Lithuanian indie developer Elegant Horse Studios has announced that Flipping is Hard, a physics-based rage platformer starring a nearly indestructible early-2000s brick phone, will be featured during Steam Next Fest from June 15–22, 2026. Players will be able to experience a new demo that offers a substantial preview of the game’s unique blend of challenging platforming, absurd humor, and nostalgic charm.
In Flipping is Hard, players take control of Flippy, a discarded mobile phone determined to reunite with his owner, Jeff. Armed with nothing but the power of rotation, Flippy must navigate a world filled with forgotten objects, treacherous obstacles, and gravity-defying challenges. Every movement matters, as one poorly timed flip can send players tumbling back down and force them to start their climb all over again.
The game embraces the same spirit of frustration and perseverance that helped make titles like Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy, Egging On, and Chained Together popular among challenge-seeking players and stream audiences alike.
Steam Next Fest participants will gain access to a roughly 90-minute demo featuring the opening section of Flippy’s journey. Players will explore a colorful Candyland-inspired environment while learning the precise movement mechanics needed to guide the phone back home.
Beyond its demanding platforming, Flipping is Hard also leans heavily into early mobile phone nostalgia. Players can access Flippy’s built-in Phone OS at any time, complete with retro-inspired menus and playable mini-games. Familiar favorites inspired by classic titles such as Snake and Flappy Bird are available directly on Flippy’s screen, providing a fun distraction between difficult climbs.
For those who prefer to suffer alongside friends, the game supports multiplayer climbing sessions with up to 16 players through Steam Friends lobbies. Players can attempt to help one another using the game’s “Help Beam,” a magnetic ability designed to pull fallen players upward. Of course, the unpredictable physics often create even more chaos, making teamwork as hilarious as it is helpful.
Featuring a mysterious narrator, challenging physics-driven gameplay, and a surprisingly heartfelt quest to return a lost phone home, Flipping is Hard looks poised to become a memorable addition to the growing genre of rage-inducing platformers.
The Flipping is Hard demo launches on Steam on June 15 as part of Steam Next Fest.