Alien Archeologist Digs Into Steam on October 12
Developer Black Lantern Collective announced on July 22 that its excavation simulation Alien Archeologist will launch on Steam on October 12, 2026. The game is set on Mars in the far future, where players dig through the planet's crust with a shovel and TNT to extract ores and ancient artifacts. Ores can be sold at a machine called the Grinder to fund tool upgrades and new equipment. Artifacts are brought to a cleaning station where players remove dust and rock with specialized tools and polish them to a restored state. As players dig deeper, buried secrets such as bones of past workers and ancient solar panels are gradually revealed. A small vacuum cleaner robot named GOOBER accompanies the player, handling chores like searching for spare materials and crafting extra TNT. GOOBER's appearance can be customized with accessories including bow ties, mustaches, and top hats. A gameplay trailer has also been released. The price has not yet been announced.