BONNIE BEAR SAVES FROGTIME Comedy adventure in which you set off on a quest to defeat the local bully via the frog-hopping tactical battle game Frogtime [ PC, Switch / 2026 / @BonteAvond ]

ASTROBOTANICA @astrobotanica.bsky.social Colourful survival adventure in which you play an alien botanist stranded on prehistoric Earth. Now available in Early Access [ PC / 2026 / @spacegoblingames.com ] store.steampowered.com/app/2720920/...

POKÉMON POKOPIA In a post-apocalyptic Pokémon world, play as a Ditto transformed into a human as you team up with other 'mon to restore the landscape [ Switch 2 / 2026 / @nintendousa.bsky.social ] www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/...

CAST N CHILL Relaxing fishing game presented in a beautiful pixel art style. You can even set it to Passive Mode so it plays while you work [ PC, Mac, Switch / 2025 / @wombatbrawler.com ] store.steampowered.com/app/3483740/...

QUILTS AND CATS OF CALICO Cozy board game in which you sew hexagons of fabric together to create a beautiful quilt and attract adorable cats [ PC, Mac, PS5, XSX, Sw, iOS, Andr / 2024 / @monstercouch.bsky.social @flatoutgames.bsky.social ] www.monstercouch.com/quilts-and-c...

PANCITOMERGE Bread-themed drop-matching game in which you merge items to create new treats and fulfil customers' requests. Developed as a love letter to Mexican baking and culture [ PC, Mac, Linux / 2026 / @fayer.dev ] store.steampowered.com/app/3655610/...

BIG HOPS Help Hop find his way home in this 3D froggy parkour platformer where you use your tongue, springy legs, and special vegetables for create your own paths through each level [ PC, PS5, Switch / 2026 / @luckshotgames.com ] www.luckshotgames.com/big-hops

10 DAYS TO GO! The History of the Pokémon Games features: 🎮 Over 150 games 🧑‍💻 In-depth chapters on the making of Gens 1-9 🎤 Foreword by @theveronicat.bsky.social (the original Ash Ketchum) ❓Fun facts to fascinate any Pokéfan Pre-order today: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...

The History of the Pokémon Games, published by @penandswordbooks.bsky.social, is out in two weeks from today! Want to know more? Ask me anything! (I'll pre-empt the first question: you can buy it here - www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...)

Fun Fact: There are at least 57 non-violent games featured in this book, so you should definitely buy it.

James Batchelor@jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Only 16 days to go! I cannot wait for you all to get your hands on it. ➡️ www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-... (Pics by @penandswordbooks.bsky.social )

OUTSIDE THE BLOCKS @otbgame.bsky.social This incredibly detailed model-builder lets you create practically any scene you can imagine, then show it off with Photo Mode [ PC / 2025 / Michał Kubas ] store.steampowered.com/app/2350220/...

ITHYA: MAGIC STUDIES Cozy productivity game set in a beautiful, hand-drawn fantasy world with tons of original music. Journey as a travelling and create the perfect environment for study [ PC, Mac / 2025 / Blue Turtle ] www.blueturtle-design.com/game

KOKORO KITCHEN Cozy farm-to-table management game in which you restore a rundown Japanese restaurant in the spirit realm with the help of Alan, a ghost chicken/poultry-geist [ PC, Mac / 2025 / @mangoleafgames.bsky.social ] store.steampowered.com/app/3079770/...

THE AUGUST BEFORE 3D puzzle game in which you clean up rooms and pack away the items you find in order to learn more about the life-changing moves the character is going through [ PC / 2025 / Silly Little Games, @catoptricgames.bsky.social ] the-august-before.tilda.ws

Technically, it's 28 days to go now but the point still stands: pre-order my new book! (Please)

James Batchelor@jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Attention #Pokemon fans: your first task in 2026 is to pre-order The History of the Pokémon Games. It's the perfect read before #Pokemon30thAnniversary Get yours here: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-... (Also available at Amazon, Waterstones, and more)

BITS & BOPS Collection of delightful rhythm-action mini-games presented in hand-drawn 2D animation. Also coming to consoles [ PC, Mac, Linux / 2025 / @tempolab.games ] www.tempolabgames.com

MY LITTLE SPIDER A cute little spider lives on your desktop, catching bugs for you to collect, catalogue and sell. Spend the money on upgrades (to catch rarer bugs) or hats for your spider [ PC / 2025 / @9fingergames.bsky.social @evantor.bsky.social ] store.steampowered.com/app/3854330/...

LOK DIGITAL Adaptation of acclaimed pen & paper puzzle book LOK. Learn words from a strange language and use their mysterious powers to clear each grid. Now on Switch! [ PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Switch / 2024 / @letibus.bsky.social @icedropgames.bsky.social @draknek.bsky.social ] lok-digital.com

UMAMI Cosy 3D puzzle game about fitting wooden blocks together to create statues of delicious, towering food [ PC / 2025 / @mimmox.bsky.social ] mimmox.com

THE BERLIN APARTMENT As a father and daughter renovate an old apartment in Berlin, they discover the stories of those who lived there [ 2025 / @bluebackpack.bsky.social ] PC: store.steampowered.com/app/2280430/... PS5: store.playstation.com/en-gb/concep... XSX: www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/...

TINY LANDS 2 Explore 3D dioramas as you try to find all the differences, and collect hidden jigsaw pieces to unlock secrets [ PC, Switch / 2025 / Hyper 3 Studio ] Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/2213330/... Switch: www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/...

BABBLING BROOK Relaxing game in which you sculpt the landscape to create and guide streams through lush forests and sprawling meadows, helping a flock of rubber ducks escape to the sea [ PC / 2025 / @srd-ramon.bsky.social ] store.steampowered.com/app/3672300/...

GALLERIA Cosy anthropomorphic art gallery simulator that runs along the bottom of your screen. Hire artists, create paintings, and grow your gallery while you work or study [ PC / 2025 / Maru Studio ] store.steampowered.com/app/3920630/...

ILA: A FROSTY GLIDE In this mini open world adventure, you play a young witch-in-training using her skatebroom to search a magical island for her lost cat [ PC, PS5, XSX, Switch / 2025 / @magicrainstudios.bsky.social ] www.magicrainstudios.com

LETTERS TO ARRALLA In this cozy adventure, you are a turnip delivering mail to fellow vegetables and other colourful characters on an Australian island [ PC / 2025 / Little Pink Clouds ] www.littlepinkclouds.com

SIPS AND SONNETS In this visual novel, you run a tea shop in the British countryside and help customers with their problems through a mix of poetry and the obligatory hot beverages [ PC / 2025 / Blue Tango Street ] store.steampowered.com/app/3176190/...

TALES OF THE SHIRE One does not simply walk into the Shire. One must also decorates their Hobbit hole, build the town, cook, fish, forage, trade, and (most of all) relax [ PC, PS5, XSX, Switch / 2025 / @wetaworkshop.bsky.social @privatedivision.com ] talesoftheshire.com

"It’s not pushing pacifism; it’s about what interaction can mean beyond harm... These aren’t just 'safe' games for kids; they’re clever, inventive, and often deeply emotional experiences" Amazing review from @thevideogamelibrary.org. Thank you! thevideogamelibrary.substack.com/p/book-spotl...

BOOK SPOTLIGHT - The Best Non-Violent Video Games

James Batchelor (2023); Pen & Sword Books - White Owl; Non-Fiction

thevideogamelibrary.substack.com

SPOOKY EXPRESS Cutesy horror-themed puzzle game where you need to build a railway line to take vampires, zombies and monsters home - and stranded humans to safety [ PC, Mac, iOS, Android / 2025 / @draknek.bsky.social ] spooky.express

UNDUSTED: LETTERS FROM THE PAST Help Adora restore a range of forgotten items to learn more about her family & the stories behind each object [ PC, Switch / 2025 / 5minlab @togeproductions.bsky.social ] Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/2891020/... Switch: www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/...

Undusted: Letters from the Past

A casual game in which you clean and restore dirty items. Enjoy the satisfying audiovisuals featuring sensually designed sounds and graphics.

nintendo.com