The Darkest Files 🕵️♀️
@thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de
The Darkest Files is a historical investigation and courtroom game based on true crimes during the Nazi era. Investigate cold cases and win them at court. Release 25 March 2025 https://store.steampowered.com/app/2058730/The_Darkest_Files/
The Darkest Files received an award at the @gamesforchange.bsky.social Festival in the category “Best in Learning” and we couldn’t be prouder! 🥳 This means the world to us. Thank you so much to the Games for Change jury and everyone who has supported us along the way! 🧡 #G4C2026 #GamesForChange
In New York, the highly acclaimed awards were also presented as part of the Games for Change (G4C) festival, with one award going to the German studio @paintbucket.de. Most of the awards went to Hexecutable, but the main category was won by Compulsion Games. www.gamesmarket.global/paintbucket-...
Paintbucket Wins Best in Learning at G4C Awards, Compulsion the GotY Category
In New York, the highly acclaimed awards were also presented as part of the Games for Change (G4C) festival, with one award going to the German studio Paintbucket Games. Most of the awards went to Hex...
gamesmarket.global
We're excited to announce a NEW DLC! The Darkest Files - Battalion. Once again, you get to solve a brand new and long-awaited case with Esther Katz. This time, though, it won't be so easy... She'll need all the help she can get! 🕵️♀️ #IndieGame #DetectiveGame #TrueCrime
Need a companion for your summer vacation? We're joining the Steam Summer Sale once again this year! 🌞 After this sale, we're gearing up to announce some big news 🕵️♀️ We can't share any details just yet, but we're already excited to tell you more very soon. #indiedev #detectivegame #SteamSummerSale
We want our games to be inclusive and welcoming to all players, which is why we’ve implemented several accessibility features into our indie game, The Darkest Files. Are we missing an important feature? Let us know! 🧡 #indiedev #indiegame #accessibility
We're honored that The Darkest Files is nominated for Best in Community Empowerment & Best in Learning at #G4C2026! 🥳 We designed our game to make history tangible through personal stories and to support remembrance. Congrats to all the finalists! 🧡 #GamesForChange #IndieGameDev #G4CAwards
Did you know our beloved office cat started as a tiny background detail? Now, she’s a community favorite you can actually pet in-game! 🧡 Drop a 😻 in the comments if you pet her every day, like me! #IndieGame #TheDarkestFiles
We're excited to announce our new game SOKO 1977: Anti-Terror Task Force, coming to Steam in early 2027! 🕵️ Set in 1970s West Germany, the game puts you in charge of a special police task force during a time of emergency. ➡️ More info on our website: paintbucket.de/en/projekte/...
We‘re in Stuttgart this weekend 🧡 📍 Find us in the Gamezone in the Staatsgalerie - entry is free! #ITFS #Stuttgart #indiegame
Today marks the anniversary of the liberation from National Socialism. We spoke at @derdcp.bsky.social about Fritz Bauer – forced to flee Germany, and later returning to fight for justice through the rule of law. His legacy reminds us that democracy is fragile and that remembrance matters.
🏆 Bestes Serious Game 🏆 Bestes Deutsches Spiel Mit 'The Darkest Files' gewinnt erstmals ein Serious Game den Preis für bestes deutsches Computerspiel des #derDCP 👉 paintbucket.de/projekte/the... @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de @paintbucket.de #erinnerungskultur #seriousgame #digitallearning
The Darkest Files - Paintbucket Games
Als Staatsanwältin ermittelst du in realen NS-Verbrechen der Nachkriegszeit. Mehrfach ausgezeichnetes Ermittlungsspiel – jetzt für PC Mac & Switch.
paintbucket.de
Der Deutsche Computerspielpreis | Der DCP@derdcp.bsky.social · 3mo agoThe Darkest Files ist das Beste Deutsche Spiel des #derDCP 26! Mit einer visuell starken Welt im „Comic-Noir“-Stil und spannenden Mechaniken eröffnet es eine Spielerfahrung, die Erinnerungskultur innovativ und glaubwürdig erlebbar macht, ohne Unterhaltungswert zu verlieren.
We’re still as blown away as before: The Darkest Files really won the DCP in the categories "Best Serious Game" and "Best German Game"!! 🥳 We‘re so grateful and congratulate the other nominees and winners. Thanks to everyone who kept their fingers crossed for us 🧡 Photo: Franziska Krug & DCP
For the first time ever, the Best Serious Game is also the Best German Game. History made at @derdcp.bsky.social. Congrats @freejsf.paintbucket.de and @paintbucket.de ❤
GamesMarket@gamesmarket.global · 3mo agoBerlin's @paintbucket.de unifies Best Serious Game and Best German Game for the first time ever at @derdcp.bsky.social 2026. @tinybookshopgame.com is Best Debut, @bluebackpack.bsky.social takes home three cash prizes. www.gamesmarket.global/the-darkest-...
Join us on Discord for a watch together of the @derdcp.bsky.social awards show! 🧡 Cheer us on, get some fun facts and hopefully celebrate with us devs 🥳 📅 When? TODAY 7:30 pm CET 📍 Where? 👉 discord.gg/the-darkest-...
500 reviews!! You did it, thank you everyone 🧡 The Darkest Files is overwhelmingly positive on Steam - we can‘t believe it 🥹 #indiedev #indiegames
Did you know Fritz Bauer did not only bring Nazi crimes to trial but also fought against restrictive sexual criminal laws and for sexual self-determination? If Bauer were alive today, he would certainly be fighting for the rights of transgender people! Happy Trans Day of Visibility to you all! 🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️
We woke up to some incredible news today! The Darkest Files has been nominated for the @derdcp.bsky.social in no less than five categories! 🥳 Thank you to the jury and congratulations to the other nominees. We're really grateful to be alongside so many great names 🧡 See you in Munich! #derDCP
The Darkest Files is OUT NOW on #NintendoSwitch! 🕵️ Get your detective hat ready: our historical investigation game about Fritz Bauer's quest for justice in 50s Germany is finally available. Do you have the courage to bring these "ordinary men" to court? 👉 Buy now: www.nintendo.com/de-de/Spiele...
Spielung zu The Darkest Files: 🗓️ Fr, 27.03.2026 ⏰ 18:00–20:00 Uhr 📍 Berliner Landeszentrale für politische Bildung 🎟️ Eintritt frei Live Diskussion über die Ursprünge des heutigen Rechtsextremismus und das Vermittlungspotential von Games. 👉 Hier anmelden: www.berlin.de/politische-b...
Online-Anmeldung für Veranstaltungen der Berliner Landeszentrale für politische Bildung - Berlin.de
berlin.de
Die @omasgr.bsky.social haben The Darkest Files gespielt und wir durften sie dabei filmen! Lust auf ein entschleunigtes Let’s Play mit persönlichen Anekdoten und herzlichem Commentary? Hier geht's zum YouTube-Video! www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPty... #OmasGegenRechts
Omas Gegen Rechts spielen The Darkest Files!
YouTube video by Paintbucket Games
youtube.com
❗GET READY, DETECTIVES🕵️♀️ We’re excited to finally let the cat out of the bag 😻 Happy to announce that you’ll be able to play The Darkest Files on the #NintendoSwitch on March 30! Finally, you can take Esther Katz’s real cases with you wherever you go. Mark your calendars!
is there a better start in the week than waking up to a review like this? Thank you so much! 🧡
The Darkest Files 🕵️♀️@thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 5mo agoWe're part of the Steam Spring Sale with 35% off The Darkest Files! And if you'd like to take it outside, the game runs on the Steam Deck as well 🌞
If you believe in liberal democracy and the rule of law, this game might bolster your belief. 🫂
The Darkest Files 🕵️♀️@thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 5mo agoWe're part of the Steam Spring Sale with 35% off The Darkest Files! And if you'd like to take it outside, the game runs on the Steam Deck as well 🌞
We're part of the Steam Spring Sale with 35% off The Darkest Files! And if you'd like to take it outside, the game runs on the Steam Deck as well 🌞
Something curious is happening on Steam… From March 11–18, we’re part of the Curious Odyssey Sales Event! With 30% off. If you'd like to take a break and lose yourself in great stories, then check out the great titles featured in the Curious Odyssey Sale ✨ ➡️ store.steampowered.com/curator/4589...
An initiative of German judges invokes Bauer's legacy and calls for all means of the constitutional state to be used to stop the new fascism that is on the rise. The Darkest Files is more timely than ever.
Neue Richter*innenvereinigung e.V.@neuerichter.bsky.social · 6mo agoDie Justiz ist immanent politisch! ⚖️ Mit der Frankfurter Resolution zieht die NRV-Jugend Lehren aus dem Erbe von Fritz Bauer. Gegen falsche Neutralität: Einstehen für das Grundgesetz. 🫣 Mut zur Wehrhaftigkeit: Den Rechtsstaat aktiv schützen. 🛡️ 👇 www.neuerichter.de/das-erbe-fri...
Surprise! Just in time for the Steam Detective Fest, we’ve released a brand-new demo for The Darkest Files 🥳 Also, the full game is currently 30% off! If you love detective games and mystery-solving, be sure to check out the many other awesome titles featured in the Steam Detective Fest as well 🔍
What a year! We still can’t believe everything that happened in 2025 — we released The Darkest Files, won multiple awards, and saw our game being used in schools. We’re excited for what’s to come, and thank you for your support 🧡 Steam Winter Sale is still on until the 31st of Dec! 🔍
📢 Workshop in Erfurt today at 17:30! Educators explore how games can support remembrance. With Paintbucket Games and titles like Through the Darkest of Times and The Darkest Files, it will be discussed how games enable meaningful memory work and where the medium reaches its limits.
