FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAMOBOR, CROATIA – April 9, 2026 – Pine Studio, the developers behind the multi-million selling hit Escape Simulator, today announced the successful acquisition of fellow Croatian development house Somnium Games. The strategic move bolsters Pine Studio’s development team to 28 members, significantly increasing production capacity as the studio prepares to bring its signature puzzle experiences to consoles and mobile.
The acquisition unites two of Croatia’s most creative forces. Pine Studio brings a massive global community of over 4 million players and 14 years of industry expertise. Somnium Games adds a decade of specialized experience and a prestigious creative pedigree, best known for the award-winning, hand-drawn puzzle-adventure Inked.
“Somnium and Pine Studio have been close collaborators for years, sharing a unified philosophy on game design and player experience,” said Vladimir Koščica, co-founder of Pine Studio. “By officially bringing our teams together, we can accelerate our development pipeline and continue to raise the bar for the puzzle genre.”
First Joint Project: A Tribute to Inked
To celebrate the merger, Pine Studio has released a brand-new, free update for Escape Simulator available today on Steam. This special level is a direct collaboration between the two teams, transporting players into the unique “paper and ink” universe of Somnium’s Inked.
Watch the Escape Sim: Inked Update Trailer: https://youtu.be/45OZmfKx5U8
The update offers approximately 45 minutes of new gameplay featuring the striking hand-drawn aesthetic that made Inked a critical darling. Like all Escape Simulator content, the level is fully playable in solo mode or in co-op with up to eight players.
The Future: Multi-Platform Expansion
Operating under the Pine Studio brand, the expanded team will focus on the continued evolution of the Escape Simulator franchise. A primary objective for 2026 is the expansion onto new platforms, with dedicated versions for PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices currently in active development.
“Pine Studio has proven that a focused, independent team can achieve massive global success,” said Hrvoje Mitić, Secretary General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance (CGDA). “The acquisition of Somnium Games is a natural evolution, strengthening the Croatian development scene and paving the way for even more ambitious projects on the world stage.”
Assets & Links
- INKED UPDATE TRAILER: https://youtu.be/45OZmfKx5U8
- PRESS KIT: Link to Google Drive
- STEAM PAGE: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1435790/Escape_Simulator/
About Pine Studio
Pine Studio is a Croatian indie game developer specializing in puzzle games. Since its founding, the studio has released numerous titles, culminating in the breakout success of Escape Simulator, which has sold millions of copies and features a thriving community-driven workshop with thousands of player-made levels.
About Somnium Games
Somnium Games is a Zagreb-based studio known for its artistic approach to game design. Their flagship title, Inked, received critical acclaim for its unique visual style and narrative depth.
Media Contact: boris@pinestudio.com