It’s Easter — the time penguin lovers around the world have been waiting for. Why? Penguin Panic is now available on Steam! And for a limited time, it’s just €1.99. Who doesn’t want to play a cheerful game where you collect eggs during Easter?
🐧 Early Access to Full Release
Penguin Panic isn’t entirely new. It entered Early Access earlier this year and has been available since 2022 on iOS, Android, and Android TV. However, those versions were more limited. By releasing early, we were able to gather wishlists and feedback to improve the game.
Now, the full version has arrived on Steam — packed with updates and playable on PC, Mac, Linux, and (pro tip!) Steam Deck.
🎮 What is Penguin Panic?
Imagine this: a joyful 2D platformer starring a brave little penguin. Evil walruses have stolen her eggs. Your mission? Get them back while feasting on delicious fish along the way. There’s a countdown timer too — if you reach an egg in time, your collected fish are doubled!
When people ask what Penguin Panic is like, I usually say: “It’s like Mario, but with a penguin.” Sure, that doesn’t do our penguin (or Mario) full justice, but the core idea is the same: dash through levels, dodge obstacles, and grab as many fish as you can — as fast as possible.
🌍 Levels to Explore
- Frozen Ice World
- Desert and Oasis
- And yes… dancing penguins!
🧩 Who’s It For?
If you enjoy games that are cheerful, easy to pick up, and occasionally frustrating (in a good way), then Penguin Panic is for you. Fans of 8-bit retro games like Penguin Adventure (MSX) or Geometry Dash will definitely appreciate it.
💡 Why This Game?
After our time at Gamebasics, Bowie Derwort and I wanted to get hands-on again — building a game from scratch with a modern engine, experiencing the full development and publishing cycle.
We made this game for our kids (then 6, 8, and 10 years old). Commercial success wasn’t the goal — we just wanted to create something they’d love, and learn from the process. We figured the experience might lead to a bigger title later on. That next step hasn’t happened yet, mainly because even this “simple” game turned out to be quite the undertaking!
We chose self-publishing to learn everything first-hand. (Except in Asia, where we did work with a local publisher.) The mobile versions are free. On Steam, we’re asking a small fee (€2.99, or €1.99 with launch discount) to complete the commercial release experience.
🆕 What’s New in the Steam Version?
We added a lot to make the Steam version shine. Originally, the list of features was modest, but anyone who makes games knows: it’s never really done. Here’s what’s new:
- More levels: Now with optional side levels for extra variety
- Underwater gameplay: Penguins are great swimmers — dive in!
- Collectibles: Discover surprises in eggs and track your collection
- Smarter camera: Zooms out for a better view of the action
- Dancing on command: Tap your penguin to make them dance
- More dancers: Every completed level adds a baby penguin dancer
- Secrets tracker: Each level has one — check your progress in Stats
- Achievements: Synced with Steam, Apple Game Center, and Google Play
- Leaderboards: Compete globally across all platforms
- More music: Including a track made with the MSX Moonsound
- Jukebox: Listen to all game tracks anytime
- Fish balance tweaks: Less grinding, more fun
- New platforms: Mac, PC, Linux, Android TV, Apple TV, and Steam Deck
- Controller rumble: Feel the action in your hands
We may have bitten off a bit more than we could chew, but the results are worth it. The game is still simple, but far more fun and diverse than before.
Pro tip: It plays great on TV with a controller, or on the handheld Steam Deck.
🔮 What’s Next?
A game is never truly finished. For Penguin Panic, we still have tons of ideas — more characters, more levels, more interactions, and a giant list of features we’d love to add. Will we do it? That depends on how well this version performs.
For now, we’re taking a moment to enjoy the release. Meanwhile, we’re preparing for launches on other platforms and stores. Our goal is to make the game available in as many places as possible and gain experience with different channels.
📥 Download Now
Positive reviews help us stand out — so if you enjoy the game, we’d truly appreciate your support with a short review!
🧪 Built in the GameLab
The Steam version of Penguin Panic was developed at the GameLab. This is where students create games and learn how to bring them to market. That makes Penguin Panic an important educational project as well.
As lab managers, Bowie and I were able to experience many of the same challenges that indie developers face today — allowing us to better guide our students in their own projects.