New Trailer Announces Closed Multiplayer Alpha for Roguelike Multiplayer Kernel Hearts

Text: Kernel Hearts | Image: Four brave women with pink, red, brown, and blond hair race across an expansive desert, under a pink sky, streaked with clouds. An ominous demonic being with white feathered wings rises in the distance.

Today, during the Latin American Game Showcase (LAGS): Summer Game Fest 2025 Edition, the team at EPHEMERA revealed a new trailer announcing a multiplayer closed alpha demo for their upcoming action-packed co-op multiplayer roguelike Kernel Hearts. In addition to the announcement, the new trailer reveals more of the gameplay and fully voiced scenes from the game. In case you missed it during LAGS: Summer Game Fest 2025 Edition, you can check out the new trailer below:

Kernel Hearts Multiplayer Closed Alpha Reveal Trailer

During the closed alpha, players will get to go hands-on and check out the hard-hitting, action-packed roguelike gameplay, currently in development. They will also have access to the two of the  playable characters in the game, each with their own unique playstyle, and check out the game’s co-op online multiplayer. 

Anyone interested in signing up for the closed alpha demo, may do so by joining the Kernal Hearts Discord server: https://discord.gg/kernelhearts.

About Kernel Hearts

As a member of M.A.H.O.U Unit — an elite fighting force of super-powered android magical girls — you and up to three allies are tasked with one thing: destroy a god to save the world from the brink of extinction. Starting from the base of the mythical Tower of Babel, you’ll fight your way through an array of powerful enemies from all sides, as you climb each level, gaining crucial skills and magical powers to help you surmount its pinnacle — and the new threats each floor brings with it. Defeat is no excuse; only the most resolute soldiers will reach the heavenly heights in order to dethrone their god — are you up for the task?

Key Features of Kernel Hearts include:

●     Ascend to the Ultimate Being of Destruction: In every run, hunt for temporary skills that enhance your attacks, spells, and movement, empowering you to unleash devastating strikes and combos. Use these abilities to conquer the relentless enemies on each floor and exterminate the fearsome boss guardians that rule each domain.

●     The End is Just the Beginning: Facing enemies of biblical proportions requires persistence and grit, but a sudden demise isn’t the end. After each run, your unit returns to the lab, where you can use the rewards from previous missions to unlock and equip up to 256KB of skill chips. Customize your unit with these chips to match your unique playstyle.

●     Magical Transformations: The curse of the Tower is ever-present, and spending too much time in one area draws out even more powerful enemies. Harness the Tower’s energy to dispel the curses, briefly transform into your ultimate magical form and unleash annihilating attacks on any foes standing in your way.

●     Squad Up: Play alone or with up to three friends, honing and synergizing your skills to become the ultimate fighting force to get you to the top.

●     Friends in High Places: Each celestial domain hosts unique allies to help you on your journey. Befriend them to deepen your bond and maybe find love along the way!

Kernel Hearts will be available on PC via Steam, and Xbox Series X|S. Accessibility features for the game will be announced in the coming months.

To keep up to date with the latest news about Kernel Hearts, follow the game on BlueSky, Twitter and YouTube, by joining the official Kernel Hearts Discord, or by visiting the game’s official website, and follow the studio on Twitter and their official website.

For the latest from Whitethorn Games, follow the publisher on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch, join the official Discord server, and visit the official website.

Whitethorn Games Partners With Panpipe Studio to Publish Colorful Puzzle-Platformer Colorbound

Text: Colorbound | Image: a red figure stands on a painter’s palette that hovers above a gorge in a desert area. An alpaca wearing a colorful sash around it’s neck stands on the left side of the gorge, while a green cactus is perched on the right side.

Whitethorn Games Partners With Panpipe Studio to Publish Colorful Puzzle-Platformer Colorbound

Guide Anku — a Young Aymara Boy with the Power to Reshape the World Through Color — on a Heartfelt Puzzle-Platforming Journey to Reunite his Late Grandfather’s Band for One Last Tribute Performance

Erie, Pennsylvania (June 6, 2025) — During the Latin American Game Showcase: Summer Game Fest 2025 Edition, Whitethorn Games — Publisher of inclusive, accessible, approachable titles, including Botany Manor, Calico, and Lake — today announced, a partnership with Chilean developers Panpipe Studio to publish their inaugural title, Colorbound, providing funding and additional publishing support. A heartfelt, colorful puzzle-platformer, the game draws inspiration from the rich culture of the indigenous Aymara people of the Andes. Colorbound immerses players in a warm, minimalistic setting as they guide a young boy on his journey to reunite his beloved late grandfather’s band for one final concert.

Watch the Colorbound announcement trailer:

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with Panpipe Studio to bring Colour Bound to life,” said Dr. Matthew White, CEO of Whitethorn Games. “This game is a beautiful celebration of heritage, family, and approachable game design — exactly the kind of heartfelt, inclusive, and accessible games we’re passionate about supporting. We can’t wait for players to experience Anku’s journey.”

In Colorbound, the power of color is the key to opening up the path forward. Young Anku’s grandfather was a beloved musician whose band brought immense joy to their people. After his passing, Anku sets off on a journey to seek out the scattered musicians, help them to find their neglected instruments, and reunite them for a final tribute performance in memory of a great man. Equipped with the ability to harness the power of color to shape the environment around him, Anku must collect and add colors to his palette and use them to change the way he interacts with the world, and find ways to open up new paths. Combining light platforming with environmental and logic puzzles, players will lead him through each setting — from dusty deserts to cities in ruin to flourishing forests — and help him reach his goal.

Winner of the Latin American Game Showcase Game Jam 2025, and created under the theme “What the Eyes Don’t See, the Heart Doesn’t Feel”, Colorbound was not only a favorite of the Game Jam attendees, but of the jury selection as well. Drawing upon Panpipe’s Chilean traditions and heritage, Colourbound blends traditional music and art in a celebration of the rich culture of Latin America.

Colourbound can be wishlisted on Steam. A release window for the game will be announced at a later date, along with accessibility features.

To keep up to date with Panpipe Studios, follow them on BlueSky, Twitter/X, Instagram, and YouTube.

For the latest from Whitethorn Games, follow the publisher at @WhitethornGames on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch, join the official Discord server, and visit the official website.

About Panpipe Studios

Founded in 2025 by Chilean composer and solo developer Isaías Arrué R., Panpipe Studio is a game development studio dedicated to crafting heartfelt, culturally rich interactive experiences. Drawing inspiration from the traditions of Latin America, particularly those of Chile and its surrounding regions, the studio focuses on adventure, puzzle, and action games that explore underrepresented cultural themes with creativity and care. With a foundation in music composition and years of experience developing games for game jams, Panpipe Studio aims to innovate through storytelling, mechanics, and cultural expression.

Spray Paint Simulator is Now Available on PC, Xbox, Xbox Game Pass, and PlayStation

Text: Spray Paint Simulator | Image: A person in paint coveralls, splattered with paint, uses a spray paint tool to spray the front porch of a quaint small town home on a beautiful sunny day. An unpainted car sits in the driveway in front of a small garage,. Paint cans filled with different brightly colored paints are strewn about the driveway along with some unfolded cardboard boxes. A small radio and rolls of paper and tape sit on the grass.

Satisfyingly Relaxing Game Spray Paint Simulator is Now Available on PC, Xbox, Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation
 
Grow Your Painting Business, Fulfill the Requests of Quirky Clients, and Bring the Town of Spatterville from Drab to Fab!
 
Erie, Pennsylvania (May 29, 2025) — Whitethorn Games — publisher of inclusive, accessible, easy-going games including APICO, Botany Manor, Calico, and Lake — along with developer North Star Video Games, are thrilled to share that their satisfyingly relaxing game, Spray Paint Simulator, is now available on PC, Xbox, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and PlayStation. Additionally, as part of a special launch celebration, the game will be available at a 10% discount on Steam until June 4. So prep your space, choose your tools and paint, and get ready to relax, get creative, and transform items from drab to fab. 
 

Watch the Spray Paint Simulator Launch Trailer

“After months of creating a game that we had loads of fun making, we’re very excited to be able to share it with the world,” said Nick Jefferson-Tame, Lead Artist and Creative Director, North Star Video Games. “When you launch a title, there’s always a mixture of excitement and nerves after putting it out there. We’ve done our best to listen to player feedback and create a game we hope will be enjoyed by many. I can’t wait to see what players come up with during their time with the game!”
 
“It’s been a long journey from forming our studio, to the initial idea for Spray Paint Simulator, and now, its release, and we couldn’t be more proud,” said Adam Mitchell, Lead Programmer and Technical Director, North Star Video Games. “In the past, we’ve always made games for other people, so creating something ourselves has been both exciting and a little scary. We’re grateful for the support from our publisher and the many players who have helped us shape the game into something we’re eager for people to play. We hope they enjoy it.”

Spray Paint Simulator was developed by North Star Video Games, a dynamic duo of veterans with a combined 40 years’ experience in the games industry. Their past work includes titles such as Lawn Mowing Simulator during their time at Skyhook Games, as well as several award-winning games from their tenure at Magenta Software. As part of the partnership between North Star Video Games and Whitethorn Games, the publisher collaborated with Black Cube Games, a team experienced in porting games to multiple platforms, who led the technical adaptation of Spray Paint Simulator to console, ensuring a smooth, high-quality release.
 
The town of Spatterville is in dire need of a makeover, and they need you to help them! Spray Paint Simulator is a relaxing and totally satisfying painting simulator that invites you to start your own painting business, starting from the ground up!
 
Embark on a whimsical adventure in Career Mode as you meet with an eccentric group of clients who desperately need your painting expertise. Take on each job right from the start by prepping your space to ensure you deliver the best results, selecting the right colors for the task, and unleashing your creativity as you paint to perfection and keep your customers happy! Upgrade your tools, vehicles, and equipment, and use an assortment of ladders and scaffolding to help you get to those hard-to-reach spots. Fill the world with rainbow hues, painting everything from rooms and homes to cars and bridges and even giant robots! Unlock Free Spray mode and dive in alone or with a friend to make the entire town your canvas and unlock the unlimited potential of your creative freedom!

Key Features of Spray Paint Simulator include: 

• Enjoy an easy, relaxing gameplay experience without time limits or complex gameplay mechanics.
   

• Explore an assortment of colors to paint with; the final result is up to your artistic eye.
   

• Grow your business and keep your clients happy in Career Mode by meeting the “unique” community of Spatterville, taking on tasks, and working to become the top painter in town!
   

• Unlock Free Spray Mode and play solo or co-op with a friend, and make the town your canvas — let your creativity run wild.
   

• Get the full painting experience, starting with prep work such as fixing and removing objects, masking the area, selecting your paint, and painting each object to meet your customer’s expectations.
   

• Manage your consumables and acquire new items to suit each task, including spray tools, battery power, vehicles, paints, scaffolding, and more.

The Spray Paint Simulator is now available for $14.99 USD on PlayStation 5 and 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One, and on PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store. It is available day one with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. From May 29 through June 4, the game will be available on Steam for a 10% discount. Spray Paint Simulator will launch on Nintendo Switch on June 19, 2025.
 
Spray Paint Simulator will be available in the following languages: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, Latin American Spanish, Simplified and Traditional Chinese.
 
Accessibility features for Spray Paint Simulator can be found in the Accessibility section of our website.

To keep up to date with the latest news about Spray Paint Simulator, follow North Star Video Games on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and visit the official website.
 
For the latest from Whitethorn Games, follow the publisher at @WhitethornGames on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch, join the official Discord server, and visit the official website.
 
About North Star Video Games
 
Hey there! We’re Nick and Adam, a dynamic duo from the North West UK with over 45 years of combined games industry experience. We’ve had the pleasure of working on titles like Lawn Mowing Simulator, along with BAFTA Award-winning studio Magenta Software. Now, we’re thrilled to introduce Spray Paint Simulator. Our passion lies in merging creativity with ease, and we’re excited to help you transform everyday objects into vibrant artworks.
 
Even though it’s just the two of us at the core, we’ve had a bit of help along the way from some fantastic folks. Together, we’re committed to making a substantial impact with our skills and dedication. To learn more about North Star Video Games, please visit https://www.northstarvideogames.com.
 
About Black Cube Games
 
Black Cube Games is a passionate game development and porting studio with a history of successfully releasing games on multiple platforms. With over eleven years of development experience, we love to create immersive worlds rooted in culture and mythology.
 
Our previous title, The Tale of Bistun, is based on the rich storytelling and mythology of Persia,  following an amnesiac stone-carver on his journey up the slopes of the intimidating Mount Bistun. Check us out at blackcubegames.com.
 
About Whitethorn Games
 
We’re an indie game publisher focusing on pleasant, easy-going games, including APICO, Botany Manor, Calico, and Lake. Our games can be played in pieces, require no special skills or knowledge, and are accessible enough for anyone to pick up and play. We’re believers in accessibility, inclusion, and widening the audience that gets to play. We like to consider ourselves the defenders of easy games. While our games might challenge you, they’ll respect your time, they’ll make sure you can play, and most importantly, they’ll never punish you. Learn more at whitethorngames.com.

Release Date for Spray Paint Simulator Announced — Refresh, Relax, and Let Your Creativity Run Wild

Text: Spray Paint Simulator | Image: A person in paint coveralls, splattered with paint, uses a spray paint tool to spray the front porch of a quaint small town home on a beautiful sunny day. An unpainted car sits in the driveway in front of a small garage,. Paint cans filled with different brightly colored paints are strewn about the driveway along with some unfolded cardboard boxes. A small radio and rolls of paper and tape sit on the grass.

Release Date for Spray Paint Simulator Announced — Refresh, Relax, and Let Your Creativity Run Wild

Start Your Own Spray Painting Business on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox on May 29, and on Nintendo Switch on June 19

Erie, Pennsylvania (May 8, 2025) — Today, Whitethorn Games — publisher of inclusive, accessible, easy-going games including APICO, Botany Manor, Calico, and Lake — along with developer North Star Video Games, announced that their upcoming satisfyingly relaxing game, Spray Paint Simulator, will launch on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox — available day one with Xbox Game Pass — on May 29, 2025, and on Nintendo Switch on June 19, 2025. Merging creativity with ease of play, players will soon be able to embark on their journey of becoming the best spray painter the town of Spatterville has ever seen as they build their business from the ground up, and let the paint fly!

Watch the Spray Paint Simulator release date announcement trailer:

The team at North Star Video Games knows that players are eager to unleash their creativity, and have updated the demo available on Steam. The updated demo includes polish to the existing levels, making it more reflective of what players can expect at launch, as well as bug fixes, and updated language support.

You can check out the updated demo for Spray Paint Simulator starting today on Steam.

“We are so excited to be able to share Spray Paint Simulator with players very soon,” said Nick Jefferson-Tame, Lead Artist and Creative Director at North Star Video Games. “The support we’ve received from players during development has been wonderful, and their feedback invaluable. It’s been amazing to see how they’ve taken to the game, and they’ve given us excellent thoughts on how we can make the game its best at launch. We can’t wait for everyone to see the full game in just a few short weeks.”

Created by North Star Video Games — a duo of veteran developers with 40+ years of experience, who over the years have worked on many titles including Lawn Mowing Simulator while at Skyhook Games as well as several award-winning titles during their time at Magenta Software — Spray Paint Simulator invites you to relax, get creative, and transform items from drab to fab.

The town of Spatterville is in dire need of a makeover, and they need you to help them! Spray Paint Simulator is a relaxing and totally satisfying painting simulator that invites you to start your own painting business, starting from the ground up! 

Embark on a whimsical adventure in Story Mode as you meet with an eccentric group of clients, each in dire need of your painting expertise. Take on each job right from the start by prepping your space to ensure you deliver the best results, selecting the right colors for the task, and unleashing your creativity as you paint to perfection and keep your customers happy! Upgrade your tools, vehicles, and equipment, and use an assortment of ladders and scaffolding to help you get to those hard-to-reach spots. Fill the world with rainbow hues, painting everything from rooms and homes to cars and bridges and even giant robots! Unlock Free Spray mode and dive in alone or with a friend to make the entire town your canvas and unlock the unlimited potential of your creative freedom!

Key Features of Spray Paint Simulator include:

• Enjoy an easy, relaxing gameplay experience without time limits or complex gameplay mechanics.

• Explore an assortment of colors to paint with; the final result is up to your artistic eye.

• Grow your business and keep your clients happy in Story Mode by meeting the “unique” community of Spatterville, taking on tasks, and working to become the top painter in town!

• Unlock Free Spray Mode and play solo or co-operatively with a friend, and make the town your canvas — let your creativity run wild.

• Get the full painting experience, starting with prep work such as fixing and removing objects, masking the area, selecting your paint, and painting each object to meet your customer’s expectations.

• Manage your consumables and acquire new items to suit each task, including spray tools, battery power, vehicles, paints, scaffolding, and more.

Spray Paint Simulator will be available on PlayStation 5 and 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, available day one with Xbox Game Pass, and on PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store on May 29, 2025. The game will be available on Nintendo Switch on June 19, 2025.

Accessibility features for Spray Paint Simulator can be found in the Accessibility section of our website.

To keep up to date with the latest news about Spray Paint Simulator, follow North Star Video Games on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and visit the official website.

For the latest from Whitethorn Games, follow the publisher at @WhitethornGames on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch, join the official Discord server, and visit the official website.

About North Star Video Games

Hey there! We’re Nick and Adam, a dynamic duo from the North West UK with over 45 years of combined games industry experience. We’ve had the pleasure of working on titles like Lawn Mowing Simulator, along with BAFTA Award-winning studio Magenta Software. Now, we’re thrilled to introduce Spray Paint Simulator. Our passion lies in merging creativity with ease, and we’re excited to help you transform everyday objects into vibrant artworks. 

Even though it’s just the two of us at the core, we’ve had a bit of help along the way from some fantastic folks. Together, we’re committed to making a substantial impact with our skills and dedication. To learn more about North Star Video Games, please visit https://www.northstarvideogames.com. 

Spray Paint Simulator Coming to PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and Xbox Game Pass This May

Text: Spray Paint Simulator | Image: A person in paint coveralls, splattered with paint, uses a spray paint tool to spray the front porch of a quaint small town home on a beautiful sunny day. An unpainted car sits in the driveway in front of a small garage,. Paint cans filled with different brightly colored paints are strewn about the driveway along with some unfolded cardboard boxes. A small radio and rolls of paper and tape sit on the grass.

Today, we have some amazing news about our upcoming relaxing and totally satisfying game Spray Paint Simulator:

Spray Paint Simulator will launch on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 & 4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One — available day one with Xbox Game Pass — this May!

To celebrate this exciting news, we’ve released a brand new trailer showing off some of the gameplay you’ll get to experience:

About Spray Paint Simulator

The town of Spatterville is in dire need of a makeover, and they need you to help them! Spray Paint Simulator is a relaxing and totally satisfying painting simulator that invites you to start your own painting business, starting from the ground up!

Embark on a whimsical adventure in Story Mode as you meet with an eccentric group of clients, each in dire need of your painting expertise. Take on each job right from the start by prepping your space to ensure you deliver the best results, selecting the right colors for the task, and unleashing your creativity as you paint to perfection and keep your customers happy! Upgrade your tools, vehicles, and equipment, and use an assortment of ladders and scaffolding to help you get to those hard-to-reach spots. Fill the world with rainbow hues, painting everything from rooms and homes to cars and bridges and even giant robots! Unlock Free Spray mode and dive in alone or with a friend to make the entire town your canvas and unlock the unlimited potential of your creative freedom!

Features:

😎 Enjoy an easy, relaxing gameplay experience without time limits or complex gameplay mechanics.

🎨 Explore an assortment of colors to paint with; the final result is up to your artistic eye.

📈 Grow your business and keep your clients happy in Story Mode by meeting the “unique” community of Spatterville, taking on tasks, and working to become the top painter in town!

🖌️ Unlock Free Spray Mode and play solo or co-operatively with a friend, and make the town your canvas — let your creativity run wild.

🪜 Get the full painting experience starting with prep work, such as fixing and removing objects, masking the area, selecting your paint, and painting each object to meet your customer’s expectations.

💵 Manage your consumables and acquire new items to suit each task, including spray tools, battery power, vehicles, paints, scaffolding, and more.

Spray Paint Simulator will be available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, available day one with Xbox Game Pass, and on PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store in May 2025.

Accessibility features for Spray Paint Simulator can be found in the Accessibility section of our website.

To keep up to date with the latest news about Spray Paint Simulator, follow North Star Video Games on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and visit the official website.

For the latest from Whitethorn Games, follow the publisher on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch, join the official Discord server, and visit the official website.