- Ryder turns 1 year old! - 7 August 2026
Hello All! It’s been one year since Ryder launched! To celebrate this milestone, we are offering Ryder at its lowest discounted price yet: 50% off! And for everyone who has already played it, thank you so much for playing. As always, feel free to share your feedback or even just your favorite creature over in our Discord! \Thanks for all the support and for checking out our game!Arlin & Elle
- Our second game has launched! - 15 July 2026
Hey All!We have some incredibly exciting news today. Our second game, Hue Factory, has officially launched on Steam!If you enjoyed the puzzles in Ryder, we think you'll really enjoy solving the puzzle of optimizing your factory floor. While Hue Factory trades creatures for a minimalist, cozy automation experience, that same core satisfaction of figuring out a clever solution is right at the heart of it. It’s a game all about color theory, logistics, and finding your perfect flow.What is Hue Factory? A colorful, minimalist automation game. Place machines, mix colors, and manage the flow of an evolving factory. Listen to the hum of the machines and watch the colors blend while keeping your lines efficient. Special Bundle!We are so excited to share that you can grab Hue Factory with Ryder for a discounted rate! It's the ultimate cozy puzzle bundle for anyone who loves to think logically, e…
- Summer Storms in Sapphire Grove - 28 May 2026
Hello All!As summer begins, we wanted to spotlight one of Ryder’s most atmospheric regions: Sapphire Grove.Hidden beneath towering Thundering Oaks, Sapphire Grove is a forest locked beneath constant rainfall. Glowing mushrooms illuminate the paths below while storms roll endlessly through the canopy overhead. This region is inspired by the thunderstorms that happen at the beginning of summer in our hometown.The creatures that inhabit Sapphire Grove have learned the way of the storms and have learned to master cloud-themed or lightning-based abilities.Here are some of the creatures you can meet in Sapphie Grove:CumulasaurThe Cumulasaur is a sturdy, cloud-themed dinosaur resembling an Ankylosaur, with billowing clouds adorning both its head and tail. DriftbackThe Driftback is a calm, cloud-humped camel-like creature that thrives in the rain-soaked expanse of the Sapphire Grove. It moves s…
- Try the Demo for Our New Game: Hue Factory! - 4 May 2026
Hello everyone!To all the amazing players of Ryder, thank you for your continued support! We wanted you to be the very first to know: the demo for our next project, Hue Factory, is officially live on Steam!If you enjoy cozy puzzles, logic, and minimalist automation, we'd love for you to check it out. The demo features the first four levels, where you can place conveyor belts, manage color flows, and unlock the Mixer to start blending secondary colors.As an indie duo, your wishlists and feedback mean the world to us. We'd love for you to give the demo a try, hit that wishlist button, and join our Discord to show off your factory layouts (or if you haven't already, join our Discord to show us your favorite creatures/moments of Ryder!).\Thank you so much for playing, -Arlin & Elle
- Introducing Hue Factory! - 26 March 2026
Hello everyone!It has been an incredible journey with Ryder (don't worry, we are still here to support Ryder, too!), and as a two-person team, we’ve been hard at work behind the scenes deciding what comes next. We are so excited to share our newest project: Hue Factory.We’ve taken our love for logic and minimalist design and poured it into a "Cozy Automation" experience.What is Hue Factory? It’s a minimalist game centered on color theory and efficiency. You’ll be placing machines, mixing secondary and tertiary colors, and managing the flow of an evolving factory.Why are we telling you now? We are officially "going live" with our social media today! If you enjoyed the logic and puzzles of Ryder, we think you’ll feel right at home with the humming conveyors of Hue Factory.Wishlist Hue Factory here: Follow our journey on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yellowtreegamesThank you for being pa…
- Ryder is 25% Off in the Steam Spring Sale! - 19 March 2026
Ryder is now part of the Steam Spring Sale and is available at 25% off through March 26th at 10 AM PST.Get in the Spring mood by exploring the world of Ryder! The second region, Emerald Valley, is fully Spring-themed; it features flower-themed creatures and a beautiful Spring landscape to explore!To everyone who has already supported Ryder, thank you. It means a lot to see players exploring the world and connecting with its creatures.We’d love to hear from you. Feel free to join our Discord and share your experience, favorite creatures, or feedback:https://discord.gg/pXRQzmJmB2Arlin & Elle Yellow Tree Games
- Ryder is a part of the Steam Winter Sale! - 18 December 2025
Happy Holidays from Yellow Tree Games ❄️ Ryder is part of the Steam Winter Sale and is 20% off from December 18th through January 5th. Thank you so much for all the support and kind words you’ve shared with us this year. It truly means a lot! We love seeing players exploring the world and creatures of Ryder. If you decide to jump into Ryder during this cozy winter season, we’d love to hear how your journey goes. You’re always welcome to join our Discord to share feedback, favorite creatures, or just say hello: https://discord.gg/pXRQzmJmB2 Wishing you a warm, cozy, and happy holiday season. Arlin & Elle
- Ryder is a part of the Steam Autumn Sale! - 30 September 2025
Get into the cozy season by exploring the Goldenwood, an autumnal forest filled with fall-themed creatures. Ryder is 20% off until October 6th.Ryder is a creature-collecting puzzle adventure where you play as 60+ unique creatures, each with abilities to help you solve over 100 puzzles. Restore life to the land as you journey through vibrant regions themed by the seasons and filled with unique creatures.
- Updates and Bug Fixes - August 14th, 2025 - 14 August 2025
Thank you to everyone who’s played Ryder so far! We’ve been listening closely to your feedback (and combing through bug reports) and have just pushed a new update live with the following changes:Performance & OptimizationAdded new settings to help optimize performance for your specific systemImproved runtime performance across all levelsGameplay UpdatesAdded more spawners for late-level creatures to make finding their variants easierIncreased interaction circles for larger creatures to make bonding smootherRemoved the ability to jump over Secret Key and Collectible gates (sorry! you’ll need to unlock them the proper way now)Adjusted puzzle gates so they can’t be used to drop into unintended areasBug FixesFixed a few puzzles that were not caching the correct solve stateWe’d love to keep hearing from you. Join our community on Discord to share your favorite creatures, swap tips, and chat…
- Ryder has launched! - 6 August 2025
It’s finally here! After three years of building, designing, and dreaming, Ryder is out in the world.This is a peaceful, creature-filled adventure where you’ll:Solve nearly 100 unique puzzlesExplore 4 colorful regions, from autumn forests to frozen peaksBond with over 60 creatures and become themUnlock unique abilities like wind jumping, ice bridges, and moreWatch the world fill with sound and life as you restore itWhether you’re here for the cozy vibes, the curious creatures, or just something a little different, we hope Ryder gives you a quiet place to explore and reflect.We’re a team of two, and Ryder has been our dream for a long time. If you decide to take this journey, we hope it feels special to you as well.Thank you for playing. Elle & ArlinPlease note: Ryder is fully functional on the Steamdeck but it needs to be launched with DirectX 11. This may be helpful if you are on a low…
- Release Date Announcement! - 14 July 2025
We’re thrilled to finally share the news: Ryder will be released on August 6, 2025 on Steam.This cozy creature-collecting puzzle adventure has been a passion project for years. We can't wait for you to experience the full journey. Solve puzzles, bring creatures back into the world, and explore regions filled with life and wonder.If you tried the demo, thank you. Your feedback and support have helped us make the game even better.In the meantime, make sure to wishlist Ryder so you’ll be among the first to know when it goes live. 🗓️ August 6th — mark your calendars!
- Ryder Is Live in Steam Next Fest – With a Special Demo Update! - 9 June 2025
Hello, friends!We’re excited to share that Ryder is officially live in Steam Next Fest, and we’ve released a special demo update just for the event!For this week only, you can: 🔹 Solve a brand new puzzle 🔹 Meet a brand new creature 🔹 Discover limited-time variants of existing creatures—hidden throughout the worldIf you’ve played the demo before, now’s the perfect time to revisit it. And if you’re new to Ryder, welcome! This is a non-violent, creature-collecting puzzle adventure where every puzzle solved brings a new creature back into the world—and slowly restores life to the land.Later this week, we’ll also be announcing Ryder’s release date, so stay tuned for that reveal!Until then, we’d love to hear what you think of the update—and if you manage to find any of the special variants, feel free to post them and tag us. We may even highlight a few in a future post on our social channe…
- Glow Up - The Thundershroom Variant - 3 June 2025
Deep within Sapphire Grove, something beautiful is taking root. The forest’s glowing mushrooms have started leaving their mark — not just on the trees and stones, but on the creatures themselves. These are the Thundershroom variants: visually distinct forms that shimmer with white and gold energy, as if they've been shaped by the same mysterious glow that lights up the grove at night. They shimmer like the caps of the grove’s bioluminescent fungi. They’re rare, but not out of reach — and discovering them adds a little magic to your time in the grove. Every creature in Sapphire Grove has a Thundershroom form to find.
- The Ryder Demo Just Got an Update! - 12 April 2025
Thanks so much to everyone who played the first version of the Ryder demo and sent us your thoughts—it’s been amazing to hear from you! We’ve just pushed an update that focuses on streamlining the experience and adding more of what makes Ryder fun. Here’s what’s new: Puzzle flow is faster and smoother—less backtracking, quicker start, more polished creature selection process Creatures are faster and more responsive You can now try out actual creature abilities in the demo! You'll get to try the wind burst and wind jump mechanics Improved framerate, bug fixes, and better UI behavior The creatures have eyes now. 👀 If you haven’t tried the demo yet, now’s a great time! You’ll explore a peaceful autumnal forest, solve 7 puzzles (4 new from previous version), and meet 5 playable creatures (3 new from previous version). Additionally, here is Elle, the Creative Director, explaining Ryder in d…
- Solving Puzzles in Ryder: How Do Pressure Plates Work? - 19 March 2025
Happy March, everyone! 🌿 As we continue developing Ryder, we want to dive deeper into the puzzle mechanics that shape your journey. This month, we're breaking down Pressure Plates—one of the core mechanics you'll encounter while solving environmental puzzles. What Are Pressure Plates? Pressure Plates are interactive switches that activate when a certain amount of weight is applied. They can open gates, move platforms, or activate other mechanics, but not every plate is the same! Some require only lightweight creatures, while others demand something much heavier to press them down fully. Since Ryder lets you become different creatures, your choice of form directly impacts how you interact with pressure plates. Here’s how: Light Creatures – Can press smaller plates, but is not heavy enough for larger ones. Medium Creatures – Balance between agility and weight, useful for stepping on medi…
- Drakes, Dragons, and Pumpkins Oh My - 17 February 2025
Happy February! We’re continuing to develop Ryder and are thrilled to introduce you to three dragon-like creatures you’ll meet—and play as!—on your journey. The Drumpkin As its name suggests, this adorable, pumpkin-shaped dragon feels right at home in Goldenwood’s autumnal landscapes. With its Wind Jump ability, the Drumpkin can help you reach higher locations in puzzles—a handy companion for exploring! The Snapdragon Among the tall grasses of Emerald Valley, you might catch glimpses of bright pink wings decorated with flowers. The Snapdragon loves flowers so much, it grew its own! Beyond its charm, its Teleportation Flowers ability will be key to solving puzzles in creative ways. The Driftdrake Gliding through the snowy forests of the Silver Pines, the Driftdrake is a frosty blue dragon with a snowflake-tipped tail. But its chill isn’t just for looks—its Freeze ability allows you to ho…
- The Demo is Live! - 29 January 2025
The demo for Ryder is now LIVE! We've included 7 puzzles to solve, 25 unique creature variants to find and a blissful autumnal forest for you to explore! New Gameplay Trailer 👇 Don't forget to Wishlist and follow us to stay up to date on Ryder's progress! If you encounter any bugs please fill out this form. And if you want to share your thoughts and talk more about the game head over to the discord. Thank you so much for trying our demo! Arlin and Elle
- Masters of the Chill - 7 January 2025
Happy New Year, All! As we kickoff 2025 and the snow starts to fall outside, we thought it would be a great time to highlight the creature abilities in Ryder’s snowy region, the Silver Pines. The Silver Pines is a region covered by ever present frost and snow. Here, you will unlock creatures that harness the power of the cold, the Freeze and Ice Bridge abilities. The Freeze Ability When using a creature with the Freeze ability, you can temporarily encase objects in ice, halting its position. This can come in handy when you need to be able to use the orb power in two places at once. For example, keeping the gate open so you may pass through without powering it with an orb. The Ice Bridge Ability The Ice Bridge ability creates a temporary pathway across gaps, allowing fellow creatures to cross. The catch? The creator of the bridge must remain in place to hold it, adding a layer of teamwor…
- Meet the husband and wife duo behind Ryder - 13 November 2024
Hello everyone! We’re Arlin and Elle at Yellow Tree Games. We're a husband-and-wife team united by our shared love for art, programming, and video games. Through this passion, we created Ryder, a creature-collecting puzzle adventure with a world brimming with unique, fantastical creatures. Crafting a Vision for Ryder The idea for Ryder began with a simple goal: a low-poly creature-collecting game that felt as distinct as it was immersive. Elle’s love for drawing animals and our mutual appreciation for classic creature-collecting games steered us in this direction from the start. Our goal was to create a nostalgic visual experience with a high level of detail, striking a balance between retro charm and modern design. We chose a low-poly art style rendered through Unreal Engine’s Lumen system, achieving both technical and artistic goals. Being a small team, we needed designs that were det…
- Announcing Ryder! - 29 October 2024
Hi everyone, We're Arlin and Elle from Yellow Tree Games, and we're thrilled to finally share what we've been passionately working on for the past few years—Ryder! Ryder is a creature-collecting puzzle adventure set in a stylized low-poly world. You play as a Ryder—an ethereal being with the ability to inhabit living creatures through a process known as bonding. Your journey takes you to the summit of the Sanguine Mountain, but between you and your destiny lie three distinct regions filled with intricate puzzles. At the outset, you'll find the world empty of life. By solving Sacred Site puzzles, you'll restore the souls of creatures hidden away long ago. Each puzzle involves moving orbs blocked by environmental mechanics like gates, weighted pressure plates, and moving platforms. Strategically switch between your party of creatures to get the orbs to their destinations and bring life ba…
