At the core of Sub-Species is its 360-degree submarine movement. Players pilot a heavily armed sub that can rotate freely in all directions, navigating tight caverns, abandoned underwater facilities, and alien-infested zones where visibility, positioning, and momentum matter just as much as firepower. Movement feels deliberate and weighty, reinforcing the constant tension of operating in hostile, claustrophobic environments.

Combat isn’t about overwhelming players with enemy numbers. Instead, encounters are shaped by spatial awareness and anticipation, forcing you to read the environment, manage angles of attack, and adapt on the fly when threats emerge from any direction.

The demo introduces the world of Sub-Species through environmental storytelling rather than heavy exposition. Mission context, level design, and subtle details work together to establish tone and mystery, hinting at a much larger story lurking beneath the ocean’s surface without spelling everything out.

According to Creative Director Manus Burke, the goal was to make the demo feel like a complete experience rather than a basic tutorial. It’s designed to showcase the physicality of the submarine, the tension of navigating hostile spaces, and how combat evolves when every direction is a potential threat — leaving players both intrigued and uneasy about what lies deeper below.

Inspired by classics like Sub-Terrania and Ecco the Dolphin, alongside cinematic deep-sea sci-fi, Sub-Species blends retro-style precision with a modern, atmosphere-driven presentation.

What the Demo Includes

• Two-level vertical slice lasting roughly 25–40 minutes

• A first level focused on movement and navigation, followed by a second that ramps up combat and pressure

• Encounters built around positioning and visibility, not enemy spam

• Environmental interaction, including salvaging wrecks and manipulating objects

• Storytelling delivered through exploration and atmosphere rather than direct narration

The Sub-Species demo is available now on Steam for PC. The full game is still in development, and players can wishlist it now to follow future updates as the mysteries of the deep continue to unfold.

Alongside the studio’s debut, Hoyer also revealed the team’s first project: an unannounced collaborative arena party game that originally began development under Wizards of the Coast.

The project first took shape during Hoyer’s time as GM and Vice President of Creative at Wizards of the Coast, where her team was building a new multiplayer experience designed to expand the company’s reach beyond its core franchises. When Wizards shuttered its new IP studio, the project’s future was uncertain—until Hoyer stepped in to secure its continuation.

“We knew we had something special,” said Hoyer, now CEO and Head of Creative at Level Headed Games. “Early testing with players showed excellent promise, and the team was making rapid progress on a world we were passionate about. Good projects tend to flow, and this one was really flowing.”

After acquiring the rights, Hoyer founded Level Headed Games and joined the a16z Speedrun program, where the team focused on re-scoping and refining their vision.

“We were looking for ways to maintain the ‘big fun,’ but in a smaller corner of our universe,” Hoyer explained.

Now, the studio is shaping the game for Gen Z and multi-generational audiences, with an emphasis on accessibility, replayability, and social play. The project is currently in active development and is planned for a PC release in 2026, with additional platforms to be announced later.

“We’re grateful to Wizards of the Coast for allowing us to keep the project going,” Hoyer added. “We aren’t building our game the way we originally thought we would, but change is the one constant in this industry. We regrouped, made critical shifts to fit our new team size, and got back to work making something we’re really proud of.”

Hoyer’s career spans film, television, and games, having held key roles at Disney, Xbox, Telltale Games, and Bungie. Her credits include beloved projects such as Destiny 2, Minecraft, Halo, The Walking Dead, Lilo & Stitch, and Phineas & Ferb.

With Level Headed Games, Hoyer and her team are channeling that legacy into a new generation of collaborative play experiences—starting with a colorful, competitive arena party game built from passion, persistence, and a deep understanding of what makes multiplayer gaming click.

Odd Object may be a new name, but the team behind it brings serious indie credentials, with devs who’ve worked on Catacomb Kids, UFO 50, and Cadence of Hyrule. Scrubbin’ Trubble is their chaotic debut, blending party-based tactics with the energy of hack-and-slash brawlers and the strategic depth of turn-based combat.

Players descend floor-by-floor through “The House,” taking on waves of filth-fueled foes while chasing high scores and character upgrades. Whether solo or in four-player co-op—online or local—players choose from six grime-fighting classes with distinct abilities and roles. From the absorbent frontline Bubbaladin to the bleach-blasting ranged Bleacher and splash-happy Washbuckler, every class brings something different to the dirty fight.

As the floors get nastier, players must make the most of their tools, including quirky equipment like the “Wiper Rifle” and explosive “Splash Bang” to wipe out pun-filled bosses like Mildude, Refusphynx, and Asbeastos. It’s a roguelike with a sudsy twist: get wiped out, and it’s back to the top.

Key Features:

• Tactical roguelike gameplay with ARPG-style flair

• Local and online co-op for up to four players

• Six distinct classes with upgradeable powers and synergies

• Randomized runs with unique enemies, gear, and floor layouts

• Pun-heavy bosses and enemies like the Four Filths of the Apocalypse

• Quick-session design built for both short bursts and long marathons

Scrubbin’ Trubble launches later this year on PC via Steam, with a demo and full release date expected soon. It’s available to wishlist now.

About Closer the Distance:
Closer the Distance invites players into the heart of a small community, using ethereal abilities to uncover secrets and guide loved ones through tragedy. The story centers on Angela, a young woman who dies suddenly, leaving the tight-knit town of Yesterby in shock. Players take on Angela’s role from beyond the grave, exploring Yesterby, discovering intimate stories, and helping the community heal.

Key Features:

• Emotional Journey: Use your ethereal powers to help your community cope with loss, fostering growth, healing, and hope.
• Rich Storytelling: Uncover characters, relationships, and secrets in a town grappling with tragedy.
• Engaging Narrative: Experience a compelling story filled with themes of love, empathy, friendship, family, grief, and closure.
• Choice-Driven Gameplay: Your decisions impact the outcome, making each playthrough unique.

About Osmotic Studios:
Osmotic Studios, based in Hamburg, Germany, is known for their story-centric games with meaningful themes. Their debut game, Orwell, released in 2016, received critical acclaim for its innovative narrative, putting players in the role of a government agent in a surveillance program.

About Skybound Games:
Skybound Entertainment focuses on bringing exceptional comics, TV series, audio series, film, and video games to fans. Known for titles like The Walking Dead video game series and Invincible Presents: Atom Eve, Skybound Games continues to shape the future of gaming entertainment with upcoming projects and an in-house gaming production studio launching in 2024.

For more information, visit Closer the Distance.

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