Happy World Nature Conservation Day! You probably guessed by now, but we here at Stonewheat & Sons are big animal lovers, and we’re delighted to showcase KeyWe in the World Nature Conservation Day sale on Steam.
The World Nature Conservation Sale
The World Nature Conservation Sale features a selection of animal and nature themed games, all of which can be purchased at a discounted price. As most of you know, KeyWe isn’t out until August 31st, so we can’t be a part of this year’s sale, but we were lucky enough to be to feature in the sale’s upcoming games section where our demo will be available to play until the 2nd of August.
What is World Nature Conservation Day?
While Bungalow Basin may be a fictional location, the animals you’ll spot working in the Telepost Office are very real, and their populations are declining rapidly due to loss of habitat.
Conservation is the care and preservation of natural resources like air, soil, and water, and safeguarding these resources can help protect animal and plant life. Conservation is achieved through the sustainable use of nature by humans and this practise needs encouraging across the globe.
World Nature Conservation Day is celebrated on July 28th every year to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining a healthy natural environment. Climate change, pollution, deforestation, and excessive infrastructure are all dangers to our environment and can have an extremely negative impact on wildlife.
How Can I Help Kiwi Conservation?
There are plenty of charities out there dedicated to kiwi conservation, but Kiwis for Kiwi has a special place in our hearts. Kiwis for kiwi is a New Zealand charity that supports community-led and Māori-led kiwi conservation projects. There are plenty of ways you can get involved, including volunteering and fundraising, so make sure you check out their Take Action page.
Celebrate PAX & EGX Online with some KeyWe Gameplay!
Hey there, Teleposters. It’s been a bit of a funny year for making plans and, under normal circumstances, we’d have given you plenty of opportunities to enjoy KeyWe at events all over. Don’t worry though, some of your favourite events have gone virtual for the time being, and we’re still giving you the chance to experience KeyWe as part of PAX and EGX Rezzed online this year!
Experience the Mailroom Mayhem
We’re just over six weeks away from KeyWe’s official launch date, but we know you’re all itching to tackle the Telepost. So, we’re bringing the KeyWe demo back to Steam one last time for the duration of PAX and EGX Rezzed online. The KeyWe demo will be available to download from the 15th to the 18th of July and will feature two main levels plus one bonus overtime shift for you to enjoy. Playable in both single player and online co-op, you’re sure to love exploring the Shipping Floor, typing up messages at the Telegraph Desk and feeding those hungry cassowaries.
Oh, and if you’re looking for someone to play co-op with, why join our Discord and meet the KeyWe community?
Getting Started:
You’ll be taken through a quick demo tutorial on the game before you can play in either single-player or online co-op mode.
IMPORTANT: There is no way to connect to online co-op until after you’ve completed the demo tutorial. If you are going to be playing online co-op, we recommend just completing the tutorial in single-player mode to save time.
Online Co-Op:
To connect with another player in online co-op mode, please complete the tutorial, wait for the main menu to load, then follow these steps.
1. Select “Online” in the main KeyWe menu. 2. One player will need to host the game by selecting “Create Room”. 3. The other player will need to enter the room key using their keyboard. 4. You will get a notification in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen telling you what the other player is doing once they’re in the room. 5. Select back to return to the main menu. 6. Select “Play” and choose a level, which will start for both of you.
Troubleshooting:
Players who have played previous KeyWe demos may need to delete old data from their PC as this may negatively interact with the newest KeyWe build. To delete your save data…
1. If KeyWe is running, close the application. 2. Open your PC’s file explorer and navigate to your C drive (this is usually under “This PC” or “My PC). 3. Open the C drive and click on the “Users” folder. 4. Open the folder labelled with your username. 5. Open the “AppData” folder. 6. Open the “LocalLow” folder. 7. Open the “Stonewheat_Sons” folder and delete all the files and folders located here. 8. Re-launch the KeyWe application and play as usual.
We hope you enjoy the KeyWe demo, and we hope you're as excited for the full version of the game to launch as we are! Remember, you can show your support for KeyWe by wishlisting on Steam. And make sure you're following us on Twitter for even more KeyWe content.
Steam Next Fest: Preview Stream & Brand-New Playable Demo!
We’ve got a very exciting announcement for you, Teleposters! As part of Steam Next Fest, we’ve just released a brand-new playable demo, and we’re hosting an exciting preview stream where you’ll be able to watch a handful of streamers play an exclusive preview build of KeyWe. We’d like to say a BIG thank you to everybody who took the time to add KeyWe to their wishlistst. It showed us how serious you were about getting your hands on the demo and it’s super helpful in supporting our game. Find out more about the demo and the preview stream below.
Our brand-new playable KeyWe demo features two main levels and one overtime shift from the full version of the game. Start by typing up messages to the members of Bungalow Basin on the Telegraph Desk (get ready for those adorable kiwi butt-slams!) then head on down to the Shipping Floor to help direct important packages to the right destination. When you’re done performing your daily postal duties, head on over to the cassowary pen out back for a bit of overtime work feeding our hungry mail carriers. Watch out, the cassowaries have been known to be a little moody if they don’t get their lunch on time.
Our playable demo is available in both single-player and local and online co-op mode and is designed to give you a little taste of what’s to come. Expect more exciting mechanics, seasonal hazards and mailroom mayhem in the full version of the game, coming to PC and consoles on August 31st 2021! If you liked the playable demo, don’t forget to wishlist KeyWe on Steam.
We’ve put together this little guide to help you get started. Please note that the content in this game may not reflect the final version of KeyWe and any features or mechanics you see here may be subject to change before the game’s official launch on August 31st.
Getting Started:
You’ll be taken through a quick demo tutorial on the game before you can play in either single-player or online co-op mode.
IMPORTANT: There is no way to connect to online co-op until after you’ve completed the demo tutorial. If you are going to be playing online co-op, we recommend just completing the tutorial in single-player mode to save time.
Online Co-Op:
To connect with another player in online co-op mode, please complete the tutorial, wait for the main menu to load, then follow these steps.
Select “Online” in the main KeyWe menu.
One player will need to host the game by selecting “Create Room”.
The other player will need to enter the room key using their keyboard.
You will get a notification in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen telling you what the other player is doing once they’re in the room.
Select back to return to the main menu.
Select “Play” and choose a level, which will start for both of you.
Troubleshooting:
Players who have played previous KeyWe demos may need to delete old data from their PC as this may negatively interact with the newest KeyWe build. To delete your save data…
If KeyWe is running, close the application.
Open your PC’s file explorer and navigate to your C drive (this is usually under “This PC” or “My PC).
Open the C drive and click on the “Users” folder.
Open the folder labelled with your username.
Open the “AppData” folder.
Open the “LocalLow” folder.
Open the “Stonewheat_Sons” folder and delete all the files and folders located here.
Re-launch the KeyWe application and play as usual.
KeyWe Developer Commentary and Influencer #SteamNextFest Stream!
We sent an exclusive preview build of KeyWe over to a selection of streamers* to give them the opportunity to showcase the game in a little more detail to their audiences. A handful of these streamers were kind enough to provide us with footage of their streams, which we have complied into one handy video collection for your viewing pleasure! Please bear in mind that the preview build includes levels and features that are still undergoing development and may be subject to change before the final release of the game.
If you enjoyed our preview footage, why not take a moment to find out a little bit more about the streamers and give them a follow?
Our Super Adventure
You might know Sarah and Stef from the adorable Our Super Adventure comic series, but did you know they have their own Twitch channel as well? Expect video game and drawing streams from this dynamic duo who showed us that couples who play KeyWe together are 100% more awesome.
Meet the vibrant and wholesome Jynxie Rose, and the chilled-out and family-friendly MelodicBlue. These two streamers run separate channels but came together for a KeyWe stream that was as cute as it was chaotic. If you’re a fan of variety, then be sure to check both of their channels out for something to suit everyone’s tastes.
Zed took a break from his regularly scheduled Minecraft streams to feature KeyWe in his Zed’s Game Reviews series alongside fellow streamer Dot_Dot_Dash. Watch these two coordinate their kiwis and only get eaten by our Kudzu plants a handful of times. Oh, and don’t forget to follow them both on Twitch.
*Please note that none of these streamers were paid, sponsored or in any way financially reimbursed for their KeyWe streams. All coverage was done so at the streamer's own discretion and the views and opinions expressed in the streams are entirely their own.
KeyWe Launches on PC and Console August 31st 2021!
Get ready for mailroom mayhem, KeyWe is launching for PC and console on August 31st 2021!
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Hey Teleposters, it’s Joel from the KeyWe development team here. I’m so happy to announce our official release date and can’t wait for you to play KeyWe. We’ll be putting the finishing touches on the game over the next three months to make sure we achieve the perfect balance of cute and chaotic...and cassowaries!
If you’re brand new to KeyWe, let me tell you what you can expect when you play. If you’re familiar with the game, scroll on down for our Early Bird Pack announcement.
The Mail Must Flow!
You play as Jeff and Debra, two determined little kiwi birds who work at the Bungalow Basin Telepost Office. Both kiwis will need to work together to type telegrams, transcribe urgent messages, assemble shipping crates and get the mail sent to the residents of Bungalow Basin on time.
Watch Out for Workplace Hazards!
Bungalow Basin is a rugged place, and Jeff and Debra will need to brave plenty of precarious postal predicaments - from sandstorms, floods and blizzards to carnivorous plants and paranormal activity. All in a day’s work at the Telepost.
Collect Stamps to Customise Your Kiwis!
Earn stamps at the end of each shift and use them to unlock wardrobe items and become the best-dressed birds in Bungalow Basin. We can’t wait for you to see all the ways you can outfit Jeff and Debra for the job.
Enjoy Extra Action with Overtime Shifts!
Take a break from your daily duties and help out on bonus overtime shifts. Feeding hungry cassowaries, testing the Telepost’s bubble-wrap supply, snowball fights with your animal co-workers – these fast-paced mini-games are a great way to earn some extra stamps!
Get Our Exclusive Early Bird Pack!
Make sure you wishlist KeyWe on Steam now so you don’t miss out on our FREE Early Bird Pack, only available for Steam users who download KeyWe during launch week. The Early Bird Pack comes with a whole bunch of Telepost-themed wardrobe items – Jeff and Debra love representing their workplace and looking fly (get it?) while they’re at it. Oh, but watch out for that Experimental Postal Pack, rumour has it that it can upset the fabric of space-time. The Early Bird Pack is available for a limited time only.
Finally, I wanted to extend a big thank you to the KeyWe community from all of us here at Stonewheat & Sons and Sold Out. We wouldn’t be where we are today without you, your amazing feedback and your positivity on our Twitter, Instagram and Discord channels. I hope you have just as much fun playing KeyWe as we did making it and can’t wait to hear what you think! <3
Want a New KeyWe Demo? Wishlist now!
Hey there Teleposters, do you want the chance to play KeyWe before launch date? Find out how to make it happen here!
We’ve been hard at work organising envelopes, making labels and licking stamps (we’ve also done a bit of game development) to make KeyWe look and feel polished for our August 2021 release. If you’d like to know more about what we’ve been up to, you can join our Discord for regular development team updates: https://t.co/yshvqJnrVQ?amp=1
We’ve certainly come a long way, and we’d love to be able to give you the chance to play KeyWe before we launch with a brand-new Steam demo! We’re planning on releasing this demo when we hit our next 10,000 wishlists on Steam, so if you want to experience the mailroom mayhem early, make sure you wishlist KeyWe now: https://t.co/E9gqo6rObY?amp=1
In the mean time, you can follow us on social media for more news, information, gameplay videos and even competitions. Find us on Twitter and Instagram under @keywegame!
Oh, and keep an eye out for Jeff and Debra in the upcoming Wholesome Direct on the 12th of June at 6pm BST / 10am PT: https://www.wholesomegames.com/
Don’t forget, you can pre-order KeyWe below in the following regions:
UK: https://bit.ly/3cXqoGr
USA: https://bit.ly/318Nww1
Canada: https://bit.ly/3d3g6Vj
KeyWe Announces Launch Month!
Hey there Teleposters, did you hear the exciting KeyWe announcements from the recent Nintendo Indie World Showcase? Don’t worry if you didn’t, we’re here to catch you up!
Alongside showcasing the most recent KeyWe trailer, we also revealed that KeyWe is coming to PC and all major consoles in August 2021!
We’ll be releasing information on an exact date in future, but we’re delighted to announce that there’s roughly four months left until you can get your hands on KeyWe and experience the mailroom mayhem first hand. We’ve put a tonne of work into making KeyWe as cute as it is chaotic, and we’re counting down the hours until you can play.
KeyWe is available to wishlist on Steam right now, so what are you waiting for? Add it to your wishlist today: https://bit.ly/2T7wV7t
We also revealed a selection of never-seen-before wardrobe items exclusive to the Nintendo Switch version of the game. We've been hard at work making sure the game is at its best across PC and consoles. From perfecting online overtime shifts and getting the game localised just right for each language all the way to polishing the animations for Buck Hamm (Jeff and Debra’s bearded boss), we genuinely cannot wait to show off our efforts.
You can find out exactly what we've been up to with regular development team updates exclusive to our KeyWe Discord here: https://discord.gg/3xWjx3Qbgn
Keep an eye on our Twitter account for more news, information, competitions and content: www.twitter.com/keywegame
And remember, you can also pre-order KeyWe for console in the following regions…
UK: https://bit.ly/3cXqoGr
USA: https://bit.ly/318Nww1
Canada: https://bit.ly/3d3g6Vj
Competition: Get Your Message in the Game & Become Part of KeyWe History!
Calling all Teleposters, we want YOU to be a part of KeyWe history. We’re giving you the chance to get your name and a personalised message for a friend to appear in KeyWe with our brand-new competition!
How to Enter:
Entries must be submitted via Twitter. Imagine you’re sending a pizza to a friend through the post (strange, we know!), then like and re-Tweet the post at the URL below and comment underneath with the message you’d send along with your pizza. Don’t forget to start your message with “Dear ____”, using the blank space to tag your friend’s Twitter account.
You’ve only got Twitter’s 280 character limit, so get creative! Multiple entries are allowed so long as you’re tagging different friends. Competition closes on Saturday the 20th of March 2021, and we’ll be picking our favourite the following day (Sunday the 21st). Make sure your Twitter DMs are open so that we can send you a message to let you know you’ve won!
Terms and Conditions:
These terms and conditions apply to the competition referenced above. You will be deemed to have accepted these terms and conditions and to have agreed to be bound by them upon entering the competition.
Competition entries must be submitted via the competition post on Twitter (located at: URL). If you fail to adhere to the competition’s entry mechanics (outlined above), you may be excluded from the winner selection process. This competition is open to entrants of all ages from all parts of the world. Multiple entries are allowed, provided the entrant tags in a different friend for each entry. Messages must not contain any inappropriate content and must be suitable for all audiences, as KeyWe is a family friendly game.
The competition closes at 11:59pm GMT on Saturday the 20th of March 2021, and a winner will be contacted via direct message on Twitter no later than 11:59pm GMT on Sunday the 21st of March 2021. If the winner cannot be contacted for whatever reason before 11:59pm GMT on Wednesday the 24th of March, Stonewheat & Sons and Sold Out reserve the right to select an alternative winner. The prize constitutes the creation of one (1) personalised message to appear in one or more levels of the 2021 puzzle platform game KeyWe. The personalised message will be as close to the winning entry as feasibly possible and will include both the entrant’s name and the name of the Twitter user tagged by the entrant within their competition submission. A Sold Out representative will contact the winner from the official KeyWe Twitter account (www.twitter.com/KeyWeGame) to confirm the exact names and name formatting they would like to appear within their winning message. A Sold Out representative will never contact you regarding this competition from any other social media account or email address.
Please note that Stonewheat & Sons reserves the right to modify the winning message to align with KeyWe’s in-game mechanics and any character limitations. This may involve the addition or omission of words/phrases in conjunction with gameplay requirements (e.g. alluding to the fact that the pizza accompanying the winner’s message is “perishable” to guide players during the in-game packaging process).
If you are the winner, a Sold Out representative may ask to tag your Twitter account in social media content concerning the results of the competition. Subject to receiving your consent, you may be tagged in one or more posts on the official KeyWe Twitter channel. The following persons are excluded from entering the competition, and their entries will not be considered:
Employees of Stonewheat & Sons, Sold Out and any associated company.
Any person directly or indirectly involved in the running of the competition.
We’re Live on The MIX Today with NEVER-SEEN-BEFORE Gameplay Footage!
Today’s the day, Teleposters! We’re showing some brand-new KeyWe gameplay footage over on Twitch as part of The MIX’s livestream:
https://www.twitch.tv/mediaindieexchange.
Join developers Joel and Ben as they play through the Transcription Room level together, and talk about very important stuff while doing it. Keep an eye out for a sneak peek into Jeff and Debra’s wardrobe. It’ll be a great opportunity to see a fully fleshed-out KeyWe level, and learn how postal performance rankings work — including how to earn the stamps that get you new hats, skins, facewear, backwear and hairstyles! Fuzz-styles? Fuzz-styles. Will Ben earn enough stamps to get that backpack he wants?
After the livestream, the KeyWe development team will be jumping onto the official Discord server for our first ever Q&A session, giving you the opportunity to ask all your KeyWe queries. Curious about single player vs co-op modes? Wondering what weird stuff you can expect to see in the Telepost Office? Curious about what on earth inspired the devs to combine kiwis with mail delivery? Ask away! Go nuts! Join our Discord server now to meet the devs and ask your questions: https://discord.gg/3xWjx3Qbgn.
Wait, that’s not all! We’ve got something really fun planned over on the KeyWe Twitter account today, so keep an eye out for a surprise you won’t want to miss:
https://twitter.com/KeyWeGame.
We hope you enjoy the livestream, and we can’t wait to bring you even more KeyWe updates in the future. Thanks! <3
KeyWe Is Coming to The MIX’s Livestream with Brand-New Gameplay Footage!
It’s not long now until summer time and the launch of our cute and chaotic postal puzzle game, KeyWe! With the summer release announcement, the news that KeyWe is coming to all major consoles, the launch of our Discord and our PS5 giveaway, February was a busy month for the KeyWe team — and it looks like March is shaping up to be a busy one too.
This month, we’re delighted to announce that KeyWe is coming to The MIX. On Saturday the 13th of March, we’ll be joining other talented indie developers on The MIX’s livestream to showcase never-seen-before KeyWe gameplay footage with exclusive developer commentary! That’s right, you’ll get the chance to hear about the game straight from two of our developers, Joel and Ben.
You’ll be able to catch the livestream over on The MIX’s official Twitch channel here:
https://www.twitch.tv/mediaindieexchange.
If exclusive gameplay footage wasn’t enough, we’ve also got something pretty exciting planned in conjunction with the livestream. We don’t want to spoil the surprise, but we do recommend you keep an eye on our Twitter account that day:
https://twitter.com/KeyWeGame.
In the mean time, make sure you’re a part of our official KeyWe Discord for news, updates, fun community activity and a chance to catch up with the development team:
