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Montpellier, France – August 20, 2025. French video game studio LifeLine Games and publisher Dear Villagers are teaming up to release their cinematic platformer, Deer & Boy, in 2026. The game will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and Nintendo Switch™. Its latest gameplay trailer is available below.

First revealed during the 2024 Summer Games Fest, Deer & Boy is a touching story about a boy fleeing from his home. Upon getting lost, he stumbles on a frightened fawn, and they both quickly realize how much they need each other to face the struggles of their lives and how their unexpected yet poetic friendship will take them further than they ever hoped.

“To everyone who’s shown love for Deer & Boy, thank you from the bottom of my heart. It means the world to see so many of you touched by the little glimpse we’ve shared.” said Jayson Houdet, Founder of LifeLine Games and Game Director. “We feel the weight of your expectations, and we’re pouring everything we have into bringing our vision to life, and sharing something truly meaningful with you.”

As they travel together to escape their realities, the fawn will mature into a vigorous deer, which, in turn, will help the boy face the obstacles of his fate and emerge from this dreamlike voyage a grown-up.

As the first project of LifeLine Games, a young studio founded by veteran developer Jayson Houdet, Deer & Boy aims to deliver an emotional journey that can only be conveyed by pairing the emotional visuals of animation with a poignant connection to characters and story of video games.

About LifeLine Games
LifeLine Games is a French studio founded in 2021 by industry veteran Jayson Houdet. The studio aims to deliver moving narratives to everyone on PC and consoles by creating experiences that convey the feeling of playing video games through the lens of an animated film. Deer & Boy is their first tale, sharing a poignant story of companionship, growth, and struggle on a dreamlike journey.

About Dear Villagers
Based in the South of France, in sunny Montpellier, we are a boutique publishing label composed of a team of twenty people. Open-minded and versatile, Dear Villagers offers handcrafted marketing and production guidance. Our mission: We tell memorable stories through memorable games.