Thin Ice arrives digitally for the Commodore 64 on Thursday, July 22 as a D64 release compatible with common C64 emulators and hardware devices.
The arcade-action title is developed by Christian Shrigley and Terry Lloyd, both veterans of Gremlin Graphics who later worked at Core Design, the studio behind Tomb Raider.
Thalamus Digital is publishing the release and has confirmed a forthcoming physical edition.
Background and development
Christian Shrigley and Terry Lloyd bring lengthy experience from Gremlin Graphics to Thin Ice, with subsequent work at Core Design.
Thalamus Digital — known for distributing modern releases of retro and Amiga titles — is handling the launch.
The publisher’s recent catalogue includes Amiga releases such as Roguecraft, Return To Blacktooth, and Cecconoid.
Gameplay overview
Thin Ice centers on Binky, an Ice Dragon whose home is invaded by a variety of hostile creatures.
Thalamus Digital characterizes the project as an arcade-action experience built specifically for the Commodore 64.
In journalistic terms, the game tasks players with guiding Binky through caverns, pushing ice blocks to crush enemies and collecting bonus letters that unlock a temporary fire-breath ability.
Enemy behavior and level design
The studio describes the adversaries as a mix of "nasties" with differing behaviors.
Rewritten for clarity: enemies display distinct AI patterns — some actively chase Binky, others move randomly, and some explode when approached.
These behavioral variations are intended to reward players who learn and adapt to enemy patterns, and the time-limited level structure requires reaching the exit before a timer expires.
Release details and formats
- Digital launch: D64 file, compatible with C64 emulators and hardware such as the C64 Ultimate and C64 Mini.
- Physical edition: Confirmed as "coming soon"; cover art for the boxed release is by industry artist Simon Phipps, noted for his work with Gremlin Graphics and Core Design.
Thalamus Digital has made a store page available for Thin Ice; the publisher has not yet announced pricing.
The D64 release on July 22 brings another modern publication to the active Commodore 64 homebrew and retro scene while highlighting the ongoing involvement of veteran developers in new C64 projects.
The arcade-action title is developed by Christian Shrigley and Terry Lloyd, both veterans of Gremlin Graphics who later worked at Core Design, the studio behind Tomb Raider.
Thalamus Digital is publishing the release and has confirmed a forthcoming physical edition.
Background and development
Christian Shrigley and Terry Lloyd bring lengthy experience from Gremlin Graphics to Thin Ice, with subsequent work at Core Design.
Thalamus Digital — known for distributing modern releases of retro and Amiga titles — is handling the launch.
The publisher’s recent catalogue includes Amiga releases such as Roguecraft, Return To Blacktooth, and Cecconoid.
Gameplay overview
Thin Ice centers on Binky, an Ice Dragon whose home is invaded by a variety of hostile creatures.
Thalamus Digital characterizes the project as an arcade-action experience built specifically for the Commodore 64.
In journalistic terms, the game tasks players with guiding Binky through caverns, pushing ice blocks to crush enemies and collecting bonus letters that unlock a temporary fire-breath ability.
Enemy behavior and level design
The studio describes the adversaries as a mix of "nasties" with differing behaviors.
Rewritten for clarity: enemies display distinct AI patterns — some actively chase Binky, others move randomly, and some explode when approached.
These behavioral variations are intended to reward players who learn and adapt to enemy patterns, and the time-limited level structure requires reaching the exit before a timer expires.
Release details and formats
- Digital launch: D64 file, compatible with C64 emulators and hardware such as the C64 Ultimate and C64 Mini.
- Physical edition: Confirmed as "coming soon"; cover art for the boxed release is by industry artist Simon Phipps, noted for his work with Gremlin Graphics and Core Design.
Thalamus Digital has made a store page available for Thin Ice; the publisher has not yet announced pricing.
The D64 release on July 22 brings another modern publication to the active Commodore 64 homebrew and retro scene while highlighting the ongoing involvement of veteran developers in new C64 projects.
