tinyBuild Reveals First Trailer & Playtest for “The Lift,” a Supernatural Handyman Simulator Coming in 2026

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TINYBUILD ANNOUNCES THE LIFT, A STORY-DRIVEN SUPERNATURAL HANDYMAN SIMULATOR LAUNCHING ON PC IN 2026

Renovation gameplay and eerie cosmic mysteries meet in this new take on the simulation genre – limited-time public playtest now live on Steam

SEATTLE – Sept. 16, 2025 – Indie publisher tinyBuild and debut studio Fantastic Signals, a new team of veteran developers whose past credits include Pathologic 2 and Ori and the Will of the Wisps, are pleased today to unveil The Lift, a first-person, narrative-driven, supernatural handyman simulator coming to PC in 2026, with console versions to follow. Renovate a massive abandoned research complex with eerie mysteries around every corner in this innovative title where house-flipping gameplay and mind-bending storytelling combine in a highly interactive world inspired by retrofuturistic Soviet sci-fi.

Check out The Lift’s official announcement trailer and head on over to Steam to experience the game’s first Open Playtest, available now for a limited time!



Fantastic Signals is drawing from their experience working on Pathologic 2 to weave immersive sim elements into The Lift and introduce multiple unique twists into a genre that usually focuses on repairs, renovations, and cleaning.

“I'm thrilled to finally unveil what we've been working on for the past three years, and looking forward to fans' reactions and the feedback from the first Steam playtest. This game encapsulates everything we love about rich worldbuilding, captivating stories, and engaging systems-driven gameplay,” said Ivan Slovtsov, Founder and Game Director at Fantastic Signals.

“The Lift introduces multiple twists into the genre. For example, players will use electrical engineering concepts to fix and operate intricate, interconnected machines – all while exploring this mysterious world inspired by the works of the Strugatsky brothers and the SCP Foundation.”

ABOUT THE GAME

The Institute was humanity's most advanced research facility – until a catastrophic incident left it drifting through the interdimensional void. Awakened from stasis, you must restore the Institute and uncover what went wrong.

RENOVATE

Every floor is a massive renovation project with unique challenges. Work at your own pace, tackling everything from basic furniture repairs to complex electrical engineering projects. Use a variety of gadgets, craft what you need, and bring the Institute back to its former glory.

EXPLORE

Use the Lift as your mobile base while traveling across the Institute. Explore multiple biomes, unlock hidden areas, meet unforgettable characters, and complete their quests. Piece together the mind-bending truth behind the incident that changed everything.

REPAIR

Breathe life back into dozens of intricate devices, from vending machines and generators to satellite dishes and reactors. Build circuits with multiple components, identify fault currents, route cables, manage power supply, and generate torque to repair each system.

The Lift will officially release on PC in 2026, but players can jump into the game’s first Open Playtest and wishlist it today on Steam! Follow The Lift on X/Twitter or visit the official website www.theliftgame.com for the latest updates on the game.

About Fantastic Signals

Fantastic Signals is a new studio with teams based in Latvia and Serbia. The team is comprised of industry veterans previously working on the Pathologic and Ori franchises, with a keen focus on building immersive, unforgettable worlds infused with deep storytelling and engaging systems-driven gameplay. https://www.fantasticsignals.com

About tinyBuild

tinyBuild started as an indie game developer and morphed into a developer-publisher you can't miss. The company’s dedication to creating long-term partnerships and elevating recognizable franchises has resulted in many successful collaborations with talented developers from all over the world. The company has released dozens of games, including the Hello Neighbor series, Graveyard Keeper, SpeedRunners, DUCKSIDE, The King is Watching, and more. Although headquartered in the Seattle area, USA, the company has established a strong global presence with studios across the US, the Netherlands, and Eastern Europe. https://www.tinybuild.com