The Hague, Netherlands – January 24, 2025 – Benign Land, the atmospheric walking simulator that redefines the boundaries of gaming and art, is now available on Steam. Created by interdisciplinary artist and game developer Leandros Ntolas and published by AFTERNATURE productions, the game offers players a short but evocative exploration of Ireland’s history, mythology, and cultural memory.

Originally conceived as an interactive art installation exhibited in Northern Ireland and curated by Household Belfast, Benign Land has been reimagined as a fully digital experience, blending surreal landscapes, symbolic storytelling, and cutting-edge Unreal Engine 5 technology. With its hallucinatory visuals and meditative gameplay, the game invites players to drift through meticulously crafted scenes that evoke the echoes of Ireland’s past, from pagan rituals to modern upheavals.

Drawing from the works of Irish literary giants like James Joyce (Finnegans Wake) and poet Seamus Heaney, as well as the surreal, sensory-rich cinematic language of Gaspar Noé (Enter the Void), Benign Land is a deeply artistic experience. It explores Ireland’s past—including paganism and the transition to Christianity, the Great Famine, and The Troubles—through abstract, otherworldly visuals, creating an emotional and symbolic journey that challenges traditional gaming conventions.

Benign Land speaks to players who crave artistic, experimental games that provoke thought and emotion, appealing to fans of Dear Esther, Gris, and other titles that blur the line between games and art.

Key Features:

Atmospheric Storytelling: First-person exploration of atmospheric scenes full of symbolism.
History and Myth Combined: A journey through moments of Ireland’s past, from pagan times to The Troubles.
Dreamlike Experience: A slow-paced, meditative journey with a surreal, hallucinatory feel.
Stunning Otherworldly Scenes: Evocative UE5-powered environments featuring real-life assets, captured on location using photogrammetry.
A Fusion of Art and Gaming: Originally a large-scale art installation, now available as a full digital experience.
Original OST: Bespoke soundtrack based on the sounds and voices of Ireland, by Belfast-based sound artist and composer John D’Arcy