Greg Johnson, the legendary mind behind ToeJam & Earl, is back with something deeply personal. His studio, HumaNature Studios, has revealed HumaNature StudiosHumaNature StudiosHumaNature StudiosHumaNature Studios, a heartfelt life-sim about navigating grief, finding joy, and building connections between the living and the departed. The game was unveiled today with a new trailer at The MIX Fall Game Showcase in Seattle, ahead of its 2025 release on Steam for PC and Nintendo Switch.
Set in a quiet Thai river village, the story follows 15-year-old Mai, who is struggling with the tragic loss of her parents. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Pim, a playful ghost who has forgotten much about her life before death — or why she lingers as a spirit. Together, the two embark on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and learning how to face the shadows of grief.
Gameplay blends slice-of-life activities with spiritual exploration:
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Help the Villagers – Take on mini-games as Mai to complete tasks and earn Karma for Pim.
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Dance Through Emotions – Unlock key story moments through expressive dance sequences.
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Journaling as Healing – Sketch Mai’s thoughts in her journal to reflect her emotional growth.
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Ghostly Perspectives – As Pim, inhabit people to hear their innermost thoughts, collect Heartlights, and ward off shadow spirits threatening the community.
The project is especially meaningful for Johnson, who began shaping the idea after losing his daughter in 2023 and his family’s home in the devastating Lahaina fires. Blending his own experiences with his deep ties to Thailand — his wife’s culture and his own fluency in Thai — Johnson wanted to tell a story that honors traditions surrounding the departed while offering hope to those facing hardship.
To bring the vision to life, HumaNature Studios has partnered with Thai artists Ferrai Duanghathai and Tanta Voratawankul, Bangkok’s Bit Egg animation studio, and longtime collaborator Ferry Halim from Indonesia.
“I’ve been through some difficult times in my life, but I always remember the people who reached out and brought light when things were dark,” said Johnson. “Dancing with Ghosts is our way of giving that light back to others.”
Dancing with Ghosts is set to launch in 2025 for PC and Nintendo Switch, with a Kickstarter campaign going live this October to support its development.