- HAZARD PAY IS OUT NOW! - 10 September 2026
Kia ora!Hazard Pay is finally out.The big green "Release" button that has eluded for me 3 years.. is pressed! For over a decade, I’ve been making games, experimenting with prototypes and participating in game jams, but Hazard Pay is the first project I decided to take all the way, turning an entry for Ludum Dare 54 into a fully fledged game and putting everything I’ve learned, both creatively and technically, into making something real.Along the way, Hazard Pay has also become much more than something I made alone, a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to the game, helped bring this dream - albiet dystopian flavored - to life, tested the builds, playtested puzzles, and supported throughout development.And, of course, thank you to everyone who has followed the game.Whether you discovered Hazard Pay years ago, played the demo, or joined us more recently, I appreciate you. Knowi…
- Creating a Soundtrack of Horrors - 9 September 2026
With Hazard Pay launching tomorrow, we're continuing our look behind the scenes at some of the people who helped bring the world of Hazard Pay to life.This time, we're handing things over to Giuseppe, the composer behind Hazard Pay's soundtrack, to talk about the unusual mix of inspirations that shaped the game's sound, from hip hop production and spy thrillers to floppy drives and Abe's Oddysee."My musical work on Hazard Pay was my first “real” project as a game music composer, so this soundtrack will always have a special place in my heart. Back when we were exchanging first ideas for the soundtrack, Arran suggested I take a look at the “Abe’s Oddysee” soundtrack – which was a game that scared the s*** out of me when I was a little kid. But it also fascinated me a lot, which is why - if you listen closely - you will find a homage to the beginning of “This is Rupture Farms” in the Haza…
- 2 Days 'til Launch! - 8 September 2026
Kia ora!With just two days to go until launch, take one final look inside the hazardous halls of IPT in the new Hazard Pay Launch Week Trailer!Clean up the mess. Dispose of the evidence. Try not to become part of it.Hazard Pay launches 10th September on Steam, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch.See you soon!
- From Playtesting to Level Design with Tobiasz - 4 September 2026
Kia ora!Some of the levels you'll encounter in Hazard Pay came about in a slightly unexpected way.Tobiasz first discovered the game's level editor while beta playtesting Hazard Pay and being part of the community on Discord. What started as experimenting with the tools soon turned into creating his own puzzles and sharing his ideas with us.Several of those levels found their way into the finished game.With Hazard Pay launching on 10th September, we asked Tobiasz to tell us a little about how he went from playing the game to helping create some of its puzzles."I first got involved with Hazard Pay as a beta playtester. While testing the game, I discovered its level editor. What started as experimenting with the tools gradually turned into designing my own puzzles and collaborating directly with Arran, the game's creator.It was a unique way to learn game design in practice. I started think…
- What is Hazard Pay? Developer Overview - 27 August 2026
Kia ora!With the game launching in just a couple of weeks, we have put together a video properly introducing Hazard Pay, showing you how it plays, and talking a little about world behind it. Not long to go now. Hazard Pay launches 10th September on Steam, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch.Thanks so much to everyone who has played the demo, wishlisted the game, or followed Hazard Pay so far. I’m really looking forward to finally getting the full game into your hands!Arran, Smitner Studio
- Featuring in Pixel Arcadia tonight! - 24 August 2026
Tune in to discover the future of retro gaming with world premieres, game spotlights, and the modern-retro innovations from over 30 publishers. We're delighted to be a part of this showcase and can't wait to see what else is upcoming in the space!The showcase kicks off at 19:00 BST | 20:00 CEST | 14:00 EST | 11:00 PST 24 August 2026.(With a preshow starting 30 minutes before.) Watch with us here on Youtube: See you there!Arran, Smitner Studio
- Dystopian block-pushing puzzler 'Hazard Pay' arrives September 10 - 17 August 2026
One for fans of clever puzzle games, Hazard Pay is releasing with Linux support on September 10th - built with Godot Engine. Read the full article here: https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2026/08/dystopian-block-pushing-puzzler-hazard-pay-arrives-september-10/
- Hazard Pay Launches on 10th September! - 4 August 2026
Kia ora employees,Your first shift has been scheduled.I'm excited to announce that Hazard Pay will launch on Steam on 10th September 2026!Thank you to everyone who has wishlisted the game, played the demo, shared feedback, or followed development so far. Your support (and patience) means the world to me.Before long, you'll be scrubbing blood from the facility floors, disposing of evidence, and solving over 70 handcrafted block-pushing puzzles as you uncover the disturbing truth behind IPT's operations.See you soon!Arran, Smitner Studio
- Hazard Pay is a block-pushing puzzle game you can really sink your mop into - 12 March 2026
Video games are such funny things, because I think if you were to tell someone unfamiliar with them that there is genuine enjoyment to be had in pushing some blocks around in a virtual space they'd look at you as if you'd told them there's genuine enjoyment to be hand in pushing some blocks around in a virtual space. And yet it's true! It's one of the classic puzzle game genres, going way back to 1982 with Sokoban. And here we are now, many years later, with a new entry to the genre in the form of Hazard Pay, a dystopian take that sees you cleaning up mysterious messes in secret labs. Read more
- Behind the Scenes! Tentacles? - 16 November 2025
Kia ora everyone, If you're keen to look behind the scenes into development, check out this video I made about a creature you may encounter lurking in the depths of IPT. Want more updates, or even help playtest? Join the Discord!
- Hazard Pay on Steam Deck - 22 February 2025
Hazard Pay has been tested extensively on the Steam Deck and is the perfect form-factor for destroying evidence on the go. Please report any issues via the Steam Discussion or on the Discord
