Writer Tiago Rech, known for TELEFORUM, I DID NOT BUY THIS TICKET, and DROWNED LAKE, has officially announced his next project: I Shall Name The Dead. Published by DANGEN Entertainment, the narrative adventure is set to arrive on Linux, Mac, and Windows in early 2027 via Steam.
Quick Facts
- Developer: Tiago Rech
- Publisher: DANGEN Entertainment
- Platforms: Linux, macOS, Windows
- Release Window: Early 2027
- Art Direction: Lirio Ninotchka
A Cemetery of Forgotten Souls
The story follows Imaculada, a woman marked by death who enters a sprawling, surreal cemetery known as the Necropolis. In this location, the dead cannot be buried because their identities have been erased, leaving their remains in piles without graves. Imaculada’s goal is to uncover the lost names of these spirits, allowing them to be finally cremated and laid to rest.
Her task is complicated by a parasite known as the Worm, which is consuming her from within. Having already claimed one of her eyes, the parasite provides Imaculada with a grim advantage: the ability to speak with the dead. As players explore the Necropolis, they must converse with skulls and piece together clues about their former lives.
Cruel Choices and The Worm
The parasitic infection adds a layer of tension to the game's dialogue system. Because the Worm can seize control of Imaculada’s words, players must manage their resources carefully. By burning matches, players can purify their dialogue choices, though the game forces a constant trade-off between revealing the truth and allowing the parasite to move closer.
Rech describes the project as surreal horror built on magical realism. Moving away from traditional jump scares, the experience focuses on a sense of dread derived from body horror and the loss of individual identity.
Visual Identity and Native Linux Support
The aesthetic of the Necropolis is defined by the work of art director Lirio Ninotchka. Described as a city hidden within another city, the environment features unique sepulchral art that blends human grief with grotesque decay. This collaboration reunites Ninotchka and Rech, following their work together on I DID NOT BUY THIS TICKET.
For the Linux community, the announcement carries significant weight. DANGEN Entertainment has confirmed native support for Linux, meaning the game is being developed for the platform rather than relying on translation layers like Proton. While system requirements have been shared, specific details regarding Steam Deck verification, controller support, and performance metrics remain unconfirmed as of late 2026.