A playable demo for Penguin Colony, a cosmic horror narrative game set beneath the Antarctic ice, is now available on Steam as part of Steam Next Fest. The game comes from New Zealand developer ORIGAME DIGITAL (Umurangi Generation) and publisher Fellow Traveller (1000xRESIST, Citizen Sleeper).

Penguin Colony casts players as a penguin observing two rival factions as they investigate something incomprehensible buried beneath the ice. Described as a slow-burning work of weird fiction, the game centers on obsession and the gradual collapse of its human characters in the face of an entity beyond their understanding, filtered through the perspective of wildlife that has no stake in the outcome.

The demo follows appearances at three recent showcases: the Story-Rich Showcase, Frosty Games Fest, and Green Games Showcase, each of which debuted a new trailer for the game. Fellow Traveller has positioned Penguin Colony alongside narrative-driven titles such as Mouthwashing and 1000xRESIST for players drawn to atmospheric, character-focused horror.

ORIGAME DIGITAL previously released Umurangi Generation, a photography game set during an alien invasion that won a BAFTA Games Award. Fellow Traveller’s catalog includes Citizen Sleeper and 1000xRESIST, both critically acclaimed narrative games with strong science fiction and horror elements.

The Penguin Colony demo is playable now through the end of Steam Next Fest. A full release date has not yet been announced.