Toronto-based Little Buffalo Studios, an Indigenous-led game development studio, has unveiled its debut title Akiiwan: Survival, a meditative survival-crafting game set on a mysterious island guided by a sentient campfire. The demo will debut at PAX East Booth #17105 during expo hours.

Steam Page

OPEN DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNITY COLLABORATION

The studio has launched a community-driven "open development" phase, inviting players to sign up via PAX or Discord to experience the first "moon" cycle (approx. 4 hours of gameplay) and help shape the game’s evolution.

GAME OVERVIEW & INSPIRATION

Rooted in 10,000+ years of Indigenous survival knowledge, Akiiwan: Survival centers on a mystical campfire that has absorbed generations of human wisdom. Stranded players must uncover its secrets to escape before winter. The project draws from Indigenous storytelling and features contributions from creators of Red River Métis, Anishinaabe, and Mohawk nations.

Winner of the 2024 Unity for Humanity Award, the game is developed by industry veterans from PlayStation, Ubisoft, Netflix, and Discovery.

CORE GAMEPLAY FEATURES

Mystery-Driven Narrative: Awaken beside a fox-guarded fire, unraveling secrets of a land tied to ancient survival techniques.

"Snackable" Sessions: Progress through seasons via 15-minute "moon" cycles, balancing meaningful choices with accessibility.

No-Grind Survival: Streamlined mechanics (auto-eating, fast travel) prioritize exploration over tedious tasks.

Deep Crafting System: Unlock ancestral techniques through quests mimicking generational wisdom-sharing.

Living Storytelling: Stars animate to reveal crafting lore, while the sentient fire shares haunting tales.

DEVELOPER QUOTE

"Like Subnautica, community feedback is key," said producer Jeremy Nelson. "We’re excited to grow alongside players through 2026, starting with PAX’s free demo."

PAX EAST & WISHLIST DETAILS

Visit Booth #17105 to play Akiiwan: Survival and wishlist on Steam. Join open development via Discord. Follow Little Buffalo Studios on YouTube, Instagram, and their official website for updates.

More Info
Youtube：https://www.youtube.com/@akiiwansurvival
Steam：https://store.steampowered.com/app/3673960/Akiiwan_Survival/