Lost In Cult Launches Physical Games Label, And It Looks Gorgeous
Lost In Cult is going physical with games, and it looks utterly fantastic.
Lost In Cult, a U.K.-based creative studio known for its gaming-themed printed works, has launched a new publishing label dedicated to physical video games. Even before the release of its initial trilogy, it looks like it's doing everything right, to the point I'm already worried about my ever-dwindling disposable income.
Framed around the principles of game preservation, artistic presentation, and accessibility, Lost In Cult hopes to establish a new benchmark for how physical games are curated and produced. It's coming out swinging: the label will debut with three powerful titles across PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, which retail for a base price of £59.99 ($80.30):
Each title will be released in two formats: standard mass-market copies, as well as limited collector-focused 'EDITIONS,' true to Lost In Cult's form for small-batch, high-end packages. These include:
Look at it, though. Good lord.
Most importantly, and in a deliberate move to futureproof its releases, all of the label's games will be complete on disc or cartridge, meaning you never need an internet connection to play them. Lost In Cult has partnered with the game preservation group DoesItPlay? to ensure each title meets offline play standards. Titles that pass these checks will be given its 'DoesItPlay? Approved' badge.
It's an admirable move akin to GOG's Game Preservation Program, which does the same in digital terms. While this will undoubtedly limit Lost In Cult's selection process due to disc or cartridge space, there's a good chance it won't, given the company's focus on indie hits.
It's already going down well with those working with Lost In Cult, too. Sam Barlow said: 'Collaborating with Lost In Cult has been nothing short of a delight. Each new treasure they create feels like a genuine companion piece, not just a 'nice to have.''
Shaun Aitcheson of Cloak and Dagger Games, who helped create The Excavation of Hob's Barrow, added: 'It had long been our dream to release a physical Switch version. In an era where games are becoming increasingly digital-only, Lost In Cult is doing wonders for the future preservation of indie games.'
Mass-market game releases will be available at retail through distribution partner PM Studio, though the limited EDITIONS will only be sold directly through Lost In Cult's website in small batches. Future titles from the label are expected to be revealed in the coming months, and my jam-packed shelves hate me already.
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