PAX Aus 2026 delivered another strong showing for Australian independent developers, with dozens of small studios presenting prototypes, demos and near-complete titles headed to Steam and, in several cases, Nintendo Switch.
This roundup focuses on the homegrown highlights exhibitors showcased at the Melbourne event and summarizes confirmed platforms, demo availability and notable developer announcements.
Schrodinger’s Cat Burglar (Abandoned Sheep, Brisbane)
Brisbane studio Abandoned Sheep presented Schrodinger’s Cat Burglar, a polished top-down stealth-puzzle game that currently ships on Steam and earned an AGDA award earlier in 2026.
Director Martin Binfield described the title as built for both single- and two-player play: one player can simultaneously control both feline characters using dual sticks, or two players can control one cat apiece.
The game’s core gimmick — two versions of the protagonist occupying alternate states to solve puzzles — is already implemented in the current build, and the team confirmed a Switch port is in development with future ambitions for Switch 2 should a dev kit become available.
On the Hearth (Earl Grimm Games, Queensland)
Earl Grimm Games showcased On the Hearth, a narrative-driven mystery about an apprentice during the witch trials who deciphers magical research and gathers reagents.
Technical and Environment Artist Crystal said the team has been developing the title for about a year and that a Steam release is planned for 2027; the studio is also interested in a future Switch release.
The game is currently available for wishlist on Steam.
Terramystra (StarSword Games, South Australia)
StarSword Games, founded in 2025, debuted a demo of Terramystra on Itch.io.
Artist Ruby outlined the 3D fantasy puzzle-platformer premise starring a rock golem named Pebble.
The studio recommends wishlisting the project on Steam as development continues.
Lorenz Fries, Nuko and Tank-Scale Indies
Tasmania’s Faycrest Studios previewed Lorenz Fries, a top-down action-adventure horror title with a pixel aesthetic and a demo on Itch.io.
Victorian developer Loaded Deck Games is live with mobile card game Nuko and plans a Steam release targeted for mid-2027.
Solo developer Bradley Lin (Tank Society) presented an arcade-style tank shooter demo and aims to publish a Steam demo in 2027 with additional levels planned for the full release.
Penguin Colony (Origame Digital, Victoria)
Origame Digital released Penguin Colony on Steam shortly after PAX Aus and confirmed an active Switch port in development.
Director Tali said the concept began with a simple sandbox idea — penguins sliding across snow — and evolved into a lovecraftian historical-fiction adventure with seven playable penguins and distinct abilities.
Brave Cart, Multi-Merge Mayhem and My Arms are Longer Now
Hojo Studio’s Brave Cart (NSW) is a level-driven puzzle game that will donate 10% of sales to corporate waste initiatives, include a level editor and aims for Steam and mobile in mid-2027 with a later Switch release.
Party Bomb Studio’s arena party brawler Multi-Merge Mayhem is targeting Steam and Switch for late 2027.
Toot Games’ My Arms Are Longer Now, now published by Jackbox Games, is targeting Steam, Switch and Switch 2 in Q1 2027 and showcased an expanded PAX presence.
Dungeons and Dining Tables (Catalyst Games, South Australia)
Catalyst Games returned with Dungeons and Dining Tables, a procedurally generated dungeon crawler fused with home-decor mechanics.
Creative Director Aiden highlighted composer Nathan Cummins’ involvement in the game’s music production; the team plans a Steam release within the next year or so.
What to watch
Many of these titles are available to wishlist on Steam or to demo on Itch.io, while several studios confirmed Switch ports in active development.
For readers tracking Australian indies and Nintendo platforms, these projects represent the most concrete release and platform commitments announced at PAX Aus 2026.
This roundup focuses on the homegrown highlights exhibitors showcased at the Melbourne event and summarizes confirmed platforms, demo availability and notable developer announcements.
Schrodinger’s Cat Burglar (Abandoned Sheep, Brisbane)
Brisbane studio Abandoned Sheep presented Schrodinger’s Cat Burglar, a polished top-down stealth-puzzle game that currently ships on Steam and earned an AGDA award earlier in 2026.
Director Martin Binfield described the title as built for both single- and two-player play: one player can simultaneously control both feline characters using dual sticks, or two players can control one cat apiece.
The game’s core gimmick — two versions of the protagonist occupying alternate states to solve puzzles — is already implemented in the current build, and the team confirmed a Switch port is in development with future ambitions for Switch 2 should a dev kit become available.
On the Hearth (Earl Grimm Games, Queensland)
Earl Grimm Games showcased On the Hearth, a narrative-driven mystery about an apprentice during the witch trials who deciphers magical research and gathers reagents.
Technical and Environment Artist Crystal said the team has been developing the title for about a year and that a Steam release is planned for 2027; the studio is also interested in a future Switch release.
The game is currently available for wishlist on Steam.
Terramystra (StarSword Games, South Australia)
StarSword Games, founded in 2025, debuted a demo of Terramystra on Itch.io.
Artist Ruby outlined the 3D fantasy puzzle-platformer premise starring a rock golem named Pebble.
The studio recommends wishlisting the project on Steam as development continues.
Lorenz Fries, Nuko and Tank-Scale Indies
Tasmania’s Faycrest Studios previewed Lorenz Fries, a top-down action-adventure horror title with a pixel aesthetic and a demo on Itch.io.
Victorian developer Loaded Deck Games is live with mobile card game Nuko and plans a Steam release targeted for mid-2027.
Solo developer Bradley Lin (Tank Society) presented an arcade-style tank shooter demo and aims to publish a Steam demo in 2027 with additional levels planned for the full release.
Penguin Colony (Origame Digital, Victoria)
Origame Digital released Penguin Colony on Steam shortly after PAX Aus and confirmed an active Switch port in development.
Director Tali said the concept began with a simple sandbox idea — penguins sliding across snow — and evolved into a lovecraftian historical-fiction adventure with seven playable penguins and distinct abilities.
Brave Cart, Multi-Merge Mayhem and My Arms are Longer Now
Hojo Studio’s Brave Cart (NSW) is a level-driven puzzle game that will donate 10% of sales to corporate waste initiatives, include a level editor and aims for Steam and mobile in mid-2027 with a later Switch release.
Party Bomb Studio’s arena party brawler Multi-Merge Mayhem is targeting Steam and Switch for late 2027.
Toot Games’ My Arms Are Longer Now, now published by Jackbox Games, is targeting Steam, Switch and Switch 2 in Q1 2027 and showcased an expanded PAX presence.
Dungeons and Dining Tables (Catalyst Games, South Australia)
Catalyst Games returned with Dungeons and Dining Tables, a procedurally generated dungeon crawler fused with home-decor mechanics.
Creative Director Aiden highlighted composer Nathan Cummins’ involvement in the game’s music production; the team plans a Steam release within the next year or so.
What to watch
Many of these titles are available to wishlist on Steam or to demo on Itch.io, while several studios confirmed Switch ports in active development.
For readers tracking Australian indies and Nintendo platforms, these projects represent the most concrete release and platform commitments announced at PAX Aus 2026.
