Triple-i Showcase 2026: 10 huge announcements not to miss
This year’s Triple-i Initiative lineup did not come to play around.
Emily Merritt
co-host of indie video game podcast No Small Games
The Triple-i Initiative Showcase is, in my opinion, one of the best moments of the year to get a sense of the state of indie games, outside of Summer Game Fest. The pulse of indie gaming beats strong throughout this event, and right now it’s co-op games that are coursing through the industry’s veins, above anything else. This year’s event was primarily populated by multiplayer experiences, from “friendslop” games, to sick and twisted party games, to new iterations on classic indie co-op series. But there were also some select single-player experiences sharing the spotlight as well. This list features just a few of the many highlights from the event.
1. Prove You’re Human
Developed by: sunset visitor
Published by: Black Tabby Publishing
Steam Store Page
I could have told you this would be at the top of my list of highlights before the show even began. Although we didn’t know its title until approximately 12:03pm today, we knew that sunset visitor would be unveiling their next project during triple-i today. It’s going to be tough to follow up such a stunning and impactful debut game, as 1000xRESIST truly took the world by storm in 2024. But I have full faith in this team. Prove Your Human promises to hold up a mirror to our own reality, in telling the story of an AI who dreams of becoming human. We don’t have a release window yet but whenever it’s ready, you can bet it’ll be a day one purchase for me.
2. Sledding Game
Developed by: The Sledding Corporation
Published by: The Sledding Corporation
Steam Store Page
If you follow indie game content pretty much anywhere online, you’ve probably seen clips of Sledding Game. This adorable viral hit that lets you and a group of friends hit the slopes as a crew of cute critters. You can, of course, go sledding, race each other down the mountain and show off your slick tricks. But there are also plenty of other alpine activities, cosmetics to collect, and delightful opportunities to just hang with your buds. If, like me, you’ve been eagerly awaiting the day we can all share a ski lift together, you won’t have to wait much longer! Sledding Game is coming into Early Access on April 30!
3. Away Team
Developed by: Klei Entertainment
Published by: Klei Entertainment
Steam Store Page
This might be the game that gets me into the Oxygen Not Included series. I have to admit I’ve previously felt a bit intimidated, albeit intrigued, by this base-building survival title. But Klei Entertainment has my attention with this announcement. Away Team features even cuter cartoony graphics and plenty of chaos, as well as multiplayer support in what they’re calling a survival simulation game. I’m very curious to see how the simulation sandbox aspect of Away Team will come into play to distinguish it from Oxygen Not Included. No release date yet, so we’ll have to keep an eye on this one.
4. Neverway
Developed by: Coldblood Inc.
Published by: Coldblood Inc., Outersloth
Steam Store Page
Neverway? More like Never-WHEN, am I right? It’s been a year almost to the day since Neverway was first announced, but I feel like I’ve been waiting for it all my life. This psychological horror life sim offers a setup much like Stardew Valley. Main character Fiona is new to the small town where she’s decided to take up farming as an escape from her old life, but rural life offers new horrors to try and escape from. Honestly, you had me at “the pixel artist behind Celeste and a soundtrack by Disasterpiece.” Fortunately, I don’t have to wait much longer for this gorgeous and terrifying farming sim, as it’s now slated to come out in October, 2026.
5. Temtem: Pioneers
Developed by: Crema
Published by: Crema
Steam Store Page
Look, I’m a simple girl with simple desires and, frankly, I can be lured into a game franchise with adorable creatures. And that’s exactly why I’m excited for Temtem: Pioneers! Ever since finishing Winter Burrow, which I absolutely adored, I’ve been in the mood for more cozy survival crafting games. Temtem: Pioneers looks like it’s going to combine the survival crafting and basebuilding depth of Valheim with Palia-like chill, open world vibes. But best of all, you get to tame and train the over 200 adorable Temtem that inhabit the land. They know what they did with this one.
6. Final Sentence
Developed by: Button Mash
Published by: Polden Publishing
Steam Store Page
Maybe it’s just the anxiety seeping through from repressed memories of typing tests during Computer Class in grade school, but there’s something about typing games and horror that just go together for me. I absolutely loved the blend of typing and terror in the psychological thriller Dead Letter Dept. from 2025. So I’m already sold on the high stakes clerical Battle Royale gameplay of Final Sentence. One false keystroke could be your last, as you type for survival on your own or against up to 40 other players. And the best part is the game is out now!
7. Alabaster Dawn
Developed by: Radical Fish Games
Published by: Radical Fish Games
Steam Store Page
The creators of CrossCode have returned to send us on another grand adventure through a gorgeous pixelated land. The trailer for Alabaster Dawn suggests that this time we’ll be swept up into a world of high fantasy. But the Steam store page confirms that players can expect to see a rich and intense combat system that builds off the successes of CrossCode. It remains to be seen whether Alabaster Dawn’s playtime will also clock in at the dozens of hours, but it’s already clear that however long it is, it will be a beautiful and vibrant ride.
8. Cairn – On the Trail: Deep Water
Developed by: The Game Bakers
Published by: The Game Bakers
Steam Store Page
I’m still only about halfway through Cairn, but I can already tell you that it’s going to be a strong contender for my Game of the Year. I’m already daydreaming about my second playthrough. All that to say, I’m absolutely thrilled to hear that The Game Bakers will be supporting the game with content updates like On the Trail: Deep Water, “Cairn’s first free DLC,” according to the Steam page. The update will feature beautiful and challenging new climbing locations and a new character selection. Pack your pitons, we’re hitting the trail again this summer.
9. Crop
Developed by: Carbonara Games
Published by: 11 bit studios
Steam Store Page
Dark and twisted farming sims are popping out of the ground this year like potatoes… or like something that pops out of the ground. This rural thriller sets us up with a grim, foreboding ambiance in which players will desperately till the land and try to increase their harvest to ensure the village’s survival. I’m looking forward to digging up both secrets AND radishes in this debut title from Carbonara Games.
10. Don’t Starve Elsewhere
Developed by: Klei Entertainment
Published by: Klei Entertainment
Steam Store Page
With co-op shenanigans being so in vogue, now is the time for some fresh titles from iconic indie multiplayer franchises. 10 years after the release of its co-op survival crafting adventure that made big waves on the indie scene, Klei Entertainment has announced a brand new entry in the Don’t Starve series. Don’t Starve Elsewhere looks to take place in an even harsher, more dangerous land than Don’t Starve Together, if that’s even possible. Even though I am a big enjoyer of so-called “friendslop” games, I love that we’re getting some new highly polished co-op experiences from long-standing series.
About No Small Games
No Small Games is an indie game recap and review podcast brought to you by hosts Kate and Emily! They became friends while streaming on Twitch and bonded over their love of indie video games. In each episode of No Small Games, the two will discuss an indie game they both played independently. They’ll compare their experiences: the good, the bad, their most memorable moments of their playthroughs.
Learn more about the podcast and its hosts on the About page. You can find all our episodes here on the Episodes page, or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.