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HootBox
Hootbox is an unusual vertical platformer where the main goal is to stack boxes to keep climbing upwards.

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Features
Single-player
Steam Achievements
Steam Cloud
Family Sharing
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Languages:
Interface Full Audio Subtitles
English ✔
Italian ✔

Coming Soon To Early Access

The developers of this game intend to release as a work in progress, developing with the feedback of players.

Note: Games in Early Access are not complete and may or may not change further. If you are not excited to play this game in its current state, then you should wait to see if the game progresses further in development. Learn more

What the developers have to say:

Why Early Access?

“Hootbox is my first small project, created entirely on my own. I’m having fun adding new content without a specific destination in mind. Before finalizing the product, I’d love to get feedback from all of you so I can improve it—or even completely overhaul it—based on your opinions. Just like the character in this game, I’m not exactly sure where I’m headed; let’s find out together.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“I might consider myself satisfied after about another year of development, but that timeline could change based on feedback and public opinion. Please keep in mind that I am working on this alone, on what is my first beloved project.”

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

“I would like the full version of HootBox to be characterized by greater depth of content and a long-term progression system. Specifically, I plan to add:

New Content: An expanded roster of unique enemies and bosses, along with new items and power-ups available in the in-game shop to allow for more diverse gameplay strategies.

Prestige System (Wipe): A "New Game+" or reset mechanic that will allow players to start over with incremental challenges and difficulty levels, ensuring near-infinite replayability.

Endgame and Competition: A more structured endgame system and potentially the implementation of online Leaderboards, allowing players to compete for the highest tower height reached.

Balancing: General refinements to gameplay mechanics based on the feedback received during Early Access.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“Currently, the game features 3 bosses, three hidden minigames tucked away on the planets, several items available in the shop, various enemies, and lots of boxes!”

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

“I have no intention of raising the price of the game.”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

“I would be truly happy to receive your constructive feedback so I can steer the game toward the most popular ideas. One thing is for sure: we’ve got to keep climbing!
Come say hi and share your thoughts on the HootBox Discord!”
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This game is not yet available on Steam

Planned Release Date: 2026

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About This Game

About the Game

Hootbox is the result of an existential crisis turned into a game. It is a "home-made" vertical platformer where a lack of technical expertise has been replaced by an obsession with pixel art and a constant, lingering question: Why am I doing this?

Step into the feathers of an owl who has chosen to be a "happy Sisyphus." Stack colored boxes, defy gravity, and attempt to reach the edge of the universe. Is it frustrating? Perhaps. Is it depressing? At times. But it is an honest journey, created by a single person still trying to figure out a direction—both in the game and in life.

Your feedback is the compass the developer is missing.

A Solitary Ascent Into the Unknown

In this vertical platformer with an unusual and vaguely bizarre atmosphere, you play as an owl seeking more than just the summit—perhaps a way out. This is an experience designed to be taken slowly: a "chill" journey through a world that seems to have lost its bearings, much like its creator.

  • Build Your Escape: The core mechanic is simple and meditative. Collect and stack crates to climb higher and higher. There is no rush—only the steady rhythm of your construction in a world that feels suspended in time.

  • A Bizarre and Melancholy Atmosphere: Explore environments that convey a subtle sense of bewilderment. Between surreal encounters and strange vistas, the game reflects an introspective mood, turning the climb into a metaphor for finding meaning amidst life's difficulties.

  • Non-Punitive Challenges: The enemies and obstacles you encounter are not meant to crush you, but to slow your ascent, inviting reflection. Even the Bosses guarding various heights are part of this strange ecosystem rather than mere enemies to be defeated.

  • The Shop of the Unusual: Use what you find to purchase power-ups that make your climb smoother. Every item in the shop serves a practical purpose while adding to the strange narrative of this world.

  • Secrets Among the Clouds: As you rise, you may stumble upon hidden minigames. These are brief departures from the main path—fragments of a larger puzzle that complete the experience of this vertical journey.

A Message from the Developer

This game was born from a moment of personal lostness. It is an invitation to climb, one piece at a time, accepting the melancholy of the path and finding beauty even in the most depressing and grotesque moments.

AI Generated Content Disclosure

The developers describe how their game uses AI Generated Content like this:

For the technical development of this title, I utilized AI tools to assist with writing and debugging the game's code, as I do not have a formal background in programming.

System Requirements

    Minimum:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    • OS *: Windows 7+
    • Processor: Any modern x86/x64 processor (even low-end is fine)
    • Memory: 1 GB RAM
    • Graphics: Graphics card with OpenGL 2.1 or higher support (required by LÖVE; the game uses GLSL shaders and canvases)
    • Storage: 300 MB available space
    Recommended:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
* Starting January 1st, 2024, the Steam Client will only support Windows 10 and later versions.
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