On February 9, Whitethorn Games — publisher of inclusive, accessible, easy-going games including APICO, Calico, Lake, and Wytchwood — premiered their annual showcase, jam-packed with game reveals, announcements about their line-up of upcoming titles, new partnerships, and more.
Revealed during the Whitethorn Winter 2024 Showcase, which premiered today on the publisher’s YouTube, Twitch, and Steam page, were new studio partnerships and titles to be added to the publisher’s line-up of games, including Pancake Games and their upcoming 3D action-adventure Slime Heroes, and new studio North Star Video Games, who are currently working on an unannounced title.
Slime Heroes
In an interview with ID@Xbox Developer Acceleration Program Lead, James Lewis, CEO and Founder of Pancake Games, Tomas Gomez, announced a partnership with Whitethorn Games to bring the upcoming 3D action-adventure title, Slime Heroes, to launch. As part of the showcase, the publisher revealed a new trailer that shared one of the bosses players will encounter in the game.
In Slime Heroes, journey through a whimsical world entrusted to an unlikely hero — a slime — tasked to save it from a mysterious corruption. Journey through the expansive 3D world — alone or with a friend — and encounter ferocious enemies, challenging but approachable puzzles, and forgotten treasures. Gain magical gems throughout the world and dynamically combine them to create unique and powerful magical skills that can take down even the most corrupt minions and bosses. Discover a touching story of overcoming expectations, friendship, and forgiveness as you progress because even slimes can be heroes!
Slime Heroes will be available on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, and on Xbox Series S|X.
In addition, release dates were announced for the upcoming plant puzzle game Botany Manor, Lake on Nintendo Switch, and Skate Fish, along with a surprise launch announcement for Wytchwood on Android and iOS. New gameplay was revealed for upcoming games Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island and Magical Delicacy. And finally, Usability and Accessibility Specialist, Britt Dye, provided a look at the company’s accessibility practices and features in some of their upcoming titles.
Lake
Popular relaxing mail-carrier sim, Lake, is coming to Nintendo Switch! Revealed with a new trailer during the showcase, the game will be available on the new platform on February 15.
In Lake, travel back to 1986 and take on the role of 40-something-year-old Meredith, who leaves the fast-paced drudgery of her big city life and returns to her quiet, rustic hometown. During her two-week stay in the beautiful lakeside community of Providence Oaks, Oregon, she’ll fill in for her father – the local mail carrier – where she will not only deliver letters and parcels to new and old friendly faces but will also rekindle old friendships, make new ones, and maybe even find romance.
At the end of her vacation, will Meredith return to the big city, or will she choose a different path for her life? It’s up to players to steer the story how they see fit in this slice-of-life interactive game.
Lake will be available on Nintendo Switch on February 15, 2024. The game is currently available on PC via Steam, or Epic Games Store, on PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S.
Botany Manor
The majestic doors of Botany Manor will be open to the public, as an April 9 release date for the gorgeous plant-puzzle game was revealed with a new trailer during Whitethorn Winter 2024.
The enduring estate of Botany Manor is home to retired botanist Arabella Greene. After a long career, she has amassed a collection of rare, long-forgotten plants that require some research to help them live again. Play as Arabella and explore the stunning historic manor and its grounds to look for clues in her notes, books, posters, and items scattered around the residence to determine the correct set of circumstances to help the flora flourish. Unlock new seeds and plant them. Interactable items around the property that can be turned and flipped will provide information to help you solve each gardening puzzle, grow the plants, and discover their mysterious qualities.
Botany Manor will be available on PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch™, and for Xbox One and Xbox Series S|X on April 9, 2024. The game will be available day one with Xbox Game Pass.
Wytchwood
Beloved fairytale RPG Wytchwood is now available on Android and iOS! The surprise announcement was revealed during the showcase alongside a new trailer.
Wytchwood is a crafting adventure game set in an expressive land of gothic fables and fairytales. As the mysterious old witch of the woods, players will explore a strange countryside, collect magical ingredients, brew sorcerous enchantments, and pass their twisted judgment upon a capricious cast of characters and creatures. After all, how will they ever learn if someone doesn’t teach them the moral of the story?
Wytchwood is now available for Android via Google Play and iOS through the App Store for $4.99 USD. The game is also available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store for $19.99 USD.
Skate Fish
A March 28 release date was announced for the upcoming skateboarding-meets-fishing game Skate Fish, alongside a new trailer.
From Sudden Event Studios, welcome to a world where the only way to catch fish is to impress them! Customize your character, board, and fishing rod, and ride your way through several chill environments, each with its own species to angle and obstacles to skate. Use nostalgic finger-deck two-finger touch controls to flip your board, grind ledges, and perform aerials as you become a skate-fishing legend by catching dozens of carp, bass, trout and other fish to support wildlife preservation efforts.
Skate Fish will be available for Android via Google Play and iOS via the Apple Store on March 28, 2024.
Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island
A new video from developer Polygon Treehouse shared an in-depth look at more of the gameplay, including a comprehensive look at the central friendship mechanic, treasure hunting, and more, for the friend-em-up adventure game Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island. As well, the developer confirmed that the game will be available on Xbox One and Series S|X at launch.
Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island invites you to take on the role of backpacker Alex, who has found herself stranded on the gorgeous shores of Ambrosia Island. As she begins to explore her surroundings, she discovers that she is not alone – the island is populated by the gods of Greek myth and legend! However, something is amiss – the gods are unable to remember who they are. In order to find her way home, she must befriend the inhabitants and help them to restore their memories.
Explore the dynamic island in this non-linear adventure and unravel its story to discover its celestial guests and build friendships with the gods through a unique relationship mechanic. The closer you become, the more they are willing to help Alex with their godly powers. Solve the mystery of Ambrosia Island, save the gods, and hopefully help Alex find a way back home!
Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island will launch on PC via Steam and Xbox One and Series S|X summer of 2024.
Magical Delicacy
Developer sKaule revealed new gameplay footage of the highly anticipated upcoming cooking-meets-metroidvania-lite Magical Delicacy. As well, players excited to get their hands on the game are able to play the first Steam demo until February 12.
In Magical Delicacy, play as Flora, a young witch who has ventured to the beautiful harbor town of Grat in order to grow her magical abilities. Using the power of magic, cook delicious dishes for the townsfolk from a vast array of ingredients you can purchase from local merchants, forage from around the town, or grow in your garden. Customize each dish to your customers’ tastes through a creative cooking system. Explore the charming 2D platforming environment inspired by Metroidvanias, gain new abilities, reach new areas, and unlock shortcuts.
Magical Delicacy will be available on PC and Xbox One and Series S|X — available day one with Xbox Game Pass — this year.
North Star Video Games Partnership Announcement
A new studio partnership was announced during the Whitethorn Winter 2024 Showcase between the publisher and UK-based developers North Star Video Games. The studio is comprised of veteran BAFTA-Award-winning developers with over four decades of combined development experience, having worked on titles ranging from family-friendly games to innovative indie projects, including Lawn Mowing Simulator.
With the goal of creating relaxing, creatively inspiring games that are easy to pick up and hard to put down, the team is currently working on North Star’s first major title. This unannounced project promises to be a journey of creativity and discovery.
This year, Whitethorn Games was also joined by a number of allies who are aligned with the publisher in their commitment to enhancing the games industry by fostering a more inclusive, accessible, and representative space for developers, players, and industry professionals. ID@Xbox, Safe In Our World, Take This, and video game accessibility critic, consultant, and host of the accessibility-focused YouTube Series Access-Ability, Laura Kate Dale, appeared on the showcase to share ongoing efforts to amplify underrepresented voices in game development, foster mental health awareness, discuss positive initiatives within the gaming community, and create an accessible space for as many players as possible.
What announcement were you most excited for? Have you played any of their demo’s on Next Fest? Please share your thoughts with us on our Boss Rush Facebook Group or our Boss Rush Discord.
Featured Image: Whitethorn Games
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