It is not every day we see a game developed entirely on a handheld, but TobiasM Games has confirmed that their upcoming project, Pet Chamber, is being built on a Steam Deck. By utilizing the device's Desktop Mode and the Godot Engine, the developer is crafting a unique, experimental take on the horror genre.
The premise is as unsettling as it is simple: you and a strange creature are trapped together in a rusty truck, fleeing from a swarm that consumes everything in its path. You are bound in a deadly symbiosis—the monster provides the bio-fuel necessary to keep the truck running, but the vehicle is in a constant state of decay, requiring you to manage repairs while simultaneously keeping your captive companion fed, clean, and sane.
The developer describes the experience as an "incremental tamagotchi horror game." The core loop involves a high-stakes balancing act: if the monster dies, the truck stops, leaving you vulnerable to the apocalypse outside. However, the creature is more than just a fuel source. According to the game's official description, the monster "knows you better than you might think" and possesses knowledge of your past, encouraging players to explore the truck for clues to uncover the truth about the chamber.
- Developer: TobiasM Games
- Engine: Godot Engine
- Development Platform: Steam Deck
- Genre: Experimental / Incremental / Horror
- Release Window: Demo early 2027; full release later in 2027
Gameplay and Aesthetics
Visually, the game leans into a hand-crafted, low-poly retro aesthetic designed to build a thick, oppressive atmosphere. The gameplay is split between active management of the creature and exploration of the truck's interior to find items. The developer has confirmed that the game will feature multiple endings, with the conclusion of your journey determined by the choices you make during your desperate escape.
The use of the Steam Deck for development is a notable highlight for those interested in Linux-based creation. As the Deck is a full Linux PC, the developer was able to leverage the Godot Engine’s native Linux support to complete the work, proving that the handheld is capable of more than just playing games.
Pet Chamber is currently slated for a demo release in early 2027, with the full launch expected later that year. You can follow its progress on the official Steam page.