Cold River Games, the studio behind the upcoming hack-and-slash action RPG Crystalfall, has signed a publishing deal with PlayPark, a well-established game publisher in Southeast Asia. The announcement was made through the studio's official X account.

Publishing Deal Targets Southeast Asia

PlayPark, a subsidiary of Asphere Innovations PLC, brings over 20 years of experience and a portfolio of 160+ game releases across the region. With more than 180 million registered users, the company is known for publishing major titles from global developers like Blizzard Entertainment, Sony Online Entertainment, and Nexon.

The new agreement will see PlayPark handle the publishing of Crystalfall. According to the post, the partnership will officially kick off at Gamescom Asia in Thailand from October 17 to 19, where players will get hands-on access to the game's latest build.

Technomancer Class Reveal at Gamescom Asia

One of the main features showcased during the event will be the new Technomancer class. The studio dropped a reveal trailer highlighting its abilities and backstory. Technomancers are crow-human hybrids who wield steampunk-inspired staves powered by a mysterious force known as Aether.

This new class joins the 2 previously revealed classes: the Gunner, a fox-like ranged fighter who uses pistols, rifles, and shotguns, and the Knight, a lion-human hybrid that specializes in melee combat with massive blades and shields.

All 3 classes will be available in the upcoming Early Access release.

Early Access Planned for 2026

Cold River Games also confirmed that Crystalfall will enter Early Access in early 2026. At launch, the game will feature five acts, quests, multiplayer support, and full localization across 12 languages. The Early Access build is expected to be free to play, giving players a chance to explore the core systems and progression mechanics.

During Early Access, the team aims to gather player feedback to shape future updates. The current roadmap includes polishing core features and testing the game's endgame systems.

A Look at Crystalfall

Crystalfall is set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by the impact of a mysterious asteroid. This event scattered powerful crystal shards across various zones filled with mutated beasts and steampunk enemies. Players take on the role of hybrid convicts trying to survive this chaotic world, where loot progression and strategic character builds are central to gameplay.

The game uses an isometric view and draws inspiration from classic ARPGs. Combat is fast-paced and loot-focused, with dungeons that change every time they are entered. Skills are found in the world as loot and come with randomized upgrade trees, encouraging players to build unique playstyles.

Animal-Hybrid Heroes and Class Design

Each of the 3 classes brings a different style of play:

The Gunner is quick and versatile, dealing consistent ranged damage from various firearms.

The Knight uses powerful melee weapons and defensive gear, perfect for close-range encounters.

The Technomancer, revealed most recently, adds a mid-range magic element with steampunk gear and Aether powers.

Each class features its own talent tree, allowing deep customization over time.

Crystalfall's Key Features

The game brings randomized dungeons, lootable skill systems, guilds, and P2P trading. Players can level up through an expansive talent tree system, crafting synergies between gear and skills to suit different strategies.

Seasonal resets are tied to in-game lore events called the Nexus. These events clear player progress and introduce new challenges, keeping the meta fresh and rewarding those who explore different builds.

Multiplayer will be supported, letting players explore dungeons solo or in co-op. Trading, guild systems, and in-game economy tools will also be included.

$2 Million Raise Back in July

Cold River Games raised $2 million in July 2025 to support the development of Crystalfall. The round was led by Beam Investments, with support from Partnerinvest Norr, CoinFund, Avalanche Foundation, and A100X. The funding helps the Sweden-based team continue development ahead of the game’s Early Access release on PC.

CEO Åke André said the raise came at a critical time.

"I've seen a lot of studios that have failed to raise money lately because the market is very tough," he said. "It's a positive in the sense that the money was very easy to come by. In the past, I think VCs were just throwing money to the left or right. And later they wanted more KPIs and were more conservative. It means a lot we were successful with a Swedish investor coming into a Swedish game studio. I'm very happy."

"We are incredibly grateful to have such strong partners backing our studio and believing in our vision for Crystalfall," André added.

Blockchain-Backed Economy in the Works

While the team has not confirmed the full scope of blockchain features, Cold River Games says that web3 elements may support the game's item economy.

"While our main priority has always been to make a fun game, maintaining a secure game economy is an important part of games focused on loot progression," André said.

He explained how blockchain could be used to support that goal.

"While this technology isn't suitable for all types of games, we find that it has a place in ARPGs where it can enhance the barter economy," he said.

The team is "removing user friction and optimizing user experience to the degree that blockchain does not disrupt the normal game experience."

Crystalfall's Growing Audience

Since its reveal, Crystalfall has gained steady traction. The game now has over 20,000 wishlists on Steam and a growing Discord with more than 12,000 members. A group of around 100 player ambassadors also helped spread the word and gathered community feedback.

The game's mix of classic ARPG mechanics with a fresh setting and hybrid characters has drawn attention. Internal testing has shown strong interest from both casual and hardcore gamers. 

Background on Cold River Games

Cold River Games, once known as Crypto Rogue Games, was founded in 2021 by Åke André and Daniil Sanders. The team is based in Umeå, Sweden, and takes its new name from the local Umeälven river.

The 23-person team includes developers from top studios like Grinding Gear Games (Path of Exile), Paradox (Stellaris), and Fatshark (Warhammer: Vermintide). That background helps explain the heavy focus on loot depth, item progression, and strategic buildcrafting in Crystalfall.

"We have been running a few studios before," said André, noting that the team has been making games since 2000.

Gamescom Asia Showcase and Next Steps

The PlayPark deal begins with a Crystalfall showcase at Gamescom Asia in Thailand. Between October 17 and 19, players at the event will be among the first to try out the Technomancer class and see the game's latest content.

With development ongoing and the Early Access launch set for 2026, the team is entering a key phase. The PlayPark deal ensures a wider reach in Southeast Asia, while the July funding round gives the team financial runway to hit their milestones.