ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN — October 2, 2026 — Publisher Valkyrie Initiative and solo developer 70`Strike have shared a new developer diary for Kettlebell: Inferno Hotel. Written by the game’s creator, Dmitriy Bukhtatov, known as Ksayfar, the devlog explores how the project began, how its infernal hotel is structured, and what has been built so far. It also features a video of Ksayfar creating pixel art for the game.
Dmitriy Bukhtatov began thinking about Kettlebell: Inferno Hotel while developing his first game, Skelethrone: The Chronicles of Ericona. After working on its dark world, he wanted his next project to be lighter, stranger, and more playful. He has now spent almost two years developing Kettlebell: Inferno Hotel on his own, handling its pixel art, programming, music, and sound effects.
The game follows Mr. K, an office worker whose search for old documents ends in a fatal accident. He arrives in Hell with an enormous kettlebell chained to him and finds a way to put it to use. Inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy, the setting turns the nine circles of Hell into the floors of a bizarre hotel.
In the devlog, Ksayfar explains how each floor acts as a hub connecting its playable areas. Players must complete the main areas and defeat a boss to progress. Levels also introduce different ways to move through the environment, including sections where Mr. K can run along walls and ceilings. At the end of a level, players receive a rank from E to S and earn currency for upgrades, skins, and other items.
The game’s core structure is in place, comprising nine floors and 40 levels. Ksayfar also discusses the influence of ’90s platformers and the soundtrack he is composing himself, which draws on jazz, blues, ’80s disco, and other styles.
Watch the pixel-art process video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFC2QmqVROI
Read the full developer diary: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/4032020/view/705532825431965959?l=english
Kettlebell: Inferno Hotel on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4032020/Kettlebell_Inferno_Hotel/
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