Ivy Road

A square illustrated image of Steve. They're in front of a light green/blue background. Their hair is curly, brown, and about shoulder-length, and they have brown facial hair and glasses.

Steve | The planting system, tea brewing, and overall feel of Wanderstop is thanks to our Lead Designer, Steve Margolin! They also were instrumental to the design and pitching for Engine Angel. While they aren't on this platform, please do check out their website here: www.stevejmar.com

A square illustrated image of Ana. The background is of various shades of blue in circular and linear shapes. Ana has golden blonde hair, glasses, and a nose ring. She's wearing a tan top with a neck bow/scarf.

Ana | Not only was @anabell.zone pivotal in coming in as the first full-time animator for Aura's team, picking up tasks when we needed it the most: she's also outstanding at what she does, capturing nuanced emotions with every movement. Boro? Nana? That pluffin petting animation? All thanks to Ana!

A square illustrated image of Liz. The background is blend of white and cream. Liz has black short hair, glasses, and a black sleeveless top.

Liz | The trailers and in-game cinematics were as amazing as they were, in large part thanks to @lizc3d.bsky.social! Also, a major shoutout to Liz for also leading the creative direction for Engine Angel and taking the pitch as far as it did. If you have the means, go fund her idea!

A square illustrated image of Aura. The background is blue with cat head silhouettes. Aura has a dark purple/maroon top, and dark hair with a red-ish fashion tone about 1/3 of the way down from her crown.

Aura | The Animation Lead of Wanderstop, @moomanibe.bsky.social is not only an incredible leader to the animation team: she's also been a strong leader for the team as a whole. Her animation work truly elevated the game, and it would not be the same without her efforts.

A square illustrated image of a giant eye floating through a pink and purple, star-filled cosmos. The pupil is ringed with multiple colors -- from the center outward: red, yellow, light green, darker green, and navy blue.

Nathalie | The concept art and illustrations of Wanderstop are breathtaking because of @loopyyylupe.bsky.social work (not to mention all of the illustrations she did for Engine Angel's pitch deck and prototyping). The portraits in this thread are also by Nathalie!

While we've gotten affirming feedback on Engine Angel, pitching unfortunately hasn't been successful. As a result, we've had to make the hard decision to lay off five team members. Each of these devs are incredible: if you have a place on your team, or know someone hiring, please keep them in mind!⬇

My top 10 videogames of the year.

Wanderstop from @ivyroadgames.bsky.social is one of the few games that has probably permanently changed my brain chemistry and how I think about life. An easy Game of the Year for me personally!

A few other caveats for the rest of this list down below...

YouTube video by Azran127 My Top 33 Video Games of 2025 (with Awards!)

I'm hoping I included some fantastic games that people might not have expected, such as those from @rescuepetsgame.bsky.social, @potipoti.studio, @ivyroadgames.bsky.social, and @uvula.jp. Shoutout to all the small teams that make a big impact with their art.

youtu.be/PcM2Wvucoog?...

A New Episode graphic with the logo and key art from Wanderstop, and a picture of Neha Patel with the text “With special guest Neha Patel”

A new season begins! We’re reviewing Wanderstop from @ivyroadgames.bsky.social alongside our guest @nehapolitan.bsky.social! We also have reviews of games from @scavstudio.bsky.social and @messhof.bsky.social!

Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/u...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1U4H...

Now that our game pitch "ENGINE ANGEL" has been introduced to you all, over the next weeks I'll be sharing the environment visuals, tech art and level design that I worked on for our prototype! Here's a lil peekie of whats to come 👀🤘🏿.

Here's concept turnarounds I made of Ms. Garter and THRONE's car, The Morning Star!

By itself it's a regular rally car, but when driven by the two it becomes a biomechanical menace capable of high speed and crushing power.
It has amazing spatial awareness too, since it can see in all directions.

Worked on this little animation prototyping a potential combo flow pretty early on in the pitch's production~

These mockups honestly seem to do wonders for getting an idea and consensus of what we do and don't want the game to play like early on!

So much excitement and love from everyone the team and I are absolutely floored thank you!! 😁😁

Wanted to share the animated concept I first pitched to the team, I was most excited abt having a mirror highlighting the characters in a car-centric game and attacks that influenced your own movement

I made designs for this! Here's the main rally couple, angel THRONE and human Ms. Garter.

ENGINE ANGEL is a 'car'-acter action game, where you smash, rip & tear hordes of other angel infested vehicles dying for worship.
As said, we're looking for funding to make this in full!

#screenshotsaturday

If you're wondering what the Wanderstop team has been up to since the game released: it's this

Credits: Ana Greengrass - Artist & Animator April Martin - Lead Programmer Aura Triolo - Lead Animator Bryan Venzen - Let's Make FX LLC Jenny Windom - Communications Lead Liz Caingcoy - Creative Lead & Animator Marv Marvel - Co-Producer & QA Tester Nathalie Fourdraine - 2D Art Lead Steve Margolin - Game Lead & Designer Temitope Olujobi - 3D Art & Level Lead Zack Nickerson - Co-Producer & QA Lead Special Thanks: Alex Abou Karam - Pitch and Playtesting Andrew Nguyen - Programming Daniel Barnes - Playtesting Daniel Rosenfeld - Level Music & SFX Davey Wreden - Prototype Funding Diffie Bosman - Town Music Harlow Diggs - Garter Model and Texture Mannequin Pussy - Title Music Mauro Fonseca - Throne Feedback Michael Zhang - Concept Art Morgan Lavelle - Playtesting Rasheed Hijazi - DriftMaster Prefab

Again, this is just a prototype and not guaranteed full game ppl will be able to play. We're near the end of our funding window so if you know or are a publisher interested feel free to email (in bio)!

Below are the credits for the build, and thank you to Water Spirit for the music in the video!

I've been working on a game pitch and story dear to me, "ENGINE ANGEL", with the team at Ivy Road!

We're still seeking funding, but in the meantime I wanted everyone to still be able to share the work they've done. I'll be sharing more as well as reposting any of the team's posts so stay tuned!

For Best Simulation Game:

Two Point Museum @twopointstudios.bsky.social
News Tower @twinsailsint.bsky.social
Tiny Bookshop @tinybookshopgame.com @skystonegames.bsky.social
Wanderstop @ivyroadgames.bsky.social @annapurna.com
Promise Mascot Agency @kaizengameworks.com

More at Gameobserver.com

Análisis de Wanderstop - AnaitGames Ivy Road combina el burnout de una luchadora legendaria con una relajante tetería para obtener una de las experiencias más potentes del año.

Ha sido un año de llegar tarde a casi todo, por suerte es algo que se lleva mucho mejor tras jugar a Wanderstop, de @ivyroadgames.bsky.social.

De mis favoritos del año. Cuánto bien le hizo a mi cabeza y qué guay lo esté jugando ahora @pieldelibelula.bsky.social.

www.anaitgames.com/analisis/ana...

Wanderstop was such a beautiful experience, and was actually my game of the year! It was a story that gripped me from start to end with morals and meaning that I think I needed to hear this year.

Looking back on 2025, we released Wanderstop on March 11 with @ivyroadgames.bsky.social.

Playing as a fallen fighter named Alta, you’ll manage a tea shop within a magical forest and tend to the customers who pass through.

also, get ready to set down your teacups and start your engines ~ it's almost time to start showing you what we've been prototyping lately 🚗

A nominee card for the TGAs showing off the five games nominated for "Games for Impact" Titles include: Consume Me Despelote Lost Records: Bloom & Rage South of Midnight Wanderstop

Today's the day! We're so honored Wanderstop is a nominee in Games for Impact at this year's TGAs 🎉

Congratulations to all the teams and games included in the celebration: we can't wait to watch the show tonight!

The best games of 2025, picked by NPR's staff From indies like Blue Prince to big console exclusives like Donkey Kong Bananza, NPR staff members and contributors round up their favorite games of 2025.

An outstanding list of games overall, and we're so pleased to see that Wanderstop is included! 💛

www.npr.org/2025/12/03/n...

Wanderstop is such a beautiful and thoughtful game. I’ll be thinking about it for a long time. (and mention it in my PhD thesis about micro-interactions in narrative games) Super inspiring, thank you <3 @ivyroadgames.bsky.social

Wanderstop on Steam From the creator of The Stanley Parable and The Beginner’s Guide comes Wanderstop, a narrative-centric cozy game about change and tea.

Try not to forget your fav games from early in the year when you claim your GOTY!

Mine stands with Wanderstop!

store.steampowered.com/app/1299460/...

@ivyroadgames.bsky.social nailed it.

Made me feel way too seen and cry way too hard.

a person in a video game holding flowers and a purple flower ALT: a person in a video game holding flowers and a purple flower

If I had to pick ONE, Wanderstop is my GOTY. @ivyroadgames.bsky.social told a story we've all experienced, whether it's burnout, self-doubt, imposter syndrome, or not feeling like you're enough, and it did not get enough love.

I still think about Alta and Boro and making tea on the regular.

Side Quests is back and this episode's host is streamer, writer and reluctant tea shop assistant, @spacevalkyries.bsky.social! The game she is talking about today is Wanderstop by @ivyroadgames.bsky.social and Annapurna Interactive.

funandgames.libsyn.com/side-quests-...

Oh no! Sorry about that - I’ll have a look at that too!

In the meantime, please feel free to email hello@ivyroad.fun! Just as a heads up, the team is on holiday break now, but we should be able to take a look when we return on Monday!

Alta and Zenith from Wanderstop. Zenith is floating in the air with a multicolored light behind them. Alta's sword rests on the ground, surrounded by 3 tea mugs.

I really really think more people should play Wanderstop... It's one of my favorite games of this year... And it's got C418 music
#art