From Singapore with love: 11 home-grown video games coming in 2025

SINGAPORE – Gamers in Singapore will be spoilt for choice in 2025, which is shaping up to be a milestone year for local video game development.

Upcoming games made in the Republic include a blockbuster title, new releases from indie veterans and debut games from fresh entrants.

“2025 feels like a turning point for Singapore’s game development scene,” says Mr Matthew Quek, chief executive of The Iterative Collective, a Singapore-based indie game publisher and collective of studios.

The Iterative Collective is affiliated with two games set to be released in the first quarter of 2025: the horror game Scarred and the co-operative cooking game Sedap!.

“The local indie scene is maturing, with many studios on their second or third projects,” he adds. “More games are securing international investments and new studios are emerging. This reflects not only growing expertise, but also rising creative ambition.”

However, he believes the development scene here remains in its infancy compared with other global hubs such as Poland, Japan and the Nordic countries – with key challenges such as funding shortfalls and difficulties securing talent.

This is a sentiment echoed by games journalist Tessa Kaur, who notes that 2025’s crop of Singapore-made games are mostly indie titles. Indie studios usually have smaller teams of fewer than 50 people, without the financial backing of a large publisher.

Still, the line-up of games shows that the sector is gaining momentum.

“The number of video games coming out of Singapore proves that a lot of people here are excited to make art. They just need to be given the means and resources to do so,” she says.

Singaporean solo developer Zhou Xuanming, an industry veteran of over 17 years, says it is heartening to see the upward trend in the number of games from home-grown indie developers.

He adds that there are a few factors at play: the recent commercial successes of solo developers and small indie studios; audiences tiring of conservative game design from blockbuster studios; and a growing appetite for indie games that break the mould.

“I believe the next few years could mark a golden age for indie games – and not just in Singapore,” he says.

Here are 11 Singapore-made video games set to make their mark in 2025.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Developer: Ubisoft
Genre: Action role-playing
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox, MacOS
Release date: February 2025

Previous editions of the blockbuster Assassin’s Creed franchise of action-adventure games (2007 to present) have explored Mediterranean antiquity, Victorian London and Viking-age Europe.

The latest instalment in the series is taking players to 16th-century Japan, towards the end of its warring-states era.

French developer Ubisoft set up shop in Singapore in 2008. Ubisoft Singapore contributed to the development of games such as Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (2013) and led the development of pirate adventure game Skull And Bones (2024).

Ubisoft Singapore developed Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Omi and Wakasa regions, based on their real-world equivalents in Japan.

Mr Paul Fu, Ubisoft Singapore’s creative director, says fans can expect a variety of mysteries and touching moments in these regions, as well as a visit to the Azuchi Castle in Japan’s Lake Biwa.

Ms Cassandra Poon, an associate producer at Ubisoft Singapore, says that at the peak of production, over 80 team members at Ubisoft Singapore worked on Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

“In addition to shaping Omi and Wakasa, two of the largest regions in Shadows, the team crafted story missions within these worlds, focusing on Yasuke, one of the game’s two main protagonists,” she says.

Ms Poon adds that the studio leveraged its previous experience with designing naval- and water-themed areas from Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag and Skull And Bones to deliver a “living world on the seas”.

Sedap!

Developer: Kopiforge
Genre: Co-operative cooking
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox
Release date: March 2025

If you have ever found yourself wishing that cooking games featured mythical beasts alongside bowls of laksa, Sedap! might just be the game you have been waiting for.

Developed by Kopiforge – a home-grown studio composed of three fresh graduates – this co-operative cooking adventure takes place in a fantastical version of South-east Asia. 

Unlike other cooking games such as Overcooked (2016), Sedap! features combat and exploration, as well as a strong focus on South-east Asian culture. 

Players hunt creatures to cook up South-east Asian cuisine – from classics such as mango sticky rice and teh tarik, to lesser-known dishes such as dan bauk, a Burmese chicken briyani, and hati buyah, a Bruneian dish of stir-fried beef lungs. Dishes from all 11 countries in the region are represented in the game. 

Sedap! is the debut release of Kopiforge’s young developers, all aged between 24 and 26.

Kopiforge co-founder Jay Wong says: “We saw how popular party games like Overcooked and Mario Kart could easily facilitate fun times at social gatherings with friends who aren’t necessarily gamers, and we wanted to achieve the same effect.”

“Most importantly, we wanted our game to centre on South-east Asia, a vibrant yet relatively unrepresented region in media, especially games,” he adds. “If people can have fun cooking soup and hamburgers in Overcooked, why not cook something like mee goreng or chicken rice?”

He says many Singaporeans think locally made content is “cringe” or “low-quality”. “With Sedap!, we hope to challenge that mindset and develop a game that Singaporeans can be passionate about,” he adds.

Scarred

Developer: Koex Studio
Genre: Horror puzzle
Platform: PC
Release date: March 2025

The idea of making a horror game set in Singapore has been a long-time dream of Singaporean solo developer Choo Bin Yong, 36.

His upcoming release, Scarred, is a horror puzzle game about unravelling the mystery of a secondary school student’s disappearance.

Scarred transforms many traditional Singapore landscapes – such as HDB void decks and classrooms – into nightmarish settings for players to navigate.

He notes that there are not many video games set in Singapore, something he has sought to change with his game. He also engaged Singaporean voice actors to ensure that the game sounds authentic.

“The story is partly inspired by my experiences, particularly during my school days,” says Mr Choo, a Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts graduate who taught himself game development.

The Diner At The End Of The Galaxy

Developer: General Interactive Co
Genre: Business simulator
Platforms: PC and Xbox
Release date: Second quarter of 2025

In The Diner At The End Of The Galaxy, developer General Interactive Co transports fans of the management simulation genre to outer space.

Amid a galaxy recovering from the ravages of war, players run the last diner in existence – serving dishes to an unusually diverse clientele, growing alien crops and choosing allies.

While the game takes inspiration from the likes of healthcare tycoon game Theme Hospital (1997) and banana republic simulator Tropico (2001), General Interactive Co’s creative director Mark Fillon says the game differs from other management simulators by emphasising narrative and player choice.

“It’s more than just about managing the business. What’s left of civilisation is trying to rebuild, which has led to competing factions vying for power,” says Mr Fillon. “There are lots of cool mechanics in the game that make it unique. For example, you can hire literally anyone that enters your diner.”

The game’s writing is inspired by comedic takes on science fiction, such as the work of English author Douglas Adams and animated series Futurama (1999 to present).

Mr Fillon adds that the game is part of the ongoing boom in “cosy games” sparked by hits like farming simulator Stardew Valley (2016). It features no violence or stressful time-based challenges, and offers players a deep level of customisation.

General Interactive Co previously produced the award-winning point-and-click adventure game Chinatown Detective Agency (2022), set in a dystopian Singapore of 2037.

Grifford Academy

Developer: LandShark Games
Genre: Role-playing game
Platform: PC
Release date: First quarter of 2025

Grifford Academy is a role-playing game with a personal and coming-of-age twist. Players follow a trio of high school misfits – Erika, Viva and Cap – as they tumble into a mystical book and work together to overcome monsters, discover magic and shape one another’s destinies. 

The turn-based combat and character-driven storytelling encourage players to consider not just how to win battles, but also how their choices influence the characters’ personalities and growth, says LandShark Games founder Paul Naylor.

“Will Erika become a better leader by listening to her friends? Will Viva transform from someone full of self-doubt to self-confidence? How the characters defeat the vicious monsters and the decisions you make about their personality flaws play a critical role in who they become.” 

Mr Naylor describes the game as “your significant other’s first RPG” and adds that as a short 10-hour experience, it is not as daunting to get into as other games in the genre.

Grifford Academy was inspired by the experience of introducing fantasy tabletop role-playing game Dungeons And Dragons (1974) to his two children, and is his love letter to them.

“Seeing their wide, excited eyes as they went on whimsical adventures, rescuing dragons and catching giant chickens, it inspired me to bring this experience to the next level of immersion – the medium of video games.”

Compensation Not Guaranteed

Developer: Team Project Lunch
Genre: Choice-based narrative
Platform: PC
Release date: 2025

What would a video game based on Singapore’s history look like? Compensation Not Guaranteed, previously known by the working title Common Wealth, places players in the shoes of a government official in a young country forging its post-colonial identity.

Loosely inspired by Singapore’s post-independence years in the 1970s, players must acquire land for grand development projects, while navigating the ethical challenges of persuading citizens to give up their homes.

“The main inspiration came from wanting to explore a specific aspect of nation-building and approaching the question of what it takes from a different angle,” says Mr Jeremy Wong, co-founder of developer Team Project Lunch. “Hopefully, the fictional nation we create will allow both Singaporean and global audiences to see the journey countries undergo in a new light.”

The game’s mechanics will feel familiar to fans of the acclaimed indie hit Papers, Please (2013), in which players took on the role of a border inspector in a repressive regime.

What sets Compensation Not Guaranteed apart from others in its genre is its focus on a narrative and art style that is distinctly local. 

“The art style borrows a lot from local arts like wayang kulit, batik painting and modern works by regional painters,” says Mr Wong. “We’re also using landmarks, folklore and historical events as templates to create something new. We are exploring what they express about our society, and finding ways to imbue our fictional land with the same.”

Identifile

Developer: Gearbyte Games
Genre: Action roguelike
Platform: PC
Release date: 2025

In Identifile, players take on the role of a computer cursor battling viruses in a file explorer interface, while collecting .exe files to upgrade their abilities so they can reclaim their operating system.

Mr Tang Leejed, one of the developers, says Identifile is inspired by indie titles such as The Binding Of Isaac (2011) and Undertale (2015).

But the biggest influence is Nintendo’s Pokemon Ranger (2006), in which players draw circles around foes to vanquish them while dodging attacks.

“Growing up, Pokemon Ranger was a favourite of mine, and I’ve always wished for a modern take on its combat style,” says Mr Tang. “Since no one has made it, we decided to create it – infused with the depth and replayability of a modern roguelike (games with algorithm-generated levels).”

Identifile is the debut work of Gearbyte Games, a team of two computer science students – Mr Tang and Mr Lin Xin, both 25 – from the DigiPen Institute of Technology. A playable demo is available on online gaming marketplace Steam.

13Z

Developer: Mixed Realms
Genre: Action adventure
Platforms: PC and Xbox
Release date: Third quarter of 2025 (Early Access)

What would it take to become the 13th member of the Chinese zodiac? According to local developer Mixed Realms, the answer is a series of action-packed battles with the existing 12 animals of the Asian zodiac and their minions.

“The inspiration for 13Z came from a fusion of mythological storytelling and the roguelike genre’s intrinsic challenge and replayability,” says Mr Aldric Chang, Mixed Realms’ chief executive.

He adds that the game draws inspiration from action-heavy roguelikes such as Hades (2020) and Risk Of Rain 2 (2019), while introducing multiplayer elements and more mobile and vertical combat.

13Z features a cast of animal spirits with distinct abilities, allowing players to craft their playing style and unlock powerful modifiers to tackle an evolving series of battles, set in a world inspired by the myths and legends of the eastern zodiac.

The game, which is being tested by a small number of players, enters Early Access on Steam in the third quarter of 2025. Early Access is a pre-release version of the game, in which players can provide feedback and funding during the development process.

Home-grown studio Mixed Realms previously produced the virtual-reality action game Hellsweeper VR (2023) and the turn-based role-playing game Gordian Quest (2022).

Unyielder

Developer: TrueWorld Studios
Genre: First-person shooter
Platform: PC
Release date: 2025

TrueWorld Studios’ Unyielder is a fast-paced first-person shooter combining elements of the roguelike and loot shooter genres. A playable demo will be released on Steam later in December.

Mr Don Baey, TrueWorld’s chief of business development, says: “Unyielder focuses on very intense one-on-one boss battles, which give the players spectacular moments during combat and the sense of accomplishment after overcoming difficulties.”

Inspired by other fast-paced shooter games such as Quake (1996), Destiny (2014) and Apex Legends (2019), Mr Baey says the game marries high-stakes combat with customisable gameplay.

“Every playthrough is a gaming experience that is completely customised by the player. This includes the late-stage game in which players will be able to defeat bosses, obtain their combined parts and ‘craft’ or assemble their own final boss to fight.”

Let’s Build A Dungeon

Developer: Springloaded
Genre: Business simulator
Platforms: PC, Xbox
Release date: 2025

At first glance, Let’s Build A Dungeon seems like an ordinary simulator game, in which one manages resources while building up a monster-infested and dungeoneering fantasy world akin to Dungeon Keeper (1997) and War For The Overworld (2015). 

But there is a twist. The game is actually about running a studio tasked with building the best role-playing game in the world. It is a meta-fictional business simulator about the creative and commercial challenges of thriving in the video game industry.

Developer Springloaded’s chief executive and director James Barnard says the game is partly autobiographical.

He moved to Singapore in 2008 to work at entertainment company Lucasfilm, before founding Springloaded in 2012.

“This game is a celebration of everything that makes the video game industry amazing, and a commiseration about all the things that can make it incredibly challenging,” he says.

“We wrap it all up in a satirical shell that makes it hard to know what’s real and what isn’t.”

Glyphica: Typing Survival

Developer: Aliasblack
Genre: Typing roguelite
Platform: PC
Release date: 2025

Glyphica: Typing Survival is a typing game from Singaporean solo developer Zhou Xuanming.

The game’s core premise – typing to fire one’s weapon at enemies – is inspired by mechanics from other popular games of the genre such as Typing Of The Dead (1999) and Epistory (2016).

However, it incorporates elements from roguelike games such as Vampire Survivors (2022), in which players level up and upgrade their weapons while facing off against an endless and replayable wave of enemies.

The game is available on Steam in Early Access format, and a full version will be released in 2025.

Mr Zhou says Glyphica will be a test of keyboard mastery, and players must remember “when, what and where” they type.

Correction note: In an earlier version of the story, we misstated Mr Don Baey’s job title. This has been corrected.