I Mother Embarks on a prehistoric adventure on PC Today

[IBJamon]

I Mother Embarks on a prehistoric adventure on PC Today

KYOTO, JAPAN — Oct. 22, 2025 — I Mother, a prehistoric action-adventure told without spoken or written language, created by solo development studio Hell Yeah! and published by indie.io, is now available today on Windows PC via Steam.

Experience the dawn of human communication through instinct, symbol, and emotion.

In an era devoid of technology and words, when only symbols—and emotions—existed to guide mankind, I Mother invites players to experience the dawn of human communication through instinct, symbol, and emotion. Rather than teaching a constructed language or offering direct translation mechanics, the game focuses on interpretation, encouraging players to find meaning on their own. Every gesture, sound, and symbol becomes part of an evolving dialogue between the player and the prehistoric world.

Inspired by the research of paleoanthropologist Genevieve von Petzinger, these prehistoric symbols originate from archaeological discoveries that mark the foundation of early human communication. Dating back as early as 35,000 to 10,000 BCE, Hell Yeah! revived a forgotten “language” to help players resonate with ancestral life.

I Mother represents early human living and the impactful evolutionary teachings of a forgotten time. Observe, relate, and form personal connections to progress in this emotional journey. In an era without language or maps, learn how human senses provide self-navigation through real mind-mapping techniques, using only the self to survive and explore.

The game also explores mankind’s first spiritual experiences through the use of land art, dreams, and rare natural phenomena. The events of each day give the protagonist intense dreams—or even nightmares—in which she must fight her demons in a literal sense, improving her emotional strength and allowing her to overcome her fears in real life.

By removing conventional dialogue and instructions, I Mother creates an “emerging experience”: a game world that adapts to each player’s personal interpretation. Early playtests show that no two players describe the same story—or even the same mechanics. The result is an evocative exploration of humanity’s earliest communication—and a powerful reminder that meaning is something we still create together.

Additionally, those who courageously master the ways of this time can face challenges in the form of hidden Prehistoric Trials to collect real prehistoric art and unravel the story depicted through interactive cave drawings.

Immerse yourself in the sounds of the land, brought to life by the beats of tribal drums and the ritualistic vocals from Paleowolf. Become captivated by the wonders of pure connection through the interpretation of a time of living that exudes critical thinking beyond the wildest of dreams.

“I was so touched when the developer behind I Mother reached out to share how my research had inspired his story. He’s captured that thrilling moment in our shared past when the first marks began to mean something. It’s a game that teaches without lecturing - you absorb the origins of human communication simply by playing, exploring, and feeling. It’s fun, it’s emotional, and it’s wonderfully true to the science.” – Genevieve von Petzinger, National Geographic Explorer, TED Fellow, Paleoanthropologist

I Mother interprets meaning through early human markings on PC via Steam today, for $14.99 USD with a 20% launch discount.

For more information, visit the game's official Steam page, follow developer HellYeah! on X/Twitter and Instagram, and stay up-to-date with their official website.



About Hell Yeah!

Hell Yeah! is the label of Adam Buczek, a solo developer and game designer working out of Kyoto, Japan. After stints as European Creative Lead at Xbox and running Skeleton Crew Studio, Adam decided to go fully indie and make the kind of games only one slightly unhinged human would. His work has already picked up awards along the way — Voyna snagged Gold for Best Strategy at the NYX Awards, and I Mother took home Gold at the INDIGO Design Awards.

About indie.io

indie.io is a publishing team composed of passionate gamers, developers, and media specialists dedicated to accelerating the reception and consumption of indie games. They represent a handful of titles that span across many genres, made by talented creators from across the globe. With more than 40 years of experience in the industry, they offer tools, technical prowess, and strategic vision to elevate games to eyes all around the globe.