Nippets explodes from Itch.io to Steam with a new demo. Discover the handcrafted, interactive world where you can shake trees, honk trucks, and—most importantly—pet the cats.
If you spent any time on the internet over the last decade, the name Blink Industries likely conjures up very specific, slightly traumatizing imagery. As the Emmy and BAFTA-winning production studio behind the viral sensation Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared, they are masters of mixed-media surrealism that often veers into the horrific.
But for their latest project, they have pivoted from existential puppet nightmares to something undeniably wholesome.
Teaming up with Art Director Frederikke Frydenlund and development powerhouse Uwu Biz (the team associated with the physics-based chaos of Gang Beasts and the dystopia of PVKK), Blink Industries has officially dropped the first Steam demo for Nippets.
Described as a “hidden object game inspired by the joy of people watching,” Nippets has already proven to be a massive success on the indie platform Itch.io, racking up over 100,000 downloads. Now, with a full Steam release slated for later this year, the team is inviting a wider audience to peek, poke, and prod their way through this delightful digital diorama.
The Viral Sensation Comes to Steam
The transition from a viral Itch.io hit to a full Steam release is a well-trodden path for some of the most innovative indie games of the last few years. Nippets seems poised to join those ranks.
The game’s appeal lies in its simplicity and its tactility. Unlike traditional hidden object games (HOGs), which often rely on static, painterly screens where you pixel-hunt for a list of arbitrary items (a wrench, a banana, a star), Nippets presents a living, breathing world. It is a game that invites touch.
“Peek, poke, and prod your way through a responsive living world,” the developers explain. “Shake trees from side to side, startle birds from lamp-posts, beep the horn on a garbage truck – everything is designed with play in mind.”
This interactivity is likely where Uwu Biz’s influence is evident. While Gang Beasts is known for its gelatinous, physics-driven combat, that same understanding of “game feel” translates perfectly to a 2D toybox. When you interact with the Nippets world, it pushes back. It wiggles, it honks, it reacts. It transforms the passive act of “finding” into the active joy of “playing.”
The Art of People Watching
The thematic hook of Nippets is “the joy of people watching.” In an era where digital spaces can often feel isolating or competitive, Nippets offers a voyeuristic view that is charming rather than creepy.
You are essentially looking down into a meticulously handcrafted ant farm of humanity. The 2D maps are highly active. You might see a neighbor struggling with groceries, a cat stuck in a tree, or a street musician gathering a crowd. The goal isn’t just to find an object; it’s to uncover a tiny narrative.
“Solve the puzzles to unlock more areas, and dive into 3-5 explorable spaces per map for even more surprises,” the announcement details. “Each solution tells a story, and some stories carry over through the seasons. Keep exploring to see what happens next!”
This seasonal storytelling suggests depth beyond the standard “one-and-done” level design of the genre. By revisiting characters or locations across different times or contexts, players form a connection with the digital citizens they observe. It creates a sense of community, even if you are just an observer in the sky.
A Distinct Visual Identity
Visually, Nippets stands out with a hand-drawn aesthetic that feels reminiscent of classic children’s picture books like Richard Scarry’s Busytown or Where’s Waldo, but with a distinct modern indie flair. Art Director Frederikke Frydenlund has crafted a world that is vibrant, readable, and packed with personality.
The collaboration with Blink Industries is key here. As a studio that specializes in “bringing an inventive, mixed-media approach” to its projects, it leaves its mark on the character designs and the overall “vibe” of the animation. It looks and feels like a high-quality broadcast animation that you can control.
While Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared used its visuals to disarm viewers before unsettling them, Nippets seems to use its visuals purely to delight. It is a “warm blanket” game—a term that is becoming increasingly valuable in the gaming market (as seen with other recent announcements like Hozy).
Gameplay Loop: No Stress, Just Vibes
In keeping with the “cozy game” revolution, Nippets removes the stressors typically associated with gaming.
- No High Scores: You aren’t competing against anyone.
- No Time Pressure: You can take as long as you want to find that missing sock.
- No Fail States: You cannot die or lose.
The game features around 2-3 hours of gameplay in the full version, making it a bite-sized experience perfect for a relaxing evening. It offers multiple maps with secret areas to unlock, encouraging players to be thorough in their poking and prodding.
And yes, the press release confirms the most important feature of any modern video game: “Cats (pettable).”
The Demo: What to Expect
The demo, which is live now on Steam, gives players a vertical slice of this charm. It introduces the core mechanics of searching for lost items and solving “tiny puzzles.”
A puzzle in Nippets isn’t a brain-burning logic problem. It’s more likely to be an environmental interaction—shaking a bush to reveal a hiding animal or interacting with a machine to make it work. It’s about experimentation.
For players who enjoyed the Hidden Folks series or the interactive doodles of Windosill, Nippets feels like the natural evolution. It adds a layer of narrative connectivity and physics-based fun, elevating the genre.
Why This Collaboration Matters
The pedigree behind Nippets is unusual and exciting. You have a TV production studio (Blink), a diverse art director (Frydenlund), and a game dev studio known for physics chaos and military sims (Uwu Biz).
This cross-pollination of industries—TV, art, and hardcore game dev—often results in the most unique indie titles. Blink brings the storytelling and visual polish; Uwu Biz ensures the software runs smoothly and feels good to play. It bridges the gap between “interactive art” and “video game.”
Release Information
Nippets does not have a specific release date beyond “this year” (2026), but the arrival of a polished Steam demo usually signals that launch is on the horizon.
For now, players can head over to the Steam store to download the demo for free. Whether you are a fan of Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared looking to see what the studio does next, or just someone who needs a break from high-octane shooters to shake some virtual trees, Nippets is worth a look.
Watch the Official Announcement Trailer: YouTube Link
Download the Demo & Wishlist on Steam: Nippets Steam Page
