Star Birds News

[p][/p][p][/p][p]We at Toukana Interactive are absolutely thrilled to announce that we have been honored with the Studio of the Year award at the Deutscher Entwicklerpreis (DEP) 2025. This recognition means the world to us. Especially because this award is given by our peers in the industry, for the industry. It feels like a vote of confidence from the community of creators we admire most.[/p][p][/p][p]This win comes at a special time for us: Toukana has now existed for five years. Half a decade of learning, experimenting, stumbling, growing, and above all, of making games together. As a now 9-person indie studio from Berlin, we hope we can continue to exist for many more years to come. We hope to carry forward the values that define us: a commitment to quality and thoughtful design, a wholesome and sustainable work environment, and the desire to keep learning rather than standing still.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]What the Jury Said[/h3][p][/p]

[p]“Constant innovation is rare.[/p][p]True identity even rarer.[/p][p]The Studio of the Year proves that you can celebrate global success even without a big publisher.[/p][p]The expert jury was convinced by the clear vision and an outstanding craft sensibility.[/p][p]A team that has shaped the German indie scene and will continue to shape it."[/p]

[p]"A constant feel for game design, storytelling and art direction."[/p]

[p]"The achievement of this independent studio with self-publishing is outstanding."[/p]

[p][/p][p]These words connect deeply with how we see ourselves: a small but determined indie studio. And now one recognized for its ambition, identity and craft.[/p][p][/p][h3]Our Thanks ... and What This Win Means to Us[/h3][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]We were at the right place at the right time. The founders of Toukana fit together truly like four puzzle pieces. We are unbelievably lucky that it works this way. A huge thank you to the industry. We were welcomed with so much love. We received so much support.[/p][p]This year has been a wild ride. After our surprise success with Dorfromantik, we consciously decided to try something different. To keep learning. To expand our team a little.[/p][p]But most importantly: Thank you to all of you who play our games. Without you, we wouldn’t exist as a studio. Without you, we couldn’t do what brings us the most joy.[/p][p][/p][p]Thank you for walking this path with us. Not just appreciating a single game we’ve made, but supporting us as a studio, as a team, as a group of people trying to grow, improve and create meaningful experiences. Your support allows us to keep going, keep learning, and keep shaping what Toukana will be in the future.[/p][p][/p][p]Thank you all for believing in what we do. We couldn’t be more honored, and we can’t wait to share what’s next. Thanks to our amazing team, without which we wouldn't be where we are now as a studio. And thank you as well to our project partners (especially our friends at Kurzgesagt for Star Birds!) and to our friends in the industry. A huge thanks also to the Game Design programme at our former university, HTW Berlin, where we found fantastic mentors and friends.[/p][p][/p][p]With gratitude,
The Toukana Interactive Team[/p][p][/p][h3]About the Deutscher Entwicklerpreis (DEP)[/h3][p]The Deutscher Entwicklerpreis is the oldest and one of the most respected awards for video- and computer-game development in the German-speaking region. It has been presented annually since 2004.[/p][p]The ceremony honours outstanding contributions from studios across Germany, Austria and Switzerland.[/p][p]With categories ranging from “Best German Game” and “Best Indie Game” to “Studio of the Year,” DEP celebrates creativity, technical excellence and artistic vision. Whether from big teams or small independent developers.[/p][p][/p][p]👉 Watch the full award show here![/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h3]Download Star Birds & Join Our Newsletter[/h3][p]Star Birds is an indie project by Toukana Interactive and kurzgesagt. We are over the moon to have such an amazing community. You are the reason why this project exists. If you want to support us, download the game here on Steam, and tell your friends about it. If you would like to be the first to read content like this and are looking for more in-depth insights, we recommend our newsletter – sign up at toukana.com/starbirds.[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p]The Steam Awards are unique: they are decided entirely by the community. No jury, no panel, no critics’ circle. Just players choosing the games that meant something to them this year. And if you like, Star Birds can be part of it.[/p][p][/p][p]Starting today, November 24, 2025, you’ll have the opportunity to cast your vote across multiple award categories, and nominate your fav games of the year. It’s a moment to shine a light on the experiences that stayed with you — the stories you shared, the worlds you explored, the surprises, frustrations, triumphs, and late-night “one more level” sessions.[/p][p][/p][h3]How Nominations Work[/h3]

• [p]Players can nominate games for the Steam Awards from November 24 at 7:00 PM CET until December 1 at 7:00 PM CET.[/p]
• [p]Category for Star Birds: "Outstanding Visual Style"[/p]
• [p]After nominations close, Steam will determine the top five nominees in each category based on community nominations.[/p]
• [p]The final voting happens during the Steam Winter Sale.[/p]

[p]No pressure, no campaign slogan, no dramatic countdown.
Just a simple invitation: If Star Birds has been part of your year, consider giving it your vote.[/p][p][/p][p]Thanks for being part of this journey — playing, sharing, discussing, laughing, breaking things, helping us fix them, and everything in between. Meanwhile, development continues on the Flora & Fauna Update. We’re looking forward to the Open Beta in December and are currently negotiating peaceful coexistence with the mysterious alien plant life that has begun sprouting near the coffee machine.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p]
[/p][h3]Download Star Birds & Join Our Newsletter[/h3][p]Star Birds is an indie project by Toukana Interactive and kurzgesagt. We are over the moon to have such an amazing community. You are the reason why this project exists. If you want to support us, download the game here on Steam, and tell your friends about it.

If you would like to be the first to read content like this and are looking for more in-depth insights, we recommend our newsletter – sign up at toukana.com/starbirds.

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[p]The indie game showcase Indie X is back for another edition — and Star Birds has been nominated for the “Most Fun to Play” Award![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]We start the week with some beautiful news: Star Birds has been nominated for an award that’s quite meaningful to us. It comes from the indie community itself, which makes it extra special.[/p][p]If you’ve got a moment tomorrow, tune in to the Indie X showcase. You’ll find all the details below. 💫[/p][p][/p][h3]Nominated: “Most Fun to Play” Award[/h3][p]Made by indies, for indies, Indie X is an international celebration of the best independent games around the world. This year’s event includes a Steam Event & Sale, a live-streamed showcase, and an award ceremony highlighting standout indie titles.[/p][p][/p][p]🕐 Tune in Tuesday, October 21st at 1 PM Portugal / 2 PM Germany[/p][p]Star Birds will be featured during the showcase — and it’s among the five finalists for the “Most Fun to Play” award! [/p][p][/p][p]Being nominated for “Most Fun to Play” means a great deal to our teams — because that’s exactly why we make games. We want you, the players, to have fun! So join in, cheer us on, and discover a lineup of amazing indie games from talented developers across the globe. 🌍[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]About Indie X[/h3][p]Indie X is Portugal’s premier indie game showcase, featuring both national and international titles. (We belong to the international group, obviously.) Every summer, the team curates around 50 indie games from hundreds of submissions to be featured in the main event.[/p][p]Finalists compete for “Best Of” awards, take part in live showcases and developer interviews, and are highlighted during the Steam Event + Sale — bringing fresh indie creations to players everywhere.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h3]Download Star Birds & Join Our Newsletter[/h3][p]Star Birds is an indie project by Toukana Interactive and kurzgesagt. We are over the moon to have such an amazing community. You are the reason why this project exists. If you want to support us, download the game here on Steam, and tell your friends about it. If you would like to be the first to read content like this and are looking for more in-depth insights, we recommend our newsletter – sign up at toukana.com/starbirds.[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p]Hey everyone![/p][p]We’re excited to share our Early Access Roadmap with you! Our goal is to keep you informed about what we’re actively working on, what’s currently being tested, and which future content and features are already taking shape behind the scenes.[/p][p][/p][h3]Upcoming Content Update: Flora & Fauna[/h3][p]We’re thrilled to announce that our next major content update is planned for December / January and will be titled “Flora & Fauna.”[/p][p]As the name suggests, this update will introduce you to alien plant life and let you put your gardening skills to the test. You’ll also encounter a new species—one that might just turn out to be a helpful companion on your journey.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]What’s Next[/h3][p]Beyond Flora & Fauna, we’re already deep into concept work for upcoming levels, including new cutscenes, buildings, and resources. Anything you don’t see on the current roadmap isn’t off the table—it’s simply not far enough along in development to be shared just yet.[/p][p]We’ll keep the roadmap regularly updated, so you’ll always know what we’re focusing on, what’s confirmed, and what’s been locked in with a timestamp.[/p][p]Thank you for following along and helping us shape the universe of Star Birds! 👽💚[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h3]Download Star Birds & Join Our Newsletter[/h3][p]Star Birds is an indie project by Toukana Interactive and kurzgesagt. We are over the moon to have such an amazing community. You are the reason why this project exists. If you want to support us, download the game here on Steam, and tell your friends about it. If you would like to be the first to read content like this and are looking for more in-depth insights, we recommend our newsletter – sign up at toukana.com/starbirds.[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][h2]Patch Notes 0.1.3[/h2][p][/p][p]☀️ Fixes & Improvements Based on Community Feedback[/p][p][/p][h3]☀️ Multiple Save Files[/h3]

• [p]Added a "Load Game" button, which opens an overview of all existing save files for the current level.[/p]
• [p]Each save will now include a screenshot of the last visited asteroid, displayed in the overview.[/p]

[p][/p][p]Note 1: All previous save files will appear in the list but without a screenshot. A screenshot will be added once the save is loaded and an asteroid is entered.[/p][p]
Note 2: On first startup after the update, the game will regenerate metadata for all save files. This may cause a longer initial loading time.[/p][p][/p][h3]☀️ Achievement Rebalancing[/h3]

• [p]Removed achievements for completing sectors without upgrades.[/p]
• [p]Rebalanced some score achievements so they are only achievable with upgrades (Levels 03.1, 05.1, and 07).[/p]
• [p]Regular score achievements now use rainbow-colored icons and the "Star Bird" title.[/p]

[p]Note: If you already earned the "without upgrades" achievement, it will remain visible in your in-game overview but is no longer a Steam achievement.[/p][p][/p][h3]☀️ Skip Dialogues[/h3]

• [p]After completing a sector, a new option appears in the level selection screen to replay the sector without tutorials or dialogues.[/p]

[p]Note: Changing this option in Level Selection only affects new games started after the change, not existing save files.[/p][p][/p][h3]Bugfixes & Changes[/h3]

• [p]☀️ Sector 04: fixed save games not loading properly (Continue not working) after entering the excavation asteroid but not building an excavation hub.[/p]
• [p]☀️ Fixed cutscene subtitles triggering during the wrong cutscene after skipping one.[/p]
• [p]☀️ Fixed a bug where pathdrawing sounds could break and loop permanently.[/p]
• [p]☀️ Fixed cutscenes not resuming when closing the skip menu with the close button instead of pressing Esc.[/p]
• [p]☀️ Added rebindable "+" hotkey to upgrade selected building.[/p]
• [p]Fixed unplaced melters incorrectly melting ice when another melter was deleted during placement.[/p]
• [p]Added VFX for the ice extractor and melter.[/p]
• [p]Upgrading solar panels in Levels 05–07 no longer increases their energy from 0 to 1 in non-zenith areas; they now only increase from 1 to 2 inside zenith areas.[/p][p][/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]The best place to give feedback is our Discord server. There, we are running a Smart Ticketing System: Leave feedback, vote up change requests and bug reports from other users, and help us to prioritize tasks in the further development of Star Birds. [/p][p][/p][p] 🙏Thank you so much everyone for the overwhelming response, all your feedback, comments and bug reports! This helps us a lot to prioritize and identify issues with the game. We're trying to address the most critical issues as soon as we can. Please be patient though, since we're a small team and might take a while to address specific issues you're experiencing!🙏 [/p]