Indie studio Stray Fawn and Sidekick Publishing are teaming up to bring Gambonanza to players worldwide. The turn-based roguelike chess-builder comes from solo developer Paul Giovannini at Blukulélé Studio, who's taking classic chess and compressing it onto a smaller, deadlier board where every move counts.
The game's March 2025 trailer racked up over 560,000 views, and now there's a public Steam playtest live for anyone who wants to jump in early. The full PC and mobile release is set for later in 2026, giving players plenty of time to test strategies and share what works (and what doesn't).
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Mobile Ports and Development Partners
Digital agency Ateo is handling the mobile versions of Gambonanza, which means the game won't be stuck on PC. This brings together a group of European indie studios that have worked together before: Stray Fawn and Sidekick Publishing previously shipped TerraScape together, and Ateo has collaborated with both on past mobile projects.
Stray Fawn co-founder Philomena Schwab says the partnership happened fast. "Within hours, I reached out to Paul to ask about a possible collaboration," Schwab explains. "When he said yes, it escalated into a small party at the office. Now, with Ateo and Sidekick joining, we have another milestone to celebrate."
Gameplay and Strategic Design
Gambonanza reimagines chess as a roguelike on a tighter board that forces you to think several moves ahead or lose everything. It's not just standard chess with a new coat of paint — the condensed format and roguelike structure create situations where one bad decision ends your run. The Steam playtest lets you dig into these mechanics now, experiment with different approaches, and help shape what the final version looks like.
Sidekick Publishing co-CEO Jasmin Oestreicher sees the project as a chance to modernize a centuries-old game. "This partnership allows us to reunite with our long-term friends at Stray Fawn and Ateo, building on that foundation of trust," Oestreicher says. "We are committed to Paul's vision for Gambonanza and look forward to applying our collective expertise to make it a global success."
Public Playtest and Upcoming Release
The Steam playtest is available right now. You can try out the roguelike chess mechanics, test different builds, and send feedback that'll actually influence development. The team plans to drop a free demo and the full release for PC and mobile later in 2026, with a showcase planned for Steam Next Fest.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Gambonanza?
Gambonanza is a turn-based roguelike chess-builder from Paul Giovannini that shrinks traditional chess down to a smaller, higher-stakes board where every decision matters more.
Who is developing and publishing Gambonanza?
Paul Giovannini at Blukulélé Studio is developing the game. Stray Fawn and Sidekick Publishing are co-publishing it globally, with Ateo handling the mobile versions.
Is there a playable version of Gambonanza?
Yes. There's a public Steam playtest available now that lets you try the game before the full PC and mobile launch.
When will Gambonanza release?
The full version launches later in 2026 on PC and mobile, with a free demo planned for Steam Next Fest.
What platforms will Gambonanza be available on?
PC and mobile platforms.
