New Industrious Update And OST For APICO 4.0 Coming to PC!

Text: A banner displaying APICO’s logo.

We have a swarm of news for you today as the final free content update for the bee-loved beekeeping sim APICO is coming to PC this May! APICO Update 4.0: A Hive of Industry will introduce a new automation system, new seasonal events, new craftable materials, and, best of all, pets! All this and more will be available to players on PC on May 20.

Check out what’s coming to APICO in Update 4.0: A Hive of Industry by watching the trailer below:

At the same time, Update 4.0: A Hive of Industry will also be available on Nintendo Switch, along with Update 3.0: What Lies Beeneath, inviting Switch players to dive deep into the oceans of the APICO archipelago to discover new underwater bees, try their hands at fishing, and much more!

Watch the Update 3.0 and 4.0 coming to Nintendo Switch trailer below:

Bee-lieve it or not, that’s not all! As part of Update 4.0’s release, a brand new original soundtrack from Mothense will be available for your listening pleasure. The soundtrack will be available on Bandcamp on May 7. A release date for other platforms will be announced in the coming weeks.

Some of the new features coming to APICO in Update 4.0: A Hive of Industry include:

• Automation Machines: Craft the Auto-sawmill, Auto-centrifuge, and Auto-squeezer, along with eight new automation machines — Hoppers, Shredders, Loggers, Pickers, Sprinklers, Condensers, Ploppers, and Shippers — on your new Crystal Workbench, which can be purchased from Bobbee, to bring your thriving industry to new heights.

• New Resource — Honeycore Crystals: Use the newly-added resonance meter and engage in its new mini-game to seek out different sounds throughout the various environments that will help you locate six different types of crystals. Melt them down in the forge and craft new crystal items, including Crystal chests, the Crystal axe, hammer, shovel, and more.

• Pets: Choose from 16 different adorable little companions to accompany you on your expeditions, including your very own tiny dinosaur! 

• New Seasonal Events: Celebrate Hivemas, active during the month of December, and Hallowbeen, active during the month of October, in the world of APICO with the NPCs! Each event brings new decor, new paints, and secret easter egg items for you to enjoy. There’s no need to bee patient waiting for each event, as you’ll be able to toggle each event in the settings menu

• …and so much more: TNgineers have added ten new quests, new decor, paints, new environmental events, and, of course, new bees and pollinators! There’s also a new 100% completion surprise that the most dedicated beekeepers can uncover through the Hive Mother’s door.    

Even more bee-guiling features await you in Update 4.0: A Hive of Industry, so check out full details here: https://wiki.apico.buzz/wiki/Patch_Notes#4.0.0.

About APICO

APICO combines resource gathering, biology, and minigames with ideas from both real-life and fantasy beekeeping and gardening, as it teaches players about the ins and outs of maintaining a healthy hive and the importance of our irreplaceable pollinating pals. The islands of APICO were once abuzz with different species of bees, and it’s up to players to rediscover lost species, cross-breed new ones, and repopulate each unique bee-ome. Progressing further into the game may also uncover some forgotten secrets. 

As well, a portion of the games’ profits goes toward bee conservation. Full details about these efforts can be found here: https://tngineers.com/charity.

Features of APICO include:

• Play together with up to four in online co-op, with cross-play available on all platforms!

• Unique crafting and beekeeping minigames that drive gameplay progression.

• Cross-breed different bees and other pollinators, including butterflies, moths, and solitary bees, to discover over 30 new species.

• Grow flowers — each with their own special effect on the environment — to keep your pollinators happy!

• Make and sell honey, Apicola, incense, candles, and other beekeeping products.

• Repopulate lost species and release them back into the wild.

• Multiple biomes to explore, each with its own unique pollinator species.

• A chill soundtrack by Mothense creates a relaxing atmosphere.

• Uncover the forgotten secrets of the APICO Islands. 

APICO is currently available on PC via Steam, Epic Game Store, Humble Games, itch.io, Utomik, PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch™, and Xbox One and Series S|X for $19.99 USD. 

APICO Update 4.0: A Hive of Industry will be available for free on PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, Humble Games, itch.io, and Utomik on May 20, 2024. Update 3.0: What Lies Beeneath and Update 4.0: A Hive of Industry will be available for free on Nintendo Switch on May 20, 2024.

Follow APICO on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Discord for more updates. 

Keep up to date with Whitethorn Games on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch; join the official Whitethorn Games Discord, and visit https://whitethorngames.com.

Details about the accessibility features available in APICO can be found here: https://whitethorngames.com/apico/accessibility. 

Whitethorn Winter Returns in February 2024!

Today, we’re excited to share that our annual Whitethorn Winter Showcase is making its grand return in February! 

Tune in on February 8 and join the team to catch some exciting announcements about our upcoming titles, including Botany Manor, Magical Delicacy, and Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island. We’ll also share some exclusive new game reveals and give you a behind-the-scenes peek to learn more about the studio and the amazing developers behind our inclusive, accessible, easy-going games!

You can catch the Whitethorn Winter 2024 Showcase on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 1:00 PM EST / 10:00 AM PST by visiting Whitethorn Games on:

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

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

We’ll have more details in the new year, but in the meantime, you can save the date here: https://whitethorngames.com/wtw-2024. 

And in case you missed the show last year, you can check it out below:

 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!

Retro-Style Survival-Platformer RPG, Aground, Available Now on Amazon Gaming

Publisher Whitethorn Games and developer Fancy Fish Games are excited to announce that the beloved 2D retro-style survival platformer Aground is available for free this month as part of your Prime Gaming membership!

Aground is a 2D-retro-style mining and crafting platform RPG that tells the story of one of humanity’s last survivors. Leaving you stranded on an uninhabited island, the only way for humanity to have a future is to return to the stars you fell from. Whether it's raising dragons or launching yourself into space, Aground conceals greater depth and surprises beneath its surface, leaving you to wonder, “What’s next?”

Key Features of Aground:

• Captivating Narrative: As you progress throughout your journey, the truth will begin to unravel on why you crash landed on the planet.

• Beloved Retro-Style: A charming art style that adds to the mystique of the new world ready to be explored.

• Dig Deeper: Whether deep underground or voyaging through space, there are surprises that await you around every turn.

Aground is currently available on Xbox One and Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch™, PC — via Steam, Epic Games, the Humble Bundle Store, and itch.io. Aground is now available on Prime Gaming for free for individuals with Prime Gaming memberships.

Keep up with Aground by following Fancy Fish Games on Twitter or by staying tuned to Whitethorn Games on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitch, Discord, and whitethorngames.com.

Accessibility Features for Aground can be found here:
https://whitethorngames.com/aground/accessibility.

Magical Delicacy's Flora's Cooking Review!

In the upcoming Metroidvania-light meets cooking game Magical Delicacy, brought to you by sKaule and Whitethorn Games, you’ll take on the role of young witch Flora and prepare delicious dishes to please customers as you explore the harbor town of Grat. Today, we wanted to get to the heart of the action, so we sent one of our team to pay Flora a visit and see just how talented the young witch is. Here’s what they had to say:

“I recently had the opportunity to visit the beautiful harbor town of Grat. While I was there, I ordered food from a lovely new resident named Flora. I must say, the experience I had with Flora’s dishes was a magical one and quite unforgettable!

“I soon realized Flora was able to prepare a variety of dishes — pretty much anything a customer could ask for! I asked her how she came to have such a large selection. Flora told me how she received recipes for some of her dishes, while others are of her own creation. When I heard this, I was curious and ordered something she created, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint!

“One of her best qualities is that she can suit any taste with her substitutions. For example, one dish I ordered was quite spicy, but it was no problem for Flora — she added a few ingredients, and it helped counteract the heat that affected my palate! It was wonderful and such a kind thing for her to do!

“Each of her dishes only uses the highest quality of fresh ingredients that she often gets from local suppliers, forges on her own, or freshly grown in her very own garden in the back of her shop. Just know that if you order from Flora, you are getting the best!

Lastly, her delivery is top-notch! With Flora, there is no need to pick up your food from her storefront; she will bring the food right to you! When my meal arrived, it was as warm and fresh as if it just came out of the oven! So, if you’re in Grat, whether a local or a tourist, I highly recommend ordering from Flora directly if she happens to pass you by while making her delivery rounds. You know I will!”

About Magical Delicacy

In this Metroidvania-inspired wholesome cooking game, players will take on the role of Flora, a young witch who cooks magical delicacies from a vast collection of ingredients in her shop. Explore the unfamiliar town of Grat and deliver these tasty treats to the townsfolk, learn new ways to traverse, discover secrets, and experience a unique and witchy world one dish at a time.

Key Features of Magical Delicacy include:

• Enchanted Recipes: collect new recipes and ingredients through trade, questing, and exploring throughout the town of Grat.

• Bewitching Appetites: learn an extensive cooking system, allowing for creative choices to fulfill even the oddest orders.

• Magical Narratives: experience a linear story with many optional encounters and free play opportunities.

• Charmed Environments: traverse a 2D platformer inspired by Metroidvanias, gain new abilities, reach new areas, and unlock shortcuts.

Magical Delicacy is coming to PC via Steam, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. Magical Delicacy will also be available on day one on Xbox Game Pass.

Accessibility features for Magical Delicacy can be found here:
https://whitethorngames.com/magicaldelicacy/accessibility.

To stay spellbound, be sure to follow Magical Delicacy on TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram, and visit the official website. Follow sKaule on Twitter and their official website.

Keep up to date with Whitethorn Games on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch. Join the official Whitethorn Games Discord, and visit https://whitethorngames.com.

Botany Manor Coming to Xbox Game Pass, PC, and Switch in Spring 2024

The glorious gardens, graceful greenhouse, and dignified doors of Botany Manor will be open to the public during the upcoming spring. Today, publisher Whitethorn Games announces that the debut title from Balloon Studios will launch on PC, Nintendo Switch™, and Xbox in Spring 2024. As well, Botany Manor will be available day one with Xbox Game Pass. Set in a historical English homestead brimming with a lifetime of memorabilia and research to explore, players will uncover long-forgotten seeds and piece together clues as they solve puzzles to help each rare plant grow.

About Botany Manor:

The enduring estate of Botany Manor is home to retired botanist Arabella Greene. After a long career, she has amassed a collection of rare, long-forgotten plants that require some research to help them live again. Play as Arabella and explore the stunning historic manor and its grounds to look for clues in her notes, books, posters, and items scattered around the residence to determine the correct set of circumstances to help the flora flourish. Unlock new seeds and plant them. Interactable items around the property that can be turned and flipped will provide information to help you solve each gardening puzzle, grow the plants, and discover their mysterious qualities.

Key Features of Botany Manor include:

• Explore the peaceful grounds and many calming rooms of the beautifully rendered, historically accurate 19th-century manor.

• Pick up, flip, turn, and rotate the many items found around the estate to piece together the clues to solve each plant-based puzzle.

• Learn about Arabella’s life, career, and the challenges she faced as a woman scientist during the 19th century as you explore.

• Fall in love with the calming soundtrack that perfectly compliments the environment and flowers you bring to full bloom.

Botany Manor blossoms onto PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch™, and for Xbox One and Xbox Series S|X in Spring 2024. The game will be available on day one with Xbox Game Pass.

Accessibility Features for Botany Manor can be found here:
https://whitethorngames.com/botanymanor/accessibility

To keep your botanical research up to date, be sure to follow Botany Manor on TikTok,  Twitter, and Instagram, and visit the official website. Follow Balloon Studios on Twitter and the official website.

Keep up to date with Whitethorn Games on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, TikTok, and Twitch, join the official Whitethorn Games Discord, and visit https://whitethorngames.com.