We are super excited to share with you today, Lost in Cult’s new documentary ‘The Making of Eastward: Design Works - Part 1’. Yes, that means there will be more to come as the team follow the chapters of their Eastward: Design Works book. Last year the wonderful team at Lost in C
We are super excited to share with you today, Lost in Cult’s new documentary ‘The Making of Eastward: Design Works - Part 1’. Yes, that means there will be more to come as the team follow the chapters of their Eastward: Design Works book.
Last year the wonderful team at Lost in Cult visited Shanghai to interview Pixpil about their inspirations, artistry, and to learn more about the wonderful people who came together to create Sam and John’s journey through a broken world.
In this first episode Lost in Cult sit down with Pixpil to talk about their backstory, check out artist Hong Moran’s early sketches, and take a seat with the folks at Souviens Ten-Zan, creators of Eastward's iconic opening cinematic.
If you missed your chance to get hold of the gorgeous Eastward Design Works companion book, they’ve also reprinted 1,000 additional copies to celebrate Eastward’s 4th birthday! 🎂 Pre-orders are live at
We also want to take this moment to say a special thanks to Imogen May for (directing, producing, filming and editing) this incredible documentary series and Shaun Hughes for writing and editing the Design Works book in the first place. Finally, shout out to everyone who has helped support Lost in Cult over the years, from translators and animators, to sound designers and directors. You’re the best!
Hi everyone! Next week we've got something very special lined up for you all - an Eastward: Octopia -themed charity livestream supporting FoodCycle 🧡 On April 18th at 14:00-19:00 BST , we’re teaming up with the amazing Hannah Rutherford, aka Lomadiah , on her Twitch channel for
Hi everyone!
Next week we've got something very special lined up for you all - an Eastward: Octopia-themed charity livestream supporting FoodCycle 🧡
On April 18th at 14:00-19:00 BST, we’re teaming up with the amazing Hannah Rutherford, aka Lomadiah, on her Twitch channel for the #PlayforPlates fundraiser! Check out the Tiltify fundraising page to get involved.
Our only-one-in-the-world Eastward auction item is also now live on eBay, once again with all net proceeds from the sale going to charity: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/145728301380
What's 'Play for Plates'?
With Eastward's new DLC seeing John and Sam embracing a peaceful new life in the countryside, what better timing than to team-up to raise funds for the fight against food waste and food poverty.
Hannah ‘Lomadiah’ Rutherford, who you might also know for her fantastic fundraising work, is kindly working with us to host the charity livestream to benefit FoodCycle, a remarkable organisation that has been spreading warmth and nourishment in the UK since 2009.
FoodCycle's story is about community, compassion, and care. They take surplus food and turn it into hearty meals for those who need it most by creating spaces where people can come together, share a meal, and feel a sense of belonging. It's a recipe for change, and we're proud to be a part of it. 🌱🥕
And we couldn’t be more proud to do that with the perfect partner: Hannah ‘Lomadiah’ Rutherford, an amazing content creator, charity consultant, and Twitch partner actively involved with several charity organizations, such as SpecialEffect, Safe in Our World, and Cosmic Hearts. Her passion and dedication to supporting non-profit organizations are truly inspiring, and her community is equally committed to these causes. We couldn't have asked for a better match to join us in this initiative!
🏆 Donations, Rewards and Giveaways
Throughout Hannah’s livestream, we'll be giving away 20 Eastward and Eastward: Octopia Steam Keys in the chat.
We will also have a long list of rewards for different tiers of donations. From exclusive merch to one-of-a-kind treasures, there's something special for everyone who wants to make a difference. Once you donate to one of these tiers, you'll have a chance to win one of the listed rewards:
The piece was crafted by Joshua Smith, a renowned miniature artist based in Australia who is celebrated for his mesmerizing dioramas. We commissioned an exclusive one inspired by the wonderfully weird world of Eastward, recreating one of the iconic areas of the game - the 'Hello Grocery' shop in Potcrock Isle. Joshua recreated each detail masterfully, bringing Pixpil's beautiful pixel art to life.
Hi everyone! First off, a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has already stopped off at Octopia station! It's been amazing to see so many of you enjoying the new DLC in the past few days since launch - thank you for all of the fan art, kind comments and excitement for Eastward: Octop
Hi everyone!
First off, a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has already stopped off at Octopia station! It's been amazing to see so many of you enjoying the new DLC in the past few days since launch - thank you for all of the fan art, kind comments and excitement for Eastward: Octopia!
If you want to join in on Eastward: Octopia discussions, share tips or gush over Alva & Isabel's cute house, feel free to join the Official Chucklefish Discord community!
Rest assured we've been logging all of your feedback and bug reports, and the dev team at Pixpil have also been busy working on a patch since release - out today. You can now pet the piglets without concern! 🐷
⚙️Patch Changelist
As always - spoiler warning for the patch notes!
Fixed the bug where the game would freeze when petting piglets at night.
Fixed the bug where the pig's expressions and animations didn't appear when petting the pig
Fixed the issue of conflicts between the Baoli event and the Alva Pancake quest event. （Players need to load the save file from the previous day to resolve the error that already occurred.）
Fixed the issue Alva keeps giving the player Coffee Beans when spoken to multiple times.
Fixed the bug where music didn't stop when chasing fish after hooking.
Fixed the issue where clicking the exit button during ingredient selection had no response.
Fixed the grammar for the English dialogue for Benjamin, Robot Daniel, President & Secretary.
Updated the explosion animation for mine bomb game.
Fixed the issue where there was a small probability of only one tile generated after entering the next level in the mining mini-game.
Updated the William entrance animation.
Various typos fixed.
Fixed an issue where the three children NPC task sometimes didn't appear
Fixed the issue in the cooking interface where the quantity of certain ingredients was displayed incorrectly in the dish details.
Fixed the issue where, in certain situations, you could still hear the cursor sound after opening and then closing the map.
Fixed the issue where Sam's expression of imitating the scarecrow was incorrect in certain circumstances
Fixed an issue where opening the store would get stuck when upgrading multiple farm tool animations from the store at the same time.
Fixed the issue where, after bringing Mother back to the farm, the map displayed two locations with Mother.
👕 New Merch, Who Dis?!
Our friends at The Yetee have just dropped 3x new Eastward merch items, each with an Octopia flavour, and all designed by Yetee artist Mikoto! 🌱
We'd love to hear which is your favourite design! While you're there, be sure to check out the merch back-catalogue with designs based off the Eastward base game.
Head on over to http://theyetee.com/eastward for more details!
🏆 Reviews are coming in!
If you're still waiting to pick up the Eastward: Octopia DLC, you might be interested to see recent coverage:
⚙️Octopia 1.1 Patch Changelist As always - spoiler warning for the patch notes! Fixed the bug where the game would freeze when petting piglets at night. Fixed the bug where the pig's expressions and animations didn't appear when petting the pig Fixed the issue of conflicts betwee
⚙️Octopia 1.1 Patch Changelist
As always - spoiler warning for the patch notes!
Fixed the bug where the game would freeze when petting piglets at night.
Fixed the bug where the pig's expressions and animations didn't appear when petting the pig
Fixed the issue of conflicts between the Baoli event and the Alva Pancake quest event. （Players need to load the save file from the previous day to resolve the error that already occurred.）
Fixed the issue Alva keeps giving the player Coffee Beans when spoken to multiple times.
Fixed the bug where music didn't stop when chasing fish after hooking.
Fixed the issue where clicking the exit button during ingredient selection had no response.
Fixed the grammar for the English dialogue for Benjamin, Robot Daniel, President & Secretary.
Updated the explosion animation for mine bomb game.
Fixed the issue where there was a small probability of only one tile generated after entering the next level in the mining mini-game.
Updated the William entrance animation.
Various typos fixed.
Fixed an issue where the three children NPC task sometimes didn't appear
Fixed the issue in the cooking interface where the quantity of certain ingredients was displayed incorrectly in the dish details.
Fixed the issue where, in certain situations, you could still hear the cursor sound after opening and then closing the map.
Fixed the issue where Sam's expression of imitating the scarecrow was incorrect in certain circumstances
Fixed an issue where opening the store would get stuck when upgrading multiple farm tool animations from the store at the same time.
Fixed the issue where, after bringing Mother back to the farm, the map displayed two locations with Mother.
Hello everyone! Today is the day! Get ready to trade in John's bang-bang gun for a watering can, and embark on a tranquil new life in Octopia. (Don't worry, you'll still need that frying pan 🍳). In Eastward: Octopia , Sam and John return in a parallel world adventure, leaving th
Hello everyone!
Today is the day! Get ready to trade in John's bang-bang gun for a watering can, and embark on a tranquil new life in Octopia. (Don't worry, you'll still need that frying pan 🍳).
In Eastward: Octopia, Sam and John return in a parallel world adventure, leaving the miasma and monsters behind them, to start a simpler life, living off the land.
Eastward: Octopia is available for $5.99 / £4.99 / €5.89 / 700円 / ¥22 CNY, with a special launch offer of 15% off the DLC running from today until February 14th! We're also running special limited-time offers on the base game & bundle too.
🌏 Playable in English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese (Simplified and Traditional).
💰 Is there a launch discount?
Eastward: Octopia is available for $5.99 / £4.99 / €5.89, with a special launch offer of 15% off the DLC running from today until February 14th!
The Eastward base game is also on sale at 40% off, and if you haven't started your Eastward journey yet there's a discounted Bundle available too! The Bundle is also available with the discounts included so there's no better time to jump in!
♨ Lead a peaceful new life: Help Sam and John cultivate a life free from worries. Say goodbye to the chaos of the outside world and immerse yourself in a countryside haven.
🌾 Revitalise the farmstead: Roll up your sleeves and breathe life back into a neglected cottage and its lands. Grow crops, rear (and pet!) adorable animals, forage in the wetlands, wind down with some fishing, and even strike up a conversation with a friendly ghost.
💗 Build a thriving community: Construct and upgrade stores and homes to transform Octopia into a bustling community. Complete culinary requests to attract more familiar faces to the area — some might decide to make Octopia their permanent home!
🍳 Culinary Delights: Utilise farm-fresh ingredients and John's Cookbook to whip up delicious recipes. Invite your neighbours to dinner to share your culinary creations and build connections over the universal language of good food.
🎮 What platforms is the DLC available on?
Eastward: Octopia is now available on Steam and Nintendo Switch.
An important note regarding the NS physical version - please ensure you purchase the DLC from the same eShop region as the base game in order for the DLC to activate. If you purchased a physical copy of Eastward, please check which region it is before you download the DLC product.
In terms of other platforms where the Eastward base game is currently available, the dev team are looking into making the DLC available and we will update the community as soon as we have more news.
Did you know that Eastward is also fully verified for play on SteamDeck? We think Eastward: Octopia is the perfect game to take with you on the go!
🐣 Do I need to have played the Eastward base game before I play the DLC?
Eastward: Octopia takes place in a parallel universe, so there's no need to have finished (or even started) Eastward's base game story to enjoy the simple life - you can even play it straight from the main menu.
Although many familiar faces appear in Eastward: Octopia, the plot, gameplay and character 'settings' will be a completely new experience.
However, please note that a copy of Eastward is required to access the DLC.
Once you've purchased and downloaded the DLC, make sure the DLC is 'checked' in the base game properties. After starting the base game of Eastward in your Steam Library, you can then travel to the pastoral time and space of Eastward: Octopia is a single click from the main menu interface!🚞
Eastward and the Eastward: Octopia DLC each have their own independent multi-save location. This means that when you need a break from the bustling streets of New Dam City, you can jump back in the DLC where you left off for some rural tranquillity in Octopia (or vice versa)! Although the stories unfold in parallel, experiencing the two completely different lives of the protagonists at the same time might also help to unearth some easter egg links that will make you smile! 😄
⏰ How long is the DLC?
We estimate that it will take about 15 to 20 hours to clear the main content of the DLC, but the actual time depends on your playstyle. Some players may spend more time discovering recipes to unlock and make various tasty dishes 🍛, or get re-acquainted with familiar characters! You might also indulge more time in mini-games such as fishing 🎣 or the bomb-mining game. It's safe to say there is much to be discovered!
⏩ We have also added the "fast forward" function from the recent December base game QoL update. When playing animations and talking to characters, players can press the E key to speed up and skip text passages; or they can take a nap on the bench in front of John & Sam's cottage to recover their physical strength while the in-game time speeds up.
📖 Any tips for how to get started in Eastward: Octopia?
A successful life in the countryside always starts with getting hold of some good farm tools and getting to work planting and harvesting crops, clearing the fields, and selling your produce! Last week we posted a Steam News blog all about Farm Management tips - take a look!
You can also bring up the game menu at any time to view the current cooking tasks, find out the location of town residents on the map, check crop information and maturity time, and gradually unlock more character information. Videos demonstrating farming, harvesting, felling etc. in the game are also shown in the Settings menu.
Love Eastward? How about some super-duper-exclusive merch? 🤩
Now available for pre-order is the 'Eastward: Design Works' collection, including music, prints, and a stunning 250-page masterpiece of an artbook, all created in collaboration with our pals from Lost in Cult.
There are 2 different editions to choose from, including the 'New Dam City Deluxe Edition' featuring a beautiful spot-gloss hardcover, yellow slipcase and outer box, section sewn binding, art prints, A3 posters, enamel pin badges, a cute 'saving memories' Fridge bookmark, a set of Eastward culinary recipe cards + an Earth Born zine! The first 500 copies of the New Dam City version will also include a bookplate attached to the inside, signed by the dev team at Pixpil.
The Eastward: Design Works is expected to ship in Summer 2024.
We're beyond excited for you to embrace the simplicity and joy that await in Eastward: Octopia. Thanks to each of you who supported and got excited about this new project with Pixpil!
Hello everyone! It's only a few days to go now until the release of Eastward: Octopia DLC on January 31st ! As a reminder it's coming to Steam and Nintendo Switch first, and is priced at $5.99 / £4.99 / €5.89 / 700円 / ¥22 CNY . It will be playable in English, Simplified Chinese,
Hello everyone!
It's only a few days to go now until the release of Eastward: Octopia DLC on January 31st!
As a reminder it's coming to Steam and Nintendo Switch first, and is priced at $5.99 / £4.99 / €5.89 / 700円 / ¥22 CNY. It will be playable in English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, French, German, and Spanish!
Although the pastoral life in Octopia is leisurely and comfortable, as farmers, John and Sam still need to work hard to turn their muddy fields into bountiful harvests. In order to restore prosperity to the town, we have prepared a guide to farm management and land reclamation for you ahead of your stay in Octopia:
Cultivation, Exploration, and Hard Work! 🌾🐣
In this parallel universe of Eastward, you’ll find a beautiful pixel art world free from miasma and monster invasions. Instead waiting for you beyond the train station gates is a small town ready to be renovated and a rundown farm desperately in need of some TLC.
First step? Clear away all of that the rubble and weeds, and sow some colourful seeds instead! On sunny days you’ll need to irrigate your crops with your handy unlimited watering can, and once they’re ready pop on your gloves to harvest them with one click.
In addition to the half-acre field at your doorstep, the town also has other ecological wonders waiting to be discovered - woods, wetlands, beaches… Use various tools to crush rocks and chop trees to collect building materials, and find special resources - perhaps you'll encounter something that can be used as ingredients for cooking or sold at William’s shop - every natural gift can be put to good use!
Of course all tasks require a bit of effort to be done properly - from sowing seeds, to chopping and watering tasks, each mechanic reduces the energy bar in the lower left corner of the screen. You can restore your vitality with a good sleep and some of John’s amazing cooking. In the early stages of the game, food and money may be a little scarce, so it’s important to think carefully about ‘economical’ farm work, and how you will best spend your day.
For example, a secret to making a fortune quickly might be in planting crops with short harvest times, or grinding grains to sell in William’s shop for higher rewards. When you're ready to lay down your tools for a while, John and Sam can sit on the bench in front of your home to watch the day roll by, and slowly regain energy.
Recipe Creativity & Ingredient Preparation 🍳🥗
In comparison with the travelling adventures in the base Eastward game, John’s time in Octopia sees his finally having a chance to improve his cooking skills, creating and studying the preparation of new recipes and rich specialties. As you spend more time in Octopia, you will discover special recipes based on different ingredients through thought-bubble association.
You can then harvest, forage or source these ingredients to combine and cook delicacies from the mountains and seas. For example, think of rice and shrimp together, and you'll get a delicious new recipe.
Food doesn't only restore the physical strength of John and Sam, but also furthers the story of Octopia and its inhabitants. Throughout your journey you’ll spot familiar faces from Eastward’s base game, but they might look a little different this time around and act in unexpected ways in their new life in Octopia... Some things never change though, and certainly not these character's foodie nature - so if you want to get to know their stories, you’ll first need to sate their appetites!
Preparing ingredients is also a key part of cooking: foraging in the wetlands and rivers, planning planting according to the maturity and harvesting times of different crops, and ordering seeds and stock from the store in advance of running out of stock… It all adds up!
But remember the best way to celebrate many days of busy work on the farm is to invite all of your friends around for dinner and share stories across the table while eating delicious home-cooked meals.
Fishing time! 🎣🐡
Octopia is full of rivers and ponds, making it an absolute paradise for budding anglers. But this might not be fishing like you know it - long gone are the days of swinging the rod to reel in the line, putting down the bobber and waiting for a hungry fish to take the bait.
In Octopia fishing is about speed and strength! Fish will race in a circle, so you’ll need to pull up the rod at the exact moment you catch up with their shadow. Some agile fish species may require a few more attempts! If you’re too slow, the fish will break free from the line and escape back into the waterways.
Not only is fishing a way to spend some time away from the farm, but in the early stages of the game it can also be a great way to obtain cooking ingredients without expending too much energy, or can be turned into a tidy profit if sold in the store.
In addition to your farm’s nearby ponds, you can also explore new fishing areas as the town develops. Different types of fish require different physical strength and can also be more difficult to fish. By choosing a variety of baits, you can reel in unexpected catches - even if you happen to catch a roll of toilet paper, it might have other ‘convenient’ uses!
Resources, Upgrades & Construction 🏗👷♂️
When you first arrive in Octopia it looks a little bit… unloved. Well fear not! By cutting down rocks and chopping trees to collect building materials, you will gradually be able to build new facilities, such as stores, pastures and even laboratories, slowly transforming Octopia to its former vibrancy!
Collecting resources will require some time and effort, but keep in mind that upgrading daily farming tools can achieve twice the result with half that effort. For example, upgrading your watering can and fishing rod in the store and through shrines can greatly improve the efficiency of your crop watering and fishing adventures.
As the story progresses, you will unlock the underground mine area! Similar to the visual style of Earthborn, the mining mini-game in the Octopia DLC is inspired by retro arcade machines. Various precious ore resources can be mined by bomb explosions, which can be used to upgrade more practical tools and building facilities.
That’s it for our short introduction to farm management in Eastward: Octopia! We hope it will help you settle into your new rural town life when the DLC launches next week. (There's also still plenty of secrets and easter eggs waiting to be discovered!) Until then, be sure to wishlist the game here on Steam for a notification as soon as Eastward: Octopia releases, and follow us on social media for more information.
Hi all! There are now just 2 weeks until the Eastward: Octopia DLC is released! To celebrate the launch, the development team at Pixpil are hosting an offline trial event for Eastward: Octopia in Shanghai (where the dev team are based) on January 27th and 28th . At the event, pla
Hi all!
There are now just 2 weeks until the Eastward: Octopia DLC is released!
To celebrate the launch, the development team at Pixpil are hosting an offline trial event for Eastward: Octopia in Shanghai (where the dev team are based) on January 27th and 28th.
At the event, players will be about to try out the new DLC, and discover on a new peaceful life together with Sam and John, as well as be in with the chance to win special merch in a giveaway.
📢 Details of offline trial activities
Event Time: January 27-January 28, 2024, 13:00-18:00 each day Location: 上海市闵行区华中路6号 七宝德必易园光之希望艺术中心
For more information about the Eastward: Octopia event in Shanghai, and how to sign up for a trial session, please refer to the full Chinese blog post on Steam.
For those of you outside of Shanghai, don't worry - Eastward: Octopia's full release is right around the corner!
Hello Everyone! Last week's Wholesome Snack announced our release date for the new Eastward DLC "Octopia", and since the announcement we've been so happy to see how excited everyone is to explore it! The team is working hard to assemble the final pieces of the DLC and are looking
Hello Everyone!
Last week's Wholesome Snack announced our release date for the new Eastward DLC "Octopia", and since the announcement we've been so happy to see how excited everyone is to explore it! The team is working hard to assemble the final pieces of the DLC and are looking forward to opening a new chapter for John and Sam on January 31st! Over the next few weeks, we'll be sharing some DLC details to give players a glimpse of the pastoral scenery which awaits them🌻
Dialogue Fast Forward and Fast Travel
We've also seen player feedback about the main game - pointing out that some character dialogue is long and cannot be skipped, and that some large maps need to be re-travelled over during the story which can take a significant amount of time.
In response to this feedback, the team have added a "Story Fast Forward" function on the PC version today⏩. Players can press the E key to speed up playback and skip long scenes to quickly advance through animations and dialogue, allowing them to get right back to the gameplay.
In the world of Eastward there can be a lot of running around🏃, so the team has added "Fast Travel Points". After advancing the story during each chapter, you'll unlock the corresponding teleportation points on the town map for one-click teleportation, reducing the need to run back and forth in the streets and alleys you've already explored.
Steam Winter Sale
Keep an eye out for Eastward in the upcoming Steam Winter Sale🎄, the main game will be available for 50% off, the lowest discount ever, for only two weeks! If you don't yet own Eastward, or want to offer it as a gift to a friend - there's never been a better time! Before the train arrives in Octopia, let John and Sam accompany you on a holiday adventure!
Thanks to the community for continuing to support the game - we're really excited to show you what's coming up in 2023!
Hi everyone! Gather 'round because we've got some delightful news that will warm your hearts! 💛 Sam and John, are back for a brand-new DLC adventure into the tranquil world of Octopia, landing on Steam and Nintendo Switch on Jan 31st at $5.99 / £4.99 / €5.89 / 700円 / ¥22 CNY . W
Hi everyone!
Gather 'round because we've got some delightful news that will warm your hearts! 💛
Sam and John, are back for a brand-new DLC adventure into the tranquil world of Octopia, landing on Steam and Nintendo Switch on Jan 31st at $5.99 / £4.99 / €5.89 / 700円 / ¥22 CNY.
We're thrilled to share the news and a brand new trailer in collaboration with Wholesome Snack: The Game Awards Edition!
Get ready to embrace the simple joys of life as you join Sam and John in this cosy and peaceful spinoff. No miasma, no hardships — just pure happiness awaits you. It's time to trade in your swords for shovels and embark on a journey of tranquility with farming, fishing and cooking! 🍛
“I haven’t played Eastward! Do I have to play the base game to get the most out the DLC?”
Eastward: Octopia takes place in a parallel universe, so there's no need to have finished (or even started) Eastward's base game story to enjoy the simple life - you can even play it straight from the menu. However, please note that a copy of Eastward is required to access the DLC.
♨ Lead a peaceful new life: Help Sam and John cultivate a life free from worries. Say goodbye to the chaos of the outside world and immerse yourself in a countryside haven.
🌾 Revitalise the farmstead: Roll up your sleeves and breathe life back into a neglected cottage and its lands. Grow crops, rear (and pet!) adorable animals, forage in the wetlands, wind down with some fishing, and even strike up a conversation with a friendly ghost.
💗 Build a thriving community: Construct and upgrade stores and homes to transform Octopia into a bustling community. Complete culinary requests to attract more familiar faces to the area — some might decide to make Octopia their permanent home!
🍳 Culinary Delights: Utilise farm-fresh ingredients and John's Cookbook to whip up delicious recipes. Invite your neighbours to dinner to share your culinary creations and build connections over the universal language of good food.
🌏 Playable in English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese (Simplified and Traditional).
To ensure you're the first to know about any future updates, wishlist Eastward: Octopia DLC on Steam! We can't wait for you to experience the heartwarming adventure that awaits on January 31st!
Not only is Eastward currently 50% off in the Steam Autumn Sale... Eastward Design Works We've got some exciting news for you all: Introducing the "Eastward: Design Works" collection, including music, prints, and a stunning 250-page masterpiece of an artbook, all created in colla
Not only is Eastward currently 50% off in the Steam Autumn Sale...
Eastward Design Works
We've got some exciting news for you all: Introducing the "Eastward: Design Works" collection, including music, prints, and a stunning 250-page masterpiece of an artbook, all created in collaboration with our pals from Lost in Cult.
This exclusive artbook is a treasure trove of creativity, featuring never-before-seen artwork, thought-provoking analysis, and insightful interviews with the brilliant minds behind Eastward (our friends from Pixpil and Joel Corelitz).
The Eastward: Design Works takes you on a journey from sketch to screen, unraveling the mysteries of Pixpil's pixel-perfect art and development process. Explore the influences, design philosophies, and intricate details that breathe life into the game in 2 different options:
STANDARD EDITION - £39.99 RRP The Standard Edition of the Eastward: Design Works book is ideal for the casual fan, general artbook collector, or gaming culture observer.
Approx. 250+ pages tell the story of Eastward’s development, from sketch to screen, with concept art, sketches, breathtaking visuals, and design work on every single page.
Delve into the stunning locales and the historical contexts behind them. Unravel the influences behind Eastward from inside and outside of video games. Dive into the marketing approach from announcement to release, and identify the hidden messages and roaring reveals that marked Eastward’s grand unveiling and release. Explore the local cuisine found in each in-game location, analyse the characterisation of your favourite characters, and plunge into the in-house game engine used for development.
We leave no stone unturned in Eastward: Design Works - even exploring the upcoming Eastward: Octopia DLC. There truly is nothing quite as extensive as Design Works - this is the true preservation of video game culture.
NEW DAM CITY DELUXE EDITION - Campaign Exclusive, £119.99 RRP The ultimate, deluxe edition of Eastward: Design Works, presented in the way we feel is best deserving of this incredible game and the story behind it - available exclusively during our timed campaign.
This version features a spot gloss Hardcover, a made-to-measure yellow slipcase, section sewn binding, and unique outer box, with quality design befitting any adventurer’s bookshelf or coffee table.
Also included is an exclusive Earth Born zine - exploring the artistry and design of the surprisingly rich playable in-game curio that serves as a cultural cornerstone for the characters of Eastward, itself inspired by JRPGs like Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, and Earthbound.
The New Dam City Deluxe Edition also features:
4 Art Prints
2 A3 Posters
4 Enamel Pin Badges
Fridge Bookmark (save those memories!)
A set of recipe cards to Eastward's dishes to the real world!
(As well as the Earth Born zine)
As a bonus, the first 500 copies of New Dam City Deluxe Edition will include an exclusive bookplate attached to the inside cover, signed by the development team at Pixpil.
Currently, the Lost in Cult team is expecting the Eastward Design Works books to ship in Summer 2024.
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!
Eastward & Eastward: Octopia Music Collection
EASTWARD: OCTOPIA VINYL Signed Campaign Exclusive Yellow, Limited to 1000 Copies
This very limited edition vinyl comes in a striking 12” environmentally-friendly yellow Biovinyl with official character art, and includes the full Eastward: Octopia soundtrack as well as two additional bonus lost tracks from composer Joel Corelitz that aren’t included in the final DLC. Each of the 1000 copies also comes with a certificate of authenticity, signed by Joel Corelitz!
EASTWARD: OCTOPIA CD We haven’t forgotten about you track skippers! This CD provides the same musical selection as the vinyl, including the unreleased tracks, but in a jewel-case CD offering.
EASTWARD: OCTOPIA CASSETTE For those who like to rewind after a hard day, this cassette option offers the same musical selection, but in a wonderfully retro cassette form for nostalgic portable listening.
EASTWARD: COMPLETE ORIGINAL DOUBLE-CASSETTE For fans of the original soundtrack, we’re also thrilled to offer the complete and unabridged original Eastward OST in a beautiful yellow double-cassette - the biggest physical release of the Eastward soundtrack available anywhere! This exclusive musical curio also comes with two previously unreleased tracks from Joel Corelitz from the original game that can’t be heard anywhere else!
THE COMPLETE EASTWARD MUSIC COLLECTION - £89.99 RRP The entire soundtrack collection, including the Octopia vinyl, CD, cassette, and the double Eastward cassette, for a saving of £16! Also available in two other handy soundtrack bundles, so you can grab everything you want without the fuss.
PREMIUM HIGH-QUALITY A3 ART PRINTS - £80.00 RRP Lastly, to round off the collection, we’re releasing a series of high-quality A3 art prints. These large prints use Hahnemühle German Etching 310gsm stock, which has a tactile feel and fine surface texture, providing excellent reproduction of colour and detail, with deep blacks and optimum contrasts. These are high-end, gallery quality, archival tier prints one one of the best papers in the world, used by serious art print aficionados. These are separate add-ons from what you’ll find in the New Dam City Deluxe book.
All of the above physical music releases are estimated to ship in Q2 2024.
Dive deep into the enchanting world of Eastward and its beloved characters, but it's now or never: the Eastward Design Works is a limited-time project, meaning you have only 60 days to grab yours, ending on Jan 23rd.
Hi everyone! We hope you're looking forward to the upcoming Eastward: Octopia country-life DLC! In the meanwhile, we wanted to share news that we’ve teamed up with the brilliant minds behind Chained Echoes and Wandering Sword in a new bundle - the Grand Pixel Adventures Bundle !
Hi everyone!
We hope you're looking forward to the upcoming Eastward: Octopia country-life DLC!
In the meanwhile, we wanted to share news that we’ve teamed up with the brilliant minds behind Chained Echoes and Wandering Sword in a new bundle - the Grand Pixel Adventures Bundle! Grab it today and enjoy a 10% discount on your purchase.
Meticulously curated and brought together into a Steam bundle for their charming pixel artistry and immersive storytelling, these 3 games promise an unforgettable adventure for any RPG enthusiast. Unravel tales and embark on captivating quests set in worlds brimming with intrigue, heroism, and wonder.
Chained Echoes
Journey across the expansive continent of Valandis. Wield a blade, channel arcane powers, or hop into a Mech. Bring harmony to warring kingdoms in this gripping 16-bit styled epic.
“Chained Echoes is simply the best RPG I’ve played in a very very long time.” 10/10 – God is a Geek
Wandering Sword
Embark on an odyssey in this Chinese martial arts RPG. A tale of a young swordsman, shaped by feud and destiny, navigating the intricate world of pugilism, seeking the highest form of wuxia prowess.
“Wandering Sword is an excellent debut game and has all the hallmarks of a classic RPG. Do not overlook this superb indie gem!” 9/10 – RPGFan
Eastward
Step into a world teetering on the edge. From quaint towns to curious creatures, arm yourself with a frying pan and mystic abilities as you dive into an unforgettable adventure.
“Eastward: This Engrossing Indie Action-RPG is a Knockout” 10/10 – Screen Rant
Take a look and grab some fantastic pixel art games at a discount!
Hi everyone! I bet you didn’t see that coming 👩🌾🌾♨ Today we’re super excited to announce that Sam and John will be returning in an all-new adventure, coming to the wonderful world of Eastward. Octopia is the start of their peaceful new life in the countryside - no miasma, no
Hi everyone!
I bet you didn’t see that coming 👩🌾🌾♨
Today we’re super excited to announce that Sam and John will be returning in an all-new adventure, coming to the wonderful world of Eastward. Octopia is the start of their peaceful new life in the countryside - no miasma, no hardships, just happy times and delicious meals.
(Psst, haven’t finished playing Eastward yet? Don’t worry, the Eastward: Octopia DLC will be accessible straight from Eastward’s start menu, and suitable for brand new players and Eastward completionists alike.)
Check out the all-new Octopia announcement trailer here:
In a parallel world, Sam and John alight from their train at a remote station in a mountainside village, ready to start their lives anew. The duo decide to spend all of their savings on a rundown farm cottage, desperately in need of some TLC. All the best things in life come with a little hard work and elbow grease!
🌾 A New Life in the Countryside
In Eastward: Octopia, you’ll help Sam and John to work the land, tend to their blimpigs, and cook heartwarming meals for familiar - yet strangely different - friends. Upgrade your farmstead, grow crops, forage in the wetlands, get advice from friendly ghosts, and spend your nights casting your line in the local fishing holes.
🛠 Revitalize a Community
When Sam and John first arrive the town of Seagull looks a little … neglected? But don’t worry, you can revitalise the community by helping to construct homes for new neighbours, upgrade stores and encourage even more familiar faces to flock to the area with the help of your farm-fresh ingredients and cooking prowess.
But even in these quiet lands, there are secrets still waiting to be discovered…
Crops, ghosts, and blimpigs oh my!
Help bring the best out of the town!
This is a sizable paid DLC for Eastward, with a brand-new story and an all-new farming game mode. You will need the Eastward base game in order to access the Eastward: Octopia DLC. It will be playable in English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Simplified and Traditional Chinese.
The development team at Pixpil has been secretly working on Octopia since Eastward launched nearly 2 years ago today, so we’re incredibly excited to see what you all think! We’re currently aiming to launch the DLC on Steam and Nintendo Switch this Winter - more news on that as the final stages of development progress.
Q&A 🌾 Is the Octopia DLC a brand new game mode? Yes! Unlike Sam and John’s post-apocalyptic adventure filled with fighting off monsters and tricky puzzles, Octopia will show a slice of a peaceful new life in the countryside - no miasma, no hardships, just happy times and delicious meals.
🐣 What is the connection between Octopia and the world of Eastward? Octopia’s story takes place in a parallel world, completely different from the main game. There’s no miasma or dangerous mutant creatures 👾 here - instead, an abandoned farm awaits John and Sam to start their life anew. Familiar and different companions from Eastward will visit with new ideals and goals, working together to help the town thrive!
⏰ How long is the content of the DLC expected to be? We estimate that it will take at least 15 to 20 hours to complete the main content, but the actual duration depends on your playing habits - many players may spend more time studying recipes to make all kinds of dishes 🍛, getting to know characters, enjoying their time with companions, mastering the art of fishing 🎣 or blasting away in the mining mini game. Octopia also has its own secrets to share…
🌱 When is the DLC expected to be released? Octopia will release on Steam and Nintendo Switch this Winter. The bulk of the development is complete, and the studio is continuing to polish, fix bugs 🛠 and optimise the experience. We hope to share the specific release date as soon as possible!
Eastward will be going on sale very soon with its deepest discount yet at 50% off - so keep your eyes peeled for news when the sale period starts!
Hi everyone! Last weekend, Eastward participated in the WePlay Cultural Expo online event and the offline exhibition of indiePlay China (an indie game competition). Around the world it's still difficult to participate in live events, so being able to meet so many new friends who
Hi everyone!
Last weekend, Eastward participated in the WePlay Cultural Expo online event and the offline exhibition of indiePlay China (an indie game competition).
Around the world it's still difficult to participate in live events, so being able to meet so many new friends who share a love of indie games, a fondness for Eastward, and a chance to see first-hand the continuous emergence of indie game creativity is a huge joy for the team at Pixpil.
In this year's indiePlay competition Eastward was nominated for 3x awards; Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Effects, and the Best Game Award. We were incredibly honoured to bring home 2x of those awards for Best Game and Best Visual Effects at the awards ceremony!
As Pixpil's first game, Eastward embodies the efforts and enthusiasm of the studio's developers over the several years of the game's creation. We hope with Eastward we can continue to share this joy of spreading our creative vision with more players, and want to share a big thank you for everyone's love and support of Eastward over the past few years.
The future is still ahead of us, with long-awaited train rides, and more adventures across the unknown..! If you haven't had a chance to try Eastward yet, it's available on PC and Nintendo Switch. At the time of us writing this, it's also 40% off for a few more day - ending November 17th.
From the beginning there was always many expectations, from ourselves and others, and we hope you'll join us in boarding this fantastic warm-hearted journey together.
Eastward turns 1 this September (our little baby is growing up!) and we couldn’t celebrate it without an unmissable discount for you: a 30% OFF in a Steam Daily Deal! 🎂🎁 It’s your chance to embark on this beautifully detailed adventure with Sam and John, developed by Pixpil, a
Eastward turns 1 this September (our little baby is growing up!) and we couldn’t celebrate it without an unmissable discount for you: a 30% OFF in a Steam Daily Deal! 🎂🎁
It’s your chance to embark on this beautifully detailed adventure with Sam and John, developed by Pixpil, a small indie developer based in Shanghai (China) and published by us, your well-known orange-chuckling indie publisher. 🧡
Discover delightful towns, strange creatures and even stranger people! Wield John's trusty frying pan (yes! 🍳) and Sam's mystic powers on an adventure into the unknown with more than 30 hours of gameplay. (30 hours if you are a very objective and obstinate person! 🙃)
🗓️ The Steam Daily Deal starts on September 8 (10:00 PDT/18:00 BST) and ends on September 14 (10:00 PDT/18:00 BST).
Join (and enjoy!) this celebration for the 1st anniversary of Eastward with us! 🥳
Feel free to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Or join our official Discord to share your experience about the game with us! We hope to see you there! o/
We have awesome news! 🤩 The Spanish and German localisation patch is available now for Eastward! Everyone who has bought the game will be able to update it to receive Spanish and German as a language option. ⚠️But remember: you MUST UPDATE YOUR GAME to get the patch! A big thank
We have awesome news! 🤩 The Spanish and German localisation patch is available now for Eastward! Everyone who has bought the game will be able to update it to receive Spanish and German as a language option. ⚠️But remember: you MUST UPDATE YOUR GAME to get the patch! A big thanks here for the hard work of the Pixpil development team and localisation partners at Riotloc for working their best to bring this patch to players as quickly as possible!
We know it has been quite waiting for this moment and we would like to truly appreciate the patience and support from the Eastward community during the last 3 months. We thank you all for your understanding. And we hope you enjoy this language update as much as we do. It was a long process for implementation, but with a lot of love to offer the best experience for you all. 🧡
Hi everyone! How are you doing? For this dev update, we’re sharing a quick check-in on how some of the Eastward plans we have in the works are going, along with some exciting news! ✨ German & EU Spanish Localisation Full game localisation is now complete by our partners at Ri
Hi everyone!
How are you doing? For this dev update, we’re sharing a quick check-in on how some of the Eastward plans we have in the works are going, along with some exciting news! ✨
German & EU Spanish Localisation
Full game localisation is now complete by our partners at Riotloc, however we’re anticipating a slight delay before the text can be fully LQA’d and implemented into the game. Sadly the development team at Pixpil have had to go back into lockdown in Shanghai, after a big increase in Covid infections in the area. This means the dev team has no access to their office, and some of their internal servers are once again down.
Those of you who followed Eastward’s development might remember the team already faced big delays when lockdown blocked access to their office and servers for many months in early 2020, forcing them to re-make large sections of the game (you can read about it here). Delays are never fun, but the safety and health of the team are always the priority, so we appreciate your patience and understanding, and will share more news as soon as we can!
Iam8bit Physical Release
Exciting news! We have now revealed the release date of the Nintendo Switch physical version with iam8bit and Skybound Games. The standard retail version will be available instores from May 24th for $34.99, and pre-orders are now live on iam8bit’s website for the Collector's Edition and composer Joel Corelitz’s limited vinyl soundtrack which will be released later this year. The cartridges are region-free, with all in-game languages.
The Collector’s Edition features its own Eastward-flavoured original tabletop board game, by designer Erich Meyr and illustrator Ryan Brinkerhoff! It’s a 2-4 player co-op game, where you’ll take on the roles of the game’s heroes to rescue townsfolk from the looming miasma and take out monsters as you go. The fold-out Collector’s Edition board game also pairs with the special edition Vinyl, which also includes the board game as a gate-fold, and can also act as an expansion to the base game with different pieces!
You’ll notice the Collector’s Edition also spotlights some new art - this is a beautiful exclusive cover sheet, created by artist Laura Bifano. We’re also pleased to reveal that the vinyl soundtrack will be made using recycled materials. We hope you’ll love it!
More Merch Incoming!
We previously revealed that a Sam Plush was in the works over at Fangamer, and now the wait is over! The ever-so-squishy Sam Plush is now available on the Fangamer site, alongside a new enamel ‘Friends Til the End’ pin set of John and Sam, and something we know players have been eyeing up since the Japanese Collector’s Edition was revealed… The adorable Sam figurine is now available to purchase separately via the folks at Fangamer!
This figurine was inspired by the clay Earthbound models we love so much, and the original 3D concept for Sam’s “clay-style” design was created by artist Ian Zell. Thanks very much to our friends at Kakehashi, Happinet and Fangamer for making this possible. Send us pics to us via Twitter @ChucklefishLTD if you grab one!
Awards
We’re incredibly proud to share the news that Eastward has been nominated for Best Debut Game at the 2022 BAFTA Game Awards! This is a huge accomplishment to be nominated alongside such awesome games, so wish us luck for the big night on April 7th, streaming live on Twitch!
Hey folks!👋🏽 Can you believe it’s already March? Time sure is flying by and the Pixpil team are hard at work on more Eastward goodness. Full Steam Deck ahead! The Steam Deck has begun rolling out this month and we’re super excited to confirm that Eastward is Steam Deck compatib
Hey folks!👋🏽 Can you believe it’s already March? Time sure is flying by and the Pixpil team are hard at work on more Eastward goodness.
The Steam Deck has begun rolling out this month and we’re super excited to confirm that Eastward is Steam Deck compatible and verified🥳 Now even more of you can play Eastward on-the-go! As the game is already designed with controller support in mind, this will be a smooth transition to the Steam Deck’s control scheme.
Being verified on Steam Deck means that Valve has reviewed that the game runs seamlessly, including performance, control scheme, and resolution display.
Whether you’re jumping in for the first time or re-experiencing the beautiful world and story of Eastward, playing on Steam Deck is sure to be a breath of fresh air.🚂
Where will you take Eastward? Tag us in your pictures on social media. Bonus points for anyone who takes Eastward up to space🌌
In other news, we’re close to completing the localisation process for Eastward in German and EU Spanish. We’ll share more details, including when players can expect this update, soon.
Come and join the community discussion over on Discord or Reddit, and follow us on Twitter for more news.
Hey gang, happy new year ! We hope you enjoyed the holiday season and are ready to get 2022 started. Your love for Eastward really made our year so thank you for your support. German & Spanish localisations on the way We’re happy to reveal that German and EU Spanish game tran
Hey gang, happy new year! We hope you enjoyed the holiday season and are ready to get 2022 started. Your love for Eastward really made our year so thank you for your support.
German & Spanish localisations on the way
We’re happy to reveal that German and EU Spanish game translations are in the works!✨ We appreciate the importance of localisation to players around the world. The aim, should things go smoothly, is to release the language update patch towards the end of Q1 2022. Thanks to the lovely localisation team at Riotloc for their support <3
While we’d love to translate Eastward into every language possible, it’s no small feat to localise a game with a lot of text. These are the only localisation plans we have for the time being and will be sure to update you if more localisation options are planned. Thanks for your understanding🙏🏽
Make your own Picrew Eastward icon
Start the new year with a fun new persona using our Eastward inspired Picrew! Simply head to the Eastward Picrew Editor and follow the instructions to get started. You’ll find tabs in the creator for different features including eyebrows, hair and much more. Unleash your creativity by creating yourself in an Eastward style, reimagining yourself in your favourite character’s outfits or creating your own new character.
For fans of chaos, hitting the dice will create a totally randomised character. You can then use these across your social media for example, your Twitter profile pic! If you make an awesome character using the Eastward Picrew, please feel free to tag @ChucklefishLTD and @pixpilgames - we love seeing your creations!
We previously confirmed the plan to release a US & EU physical edition of Eastward on Nintendo Switch, from the talented folks at iam8bit. Rest assured these are still being worked on and we’ll share more news when it’s ready!
Take calls in style with Eastward ringtones🎶
As an extra special treat for you, Eastward’s super talented Composer, Joel Corelitz, has created some awesome Eastward ringtones for players to use. Head on over to Zedge and give your phone an Eastward flair - we know you all want to be woken up to the sounds of the Cooking jingle.
That’s all for the moment. With the start of 2022, we want to hear from you, our lovely community. What do you want to see from Eastward in 2022? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments ✍🏽.
Nintendo’s Indie World recently put out a video summing up the best-selling indie games for 2021 (thanks Kotaku ), and it’s got some real gems in it. Though we don’t know ranking for sure, the video featured both familiar faces and new challengers. The complete list in order of a
Nintendo’s Indie World recently put out a video summing up the best-selling indie games for 2021 (thanks Kotaku), and it’s got some real gems in it. Though we don’t know ranking for sure, the video featured both familiar faces and new challengers.
The complete list in order of appearance is as follows:
Some of these games aren’t surprises. Tetris Effect, Spelunky 2, and Subnautica are just some of the more recognizable names. But appearing alongside them are newer IP like Unpacking, Ender Lilies, and Eastward, all games that have reviewed really well but were unproven entities sales-wise until now.
Hey everybody! Since the launch of Eastward on PC & Switch, we’ve loved seeing so many of our community members discover and fall in love with Eastward’s not-so-hidden inner RPG (within an RPG) Earth Born, so we thought it was a great time to share it’s development story and
Hey everybody! Since the launch of Eastward on PC & Switch, we’ve loved seeing so many of our community members discover and fall in love with Eastward’s not-so-hidden inner RPG (within an RPG) Earth Born, so we thought it was a great time to share it’s development story and secrets!
Since the v1.1.0 update Earth Born is now also accessible from Eastward’s menu after you’ve completed the game. So, boot up your console and blow off your memory card, because we’re going to be talking about Earth Born...
*fair warning, if you’ve not played yet, there may be spoilers ahead*
Retro Origins
The idea of Earth Born first sparked from the dev team’s desire to create a cultural grounding (or something memeable) that linked all of Eastward’s in-game towns and cities, something which connected all of the characters despite the horrors of the miasma and the divisions it created. The art would reflect the world around the characters in Eastward and add a (not-so) fictional context to the realities that players face throughout the game. The deeper you dive into Earth Born, the more fun parallels you may start to notice!
Earth Born also acts as a homage to the Pixpil team’s favourite games, comic books and movies; Dragon Quest, Porco Rosso, Cowboy Beebop. The name ‘Earth Born’ comes from Eastward's initial Chinese project name '大地之子,' which means 'The Child of the Earth’ - a nod to the Earthbound series which had inspired them to create games in the first place!
Fun Fact #1: Did you know after you complete your first run of Earth Born, you unlock different screen modes?
Taking Down the Demon King
Earth Born is a retro-inspired, turn-based RPG roguelite. It’s first introduced as the most popular video game in all of Potcrock Isle (and Sam’s favourite)! You have 7 in-game days to thwart the Demon King who’s bunkered down in a castle at the center of the map, before the world is swallowed up by a great darkness!
However, at the start of the game, your party isn't nearly strong enough to take him on. Players will have to do multiple runs to visit inns, recruit new party members and activate the bird portals across the map in order to stand a chance. You’ll need all the help you can get when facing the Demon King...
Players must earn as much experience as possible to level up, ready for the big fight. Cave exploration is highly beneficial as players can gain more experience and acquire better equipment here. And of course, if you are struggling with a battle, gathering more Pixballs before you boot up to use will certainly help!
As fans of collecting figurines themselves, Pixpil wanted to create something in-game tapped into the Amiibo / Pop Vinyl culture. Pixballs are acquired via Japanese-style gashapon machines which use arcade tokens to operate, found tucked away all over the map. It wasn’t until later into development that it was decided that Pixballs would have an impact on gameplay by creating powerful in-game items for players to boost their chances of winning.
Fun fact #2: Pixpil’s favourite Pixball monster is the Gull Swordsman! Try saving your chips from this avian warrior!
When booting up an Earth Born arcade unit you can also access the in-game manual! Pixpil are quite rightly incredibly proud of the manual, written from the perspective of the in-game Earth Born developers. It’s a beautiful tribute to the detailed manuals of RPGs of old, brimming with nostalgia. But did you know that there’s an easter egg on the first page that nobody has mentioned yet? If you’re a fan of old school RPGs and you get the reference, let us know!
If, like us, you’ve had the Eastward soundtrack on repeat, you might be pleased to know that the Earth Borne soundtrack by Yu Fang is available on Bandcamp! You can also follow their musical journey over on Twitter too!
Don’t forget we also have amazing merch including t-shirts, pins, posters and plushies, available now with Fangamer and The Yetee! We also recently announced a really awesome long-sleeve ‘Travel Tee’ and a cute ‘Saving Memories’ acrylic standee to The Yetee store which would make for totally cute gifts this holiday season.
That’s all for now. If you haven’t already come and join the community discussion over on our Discord or Reddit, and follow us on Twitter for more Chucklefish gaming news.
Our team at Chucklefish will soon be signing off for Christmas, but we’ll be back with more awesome Eastward news in the new year. Until then, have a wonderful holiday break and take care!
