[p]As 2025 comes to an end, it feels like the perfect moment to pause, look back, and reflect on everything we’ve experienced together this year. Most of all, we want to thank you, our Explorers, for yet another year filled with kindness, enthusiasm, and unwavering support. None of this would be possible without you.[/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/40040727/32f84a36739b6c72b49d763ffca7d0e32426a446.png"]To celebrate the holidays, we’ll be hosting a series of festive giveaways from December 22nd through December 26th over on Twitter/X and Instagram. Be sure to keep an eye on our socials during that time if you’d like a chance to win some awesome surprises. But before we look ahead, let’s rewind and revisit some of the major milestones that shaped our year. [/p]
A New Home for Total Mayhem Games
[p]This year, we truly made our new Total Mayhem Games office our own and it finally feels like home. From creative chaos to cozy corners, it’s been amazing to build a space where ideas can grow. Curious to see how it all came together? You can check out our moving vlog over on YouTube![/p]
Expanding the Adventure to Nintendo Switch
[p]One of our biggest milestones this year was bringing the first three We Were Heregames to Nintendo Switch, complete with cross-play across multiple platforms. As an indie studio, this was a huge achievement for us, and we’re incredibly proud to welcome even more explorers into Castle Rock, no matter where or how they play.[/p]
Best Friends, Worst Friends… Soft Friends!
[p]We also had a wonderful collaboration with Makeship, bringing the Best Friend and Worst Friend plushies to life. Seeing them find warm new homes (and even join us on a few Rotterdam adventures) has been an absolute joy. We hope they’re causing just the right amount of chaos wherever they’ve landed.[/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/40040727/0deb28fa54e4b31bc903ecb0ead2db3d95b4620d.jpg"][/p]
Steam Winter Sale
[p]Of course, the year wouldn’t be complete without the Steam Winter Sale. All of our games are currently on sale, so if you’ve been looking for the perfect excuse to gift a friend a co-op adventure, or finally complete your own collection, now’s the time! [dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/677160/We_Were_Here_Too/?snr=1_7_7_151_150_1"][dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/865360/We_Were_Here_Together/?snr=1_7_7_151_150_1"][dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/1341290/We_Were_Here_Forever/?snr=1_7_7_151_150_1"][dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/2296990/We_Were_Here_Expeditions_The_FriendShip/?snr=1_7_7_151_150_1"]As we look ahead to what’s next, we can confidently say that 2026 will be another exciting year for us. But for now, we hope you enjoy a cozy holiday season, filled with warmth, rest, and maybe a puzzle or two.[/p]
Happy holidays, Explorers and we’ll see you on the other side.
[p] Happy exploring, Total Mayhem Games[/p]
Soft, Cuddly, and Ready to Abandon You - the Explorer Plushies Are Here!
Dear Explorers,
[p]We have some very exciting news to share: we worked together with Makeship to design We Were Here plushies and the campaign is live starting today! Meet the Best Friend and Worst Friend plushies, inspired by all those times your buddy either saved you… or locked you in the dungeon “by accident.” [/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/27599300/7cf64833e15a1ae080ee4fb4eac9cef24aad50bc.png"][/p]
[p]If we reach 100% funding, the plushies are officially going into production.[/p]
[p]Didn’t make the goal? No worries, everyone gets a full refund.[/p]
[p]Once funded, your new fluffy partners take 2–4 months to make, then ship right to your door. [/p]
✨ A little bonus
[p]Can’t choose? Don’t! If you pick up both the Best Friend and Worst Friend plushies, you’ll get 5% off, because let’s be real: We Were Here is always better with a partner.[/p][p]Keep both as a trophy for your “flawless” comms, or gift one to your partner-in-crime so they never forget who really left who behind… [/p]
🔗 Bring them home:
[p]💙 Best Friend Plushie[/p][p]😈 Worst Friend Plushie[/p][p][/p][p]We can’t wait to see these little buddies on your shelf (or stuck in Castle Rock with you). Let’s make it happen, together. [/p]
- Total Mayhem Games
The We Were Here series is coming to Nintendo Switch!
Dear Explorers,
[p][/p][p]Some of you know these halls all too well. You’ve wandered the frozen corridors of Castle Rock, walkie-talkie in hand, voice cracking through the static. You’ve solved puzzles, shouted directions, cracked codes, and yes, maybe left your partner behind once or twice. It happens.[/p][p]For years, the We Were Here series has tested friendships on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. Now, it’s time for a new expedition.[/p][p][/p]
We’re super excited to announce that We Were Here, We Were Here Too, and We Were Here Together are coming to Nintendo Switch!
[p][/p][p]Your favourite co-op adventure is going handheld (or docked, if you want to see your friend betray you on the big screen).[/p][p]To play on Switch, you’ll need two things: a Nintendo Switch Online Membership and an external microphone. The trilogy will also be backwards compatible with the Switch 2, so whether you’re playing on shiny new hardware or your trusty old console, you can still team up together. As always, you and your friend will both need a separate copy of the game you want to play.
If you're new here, We Were Here games are all about two players, trapped apart in a forgotten place, trying to escape through communication alone. You won’t see each other, and can only talk to each other over your walkie-talkies. Every puzzle you solve depends on how well you work together.[/p][p]If you’re a weathered Explorer, this is your chance to bring a new partner to Castle Rock. That friend who only games on Switch? Time to hand them a walkie-talkie and hope they’re better at reading runes than you were.[/p][p][/p][p]Whether you're playing curled up in a blanket fort or squeezed into a train seat, remember:[/p][p]You’re never truly alone…[/p][p][/p]
See you on the other end of the walkie-talkie, Total Mayhem Games
Our Great Studio Migration!
2024 was a year in which our mighty developers haven’t been sitting still—quite the opposite. After months of exploring all the crooks and crannies of the vast terrain of Rotterdam, we have secured a beautiful and spacious new base in the booming city center!
We are growing!
Over the past year, our numbers have swelled, welcoming a host of talented and inspiring individuals to the fold. This is great news, but it did come with a downside. Our once-spacious studio at Schiehavenkade began to feel... rather snug. Long queues for the microwaves during feeding hours, overheated meeting rooms, and desks encroaching dangerously close to the entrance—a sure sign it was time to seek new territory. The best part: we have documented the entire move!
We hold beautiful memories of the games we created in our old studio and can’t wait to see what magic unfolds in our new home.
Curious to see where all the We Were Here games were made? Find them all in this map, including our dev's favourite hotspots!
We thank you for all the support throughout the years, Explorers. You motivate us to keep making awesome co-op experiences!
— The Total Mayhem Games Team
Happy Holidays Explorers!
Ho, ho, ho, Explorers! 🎄
The holidays are here, and from everyone at Total Mayhem Games, we wish you happy holidays and all the best for 2025! It’s been quite the year! Maybe a quiet one on the surface, but trust us, behind the scenes at our Rotterdam base camp, it’s been anything but. We’ve been hard at work preparing for the adventures to come, and we’re thrilled to head into the new year with all of you by our side.
But what’s a holiday season without a little something to unwrap? 🎁 We’re kicking things off with a 6-day advent calendar (in full We Were Here style, of course)!
🎶 Day 1: Cozy Lo-Fi Tunes for Every Explorer
We’re starting things off with a musical treat! If you’ve seen the YouTube video featuring remixes of the original We Were Here soundtracks in lo-fi style, you already know the vibe. As of today, you can also find them on Spotify. Whether you’re studying, commuting, or just relaxing by the fire, these tunes will bring some Antarctic calm to your day. 🎧
https://youtu.be/UFM6xBz_18o
✨ What’s Next? Stay Tuned!
Over the next five days, we’ll be revealing a new surprise each day. A little spoiler? Some seriously cool merch featuring brand-new artwork has just dropped. If you can’t wait, you can sneak a peek here. Otherwise, keep an eye on our socials and let the surprises unfold!
Christmas at Base Camp 🎅
For those craving a festive co-op adventure, we’ve brought back the holiday-themed puzzle at base camp in We Were Here Together! Grab your favorite Explorer, whip up some hot cocoa, and dive in for some wintry fun.
Winter Sale Alert!
Oh, and don’t forget: the Steam Winter Sale is live now, and the We Were Here games are available with some sweet discounts. If there’s a game missing from your collection (or you want to gift one to a friend), now’s the perfect time to grab it. Check out the deals:
Stay warm, stay adventurous, and enjoy the holidays! — The Total Mayhem Games Team
Don't Escape the We Were Here Franchise Sale!
🚨 Attention, Explorers! 🚨
Have you finished unravelling the mysteries of Castle Rock in We Were Here Forever, but still crave more? We’ve got some exciting news for you! 🎉
The We Were Here series now has its very own official franchise sale page full of mystery on Steam, and to celebrate, we put a lot of love into the artwork on the page and we’re offering big discounts on the series! This is the perfect time to start completing your co-op puzzle adventure collection! 🧩✨
Whether you’ve been meaning to pick up We Were Here Too, dive into We Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip, or embark on the epic journey of We Were Here Together, now’s your chance to grab them at amazing prices. Don’t miss out—this is a limited-time sale, and these deals won’t last long!
https://store.steampowered.com/sale/WWHfranchise
Already a fan? Join our growing We Were Here community on Discord, where you can connect with fellow explorers, find co-op partners, and chat directly with the devs. We love hearing your stories and seeing your creative fan art, so don’t be shy!
So what are you waiting for? Now’s the best time to start completing your collection and embark on even more adventures with friends. 🌍✨
Head over to the franchise sale page now and grab the games you’re missing before the sale ends!
Thank you for your endless support, Explorers! We can't wait to see you in the next adventure!
Happy frenniversary! 🎉
Dear Explorers,
Happy Frenniversary! 🎉
It’s been one whole year since we launched We Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip, and what an incredible year it’s been! Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit the exciting moments from the reveal of this special game.
Crafting a Secret
After the release of We Were Here Forever in 2022, our team started plotting the next chapter in the We Were Here series. With Forever being our longest and most intricate adventure, packed with puzzles, mysteries, and expansive locations, we knew we wanted to offer something a little different next. This time, we aimed for something short, sweet, and perfect for explorers who want a bite-sized co-op experience.
We Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip was born—a game designed to be fun, challenging, and most of all, an absolute blast to play with your friends, whether they’re seasoned fans of the We Were Here series or joining us for the first time.
The Big Reveal at WASD x IGN 🎮
Now, we couldn’t just launch The FriendShip like any ordinary game. No, we wanted to do something BIG—something that would surprise and delight our amazing community! So, we decided to go full stealth mode, keeping the entire game a secret until its grand reveal at WASD x IGN. And what’s better than a surprise? A free surprise! 🎁 We dropped the game for free for the first month, allowing millions of you to hop aboard and set sail on this new co-op adventure.
The response was overwhelming! Over 6 million explorers claimed The FriendShip, joining our ever-growing We Were Here family. 💖
Celebrating Friendship 🫶
At Total Mayhem Games, friendship is the heart and soul of everything we create. It’s the thread that ties all our games together, and it’s the bond we share with you, our amazing explorers. We simply couldn’t have reached this point without your endless love and support.
And guess what? There’s more on the horizon! We've got some exciting stuff coming up. So stay tuned, and always remember: “There are good ships, and wood ships, ships that sail the sea. But the best ships are friendships, and may they always be!”
Here’s to many more adventures together!
All the best, Total Mayhem Games
We Were Here at TwitchCon Rotterdam!
Dear Explorers!
It’s been a little while since we last shared news with you and we are sorry for the radio silence. The good news is, we have been busy. In the last few months, a lot of things have happened at Total Mayhem Games. In this blog we will give you some updates.
Come hang out with us at TwitchCon Rotterdam!
We're excited to announce that TMG will be at TwitchCon EU this weekend, right here in our hometown of Rotterdam! Come visit our booth to learn about the history behind the We Were Here series, play some games, and chat with us about game development. We're eager to share our stories and insider tips on Rotterdam's hidden gems.
As a special treat, you can grab some exclusive goodies, 'secret' city maps highlighting our devs' favorite spots in Rotterdam, and if luck is on your side, you might even win one of our coveted limited edition Snowglobes!
Our booth will feature a rotating cast of TMG members on both Saturday and Sunday, so make sure to swing by on both days for a chance to chat with all of us! Check out the images below to see who will be there and when.
Saturday 29th of June:
Sunday 30th of June:
Can’t make it to TwitchCon?
Don’t worry! You can tune in on all the fun on our socials. In fact, we've already posted some cool clips on X & TikTok that offer a glimpse into the history of our studio, from our humble beginnings to maybe soon an update on our future (????).
Cool down in the Arctics this Steam Summer Sale!
As summer blazes on and temperatures soar, it's also time for the Steam Summer Sale. Escape to the chilly Arctics of We Were Here with sizzling discounts on We Were Here Too, We Were Here Together, and We Were Here Forever! Rally your co-op buddy and embark on a frosty adventure to cool off!
The Festive Season is here, so it is time to cozy up on the couch and play some of your favorite games with friends and family. And because it is the season of giving, we would like to gift all the fans of our franchise a huge brand-new patch for We Were Here Forever. This patch is our heartfelt tribute to both the weathered Explorers already familiar with the puzzles and riddles of Castle Rock, and the fresh faces on the verge of escaping Castle Rock for the first time. We are committed to delivering the finest experience possible to all Explorers!
Our team at Total Mayhem Games has been working relentlessly over the past few months to create Patch 1.2. We have incorporated approximately 200 enhancements to enrich your Antarctic adventure and ensure smooth exploring. With the new patch, FPS performance improves significantly as shown in the image below.
In addition to these enhancements available to all players, we are happy to announce that We Were Here Forever now supports NVIDIA DLSS! This means that all players with a compatible NVIDIA graphics card now experience a boost of up to 50% in performance and efficiency.
Patch 1.2 just rolled out with the following changes:
Improvements
DLSS support! Turn on DLSS with an eligible NVIDIA video card and enjoy significantly enhanced performance and smoother gameplay, all while maintaining superb image quality.
Texture Streaming enabled! This allows better memory consumption with better loading times.
Reworked Sound FX! Our team has gone through the most noticeable sound effects of the game and a lot of them have been completely reworked.
The Zoom factor of the zoom button has been increased, making it a lot easier to spot something in the distance.
Major Unity Engine Upgrade
Patch 1.2 also offers optimal performance on Steam Deck!
Fixes
Explorers in the menu are now animated
Localization fixes for:
German
French
Spanish
Upgraded Environmental effects + SFX
Enhanced sound effects at several areas
Improved lighting, shading, and visuals of many different areas
Reworked the vault door scene
Reworked the entire scene of the ride to the Foundry
Reworked the finale scene of the Illusions area
Reworked the transitioning scene from the Crossroads to the Graveyard
Revised game design of The Reflections
Reworked the activation of the Astrolabe machine in the Bell Tower area
The goal of the Memento area is now enhanced and more clear
Voice chat now keeps working during the intro video
Fixed several issues where players could get stuck and could not progress
Fixed achievement bugs (e.g. Achievement for ‘The Ruins of Rockbury’)
… And much, much, much more! See Patch Notes 1.2 to get into the nitty-gritty details
If you still run into trouble while exploring, check out our support page
Join our Discord community to share stories of your adventures with other Explorers
Winter Wonder Sales
You can explore the other games in the We Were Here series as they join the Steam Winter Sale.
If you want a little extra holiday spirit while playing We Were Here, we advice you to visit the basecamp in We Were Here Together. Brings you right into the Christmas spirits.
Additionally, We Were Here Forever is also 45% off during the Winter Sale. The perfect opportunity to snatch a last-minute gift for your friends who you've been dying to play the game with. Or maybe you want to annoy them by messing up the puzzles, whatever works for you ;)
Our team at Total Mayhem Games has been working relentlessly over the past few months to elevate We Were Here Forever.
We have just released version 1.2, containing the following changes:
Improvements
DLSS support! Turn on DLSS with an eligible NVIDIA video card and enjoy significantly enhanced performance and smoother gameplay, all while maintaining superb image quality.
Reworked Sound FX! The team has done an extra pass on some of the most noticeable sound effects in the game, and a lot of them have been completely reworked.
Zoom factor of the zoom button has been increased, making it a lot easier to spot something in the distance.
Patch 1.2 has been checked for the Steamdeck for optimal performance!
Fixes
Lobby & Menu
Explorers in the menu are now animated (as originally intended)
Matchmaking - Joining a random room didn’t allow Epic & Steam players to connect
Checkpoint data/selection is not always in sync between clients
Selecting a language is now in alphabetical order
In-game menu doesn’t always scale properly
Overall
Localization fixes for:
German
French
Spanish
Cobwebs visual improved
Lighting artifact issues
Texture wrapping issue on models
Areas
Intro
Voice chat now keeps working during the intro video
Tutorial
Texture improvements
Several holes in the ceiling
Several lighting issues
The Chasm
Softlock when walking backward through the initial door
Softlock in Pin-puzzle
Timelock puzzle not clearly visible when using torch
‘Crouch slap’-issue fixed with dial lock puzzle
Holes in the ceiling, walls and around the vault door
The vault door scene reworked
Environmental effects + SFX
Cinema Machine, prerequisites are unclear
Cinema Machine, projections are too low resolution
Cinema Machine, not all wheels are spinning
Elevator audio missing
Gameplay directions when solved the Cinema Machine
Hand animation on capstan
Both capstan directions should work
No sound on cage sequence
Walkie-talkie disappears during dua hold animation
‘Duplicate key’-effect when opening door with reusable key
Unreadable icons when torch is on
Cage clipping through objects
The Vault
VFX upgrade + performance gain
Massive SFX improvement
Lighting fixes
The projector is already on, despite not being lit by torch
The steering wheel is missing sound
Goals & books are better lit
The Trials
Holes in the layout when player enters the lower section
Floor panels have no audio
After fail, lighting doesn’t always turn back on
Lights sometimes switch off again
Torch SFX plays twice for every torch on the wall
Inconsistency with door audio when progressing to next level
The Memento
The goal of the area is visually unclear / underwhelming
The Illusions
Random black overlay appearing
Non-activated platforms are too clearly visible
Reworked the finale scene
The Broken Road
Clipping objects
Texture issues with rocks
Minor SFX issues
The Pledge
Volume fix of SFX
Owl statue animation issues
Floating objects in the backroom
Multiple shadow casters impact performance
Subtitles don’t stop when interrupting automaton
The Chapel
The doors next to the organ missing
Collider issues
Changed order of completion sounds
The organ would give feedback too early
The transition from confession booth isn’t smooth
Several clipping objects
Weird glow element on the barrel (misleading)
Glowing plank on the elevator wall
The Crossroads
Transition to Graveyard reworked scene
Rope textures of cable cart
Upon first arrival, the ravens are not obvious (at end of cinematic)
Pull handle animation clips out of sync
The Graveyard
Lighting, shading and visual improvements
Treasure trail icons have been revised
Coloring improvements through out the scene
Softlock possibility, by an issue in which the pickaxe isn’t interactable when transferring
Vault door key missing animations
Lighting turns on when entering Mausoleum, but is turned off when opening the vault door
Softlock some players get stuck at Graveyard exit, when reloading checkpoint
Player can get stuck during push animation of the lever on entrance Graveyard area
Figure swap, map item is constantly shown during puzzle
Ghosts breaking graves not visible due to animation lock
Players can interact with the 5th key in the Vault door when reloading from checkpoint
Black stain texture issues with snowy rocks
Reworked (visuals + SFX) ravens in scene
Bell sound is underwhelming
The Foundry
Reworked entire scene of the ride to the Foundry
Submerged, wood clipping
Submerged, missing collider at the end, falling a bit through the floor
Submerged, Fog volume has no topside fading
Submerged, colorcoding pipes over the wall (better visibility)
Power Restored puzzle, double pipe placement issue
The Nautilus, spam spinning the wheel makes symbols unreadable
The Nautilus, cracks in the glass inconsistent and buggy
The Nautilus, volume meter barely visible (through the glass)
The Nautilus, no sound with water through the cracks
The Assembly, duplicate items
The Assembly, Flask dispenser not working
The Assembly, lighting needs improvement for visibility
Missing SFX when putting on helmet
When wearing helment, walkie-talkie light in hand is still visible
Explorer’s fingers clip through the helmet
Interact on helmet not always showing
UI issues when putting on, putting off helmet
The Ruins of Rockbury
Lighting, shading and visual improvements
Softlock during traversal through Rockbury
Transition from the crossroads has been shortened
Missing rock formations on arrival
Rope textures of cable cart
Achievement bug
The Reflections, game design revision needed
The Reflections, improving sounds during puzzle
The Reflections, player below can reach the levers upper area
Issue with sparkling particles in light beam
Icicles don’t have the right material
Player can jump over fences and get stuck
Astrolabe piece duplication and bug following
Water shader issues
Giant lens is hanging on thin ropes
360 bridge trigger issues
Culling issues moon beam
Exiting the area by boat has no audio
Beam isn’t projected correctly in various scenario’s
Duo lift locking up on double clicking
The Belltower
Missing meshes
Portal shader is sometimes broken during final scene
Astrolabe machine activation and transformation doesn’t have sound
Credits
Music credits loops when switching back to the menu
Other technical upgrades
Mayor Unity Engine upgrade, for more stability and better performance
