ProbablyMonsters, an ambitious independent game developer and publisher known for its innovative approach to game creation and fostering talent, has officially announced its latest project: Crimson Moon. This new title is an action/adventure RPG designed with co-operative play at its core, and it is slated for release sometime in 2026. The announcement comes as an update to ongoing coverage of the studio, following the recent launch of their debut title, Storm Lancers.
The studio, which positions itself as a "people-first company" focused on building a "better way to make games and build careers in games," has been steadily building its portfolio. Crimson Moon‘s unveiling signals a significant step forward in their strategy to release multiple high-quality PC and console titles annually. The game promises a distinct setting, described as a "Gothic High Renaissance" era, which suggests a rich tapestry of historical influence blended with darker, more fantastical elements. Further details about Crimson Moon, including gameplay mechanics, narrative themes, and specific release windows, are expected to be elaborated upon in dedicated coverage.
Storm Lancers: A Bold Debut on Next-Generation Nintendo Hardware
Prior to the Crimson Moon announcement, ProbablyMonsters generated significant buzz with the release of Storm Lancers, their inaugural title. This action rogue-like, characterized by its vibrant 80s-inspired retro aesthetics and intense combat, made its debut on the Nintendo Switch in September 2025. The game then saw an expanded release last month onto the Nintendo Switch 2, accompanied by a PC launch on Steam and the Epic Games Store. Priced at $19.99, Storm Lancers offers a unique proposition for existing Nintendo Switch owners, allowing them to upgrade to the Switch 2 version at no additional cost, a move likely designed to encourage adoption of the new hardware and retain its player base.
The decision to prioritize Nintendo platforms for Storm Lancers was a strategic one, driven by the console’s inherent portability and its appeal for co-operative gaming experiences. "Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 are the perfect home for a co-op title that players can enjoy at home or on the go," stated a representative from ProbablyMonsters in a recent interview. This sentiment is further underscored by the game’s design, which was intentionally developed to be playable with a single Joy-Con controller, thereby lowering the barrier to entry for spontaneous co-op sessions. The studio also highlighted the significant opportunity provided by Nintendo’s inclusion of Storm Lancers in a Nintendo Direct presentation in September 2025, which served as a prime platform for the game’s stealth launch.
Embracing GameShare and Nintendo Switch 2’s Potential
A key feature of Storm Lancers that ProbablyMonsters has enthusiastically embraced is the Nintendo Switch 2’s GameShare functionality. This innovative feature allows players to share a single digital copy of a game with another individual, facilitating remote co-operative play without requiring both parties to purchase the game separately. For Storm Lancers, which was meticulously designed with two-player co-op as a central pillar, GameShare represents a powerful tool for expanding its reach and fostering community engagement.
"GameShare gives us a unique path to building a couch co-op like experience for players who live apart," the studio explained. "Being able to see the same screen and play on the same copy of the game creates a truly seamless experience." This sentiment was echoed by the engineering team, who found implementing GameShare to be a surprisingly straightforward process. They reported that the technology was "incredible" and provided a "great, quick solution to building online multiplayer capabilities without developing new features from the ground up," completing the integration within just over a month.
Beyond GameShare, ProbablyMonsters expressed optimism regarding the Nintendo Switch 2’s overall capabilities. The studio noted that the enhanced hardware allows for greater ambition in areas such as art pipelines, performance optimization, and visual fidelity. Experiencing Storm Lancers in 4K resolution at a smooth 60 frames per second on the Switch 2 was described as a "truly special" achievement. While acknowledging public criticisms regarding the Switch 2’s HDR capabilities, the development team indicated that they encountered no significant issues during their work with the feature, and found the expanded color range to be beneficial for Storm Lancers‘ visual presentation.
Addressing Player Feedback and Future Ambitions
The initial reception to Storm Lancers has been largely positive, with players commending its engaging two-player co-op, vibrant art style, and responsive controls. However, as with any debut title, constructive feedback has also emerged. Some players have expressed a desire for more content, a sentiment that the studio views as a positive indicator of player engagement. "In our minds, this is great feedback because it signals that players resonate with the experience we’ve created and are really having fun, which was our primary goal with Storm Lancers," they stated.
Performance issues reported on the Steam version of the game are also being actively addressed. A patch is currently in development and is expected to be released within the coming weeks, with announcements to be made on the studio’s Discord and X (formerly Twitter) channels.
Looking ahead, ProbablyMonsters has confirmed that while Storm Lancers is currently slated for release on Nintendo platforms and PC, there are no immediate plans for PlayStation or Xbox versions. Their immediate focus remains on growing their audience on Steam and supporting the European release of the Switch 2 version.
The studio also touched upon their broader development strategy, revealing that they have "several titles in development for release over the next couple of years." These projects will span a "broad range of genres," indicating a commitment to diversifying their offerings and catering to a wide spectrum of players. This comes after the October 2025 release of Ire: A Prologue, a distinctly different, horror-inspired experience, suggesting that the studio is not afraid to explore diverse thematic and gameplay territories.
A Stance on AI in Game Development
In an era where artificial intelligence is increasingly integrated into various creative industries, ProbablyMonsters has articulated a clear policy regarding its use in game development. As a "people-first company," their ethos centers on games created "by people, for people." While they are open to leveraging AI for tasks such as "assisting with administrative work" and "automating repetitive technical tasks" to support smaller teams in building ambitious projects, they firmly draw a line at its use for asset generation or creative decision-making. "All final assets in our games are reviewed, refined, and approved by our development team," they emphasized, ensuring that human creativity and oversight remain paramount in their development process.
This commitment to human-centric development, coupled with their strategic expansion into new genres and platforms, positions ProbablyMonsters as a noteworthy player in the independent game development scene. The recent announcement of Crimson Moon further solidifies this trajectory, signaling a studio with a clear vision and the ambition to deliver diverse and engaging gaming experiences.