Panic, the company that makes the Playdate handheld gaming console, recently held an event to share some news about the device. This bright yellow gaming gadget, which made its debut in 2022, won't see a new version just yet. However, there’s plenty to look forward to for current owners and potential buyers alike.
Exciting Game Sale
During a nearly 15-minute presentation, it was revealed that Playdate is having a sale on games available in its store, known as Catalog. Initially announced in May 2023, Catalog started with only 16 games, but it has since expanded to more than 200 titles. If you have a Playdate, you can check out the store, which is accessible on both the device and online, to find over 160 games on sale. This sale is set to continue until November 14.
New Game Seasons Coming
Panic also shared that a new season of games is planned for release in 2025. When the Playdate first launched, it came with a season that offered two free games each week for a total of 24 games over 12 weeks. The upcoming second season, slated for 2025, will have around a dozen games. However, it appears that these games won’t be free, as Panic mentioned that information regarding pricing, the exact number of games, and the developers involved will be released in 2025.
Upcoming Titles and Hardware News
In other news, the event highlighted a couple of new games that will be featured in the Catalog, including a platformer called Owlet's Embrace, where players control a young owl using a grappling hook, and an adventure game titled Comet. Some of these titles are expected to launch this year, while others will be available in 2025.
On the hardware side, Panic announced that new units of the Playdate are now up for order on their website, with an estimated delivery date set for December 2024. Earlier this week, they also disclosed that the Stereo Dock accessory, a Bluetooth speaker dock shaped like a cube for the Playdate, has been temporarily halted. They cited production challenges, bugs, and rising costs as reasons for this suspension. Whether the Stereo Dock will eventually be released remains uncertain.
