This year’s slate features nine selections that exemplify potential in phenomenal storytelling and innovation through interactive experiences. Each selection is eligible for the Tribeca Games Award, which honors an unreleased game for excellence in artistic storytelling. The games gallery will host free playable demos of this year’s selections exclusively at Pier 57, which will be open to the public from June 11-15.
The program features several world premieres, including SLEEP AWAKE, an immersive horror game where players navigate depraved death cults and otherworldly forces; and Dispatch, a superhero workplace comedy where players juggle managing a dysfunctional team, making high-stakes decisions, and balancing their quest to become a hero.
“This marks our fifth year of spotlighting games as Tribeca Official Selections, and we are proud to build upon a legacy of championing visionary creators who are redefining the possibilities of interactive storytelling,” said Casey Baltes, Vice President of Tribeca Games and Immersive. “This year's selections showcase a diverse range of voices from around the world, each exploring identity, emotion, and perspective in unique and impactful ways. We’re honored to continue serving as a launchpad for these incredible games, and we’re excited to see how audiences resonate with their stories.”
Previous Tribeca Festival Official Selections for Games include titles such as Blue Prince, praised by critics for its innovative design and dynamic environment following its release earlier this month; the award-winning Goodbye Volcano High, lauded for its striking art style and emotional narrative; NORCO, the inaugural Tribeca Games Award winner, celebrated for its richly layered storytelling upon its 2022 release; and Venba, the award-winning narrative cooking game that has earned acclaim for its heartfelt storytelling and meaningful celebration of culture.
The Tribeca Festival 2025 games selections include:
Absolum (Developer: Dotemu, Guard Crush, Supamonks - Publisher: Dotemu - France, Canada) - World Premiere
In a fantasy world where magic use is restricted to King Azra and his wizardly court, four outcasts start a revolt to overthrow him and restore magic to the world.
Cairn (Developer & Publisher: The Game Bakers - France) - New York Premiere
Reach a summit never climbed before in this survival-climber from the creators of Furi. Climb anywhere and plan your route carefully, managing pitons and resources to survive Mount Kami.
Death Howl (Developer: The Outer Zone - Publisher: 11 bit studios - Denmark) - World Premiere
Journey through the sorrowful spirit world. Craft cards and claim powerful totems to defeat the woeful spirits lurking in the mystical lands. Unravel the tale of a grieving mother.
Dispatch (Developer & Publisher: AdHoc Studio - United States) - New York Premiere
Dispatch is a superhero workplace comedy where choices matter. Manage a dysfunctional team and strategize who to send to emergencies, all while balancing your own quest to become a hero.
MIO: Memories in Orbit (Developer: Douze Dixièmes - Publisher: Focus Entertainment Publishing - France) - North American Premiere
Play as MIO in this mesmerizing metroidvania and explore an enormous technological ark overgrown with machines gone rogue. Uncover numerous secrets, enhance MIO's abilities and save the spaceship from oblivion.
Mixtape (Developer: Beethoven & Dinosaur - Publisher: Annapurna Interactive - Australia) - World Premiere
On their final night of high school, three friends embark on a nostalgic adventure through dreamlike reenactments of pivotal memories, set to a curated 90s soundtrack. Mixtape blends vibrant visuals, heartfelt storytelling, and diverse gameplay, from skateboarding to rhythm challenges, exploring themes of friendship, growth, and music's role in life's defining moments.
Possessor(s) (Developer: Heart Machine - Publisher: Devolver Digital - United States) - World Premiere
Escape a sprawling, flooded city overrun with surreal horror in this fast-paced action side scroller.
Sleep Awake (Developer: Eyes Out - Publisher: Blumhouse Games - United States) - World Premiere
People are disappearing in their sleep. As Katja, you must navigate the horror of depraved death cults and otherworldly forces to save yourself and those who rely upon you.
Take Us North (Developer: Anima Interactive - United States) - World Premiere
Inspired by real-world stories, Take Us North is a narrative adventure/survival game that follows the journeys of migrants and asylum seekers on their way to cross the US-Mexico border.