03/16/26
ROCKBEASTS – the first rock’n’roll RPG hits virtual stages later this year
ROCKBEASTS throws players straight into the heart of the alternative rock scene of the 1990s. Step into the shoes of a manager guiding an ambitious grunge band from smoky rehearsal rooms all the way to packed concert stages.
Warsaw, March 16, 2026 – ROCKBEASTS is a rock’n’roll blend of simulation and RPG set in an alternative take on the 1990s. Dive into the era of grunge, flannel shirts and MTV, while discovering the raw realities of the music industry from the inside. Become the manager of a promising band and take its members from a stale garage to the biggest concert stages.
Experience a story written by the lead writer of The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, Jakub Szamałek, brought to life by actors known from Baldur’s Gate 3 and narrated by rock legend IGGY POP.
The game takes place in an alternative version of the 90s America populated by colorful, anthropomorphic characters. In this world, music, ambition, and the realities of the industry collide every day, and success requires not only catchy riffs but also a thick skin. Here, the ability to handle instruments and make quick decisions matters just as much as dealing with the oversized egos of artists.
ROCKBEASTS tells its story through gameplay. The player is responsible for every aspect of running their band – from planning rehearsals and concerts, managing equipment and budget, negotiating with industry heavyweights, to resolving conflicts between band members. Constant crises, limited resources, and rising expectations make the road to fame just as demanding as it is unpredictable. This is a story shaped by the player’s decisions, influencing relationships between characters, the band’s reputation, and the course of the narrative. There’s no turning back – every action can either lift the band to grunge glory or crush their dreams and ambitions into dust.
The game mechanics capture the spirit of rock life. Players will negotiate with the industry, maintain equipment, create setlists, and perform on stage. Every rehearsal, every concert, and every verbal clash brings the band closer to success – or failure.
The visual style of ROCKBEASTS pays tribute to the MTV era and the iconic animations broadcast on the channel in the 1990s. Its distinctive art style evokes shows like Daria, Beavis & Butt-Head, and BoJack Horseman. Hand-drawn characters, expressive animation, and a world full of personality make ROCKBEASTS look like a high-budget series about the music industry – except this time, instead of watching it, you become a part of it.
Music is, of course, a key element of the game. Seventeen original tracks were composed specifically for the title, inspired by the genres that dominated the rock scene of the 1990s. Players will hear clear nods to icons such as Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, and Nirvana. What’s more, the game gives the opportunity to perform these songs during exciting live concerts.
Key Features of ROCKBEASTS
🎸GAMEPLAY WRITTEN IN ROCK & ROLL
Manage a tight budget and the fragile egos of your musicians. Create setlists that will electrify the crowd. Repair instruments and then play them yourself on club stages. In this RPG, every triumph and every failure depends on your actions and decisions.
🎸BUILD YOUR LEGEND
Negotiate hard with publishers, fight for your reputation, and balance between artistic freedom with commercial success. Jaded clubgoers, slick marketers, and calculating businessmen – your future depends on how you deal with them.
🎸TAME ROCK’N’ROLL
Decide how to spend your limited funds: food for the band, repairing damaged gear, or maybe booking a rehearsal room? Nothing comes easy. Keep your band grounded in everyday life – and give them wings on stage.
🎸ROCK THE CLUBS AND STAGES
Show what you’ve got. Strong setlists will highlight your talent, and the right equipment will amplify your sound. Only smart promotion will make clubs burst at the seams. Success tastes like money. Failure brings drama and conflict. Will you seize the moment – or waste it?
🎸BACK TO THE ’90S
Immerse yourself in a world where capitalism marches to the rhythm of MTV. ROCKBEASTS is a love letter to the era and aesthetics of the best independent animated series and films for adults. Legendary clubs, bars, shops, and radio stations are more than nostalgia – they’re a world overflowing with grunge. The original soundtrack will set the rhythm of your journey and may stay with you long after the game ends.
BEHIND EVERY GREAT BAND IS A MANAGER WHO NEEDS A DRINK!
ROCKBEASTS is coming to Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Players who add the game to their wishlist will receive a notification when the free demo becomes available.
Press kit available HERE.
About Lichthund:
Founded in 2015 as a two-man effort, Lichthund quickly became an award-winning studio focused on unorthodox game ideas.Today we’re a group of industry veterans focusing their creative might on building fresh and exciting experiences for a worldwide audience. Tight design, fresh art direction, and the courage to try new things are the core values of our team.
