Laura Kate Dale Joins the Whitethorn Winter Showcase — Join Us Next Week!

White cabin logo in a snowflake on a green hilly background. Text reads: Whitethorn Winter 2024.

Grab a cup of hot cocoa and a fuzzy blanket, and get ready to get cozy because the Whitethorn Winter Showcase is happening next week!

Join us on Thursday, February 8, at 1:00 PM EST (10:00 AM PST / 6:00 PM GMT) as we reveal new games joining the Whitethorn line-up of inclusive, accessible, easy-going titles, and provide updates about our upcoming games — including the release date for the highly anticipated Botany Manor!

We’ll be joined by some incredible guests, including ID@Xbox, Safe In Our World, and Take This, as we 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.

Joining our lineup of special guests is video game accessibility critic, consultant, and host of the accessibility-focused YouTube Series Access-Ability, and host and organizer of the annual Access-Ability Showcase, Laura Kate Dale. As a prolific accessibility-in-gaming advocate who, for the past four years, has produced related content ranging from game reviews and critiques to roundtable interviews with disabled gamers, Laura will provide insight into the importance of inclusive and accessible practices in gaming.

You can watch the Whitethorn Winter Showcase by visiting Whitethorn Games on:

●     YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhitethornGames

●     Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/whitethorngames

●     Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/33246218-Whitethorn-Games/

You can also join Laura Kate Dale on Twitch to catch the showcase as well! Don’t forget to save the date!

And in case you missed the show last year, you can check it out here.

For more information about the Whitethorn Winter Showcase, follow Whitethorn Games on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch, join the official Whitethorn Games Discord, and visit https://whitethorngames.com.

See you at Whitethorn Winter!

ID@Xbox, Safe In Our World, Take This Join the Whitethorn Winter 2024 Showcase this February

Today, Whitethorn Games — publisher of inclusive, accessible, easy-going independent games — is thrilled to announce that ID@Xbox, Safe In Our World, and Take This will join them during the publisher’s upcoming Whitethorn Winter 2024 Showcase this February. Along with Whitethorn Games, these industry leaders are committed to enhancing the gaming industry by fostering a more inclusive, accessible, and representative space for developers, industry professionals, and gamers alike. During the showcase, they will 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.

"We’re thrilled for the opportunity to join with ID@Xbox, Safe In Our World, and Take This to showcase our commitment to making this industry a wider, more welcoming, more inclusive place for everyone,” said Matthew White, CEO of Whitethorn Games. “Together, we are shaping a future where every voice is heard, every player is represented, and the gaming experience is enriched for all."

Taking place on February 8 at 1:00 PM EST / 11:00 AM PST on Whitethorn Games’ YouTube, Twitch, and Steam Page, the publisher will share exclusive reveals about new and upcoming games, including Botany Manor, Magical Delicacy, and Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island, provide behind-the-scenes access to their partner studios and team, and offer insight into their efforts in accessibility. Viewers will hear from the organizations that Whitethorn Games has worked closely with to help bring diverse, inclusive, and accessible games to players everywhere.

ID@Xbox Developer Acceleration Program: The ID@Xbox Developer Acceleration Program’s mission is to empower underrepresented creators with the resources and information needed to bring their creativity, innovation, and originality to Xbox. By providing crucial resources, mentorship, and financial support, the program aims to break down barriers, ensuring diverse developers have the tools and opportunities needed to thrive in game development. This initiative underscores ID@Xbox's commitment to fostering inclusivity and driving positive change within the gaming community. Learn more about the ID@Xbox Developer Acceleration Program here. 

Safe In Our World: Since 2019, Safe In Our World has dedicated itself to promoting positive mental health and well-being for players, developers, publishers, retailers, and other contributors to the gaming industry. With an overarching mission to facilitate conversations that can bring about transformative change in the industry's culture and foster a caring, supportive environment, Safe In Our World serves as a go-to resource for players and developers dealing with mental health issues, a place to ask for help, access information, and support systems. For more information, visit https://safeinourworld.org.  

Take This: Take This was the first mental health non-profit to serve the gaming community. Since 2012, our mission has been to decrease the stigma around mental health challenges in gaming spaces. Take This was founded on the idea that it’s dangerous to go alone, and that games can bring community, connection, empowerment, and joy into people’s lives. Take This fulfills its mission by supporting game players, developers, and content creators with mental health information, original research, advocacy, and resources. Our vision is a game community that welcomes and supports people experiencing mental health challenges, and that recognizes the humanity and mental health of game creators.

Visit https://www.takethis.org to learn more.

For more information about the Whitethorn Winter 2024 Showcase and to save the date, visit https://whitethorngames.com/wtw-2024.

Watch the Whitethorn Winter 2023 Showcase here.

Follow Whitethorn Games on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch, join the official Whitethorn Games Discord, and visit https://whitethorngames.com.

Join the Whitethorn Games 18-Hour Extra Life Charity Stream Marathon!

Whitethorn Games is excited to announce our Extra Life Charity Marathon to raise funds for our local Children’s Miracle Network at AHN Saint Vincent Hospital! On Saturday, November 4, we will be live from our studio in Erie, Pennsylvania, for at least 12 hours of games, giveaways, and great times!

We invite you to stop by the Whitethorn Games Twitch channel and enjoy the event with us, check out the special activities we have in store, and meet our adorable office cat, Venti.

One hundred percent of the proceeds raised through our Extra Life Charity Marathon will be donated to our local children’s hospital, AHN Saint Vincent, which has worked tirelessly to provide specialized care for Erie’s most vulnerable community members.

To find out exactly what we have in store, you can check out the full list of activities below:

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Plain text version of this image can be found here.

Plain text version of this image can be found here.

Children’s Miracle Network at AHN Saint Vincent provides services that benefit families and patients, including the hospital’s Family Assistance Program, Safe Sleep Initiative, Special Delivery Packages, and more. Through these programs, families receive gas cards and meal cards, as well as car seats and pack-and-play. Every baby born at AHN Saint Vincent receives a Special Delivery Package, including a onesie, sippy cup and sleep sack to help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome(SIDS). In addition, Children’s Miracle Network funds top-of-the-line medical equipment like the isolettes in the NICU, warmers on the Mom+ Baby floor, and the NICU transporter that provides everything a NICU pod has to treat a baby if they need to be transferred via ambulance or helicopter. 

Donations recieved through events like Extra Life are integral in supporting these important, life-saving services to their most vulnerable patients, regardless of the family’s ability to pay. Now more than ever, our families need CMNs’ support with gas cards and meal cards, car seats, pack and plays, and more. Most importantly, CMN funds top-of-the-line medical equipment suitable to each child’s needs to ensure they not only survive but thrive. The funds recieved through partnerships and events like these also help the hospital provide a chance for the children under their care, things that allow them a break from the stress of facing one of the most challenging things in their young lives. Most recently, because of funds raised through Extra Life, CMN was able to purchase a gaming tower with a loaded Nintendo Switch for their patients on the pediatric unit!

Eager to contribute to a fantastic cause? Visit https://www.extra-life.org/team/64269 to donate to our team.

 Keep an eye on our socials for the latest news and announcements by following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch, by joining the official Whitethorn Games Discord, and by visiting https://whitethorngames.com. And if you’d like to help us spread the word, any shares to your own network would be greatly appreciated.

Whitethorn Games Reveals First Demos for Magical Delicacy, Skate Fish and More Inclusive, Accessible, Easy-Going Games at PAX West 2023

Today, we’re thrilled to announce their return to Seattle during PAX West 2023, presenting demos for some of their upcoming games, recent releases, along with fan favorites.

Taking place at the Washington State Convention Center from September 1 through 4, 2023, PAX West ticketholders are invited to booth 739 located in the North Hall to get access to the first-ever hands-on demos of two highly-anticipated games: Magical Delicacy and Skate Fish. They will also be able to check out demos for upcoming titles Botany Manor and Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island, and the recently released fan-favorite Calico: Pawsome Edition, as well as a number of the publisher's other hit titles.

New store offerings include apparel featuring an exclusive limited-edition Whitethorn Games PAX West Shirt, new pins for their line-up of games, and more. As well we're hosting an exclusive giveaway. Attendees at the show who visit the booth can enter to win fantastic prizes, such as merch, games, and a grand prize of a Nintendo Switch Lite complete with a collection of games.

Check out our full PAX West 2023 lineup below:

Magical Delicacy (Release date for PC, Xbox TBD) — First Hands-on Demo

Metroidvania-lite meets cooking! Play as the young witch Flora as she explores her new home in the harbor town of Grat, meets the charming townsfolk, collects ingredients and brews up magical dishes and potions!

Skate Fish (2023 for Android and iOS) — First Hands-on Demo

Do tricks! Catch fish! Using finger-deck-skateboard-inspired mechanics, perform all kinds of tricks to impress and catch unique aquatic critters as you help repopulate the local aquarium!

Botany Manor (Release date for PC, Xbox, Switch TBD) — Demo 

Explore the stately home of retired botanist Arabella Green as she unravels the needs of rare forgotten flora that need coaxing to flourish! Wander the stunning grounds and interact with the many items to be discovered in order to solve plant-based puzzles.

Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island (Summer 2024 for PC and Consoles) — Demo

From the developers behind the award-winning Röki, Mythwrecked invites you to visit the sun-drenched shores of Ambrosia Island, home to the Greek pantheon of gods. Explore the islands to find its inhabitants, treasures, and secrets, befriend the gods to deepen your relationship and unlock the rich narrative and their godly assistance to help you uncover the island's mysteries and help restore their memories.

Calico (Out now on PC, Switch, Xbox) — Demo

Calico is a day-in-the-life community sim game where you must rebuild the town’s cat café and fill it with cute and cuddly creatures! Build up your café by filling it with cute furniture, fun decorations, yummy pastries, and get it bustling with animals again!

For more information about Whitethorn Games, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and Twitch, join the official Whitethorn Games Discord, and visit https://whitethorngames.com.