Aussie game Rita, which was part of the PAX Australia 2024 Indie Showcase, has announced that the game will be launching in Q1 2026.

From Melbourne-based developer SporkTank, Rita is a puzzle game combined with a word search in which you play as a little chicklet. We went hands-on with the game at PAX in October last year and really enjoyed what we got to see and play with, it being a very adorable concept.

In a press release, solo developer Martin Stradling, aka SporkTank, said

“When I started Rita back in 2023, I intended it as an homage to my grandmother and the relationship we shared. I didn’t think too much about making a story-rich game; I was focused on the novel puzzle mechanics. But after being part of the 2024 PAX Aus Indie Showcase and seeing players’ reactions, it was clear the grandparent/grandchild relationship resonated with them. So here we are, late 2025, getting ready to launch a cosy, story-rich word-puzzle adventure! I truly hope that players enjoy the game as much as I have enjoyed developing it and that they can begin to experience the story behind Rita.”

A demo for Rita is scheduled to arrive on September 18, in time for Steam Next Fest. Please let me know if you checked this one out at PAX last year or are interested in checking out the demo in a few weeks, in the comments section below.