The Forest Cathedral Gets a Limited Run Games PS5 Physical Edition

Text: Brian Wilson’s The Forest Cathedral is available in limited qualities for PlayStation 5, starting April 26 until May 26 through Limited Run Games.

We’re excited to share that we’ve partnered with Limited Run Games to release a PlayStation 5 physical edition of the environmental thriller that explores the dangers of DDT on the environment, The Forest Cathedral, this month. From April 26 until May 26, you can purchase your copy through Limited Run while supplies last.

Text: One of Little Man’s sequences in The Forest Cathedral

About The Forest Cathedral

A dramatic reimagining of the events surrounding real-life scientist Rachel Carson’s investigation of the harmful pesticide known as DDT, The Forest Cathedral is a dramatic reimagining of Carson’s environmental science book Silent Spring. Players will take on the role of Rachel, who has embarked on a field research biologist position on a mysterious island. While completing her weekly tasks, she quickly realizes things aren’t as they seem. Players will slowly uncover the horrific effects of the pesticide using advanced environmental technology to complete puzzles that weave together 3D exploration with 2D platforming. What secrets will Rachel discover on this island? Many will try to silence her, but the truth always finds a way.

Text: The fish tube area in The Forest Cathedral

Key features of The Forest Cathedral include:

  • Hey, Little Man: Switch control between Rachel Carson in the 3D world and the Little Man inside the 2D world of her advanced environmental scanning tools to solve puzzles and platforming challenges

  • Nature in Peril: Explore a meticulously crafted forested island, dense with trees, animals, fish, and insects, all impacted by the dangerous effects of DDT

  • The Sound of the Silence: The game features a fully voiced narrative to invest players in the harrowing history of the attempted silencing of Rachel Carson, backed by an enchanting original soundtrack

Text: A butterfly lands on Rachel Carson, the main protagonist in The Forest Cathedral

The Forest Cathedral is available now on PC via Steam, the Epic Games Store, Humble Bundle, Xbox Series S|X, and PlayStation 5 for $14.99 USD. A physical PlayStation 5 edition of the game can be purchased through Limited Run Games from April 26 through May 26, 2024, while supplies last.

To keep up with all things The Forest Cathedral, be sure to follow Whitethorn Games on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch, by joining the official Whitethorn Games Discord, and by visiting https://whitethorngames.com

Accessibility features available in The Forest Cathedral can be found here: https://whitethorngames.com/theforestcathedral/accessibility

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

Botany Manor Now Available on PC, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox

Text: Botany Manor | Visual: It’s a clear sunny day and a beautiful white English-style manor home is surrounded by lush green hedges, trees, and colorful plants. A gorgeous fountain is in front of the home.

Arabella Greene’s Estate Doors are Open to the Public — Botany Manor is Now Available on PC, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox

Explore the Stately Home and its Grounds to Uncover Long-Forgotten Flora Seeds and Clues Gathered Through Years of Research to Create the Unique Circumstances Required to Bring Them to Bloom

Erie, Pennsylvania (April 9, 2024) — Today, Whitethorn Games — publisher of inclusive, accessible, easy-going games including APICO, Calico, and Lake — along with developers Balloon Studios, is thrilled to announce that the highly-anticipated botanical puzzle game Botany Manor is now available on PC, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox, as well as 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.

Watch the Botany Manor launch trailer:

“We can’t wait to share Botany Manor with the world and see players solve the puzzles and learn more about Arabella’s life,” said Laure De Mey, Founder of Balloon Studios. “The whole team worked incredibly hard and put tons of love into the game. We all have a passion for English manors and gardens, so to now bring that experience to all kinds of people is just incredibly exciting to us.”

“As an avid botanist myself, it’s been a joy to work with Balloon Studios to bring Botany Manor to launch,” said Dr. Matthew White, CEO of Whitethorn Games. “This game represents our commitment to crafting inclusive, accessible experiences that captivate and inspire players. Botany Manor will immerse players in a stunning world of exploration, engaging puzzles, and an engrossing narrative for them to uncover. We couldn't be happier to share it with the world." 

Image: A wooden potting table in a beautiful sunny garden. A seed organizer box, clay pots, a compost bin, and a watering can sit atop the table.

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 seed varieties 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.

Image: A decorated blue room contains clay post filled with bushy pink flowers. Sunlight streams in from the tall windows.

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 and 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 is now available on PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One and Xbox Series S|X, for $24.99 USD and Xbox Game Pass. Until April 14, PC players can purchase the game on Steam at a 10% launch celebration discount. 

Botany Manor is available in the following languages on all platforms: English, French, Italian, German, Japanese, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified and Traditional Chinese.

Image: A tall red flower in a clay pot sits atop a wooden table in a smoke house.

To keep your botanical research up to date, be sure to follow Botany Manor on TikTokTwitter 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.

About Balloon Studios

The studio is founded by Laure De Mey, who previously worked at the award-winning ustwo games on Assemble with Care and Alba: A Wildlife Adventure. Laure was also named as BAFTA Breakthrough UK in 2020, and was part of Apple’s Macbook Pro campaign in 2019. With Balloon Studios, she has set off on her own journey to cater to underrepresented audiences like herself, and deliver welcoming game experiences for people who want to escape to peaceful, historical worlds. Learn more at balloonstudios.com.

Botany Manor Coming Soon to PC, Xbox, and Switch — Xbox Pre-Orders Start Today

Text: Botany Mano | Visual: It’s a clear sunny day and a beautiful white English-style manor home is surrounded by lush green hedges, trees, and colorful plants. A gorgeous fountain is in front of the home.

The glorious gardens, graceful greenhouse, and dignified doors of Botany Manor are almost open to the public! Botany Manor, the debut title from Balloon Studios, will launch on PC, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox on April 9, 2024. Players looking to secure their spot in the Manor’s gardens can pre-order their copy on Xbox starting today.

Just ahead of launch, Balloon Studios' Laure De Mey takes us through one of the puzzles that can be uncovered in the upcoming plant puzzle game Botany Manor. 


Pixie Tears are one of the rare forgotten flora that retired botanist Arabella Greene has collected as part of her long years of research. Like many of the plants in her collection, this specimen requires a very specific set of circumstances in order for it to bloom. De Mey walks us through Arabella's collection of research to determine just how to make this dainty flower flourish.

Watch how to make the Pixie Tears bloom by watching the video below:

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 and 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 Xbox One and Xbox Series S|X on April 9, 2024. You can pre-order the game on Xbox starting today. Botany Manor will be available in the following languages on all platforms: English, French, Italian, German, Japanese, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified and Traditional Chinese.

To keep your botanical research up to date, be sure to follow Botany Manor on TikTokTwitter 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.

Grab Your Board and Fishing Gear — Skate Fish is Out Now for Android Devices

Image: A fisher on a skate board catches a large mouth bass out of a river. Text: Skate Fish

Grab your trusty fishing rod and hop on your board — it’s time to cast out in a world where fishing and skateboarding collide! Skate Fish is out now for Android devices!

About Skate Fish

Welcome to a world where the only way to catch fish is to impress them! Customize your character, board, and fishing rod, and ride your way through chill environments — each with its own species to angle and obstacles to skate. Use two-finger touch controls to flip your board, grind ledges, and perform tricks as you become a skate-fishing legend and catch fish to help populate the local aquarium.

Image: Three screenshots from Skate Fish.
Screenshot 1: A woman on a skate board with a fishing pole skating along a paved path. Text: You caught a 6.4 in Wild Goldfish (Inward Heelflip)
Screenshot 2: A collection of colorful fish the player has collected are displayed on a black background detailing their sizes and the player’s progress.
Screenshot 3: A white and black skateboard mid-trick while a woman skater mirrors the trick as she attempts to catch a fish in the river. A progress bar details how long the fisher has been fishing.

Key Features of Skate Fish include:

  • Nostalgic finger-deck skateboarding emulated through two-finger touch controls that allow you to flip, grind, and slide your way to fishdom fame.

  • Three unique locations, each with its own discerning marine creatures to impress.

  • Customize your deck, trucks, tape, and fishing gear to show off your style.

Skate Fish is now available for free on Android devices via Google Play.

Follow Skate Fish on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.