Just over a month after the release of their last title, the dice-based city builder Amberspire, indie studio Bithell Games is preparing to announce their next project, and they’re using a short story to do it.
On March 30th, 2026, Bithell Games’ Founder and CEO (as well as namesake), Mike Bithell, took to social media to let fans know that the team would be announcing their next game, and that they should sign up to the studio’s mailing list to be among the first to learn about it. He explained that they wanted to “make a channel for long form communication that respects your time, brings you a big broad look at where we’re going, and expands on the (hopefully cool) experience we’re building,” as well as “the first place to make big announcements and sign people up to play early.“
Mike went on to say that “things will kick off in a couple of months with a multi chapter prequel story, introducing the world the next project takes place in.” He was true to his word, with subscribers to the free mailing list receiving their first email yesterday, June 10th.
After thanking people for signing up to the mailing list, the email, written by Mike himself, goes on to explain that the first chapter of the prequel short story, titled “The Last Portrait”, will be sent out next week. The announcement of their next game will accompany the fourth and final chapter of the story, with Bithell clarifying that it will happen next month. As he pointed out, fans could wait until the announcement, but those on the mailing list would be “among the first to hear the news”.
Also, given that “The Last Portrait” is a prequel meant to introduce players to the game’s world, it will likely give some idea of what the game will be, or at least its setting.
Beyond explaining the rollout of this unique reveal method, the email concludes with a note providing preliminary details about the upcoming project.
“Our next project is darker than our previous games. Coarse language and violence await. If that’s not for you, consider this a warning.”
Bithell Games are no strangers to violence in their video games. When working with huge IPs like Tron and John Wick, it’s probably hard to avoid, but they are a studio better known for their more cerebral releases. With titles like Amberspire, The Banished Vault, Subsurface Circular, and Thomas Was Alone covering all manner of genres, from puzzle games to city management sims, the direction their next project is going in has us intrigued, to say the least.
Be sure to check back here at the GSC for more news on the next game from Bithell Games.
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