Dear Gamers,
September 19 marks a very special day to us: our psychological horror game, Stuck in the Present, is finally out on Steam! We very are proud to share this big achievement with you. This project is close to our hearts because it was born from something many of us on the team know very well: the feeling of being far from home.
As a multinational studio, we come from many different places and cultures. But one thing we found in common was the anxiety of being somewhere new. Maybe as a tourist or as an immigrant… no matter the reason, all of us have known the weight of displacement during this process. It can feel overwhelming to be in a new place where the language, the culture, and even the smallest daily routines remind you that you are an outsider. That shared uneasy feeling became the core of this game.
Stuck in the Present follows two Filipino immigrant millennials, Rich and Faye, who find themselves trapped in the subways of Toronto one random morning. What begins as two childhood friends’ regular ride to work and an immigration appointment quickly turned into something else. This is more than a story about a lurking danger, it’s the quiet fear of not belonging, and the strength it takes to keep moving forward when everything feels stacked against you.
We chose the subway as the setting because it is a place that feels both universal and isolating. It is built for movement and connection, but it can also be cold, impersonal, and endless. In the game, the subway becomes alive with dread. The flickering lights, the groaning of the tracks, all serve as reminders that you are not safe, and maybe not even welcome. To many of us, the subway is essential to getting where you need to be. To have your transportation be the threat to your safety and maybe, take you somewhere else without you knowing, were fun “what ifs” we explored as we developed the narrative.
At the center of the fear is something deeply human: the bond between Rich and Faye. Just as many of us leaned on friends and family when we first entered unfamiliar worlds, these characters rely on each other to survive. Their traumatic experience as childhood friends shaped not only the game, but also who they are now as adults. We brought in very talented folks like Inka Magnaye and Justin Cabanting to bring Faye and Rich to life, who also dug in deep from their personal experiences and took this game on another level.
We hope players will feel the care and honesty that went into every detail. We’re especially proud of the work put in by our Audio Team for the original soundtrack designed for this game, which will be available in major music platforms very soon (Spoiler alert!). We combined Filipino and English songs in a unique mixtape encapsulating not just the vibes, but the atmosphere of the game you can carry anywhere.
Stuck in the Present is our way of turning something deeply personal into a shared experience that others can step into, even if only for a few hours. We know that games are more than just entertainment. They can be mirrors of who we are, where we come from, and what we carry with us.
Warmly,
Dusk Wave Arts
P.S.
You can find the game here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2980980/Stuck_in_the_Present/
You can find the Official Release Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTIqQEI0Pgc