A banner showing a collection of games showcased at Drop in and Play

News

Games announced for Drop in and Play

Coming Sat 24 January

We're delighted to share the full list of developers who will be joining us for Drop in and Play in partnership with Ninja Kiwi, and delivered alongside UK Games Fund.

Join us on Sat 24 January between 12:30 - 15:30 to try these exciting new games and meet the developers behind them. This event is free, drop-in, and suitable for gamers of all experience levels aged 10+.

This year’s showcase will include games from this year’s DunDev teams. DunDev is a residential programme which offers four early-stage game studios accommodation, office space and prize money to develop their studio and game. This programme is delivered by the UK Games Talent and Finance Community Interest Company, and funded by the UK Government.

Our January Drop in and Play will include a Careers Spotlight event featuring short talks and introductions to careers in gaming, taking place between 11:30 and 12:30. This part of the event is ticketed with Donate What You Can (£0-£8) tickets available to book here.

Read on to find out more about the games featured in our January event.

Published

Fri 9 Jan

A screen grab from the game Deadlocked. A robot shoots a space ship in an orange and red background.

Cognitive Games: Deadlocked

Cognitive is a studio founded by Abertay University student Dominik Gawron. They’ll be bringing Deadlocked, an adrenaline-packed and surprisingly cute cartoon top-down shooter where you can destroy spaceships while also unlocking pet companions and customising your character.

Deadlocked

A video game still shows a little black bunny jumps across orange crystals

Abnormalworks: Bombunny

Play as an adorable bunny rabbit in Bombunny, a fun new 2D platformer by Dundee-based development team Abnormal Works. Traverse huge gaps by shooting out rockets to do big bunny hops!

Bombunny

Two cartoon cats fight each other with swords.

Spiky Teeth Studios: Overcat

Spiky Teeth Studios are returning to Drop in and Play with Overcat, a twin-stick two-player brawler about cats battling with swords. This highly competitive game is suitable for all skill levels, from absolute beginners to seasoned brawl players.

Overcat

A screen shot from the battle RPG game Heldritch Rush

Sloth Doctor Games: Heldritch Rush

Sloth Doctor Games, a team of Abertay students who formed for DARE Academy, will be presenting their game Heldritch Rush, a 90s-inspired isometric rail-shooter with added accessibility features.

Heldritch Rush

A dark forest with large oak trees and a small wooden cabin.

Ghost Camp: Forest of Deceit

From Ghost Camp, the creators behind EGX and Dare Academy hit Tales of Treachery, comes Forest of Deceit, a 4-8 player social deduction game which features a beautiful hand-drawn art style.

Forest of Deceit

The title screen from the game Into the Slimy Mines shows cannons shooting slime at a small miner.

Ant Workshop: Into the Slimy Mines

Ant Workshop, a small indie studio based in Edinburgh, are showcasing Into the Slimy Mines. You must mine materials from Slime Mountain, but watch out for angry slimes who'll sabotage your plans!

Into the Slimy Mines

A computer game screenshot shows a little blue circle jumping over an angry mammoth.

James Rhodes: Boingo

Solo developer James Rhodes will be returning to Drop in and Play with Boingo, a colourful and approachable platformer. Help Boingo bounce, wall-jump and air-dash through a wealth of exciting 2D platforming challenges, collecting Star Power as you go.

Boingo

A pixel art game in which theree zombies fight colourful aliens in a forest clearing.

Studio Catloaf: Book of Abominations

Winners of the 2023 Dare Academy at Abertay University, Studio Catloaf are presenting Book of Abominations, a Lovecraftian pixel art monster collecting RPG inspired by the likes of Pokémon and Final Fantasy.

Book of Abominations

A screenshot from the game 'The Baby in Yellow' shows a large creepy baby with a yellow jumper on and big red eyes.

Team Terrible: The Baby in Yellow

Founded in Dundee in 2021 by ex-AAA developers Aaron Baumbach and Greg Lee, Team Terrible have created The Baby in Yellow, a Lovecraftian comedy horror which boasts over 200 million downloads worldwide.

The Baby in Yellow

The title card for Building Bridges shows colourful bricks and clouds

Team Something: Building Bridges

Team Something, a team of Abertay University students, will be presenting Building Bridges, which was developed for the 2025 Dundee Hooley. Build part of a bridge with a number of selectable blocks and colours, expressing your own creativity through your choices.

Building Bridges

A computer-generated landscape shows a trail with trees and torches

Red Rampant Studios: Red Rampant

Red Rampant Studios will be making their Drop in and Play debut with Red Rampant, a narrative-driven action-adventure game set in the stunning landscape of Medieval Scotland. Use knowledge gained in previous gameplays to change the course of history.

Red Rampant

The title card from Bloons TD Battles 2 shows a group of monkeys in costumes.

Ninja Kiwi: Bloons TD Battles 2

Ninja Kiwi will be bringing their latest head-to-head smash hit Bloons TD Battles 2 for players to prove their strategy prowess against their friends and family.

Bloons TD Battles 2

DunDev teams

This year’s Drop in and Play will include games from this year’s DunDev teams. DunDev is a residential programme which offers four early-stage game studios accommodation, office space and prize money to develop their studio and game. This programme is delivered by the UK Games Talent and Finance Community Interest Company, and funded by the UK Government.

A screenshot from a game shows snow-covered houses with small creatures walking in front.

Nostalgicat: Museful

DunDev team Nostalgicat will present Museful, a single-player 2D Metroidvania, set in a world where colour sparks emotion. Enjoy classic gameplay with the addition of every action streaking colours across your screen.

DunDev: Nostalgicat

A game screenshot shows a hand next to a desk with a notebook and post-its on it

MVGIE: Desk Demo

MVGIE Studios will be showcasing their new title, Desk Demo. This immersive management simulator takes place entirely at the main character's desk, as you guide them as they embark on their journey to become a beloved stand-up comedian.

DunDev: MVGIE

A game screenshot shows a man standing in a cabin of a ship

Jardus Games: At Eternity's Hatch

From Jardus Games comes At Eternity's Hatch, a mystery puzzle adventure set aboard a 1950s research vessel with time travel across multiple timelines. Discover more about the ship's origins and its captain's mysterious quest.

DunDev: Jardus Games

A game screenshot shows an exciting race track in the water, with obstacles to avoid

Mothlight Studio: Showrunners

Mothlight Studio are bringing Showrunners, a fast-paced, trick-based roller-skating action game set in a zany televised competition where showmanship and flair are paramount.

DunDev: Mothlight Studio

We can't wait to welcome all of these developers and their games to DCA on Sat 24 January - drop in between 12:30 - 15:30 to get involved!

Drop in and Play Supporters

Ninja Kiwi

This event is presented in partnership with Ninja Kiwi, who have been making awesome games since 2005. Developers of the hit Bloons series of games, Ninja Kiwi are always striving to make the most enjoyable experiences for audiences across the globe from their offices in Dundee, Scotland and Auckland, New Zealand.

Website

UK Games Fund

This event is delivered alongside UK Games Fund. UKGF is run by UK Games Talent and Finance Community Interest Company. UKGTF is a non-profit organisation with the remit to support the UK’s early stage games development and digital interactive business and creative ecosystem in terms of both companies and individuals.