Dive into a vibrant world of creativity and innovation with Steam’s Women-Led Games Showcase, where 39 captivating titles from women-led and majority women development teams take center stage. From cozy room decorators and frog sanctuaries to dark internet horror RPGs and charming city-building sandboxes, these games redefine storytelling and gameplay, offering fresh perspectives and unforgettable experiences. Mark your calendar for June 7 and discover seven standout games that prove the future of gaming is diverse, bold, and brilliantly crafted.
As you might know, it’s been a challenging few years for the video game industry. Not only has there been a devastating number of layoffs and studio closures, but funding dried up. It’s always been hard for video game developers to get funding, but it’s also always been harder for women-led teams – and with funding at a low point, it can feel nearly impossible. In 2021, $4.1 billion in investments went to video game companies led by men, while $1.2 million went to companies led by women.
That’s why the support for women-led teams is so necessary. There are dozens of games included in the event – some that have been out for a while, and some that have yet to be released. If you’re feeling overwhelmed over what to try first, we’ve rounded up some of the most exciting, innovative experiences.
The Wandering Village
The Wandering Village offers a unique city-building experience set on the back of a giant, wandering creature named Onbu. Players must build and manage a settlement for survivors in a post-apocalyptic world while forming a delicate symbiotic relationship with the creature. This dynamic setting challenges players to adapt to changing environments and the creature’s unpredictable growths, blending strategy, resource management, and survival elements into a compelling and innovative gameplay experience.
The Wandering Village from Stray Fawn Studio is a city-building game that takes place on the back of a giant creature. Released in 2022, The Wandering Village is in early access and has received several gameplay updates so far. During the event, The Wandering Village is on sale for $18.74.
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami is a charming and humorous narrative mystery adventure where you play as Eugene McQuacklin, a down-on-his-luck duck detective tasked with solving the case of the stolen salami at a dingy call center. Combining cozy mystery vibes with a quirky animal cast, the game invites players to inspect evidence, interview suspects, and use sharp deduction skills to uncover hidden motives and secrets. With a full voice cast and a playful tone reminiscent of animated series, this 90-minute game blends the puzzle-mystery style of Return of the Obra Dinn with the lightheartedness of Aggretsuko, delivering a delightful and engaging experience available on Steam, Switch, and Xbox.
In Duck Detective: The Secret Salami, you’re a duck that’s also a detective. Who stole the salami? That’s up to you to find out. By Happy Broccoli Games, Duck Detective is an investigative game that’s like a cuter version of The Case of the Golden Idol– it’s a lot of deduction, questioning, and searching for clues before jotting it all down in your notebook.
The Crush House
The Crush House is a darkly comedic simulation game set in 1999, where players take on the role of Jae, the producer of a reality TV show staged in a luxurious Malibu mansion. The gameplay involves casting a diverse group of contestants, managing their interactions, and satisfying various audience demographics to keep the show on air. Players must balance the drama of romantic entanglements and conflicts while uncovering the show’s darker secrets, including the cast’s addiction to a mysterious drink called Crush Juice. Presented in a cartoonish, caricature art style, the game combines adventure and simulation elements with a first-person perspective for exploring the mansion and engaging with the cast, making it a unique and immersive experience in the realm of reality TV-themed games.
From Reigns developer Nerial, The Crush House is a reality show with a mystery. Playing as the show’s producer, you’ll cast the house members, then record what happens, attempting to tailor the show to your audience’s desires. It’s out on Aug. 9, but Nerial has a demo available now.
Soulitaire
Soulitaire invites players into a cozy fortune-telling café where they receive guests, listen to their troubles, and lay out ambiguous soul cards to divine their futures. The game features a unique comic book art style and allows players to influence the lives of their friends and customers through their interpretations, blending solitaire gameplay with narrative and mystical elements for a charming and immersive experience.
Soulitaire is basically a fortune-telling simulator. Customers will enter your cafe for a reading, and it’s your job to interpret the cards and predict their future. From Beardshaker Games, Soulitaire doesn’t have a release date just yet, but it does have a demo.
Sticky Business
The “Sticky Business” segment highlights a game that challenges players with its unique mechanics and engaging gameplay, crafted by women-led development teams featured in Steam’s Women-Led Games Showcase. This title stands out for its clever design and immersive experience, embodying the creativity and innovation celebrated in the showcase. It offers players a fresh perspective and a compelling reason to explore the diverse range of games highlighted in this event.
If I could live inside one game, I think I’d choose Sticky Business. It lets you start your own small business – a sticker shop! You create and design stickers, print them, and then pack up orders. You can get Sticky Business and a DLC pack for $12.58.
Botany Manor
Botany Manor is a serene first-person puzzle game set in a beautifully rendered 19th-century English manor, where you play as Arabella Greene, a retired botanist dedicated to reviving rare and forgotten plants. As you explore the historic estate and its gardens, you gather clues from notes, books, and various items to solve intricate gardening puzzles and cultivate a unique collection of flora. The game combines relaxing exploration with thoughtful sleuthing, offering a peaceful yet engaging experience enriched by a calming soundtrack and a glimpse into the challenges faced by a woman scientist in the Victorian era.
OK, I just said I’d live inside Sticky Business, but I’d also inhabit Botany Manor. In Botany Manor, you’re a retired botanist who lives in 19th-century England. It’s a puzzle game that’s centered around tending to plants and discovering your manor. It’s just lovely. There’s a free demo on Steam, but you can also buy it for $24.99.
Abyss x Zero
ABYSS X ZERO is a stylish 3D Metroidvania developed by the indie team Studio Pixel Punk, known for their award-winning game UNSIGHTED. The game features expressive low-poly visuals inspired by classic 32 and 64-bit era games and offers players the chance to explore an expansive world filled with carefully crafted dungeons and dynamic combat. What sets ABYSS X ZERO apart is the ability to control two distinct characters, Codename A and Codename Z, legendary heroes destined to battle each other, each with unique abilities that influence both combat and environmental interaction. This dual-character mechanic adds depth and variety to the gameplay, making it a compelling title to watch for on Steam.
A bonus entry, because there’s nothing to play yet: Developer Studio Pixel Punk’s follow-up to Unsighted is Abyss x Zero, described as a “3D Metroidvania with carefully crafted dungeons and stylish combat” on its Steam page. I don’t know much about Abyss x Zero, because it’s not out yet, nor is there a demo. But Unsighted was one of my favorite games of 2021, so I won’t be missing this one.
Which games in the Women-Led Games Showcase are redefining storytelling on Steam
Several games in Steam’s Women-Led Games Showcase are redefining storytelling by offering unique narrative experiences and innovative gameplay:
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Momento (Fat Alien Cat & Nomo Studio) uses whimsical settings and branching narratives to explore life through the objects you choose to keep, creating a heartfelt story about following dreams.
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The Heirloom (Babubi Games) is a mysterious thriller adventure inspired by Scottish folklore, where players make fateful decisions that shape a story full of family secrets.
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darkwebSTREAMER (We Have Always Lived In The Forest) immerses players in a procedurally generated horror RPG sim set in the 90s dark internet, blending occult themes with survival and narrative choices.
These titles showcase how women-led studios bring fresh perspectives and emotional depth to interactive storytelling on Steam.
Which titles in the Women-Led Games Showcase are pushing storytelling boundaries on Steam
Several titles in the Women-Led Games Showcase are pushing storytelling boundaries on Steam by blending unique narrative approaches with innovative gameplay:
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Yes, Your Grace: Snowfall is a story-rich management RPG inspired by Slavic folklore, where player choices deeply influence the fate of a medieval kingdom, offering a layered narrative experience.
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Beyond These Stars combines sci-fi city-building strategy with survival and sustainability themes, crafting a narrative about making a home in space that challenges traditional storytelling in the genre.
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RA RA BOOM presents a co-op beat ‘em up featuring space ninja cheerleaders fighting evil AI robots, mixing modern narrative elements with classic arcade gameplay to create a fresh storytelling approach.
These games exemplify how women-led studios are redefining interactive storytelling on Steam by integrating cultural influences, player-driven decisions, and genre-blending narratives that expand the boundaries of gaming stories.
