ToeJam and Earl Developer’s Dancing with Ghosts Debuts Steam Next Fest Demo During Indie Fan Fest, Kickstarter to Launch
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2025 1:03 am
ToeJam and Earl Developer’s Dancing with Ghosts Debuts Steam Next Fest Demo During Indie Fan Fest, Kickstarter to Launch Oct. 7
Dancing with Ghosts, the life-sim about finding joy from grief from legendary game developer Greg Johnson’s HumaNature Studios, launches its first playable demo today as part of Indie Fan Fest ahead of Steam Next Fest.
Watch the official trailer here:
Kickstarter launches Tuesday, Oct. 7
Dancing with Ghosts was inspired by personal tragedy in the life of Greg Johnson (ToeJam and Earl, the Starflight series, and Doki-Doki Universe), and the culture and traditions of his Thai family.
Johnson aimed to represent through gameplay the Thai concept of thamboon – committing good deeds to relieve suffering and lift spirits.
After losing her parents, 15-year-old Mai meets Pim, a ghost residing in the Thai river village they both call home.
Help Pim recover her lost memories of life by helping villagers and earning good Karma. Advance the story through minigames, sketching, and dancing, of course!
Play Dancing with Ghosts’ Steam Next Fest demo today on Steam for PC ahead of the PC and Nintendo Switch in 2026. A Kickstarter campaign to support the game will go live on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
For more information on Dancing with Ghosts, follow HumaNature Studios on Bluesky, Twitter and Facebook.
About HumaNature Studios
HumaNature Studios was founded in 2006 by veteran game designer Greg Johnson, lead designer on classic titles Starflight and ToeJam and Earl, who has also collaborated with game luminaries like Will Wright and major Hollywood studios like DreamWorks. The studio is the creative force behind Doki-Doki Universe, ToeJam and Earl: Back in the Groove, and Kimono Cats and aims to build charming and playful games that appeal to non-gamers and help people connect with others in expressive and creative ways.
Dancing with Ghosts, the life-sim about finding joy from grief from legendary game developer Greg Johnson’s HumaNature Studios, launches its first playable demo today as part of Indie Fan Fest ahead of Steam Next Fest.
Watch the official trailer here:
Kickstarter launches Tuesday, Oct. 7
Dancing with Ghosts was inspired by personal tragedy in the life of Greg Johnson (ToeJam and Earl, the Starflight series, and Doki-Doki Universe), and the culture and traditions of his Thai family.
Johnson aimed to represent through gameplay the Thai concept of thamboon – committing good deeds to relieve suffering and lift spirits.
After losing her parents, 15-year-old Mai meets Pim, a ghost residing in the Thai river village they both call home.
Help Pim recover her lost memories of life by helping villagers and earning good Karma. Advance the story through minigames, sketching, and dancing, of course!
Play Dancing with Ghosts’ Steam Next Fest demo today on Steam for PC ahead of the PC and Nintendo Switch in 2026. A Kickstarter campaign to support the game will go live on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
For more information on Dancing with Ghosts, follow HumaNature Studios on Bluesky, Twitter and Facebook.
About HumaNature Studios
HumaNature Studios was founded in 2006 by veteran game designer Greg Johnson, lead designer on classic titles Starflight and ToeJam and Earl, who has also collaborated with game luminaries like Will Wright and major Hollywood studios like DreamWorks. The studio is the creative force behind Doki-Doki Universe, ToeJam and Earl: Back in the Groove, and Kimono Cats and aims to build charming and playful games that appeal to non-gamers and help people connect with others in expressive and creative ways.