LifeLine Games and publisher Dear Villagers are partnering to bring their cinematic platformer, Deer & Boy, to PC and consoles. A new gameplay trailer for the game was showcased during this month’s Future Games Show at Gamescom.
First revealed in 2024, Deer & Boy is getting closer to its release date, and every time we get an update from LifeLine Games, we get more excited. The studio’s debut game, founded by veteran developer Jayson Houdet, Deer & Boy promises to deliver an emotional journey.
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“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.” Jayson Houdet, Founder of LifeLine Games and Game Director, said in a release to media. “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.”
What is Deer & Boy?
Just like the name entails, Deer & Boy tells a moving story about a boy who runs away from home and finds a frightened fawn. They soon realize they need each other to overcome life’s challenges, forming a poetic friendship that will take them farther than they ever expected. As they travel together, the fawn will mature into a strong deer, helping the boy face his own destiny and emerge a grown-up from the dreamlike voyage.
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.
Watch the Trailer
DEER & BOY – Announcement trailer: Future Games Show 2025
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The trailer highlights the emotional connection between the boy and the deer, but more importantly, it shows audiences the atmosphere that LifeLine Games is going for with their debut title. There is a lot of love shown in just a single pet, or when the boy puts the deer in his bag to carry him. Even more so, the puzzle-solving gameplay briefly on display highlights the teamwork needed to make it through the game’s challenges.
About the Developer & Publisher
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.
Deer & Boy will release in 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and Nintendo Switch.
