrative exploration game Firewatch, drawing from titles like Mirror's Edge, Far Cry 2, and Bioshock. The team focused on creating a grounded, human-scale story with reactive gameplay elements and a strong sense of place, influenced by their camping trip to Yosemite National Park.
Best Nintendo Switch Short GamesThis guide highlights short games available on the Nintendo Switch that can be completed in a single sitting, ideal for travel or as a break between longer titles. It features a curated list of indie titles across various genres, emphasizing their bite-sized nature and unique experiences.