AETHUS Launches on Steam: Explore an Alien World of Corporate Conspiracy

Carve out a future from the ruins of corporate greed. Edinburgh, UK (January 20, 2026) - Delve deep into an underground alien world in pursuit of a dystopian corporate conspiracy when AETHUS launches straight into a full v1.0 release on Steam on March 6, 2026! Release Date Trailer goes live on IGN GameTrailers at this link at embargo time. Developed by AAA veteran (R* North, Build a Rocket Boy, Splash Damage) turned solo-indie developer, Alex Kane (Pawsmonaut Games), AETHUS takes the natural next step in the genre by ensuring there’s always a narrative motivation to head out and explore, build up your base, or grind for resources. Step into the mining suit of Maeve, former engineer of the Astral Resource Corporation (ARC), as she sets out to uncover the mysteries buried beneath her newly-purchased, long-abandoned corporate mining claim in this truly story-driven survival-crafter. Accompanied by Roland, her devoted AI companion, Maeve begins to unravel the conspiracy of the vast abandoned facilities she discovers deep within her supposedly barren mining claim, and must decide how far she’s willing to go to unearth the truth as ruthless ultracapitalist megacorps close in to protect their dark secrets. Key Features of AETHUS: Deep, story-driven exploration - follow in the boot-prints of a disastrous corporate scientific expedition and navigate arid desert caverns, misty subterranean jungles and sweltering magma lakes in search of vast abandoned underground facilities in a fully voice-acted narrative. Mine, refine, craft and prospect for hundreds of resources, items and tools in an open, physics-driven, futuristic sci-fi underground world. Build up your mining Outpost - construct modular habitats and facilities, grow hydroponic crops, automate your resource gathering and decorate with extensive cosmetic options and visual themes. Straight to full 1.0 release - no years of Early Access, just a fully-formed, polished experience available at a reasonable price... and no genAI was used in creating the game, either! AETHUS will participate in Steam’s Next Fest beginning February 23rd, with a playable demo featuring the first hour of the story alongside seamless full-game save integration on release so that you can easily continue your adventure. A full press kit, including logos, screenshots, key art, and trailers can be found here. About Pawsmonaut Games Pawsmonaut Games is a proud Scottish independent game development studio, founded in 2023 to create deep, compelling experiences without micro-transactions, battle passes or predatory monetisation. After seven years working in AAA studios like Rockstar North, Splash Damage and Build a Rocket Boy, Alex started Pawsmonaut to make games differently. https://www.pawsmonaut.games For more on AETHUS, follow along on socials: