Christchurch, New Zealand (2026/04/16) — Indie developer Digital Confectioners has released Packmates, a cooperative roguelite where forest animals gear up, grab their backpacks, and head into dangerous adventures together. This full 1.0 version launched on April 16, 2026, bringing the complete experience to players on Steam.
In Packmates, players take on the role of small woodland adventurers, like raccoons, wolves, cats, and other small forest animals. To survive players will carefully choose what to carry in their backpack on each run. Every item placed in the backpack's inventory shapes the player's strategy, turning preparation into the core of the gameplay. Whether playing solo or teaming up with friends, each expedition is a balance between risk, cooperation, and making the most of limited space.
The upcoming 1.0 release represents the culmination of a years of development and iteration, expanding the game's progression systems, content variety, and cooperative play experience based on feedback from players throughout development.
"From the beginning, the idea was simple: surviving an adventure should start with packing your bag," said Bryce, developer at Digital Confectioners. "Players connected with the charm of animals setting out together, but what kept them coming back was the tension of finding the right items to bring, where to place them for item synergies, and how to work as a team when things go wrong."
Key Features
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Co-op roguelite gameplay supporting solo play or online multiplayer for up to 3 players
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Backpack-driven builds where item placement unlocks powerful effects which directly affects survival and strategy
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Replayable runs with unlockable gear, evolving progression, and high build variety
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Distinct animal heroes with unique playstyles and personalities
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Fast, session-friendly gameplay designed for repeatable cooperative runs
Packmates is designed to deliver quick, satisfying runs that reward teamwork and experimentation, making it approachable for new players while offering depth for those who enjoy optimizing builds and strategies over time.
Title: Packmates
Developer / Publisher: Digital Confectioners
Release Date: April 16, 2026
Platform: PC (Steam)
Genre: Co-op Roguelite
Players: 1-3 (online co-op supported)
Store Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3171540/Packmates/
About Digital Confectioners
Digital Confectioners is an independent game development studio focused on creating cooperative gameplay experiences that are easy to pick up, replayable, and built around memorable shared moments between players.
Web: https://www.digitalconfectioners.com/