The Tribeca Games Spotlight returns for the third year, highlighting some of the most promising narrative games being developed from around the world. This year’s selection features titles being developed in Qatar, France, Ecuador, US, UK, Canada and even Australia.

While the spotlight features new gameplay footage, it is primarily a chance to feature the team behind the games and explore the thought process and inspirations which go into making each of these titles. Each title will have a playable experience in-person at Tribeca Festival.

You can watch the whole spotlight here:

These are the games featured in the 2023 Tribeca Games Spotlight:

A HIGHLAND SONG

Moira McKinnon has never seen the sea. Living with her mum in a small house in the Scottish Highlands, she receives a letter from her Uncle Hamish urging her to come to the coast. And so Moira runs away. Control Moira as she scrambles across the mountains, and through valleys filled with echoes, stories, ghosts and songs. Find maps that unlock hidden paths while collecting the stories of the hills… and of Moira’s past.

From inkle, the studio behind 80 Days and Overboard, based in the UK

GOODBYE VOLCANO HIGH

Just Fang’s luck: they finally figure out what they want out of life, and now the world’s about to explode. In this story-driven, choice-based cinematic adventure game about personal growth, acceptance, and the power of community, what will you do at the end of an era? Goodbye Volcano High is a cinematic adventure game, a coming-of-age rhythm game, a hand-animated interactive cartoon, and a choice-based, narrative-driven, interactive movie experience.

From KO_OP, the studio behind Winding Worlds and Gnog, based in Canada.

CHANTS OF SENNAAR

The Peoples of the Tower no longer speak to each other. But it is said that one day, a Traveler will find the wisdom to break down the walls and restore the Balance. Explore an enthralling world in a colorful, poetic setting inspired by the myth of Babel. Travel the endless steps of a prodigious labyrinth and unveil the mysteries of this fascinating universe where ancient languages are both the lock and the key.

From Rundisc, a French studio that previously made Varion.

NIGHTSCAPE

When the sun mysteriously causes the stars to fall to earth rendering the sky completely dark, the world is thrown into chaos in this 2.5D atmospheric adventure game rooted in ancient Arabian stories. Layla, a lost stargazer, reluctantly embarks on a quest to restore the stars to their rightful place. Using her father’s magical astrolabe, she awakens the power of the stars as she explores the mysteries of both earth and sky.

From Mezan Studios, a new studio based in Qatar.

Stray Gods

In a modern fantasy world, college dropout Grace is granted the power of a Muse – power she’ll need to find out the truth behind her predecessor’s death before time runs out. You’ll decide who Grace allies with, who she can trust, and who may betray her through original, fully interactive musical numbers & choice-based gameplay. Fully orchestrated and performed by an all-star cast, you’ll feel as though you’re right there on the stage.

The first game from Australian developers Summerfall Studios

THE EXPANSE: A TELLTALE SERIES

The Expanse: A Telltale Series serves as a prequel to the popular Amazon TV series and much of the book series. In The Expanse: The Telltale Series players take on the role of Camina Drummer (played by Cara Gee, the actress who portrays this fan-favorite character in the TV series), the leader of a ragtag scavenging crew on the hunt for a mysterious treasure on the edges of The Belt. Drummer will square off against mutinous crew members and a savage pirate captain, Toussaint, who forces Drummer to grapple with her own violent past. Ultimately, Drummer must sacrifice her personal ambitions and rediscover the larger purpose that she is fighting for.

From Deck Nine Games, the Studio behind Life is Strange: Beyond the Storm and Life is Strange: True Colours, based in the USA.

DESPELOTE

Run, pass, and dribble as eight year old Julián in this slice of life game all about football. Explore the streets and parks of Quito, set against the backdrop of Ecuador’s first qualifying run for the World Cup in 2001 and meet its community through funny emergent interactions.

Desplelote is made by Julián Cordero and Sebastián Valbuena who are both originally from Eduador.

Let me know what you think of the show and what games have you most excited about in the comment section below.