FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Leicester UK – 11th February 2026
Megapop has released a new developer video for Life Below, shining a spotlight on the intricate and creative sound design behind the upcoming underwater city builder.
This latest video centres on Life Below’s composer and sound designer, Julie Buchanan, who takes viewers deep into the process of crafting the game’s audio landscape. Using real marine field recordings as a foundation, Julie explains how sound plays a vital role in shaping the emotional tone of the underwater world. From the unsettling stillness of a degraded coral reef to the rich, lively soundscape of a thriving ecosystem, audio becomes a powerful storytelling tool.
Julie also reveals the unconventional techniques used to bring the ocean’s inhabitants to life. By recording everything from pretzels and seaweed to her own voice, she created the distinctive sounds of more than 50 fish and sea creatures, blending organic recordings with subtle synthetic elements.
The video also explores Julie’s technical setup, including specially coated underwater microphones known as hydrophones, and her hands-on, experimental approach to sound creation.
Players can watch the full developer video now and follow the project for future updates.
Life Below is scheduled to launch this year on Windows PC and is available to wishlist now on Steam.
ENDS
BOOK YOUR LIFE BELOW PRESS APPOINTMENT AT GDC
Get a first look at unseen gameplay from Life Below, the award-winning underwater city builder from Megapop. Book Here.
Running during Game Developers Conference (GDC) as part of the UK Trade Mission, the demo will be available 9–12 March 2026, just a 12-minute walk from Moscone Center, in a quiet and airconditioned room at the American Institute of Architects, San Francisco (140 Sutter St, 94104).
Why this matters right now
City builders rarely tackle real-world issues. Life Below does, and players are responding. Following its Social Impact Award win at the Unity Awards, Life Below shows how environmental themes, accessibility-first design, and calm, strategic gameplay can coexist, and succeed, in today’s market.
Why Life Below
🎮 Unseen gameplay & new features, demoed live by the dev team
🌊 Restore fragile reef ecosystems while tackling real threats like pollution and invasive species, with a fantasy twist
✍️ Written by award-winning video game writer Rhianna Pratchett
♿ Built with accessibility at its core, in partnership with SpecialEffect and accessibility consultants
Appointments
Media and influencer appointments are available throughout GDC (9–12 March). Sessions include a guided demo and the chance to speak directly with the development team.
GAME INFORMATION:
Title: Life Below
Platform(s): Windows PC
Price: TBA
Genre: City Builder (Reef Builder)
Release: 2026
Publisher: Kasedo Games (@KasedoGames)
Developer: Megapop (@MegapopGames)
ABOUT KASEDO GAMES
Kasedo Games work closely together with enthusiastic & talented indie developers from around the world to publish ‘Triple I’ titles that players will love.
Through our vast knowledge of producing, PR, marketing and distribution, we always strive for quality games made by quality indie teams and we understand that every game and every studio has different requirements. The support, creative freedom and platform we provide means we can make great games happen without forgetting their roots.
Titles under the Kasedo label include: ‘IXION, ‘Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus I & II’, ‘City of Gangsters’, ‘Filament’, ‘Rise of Industry 1 & 2’, ‘Project Highrise’ and ‘Crowntakers’. www.kasedogames.com
ABOUT MEGAPOP
Megapop is an independent game studio based in Oslo, Norway, and a proud member of Oslo Game Hub. We create premium strategy games for PC and console, built on originality, depth, and the science of fun. With a legacy of globally featured and top-ranking games, we bring a deep current of experience into every new project. We’re currently developing Life Below, a genre-bending city-builder where you shape the fate of a coral reef from nature’s point of view—a true reef builder.