Indie city-building title ShantyTown is set to appear at the PAX Rising Showcase during PAX East 2026, giving attendees an early hands-on experience ahead of its official release next month. Developed by solo creator Erik Rempen of Silk Softworks and published by Kinephantom Games, the game will be featured from March 26 to March 29 at the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston.
As part of the curated PAX Rising lineup, ShantyTown will be among a selection of standout indie titles highlighted on the show floor. Visitors will be able to play the full game ahead of launch, collect exclusive themed goodies, and meet the developer in person at Booth 13097. For those unable to attend the event, the game’s demo remains available on Steam, now updated with new features.
The title has already gained notable traction during Steam Next Fest in February 2026, where it doubled its wishlist count and attracted more than 30,000 players to its demo.
The game’s relaxed, creativity-driven gameplay has drawn positive feedback from both players and content creators, contributing to rapid growth in its official Discord community. According to the developer, the server’s membership doubled within days, fueled by ongoing engagement initiatives and sneak previews of upcoming content.
In the lead-up to launch, ShantyTown has also introduced weekly community build competitions. Players are invited to design themed creations using the in-game Creative Mode and submit their entries via Discord. Selected winners will have their builds featured in the final game, complete with in-game recognition, along with a chance to win a full release key and the original soundtrack.
The latest demo update places a strong emphasis on the newly expanded Creative Mode, offering players unrestricted access to buildings and decorations once they have been unlocked.
This sandbox-style approach allows users to revisit surveyed locations or construct entirely new communities without limitations. The game blends open-ended design with light objective-based progression, encouraging experimentation without imposing strict rules or penalties.
ShantyTown distinguishes itself within the cozy gaming genre through its focus on dense, tightly packed urban environments. Players are tasked with creatively arranging structures within constrained spaces, balancing aesthetic freedom with subtle gameplay challenges. The full release will include 20 unique locations inspired by real-world urban layouts, alongside more than 150 decorative elements to customize each build.
Additional features include a personal dossier system that tracks completed towns across multiple pages, a dynamic camera mode for capturing detailed snapshots, and a handcrafted soundtrack by vaporwave artist Macroblank, designed to complement the game’s calm and reflective tone.
ShantyTown is scheduled to launch on April 16, 2026, for PC via Steam. Players can wishlist the game now and participate in ongoing community activities ahead of release.
