Wakeful Studios

Who We Are Wakeful Studios is an indie game developer based in Wellington, New Zealand. Our name reflects a state of being “wakeful”: alert, curious, and unafraid to look into the spaces between dreams and reality. We create games that don’t just entertain for a moment but stay with players. Our goal is to craft immersive experiences that spark curiosity, unsettle expectations, and challenge the boundary between outer and inner worlds. Our Values Imagination First — Each project begins with bold, unusual concepts. Depth Over Noise — We focus on meaningful mechanics and atmosphere, not trend-chasing. Transparent Development — Sharing progress, struggles, and wins with our community. Player Resonance — Building games designed to echo long after they’re played. Our Projects In Development: Mindstrain: Echoes of the Void A narrative-driven experience that asks: What if the darkest reaches of space reflect the darkest spaces of the mind? In this game, there is no line between inner and outer voids. We’re developing a polished 20-minute demo to pitch and showcase our vision. Past Concept: Haro: The Shroo King! A whimsical adventure prototype paused due to scope and market risks. Though shelved, it embodies our willingness to experiment with genre and tone. Our Business Focus We balance creative ambition with market strategy by: Building a strong community early through devlogs, behind-the-scenes posts, and previews. Developing vertical slice demos that demonstrate gameplay, tone, and scope for partners and funders. Choosing projects that align with both passion and long-term sustainability. Our Promise Wakeful Studios is here to create games that push boundaries. Whether it’s exploring the farthest corners of the universe or the deepest corridors of the mind, our mission is to make experiences that keep players awake long after the screen fades to black.