iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 09/09/2026

Well. Sometimes “we should totally do this” is the sentence that starts the biggest production nightmare. May not have been our best idea… but hey, the letters sure look great, right? For our NEW DLC, we’ll definitely have to come up with a better plan.😅 #TheDarkestFiles#Battalion#IndieGame#DLC

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 12/08/2026

Part one of Real Trials You Probably Never Heard About: The Nuremberg Doctor’s Trial. In this series, we tell you about the true crimes that only made it into the archive of our detective game, where you investigate cold cases as a prosecutor. #truecrime #indiegame

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 22/07/2026

The Darkest Files received an award at the @gamesforchange.bsky.social Festival in the category “Best in Learning” and we couldn’t be prouder! 🥳 This means the world to us. Thank you so much to the Games for Change jury and everyone who has supported us along the way! 🧡 #G4C2026 #GamesForChange

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GamesMarket @gamesmarket.global · 22/07/2026

In New York, the highly acclaimed awards were also presented as part of the Games for Change (G4C) festival, with one award going to the German studio @paintbucket.de. Most of the awards went to Hexecutable, but the main category was won by Compulsion Games. www.gamesmarket.global/paintbucket-...

gamesmarket.global

Paintbucket Wins Best in Learning at G4C Awards, Compulsion the GotY Category

In New York, the highly acclaimed awards were also presented as part of the Games for Change (G4C) festival, with one award going to the German studio Paintbucket Games. Most of the awards went to Hex...

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 20/07/2026

We're excited to announce a NEW DLC! The Darkest Files - Battalion. Once again, you get to solve a brand new and long-awaited case with Esther Katz. This time, though, it won't be so easy... She'll need all the help she can get! 🕵️‍♀️ #IndieGame #DetectiveGame #TrueCrime

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 25/06/2026

Need a companion for your summer vacation? We're joining the Steam Summer Sale once again this year! 🌞 After this sale, we're gearing up to announce some big news 🕵️‍♀️ We can't share any details just yet, but we're already excited to tell you more very soon. #indiedev #detectivegame #SteamSummerSale

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 12/06/2026

We want our games to be inclusive and welcoming to all players, which is why we’ve implemented several accessibility features into our indie game, The Darkest Files. Are we missing an important feature? Let us know! 🧡 #indiedev #indiegame #accessibility

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 11/06/2026

We're honored that The Darkest Files is nominated for Best in Community Empowerment & Best in Learning at #G4C2026! 🥳 We designed our game to make history tangible through personal stories and to support remembrance. Congrats to all the finalists! 🧡 #GamesForChange #IndieGameDev #G4CAwards

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 22/05/2026

Did you know our beloved office cat started as a tiny background detail? Now, she’s a community favorite you can actually pet in-game! 🧡 Drop a 😻 in the comments if you pet her every day, like me! #IndieGame #TheDarkestFiles

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Paintbucket made The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @paintbucket.de · 20/05/2026

We're excited to announce our new game SOKO 1977: Anti-Terror Task Force, coming to Steam in early 2027! 🕵️ Set in 1970s West Germany, the game puts you in charge of a special police task force during a time of emergency. ➡️ More info on our website: paintbucket.de/en/projekte/...

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 09/05/2026

We‘re in Stuttgart this weekend 🧡 📍 Find us in the Gamezone in the Staatsgalerie - entry is free! #ITFS #Stuttgart #indiegame

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 08/05/2026

Today marks the anniversary of the liberation from National Socialism. We spoke at @derdcp.bsky.social about Fritz Bauer – forced to flee Germany, and later returning to fight for justice through the rule of law. His legacy reminds us that democracy is fragile and that remembrance matters.

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Fritz Bauer Institut @fritzbauerinstitut.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

🏆 Bestes Serious Game 🏆 Bestes Deutsches Spiel Mit 'The Darkest Files' gewinnt erstmals ein Serious Game den Preis für bestes deutsches Computerspiel des #derDCP 👉 paintbucket.de/projekte/the... @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de @paintbucket.de #erinnerungskultur #seriousgame #digitallearning

paintbucket.de

The Darkest Files - Paintbucket Games

Als Staatsanwältin ermittelst du in realen NS-Verbrechen der Nachkriegszeit. Mehrfach ausgezeichnetes Ermittlungsspiel – jetzt für PC Mac & Switch.

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 04/05/2026

We’re still as blown away as before: The Darkest Files really won the DCP in the categories "Best Serious Game" and "Best German Game"!! 🥳 We‘re so grateful and congratulate the other nominees and winners. Thanks to everyone who kept their fingers crossed for us 🧡 Photo: Franziska Krug & DCP

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Pascal Wagner @indieflock.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

For the first time ever, the Best Serious Game is also the Best German Game. History made at @derdcp.bsky.social. Congrats @freejsf.paintbucket.de and @paintbucket.de ❤

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 29/04/2026

Join us on Discord for a watch together of the @derdcp.bsky.social awards show! 🧡 Cheer us on, get some fun facts and hopefully celebrate with us devs 🥳 📅 When? TODAY 7:30 pm CET 📍 Where? 👉 discord.gg/the-darkest-...

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 03/04/2026

500 reviews!! You did it, thank you everyone 🧡 The Darkest Files is overwhelmingly positive on Steam - we can‘t believe it 🥹 #indiedev #indiegames

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 31/03/2026

Did you know Fritz Bauer did not only bring Nazi crimes to trial but also fought against restrictive sexual criminal laws and for sexual self-determination? If Bauer were alive today, he would certainly be fighting for the rights of transgender people! Happy Trans Day of Visibility to you all! 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️

a drawing of an older man wearing glasses, leaning on a desk, smoking a cigarette

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 31/03/2026

We woke up to some incredible news today! The Darkest Files has been nominated for the @derdcp.bsky.social in no less than five categories! 🥳 Thank you to the jury and congratulations to the other nominees. We're really grateful to be alongside so many great names 🧡 See you in Munich! #derDCP

Key art of The Darkest Files with the text: "We are nominated! Best Serious Game, Best Game Design, Best Graphic Design, Best Story, Best German Game"

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 30/03/2026

The Darkest Files is OUT NOW on #NintendoSwitch! 🕵️ Get your detective hat ready: our historical investigation game about Fritz Bauer's quest for justice in 50s Germany is finally available. Do you have the courage to bring these "ordinary men" to court? 👉 Buy now: www.nintendo.com/de-de/Spiele...

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Paintbucket made The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @paintbucket.de · 26/03/2026

Spielung zu The Darkest Files: 🗓️ Fr, 27.03.2026 ⏰ 18:00–20:00 Uhr 📍 Berliner Landeszentrale für politische Bildung 🎟️ Eintritt frei Live Diskussion über die Ursprünge des heutigen Rechtsextremismus und das Vermittlungspotential von Games. 👉 Hier anmelden: www.berlin.de/politische-b...

berlin.de

Online-Anmeldung für Veranstaltungen der Berliner Landeszentrale für politische Bildung - Berlin.de

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 25/03/2026

Die @omasgr.bsky.social haben The Darkest Files gespielt und wir durften sie dabei filmen! Lust auf ein entschleunigtes Let’s Play mit persönlichen Anekdoten und herzlichem Commentary? Hier geht's zum YouTube-Video! www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPty... #OmasGegenRechts

youtube.com

Omas Gegen Rechts spielen The Darkest Files!

YouTube video by Paintbucket Games

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 23/03/2026

❗GET READY, DETECTIVES🕵️‍♀️ We’re excited to finally let the cat out of the bag 😻 Happy to announce that you’ll be able to play The Darkest Files on the #NintendoSwitch on March 30! Finally, you can take Esther Katz’s real cases with you wherever you go. Mark your calendars!

Keyart of The Darkest Files, featuring a Nintendo Switch and the text "30.3. out on the Nintendo Switch."

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 23/03/2026

is there a better start in the week than waking up to a review like this? Thank you so much! 🧡

Stem review text - thumbs up recommended - 31.8 hours played the last two weeks

If I had to describe this game, it would be as follows: Absolutely amazing, wonderful, astonishing, incredible, marvelous, stunning, awesome, sublime, extraordinary, staggering, impressive, remarkable, stupendous, fabulous, wondrous, spectacular, astounding, prodigious, fascinating, outstanding, phenomenal, enchanting, sensational and also unbelievably, incomprehensibly, unimaginably, inconceivably, unthinkably, strikingly, notably, singularly, smashingly, mind-blowingly good.

Seriously I cannot overstate how well crafted and detailed this game is, which is made ever the more important by it's subject matter. The care and passion shows through at every corner of this piece of art, and I think it is truly commendable that the game devs would release this game in our current state of affairs, mirroring the bravery shown by those who inspire this project.

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Cyrus Nemati @ahoymehearties.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

If you believe in liberal democracy and the rule of law, this game might bolster your belief. 🫂

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 20/03/2026

We're part of the Steam Spring Sale with 35% off The Darkest Files! And if you'd like to take it outside, the game runs on the Steam Deck as well 🌞

Graphic of the Steam Spring Sale featuring the cover image of The Darkest Files

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 12/03/2026

Something curious is happening on Steam… From March 11–18, we’re part of the Curious Odyssey Sales Event! With 30% off. If you'd like to take a break and lose yourself in great stories, then check out the great titles featured in the Curious Odyssey Sale ✨ ➡️ store.steampowered.com/curator/4589...

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 13/02/2026

An initiative of German judges invokes Bauer's legacy and calls for all means of the constitutional state to be used to stop the new fascism that is on the rise. The Darkest Files is more timely than ever.

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 12/01/2026

Surprise! Just in time for the Steam Detective Fest, we’ve released a brand-new demo for The Darkest Files 🥳 Also, the full game is currently 30% off! If you love detective games and mystery-solving, be sure to check out the many other awesome titles featured in the Steam Detective Fest as well 🔍

Investigation board style graphic with the title "Steam Detective Fest: January 12th to 19th at 10 am PT.", featuring cover art of The Darkest Files.

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 23/12/2025

What a year! We still can’t believe everything that happened in 2025 — we released The Darkest Files, won multiple awards, and saw our game being used in schools. We’re excited for what’s to come, and thank you for your support 🧡 Steam Winter Sale is still on until the 31st of Dec! 🔍

A drawing of the The Darkest Files characters with Christmas hats and "Merry Christmas".

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Paintbucket made The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @paintbucket.de · 08/12/2025

📢 Workshop in Erfurt today at 17:30! Educators explore how games can support remembrance. With Paintbucket Games and titles like Through the Darkest of Times and The Darkest Files, it will be discussed how games enable meaningful memory work and where the medium reaches its limits.

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Paintbucket made The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @paintbucket.de · 03/12/2025

We still can’t believe it! Last night was the #DEP, and we are so happy and grateful to have won in the two categories “Best Game Design” and “Best Game Beyond Entertainment” 🥳 Especially because the other contenders had such amazing projects! Thank you to everyone involved with the award show🎄

Picture of the Paintbucket Games team on stage, holding the awards for Best Game Design and Best Game Beyond Entertainment

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Paintbucket made The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @paintbucket.de · 01/12/2025

Join us to watch the DEP Awards together! Get some behind-the-scenes fun facts from the devs, cheer us on, and hopefully celebrate with us 🥳 When: 2nd December 8pm til 10pm CET Where: The Darkest Files Discord server: discord.com/invite/U5zXu... 🧡 See you there!

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 29/11/2025

Not all heroes wear capes, some wear lawyer‘s robes and briefcases 👩🏼‍⚖️ The Darkest Files is part of the #BeAHero Steam event and 25% on sale until the 9th of December! 📢 That‘s our biggest discount yet. View the event here: store.steampowered.com/sale/Be-a-he...

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 28/11/2025

Looks so great! Esther next to Marlene's kitty friend 🥰

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Legal Tribune Online, LTO @lto-de.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

Tipp aus der Redaktion: Das Computerspiel "The Darkest Files" versetzt den Spieler zurück in die bedrohlich-beklemmende Zeit nach Kriegsende. Wen es interessiert, findet hier unsere Rezension:

lto.de

'The Darkest Files': Auf Nazi-Jagd mit Fritz Bauer

1956, Frankfurt: In The Darkest Files schließt man sich als junge Staatsanwältin dem Team von Fritz Bauer an, um NS-Unrecht zu sühnen.

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 22/10/2025

We're on a roll! Our game is nominated for the German children's and youth software award #TOMMI 🥳 We feel honored by the jury's words: "The Darkest Files is a bold and impressive game that brings history to life and promotes remembrance culture in a unique way." - Thank you so much!

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 21/10/2025

We're thrilled to announce that we have been nominated for #DEP in not one, but four categories! Best Gamedesign Best Game Beyond Entertainment Best Story Best Graphics Thank you to the jury and congratulations to the other amazing nominees - we are looking forward to the award show 🧡

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Indie X - For Indies by Indies @indiexpt.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

The nominees for Indie X 2025 Best Art Direction are: Unboxing Mr Coo by Nacho Rodríguez Rebounder by @thirtythreegames.bsky.social The Darkest Files by @darkestfiles.paintbucket.de MONOWAVE by @studiobbb.bsky.social Vale's Echo by @valesecho.bsky.social

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 30/09/2025

Hey there, The Darkest Files is an escapist, power fantasy in which you can bring fascists to court and send them to jail. It tells a tale from the rule of law age, which your grandparents might still remember. It is also 20% off right now on Steam — so get yourself a copy now!

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Paintbucket made The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @paintbucket.de · 05/09/2025

Our friend just launched his wonderful historical pixel art adventure Casebook 1899: The Leipzig Murders. If you are into historical crime solving - and something tells me us that you are 🕵️ - go and get it now! 🔥

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 20/08/2025

We won! 🥳 Thank you so much for recognizing our efforts to make The Darkest Files accessible to more players. We believe everyone should get the chance to play the games they want and we are grateful for all the feedback we got along the way 🧡 #GamingOhneGrenzen

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Nick Calandra @nickjcal.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Was super cool seeing our trailer for @darkestfiles.paintbucket.de up during the Gamescom showcase! Great moment and recognition for @paintbucket.de!

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 19/08/2025

We‘re so proud to share that we were part of this special Gamescom moment: Opening Night Live! Thank you for including us and other games that are more than entertainment and that have the potential to inspire change.

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 15/08/2025

If you are reading this, thank you! We want to invite you to a cozy community meetup. 🧡 Join us at our booth on Thursday at 2 pm and grab some special merch - we’re excited to meet you! 📍 Hall 10.2: Play games about past and current politics, democracy, its challenges, and its importance

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Fritz Bauer Institut @fritzbauerinstitut.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

#OTD Am 1. August 1944 erhob sich die polnische Heimatarmee in #Warschau – inmitten des von Nazi-Deutschland besetzten Polens – zu einem verzweifelten #Aufstand. Rund 200.000 Menschen starben – vor allem durch systematische Massenmorde an Zivilisten durch die deutschen Besatzer. #NieWieder

Denkmal zum Warschauer Aufstand in Warschau, Polen. Die monumentale Bronzeplastik zeigt polnische Widerstandskämpfer der Heimatarmee in dramatischer Pose beim Verlassen einer zerstörten Mauer und beim Hinabsteigen in die Kanalisation – ein Hinweis auf ihre Fluchtwege während des Aufstands 1944. Das Denkmal steht auf einem offenen Platz vor dem Museum des Warschauer Aufstands. (Bild: Wikimedia Commons)

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