On April 16, Digital Confectioners, a small studio based in Christchurch, New Zealand, officially released its cooperative roguelite game 'Packmates' on Steam.

Packmates is an inventory-based adventure game featuring forest animal characters like raccoons, wolves, and cats. The core of the game lies in backpack management; how players arrange items in their limited bag space before setting off on an expedition dictates the strategy for the entire run. The game is structured so that specific arrangements trigger synergies or unlock special effects, making the preparation phase a vital part of the gameplay itself.

Developer Bryce explained the design philosophy, stating, “The idea was simple from the start. I believed that surviving an adventure should begin the moment you pack your bag.” He added that while players may be drawn in by the charm of the animal characters, what keeps them coming back is the decision-making involved in item selection and placement, as well as the tension of working as a team when things go wrong.

The game supports both solo play and online cooperative play for up to three players. In co-op mode, distributing equipment among teammates and managing shared space are key to survival. The developer noted that the game underwent years of development leading up to this official release, with the team incorporating player feedback from the early stages to expand the progression system and content variety.

Packmates is designed for high replayability with short, punchy sessions, and it includes a variety of unlockable equipment and character progression elements. It is currently available to players worldwide via Steam.