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Press release:
The Erie-based (Pennsylvania, the US) indie games publisher Whitethorn Games and the UK-based indie games developer TNgineers, are today very happy and excited to announce that they have just released the 4.0 (“A Hive of industry“) update for their beekeeping sim game “APICO” (the said update is available right now for PC via Steam and the Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo Eshop).

Update “4.0: A Hive of Industry” introduces a new automation system, new seasonal events, new craftable materials, and, best of all, pets! At the same time, Update 3.0: What Lies Beeneath is also available to play on Nintendo Switch. Dive deep into the oceans of the APICO archipelago to discover new underwater bees, or return to the surface to check out new craftable items, a new fishing mini-game, and much more!

Some of the new features available in APICO in Update 4.0: A Hive of Industry include:

Automation Machines: Craft the Auto-sawmill, Auto-centrifuge, and Auto-squeezer, along with eight new automation machines — Hoppers, Shredders, Loggers, Pickers, Sprinklers, Condensers, Ploppers, and Shippers — on your new Crystal Workbench, which can be purchased from Bobbee, to bring your thriving industry to new heights.

New Resource — Honeycore Crystals: Use the newly-added resonance meter and engage in its new mini-game to seek out different sounds throughout the various environments that will help you locate six different types of crystals. Melt them down in the forge and craft new crystal items, including Crystal chests, the Crystal axe, hammer, shovel, and more.

Pets: Choose from 16 different adorable little companions to accompany you on your expeditions, including your very own tiny dinosaur!

New Seasonal Events: Celebrate Hivemas, active during the month of December, and Hallowbeen, active during the month of October, in the world of APICO with the NPCs! Each event brings new decor, new paints, and secret easter egg items for you to enjoy. There’s no need to bee patient waiting for each event, as you’ll be able to toggle each event in the settings menu!

…and so much more: TNgineers have added ten new quests, new decor, paints, new environmental events, and of course, new bees and pollinators! There’s also a new 100% completion surprise that the most dedicated beekeepers can uncover through the Hive Mother’s door.

Even more bee-guiling features await you in Update 4.0: A Hive of Industry, so check out full details here: https://wiki.apico.buzz/wiki/Patch_Notes#4.0.0.

In celebration of the final update to come to APICO, aspiring apiarists can pick up the game on Steam at a 60% discount as part of APICO’s Birthday Bundle. The bundle includes the base game with updates 2.0 through 4.0, as well as four bee-autiful OSTs — how sweet is that?!

About APICO
APICO combines resource gathering, biology, and minigames with ideas from both real-life and fantasy beekeeping and gardening, as it teaches players about the ins and outs of maintaining a healthy hive and the importance of our irreplaceable pollinating pals. The islands of APICO were once abuzz with different species of bees, and it’s up to players to rediscover lost species, cross-breed new ones, and repopulate each unique bee-ome. Progressing further into the game may also uncover some forgotten secrets.

As well, a portion of the games’ profits goes toward bee conservation. Full details about these efforts can be found here: https://tngineers.com/charity.

Features of APICO include:

Play together with up to four in online co-op, with cross-play available on all platforms!
Unique crafting and beekeeping minigames that drive gameplay progression.
Cross-breed different bees and other pollinators, including butterflies, moths, and solitary bees, to discover over 30 new species.
Grow flowers — each with their own special effect on the environment — to keep your pollinators happy!
Make and sell honey, Apicola, incense, candles, and other beekeeping products.
Repopulate lost species and release them back into the wild.
Multiple biomes to explore, each with its own unique pollinator species.
A chill soundtrack by Mothense creates a relaxing atmosphere.
Uncover the forgotten secrets of the APICO Islands.

APICO is currently available on PC via Steam, Epic Game Store, Humble Games, itch.io, Utomik, PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One and Series S|X for $19.99 USD.

APICO Update 4.0: A Hive of Industry is available for free on PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, Humble Games, itch.io, and Utomik. Update 3.0: What Lies Beeneath and Update 4.0: A Hive of Industry is also available for free on Nintendo Switch.

APICO Bee-parture OST is now available on Steam and your favorite music platform.

Follow APICO on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Discord for more updates.

Keep up to date with Whitethorn Games on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch; join the official Whitethorn Games Discord and visit https://whitethorngames.com.

About TNgineers
TNgineers was formed in 2020 when brothers Ell and Jamie decided to develop their own projects based on their love of casual and crafting games. Their goal is to design games that are relaxing, intriguing, and semi-educational. Ell builds nice things, and Jamie makes sure he breaks them. Learn more about TNgineers and their first game APICO, by visiting https://apico.buzz.

About Whitethorn Games
We’re an indie game publisher focusing on pleasant, easy-going games that can be played in pieces, that require no special skills or knowledge and that anyone can pick up and play. We’re believers in accessibility, inclusion, and widening the audience that gets to play. We like to consider ourselves the defenders of easy games. While our games might challenge you, they’ll respect your time, they’ll make sure you can play, and most importantly, they’ll never punish you. Learn more at whitethorngames.com.