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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 08/10/2026

The Darkest Files is part of LudoNarraCon 2026!🧡 From October 8–15, we’re celebrating story-rich games from around the world. We’re thrilled to be part of the lineup! Missed the Autumn Sale? The Darkest Files is 40% off again during LudoNarraCon.🎮📖 Check out the other great narrative games, too!

Colorful promotional banner for LudoNarraCon, celebrating narrative games. The left side features a vibrant cartoon character skating with a small floating creature, while the right side showcases The Darkest Files with a detective character. Text reads “On Sale!”, “October 8–15”, and “New Demos, Game Sale, Panels & Livestreams.”

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 01/10/2026

🍂The Steam Autumn Sale is here! Perfect time to settle in for a cozy evening and solve some thrilling cases, right? The Darkest Files is now 40% off!🍂 Already own the base game? Wishlist our upcoming DLC, Battalion. 🔖 Happy investigating, and enjoy the sale! 🧡 #AutumnSale#SteamSale#DetectiveGame

Official Autumn-themed promotional graphic by Steam for the Steam Autumn Sale, running October 1–8 at 10 AM PT. The Darkest Files is 40% off, reduced from $19.99 to $11.99. The image features the game’s illustrated key art against a background of warm autumn foliage

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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 · 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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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

To everyone who wants to print their own The Darkest Files poster, too: here are some variations! We'd love to see some pictures of them hanging in your room 🧡

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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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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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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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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 25/07/2025

We're part of Games Forged in Germany! 🥳 Check out all these amazing games by fellow German devs 🧡 Which game are you playing next? ➡️ store.steampowered.com/sale/Games-F...

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 01/07/2025

Finally, we can reveal that we will be at Gamescom again this year! 🥳 Play The Darkest Files, chat with us devs and grab some merch at the @indiearenabooth.de - we're looking forward to meeting you 🧡

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 27/06/2025

We're part of Steam Summer Sale with our biggest discount yet! Get The Darkest Files with 20% off now 🧡 And if you want to enjoy the warm weather outside, The Darkest Files also runs on Steam Deck 🕵️‍♀️ ➡️ store.steampowered.com/app/2058730/...

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 11/06/2025

We're happy to be part of @laurakbuzz.bsky.social's Access-Ability Summer Showcase again! It's so great to see the different ways we can make games more accessible 🧡 ⏰ Get 10% off The Darkest Files on Steam now and check out the other amazing games on sale! #accessibility #indiedev #indiegame

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 06/06/2025

🏛️ Germany, 1956: The war is over, but justice remains unfinished. Former high up Nazis walk free while victims rest in unmarked graves. Uncover buried evidence, face reluctant witnesses, and pursue the truth. Do you have the courage to bring those "ordinary men" to trial? ⚖️ #PitchYaGame

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 10/05/2025

Real cases, hidden clues, witnesses! Can you find out who is lying? 🔎 Step in the shoes of prosecutor Esther Katz and bring the perpetrators to court. 10% on Steam and GOG only today! 🧡 #screenshotsaturday #indiegame #indiedev

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

If you haven‘t yet experienced The Darkest Files, it is still available on Steam with a 10% discount as part of the #LudoNarraCon Sale 🧡

ALT text:
Illustration of a fictional toy-style packaging featuring “Esther Katz – Prosecutor.” The packaging resembles an action figure set with various accessories arranged around a central female character in professional attire. Items include a cat, a laptop, a pen, a case file, a coffee cup, a diploma, a rotary phone, and a notebook. The packaging is labeled “Made in Berlin” and stamped with “100% Handmade – No AI.”

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 03/05/2025

Do you like history, true crime, and strong narratives? Then our investigation and courtroom game #TheDarkestFiles is the perfect fit for you! 🔎 10% off on Steam now! store.steampowered.com/app/2058730/... #screenshotsaturday #truecrime #indiedev #madewithunity

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 02/05/2025

The Darkest Files is currently on Sale on Steam! Thanks to @fellowtraveller.games for including us in the #LudoNarraCon Sale alongside so many awesome titles! Go check them out 🧡

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 19/04/2025

"The Darkest Files has some great workarounds to improve your experience playing through it. [...] this is definitely a title that can be tailored to suit players’ needs and abilities." Thank you, GameGrin, for this review on accessibility! 🧡 #screenshotsaturday #indiegame #accessibility

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 16/04/2025

Thank you @gamegrin.com for this piece on The Darkest File's accessibilty! 🧡 www.gamegrin.com/articles/how...

The Darkest Files has some great workarounds to improve your experience playing through it. Paintbucket Games has stated that it’s committed to creating games that are inclusive and welcoming to all, and this is definitely a title that can be tailored to suit players’ needs and abilities.

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 12/04/2025

Yes, you can play The Darkest Files on #Steamdeck Investigate history on the go or bring justice from the comfort of your couch! 🕵️‍♀️ #Screenshotsaturday #Indiegame #Indiedev

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 11/04/2025

How do people describe our game: - An office sim about investigating and prosecuting Nazi war criminals - Ace Attorney, Obra Dinn and Paper's Please had a baby - If you like Ace Attorney and history, this game is occupying just that space. -the second best thing after punching modern day Nazis!

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 11/04/2025

What a moving release party! In dark times, our solidarity is more important than ever. While egoism grows, we embody community. A privilege to work on games that stand for humanity and freedom – with like-minded people. Thank you to all who support us in this! 🧡 #Community #IndieGames

A speaker stands in front of a projected screen, addressing an attentive audience in a dimly lit room with neon lighting. The audience sits closely on the floor and benches, listening intently. A vertical banner for "The Darkest Files" with a character illustration is visible to the left.

A black T-shirt with the words "CASE FILES CLOSED 2025" in bold white and orange letters lies folded on a red couch. Next to it is a graphic art book or folder titled "The Darkest Files," featuring an illustrated female character in a trench coat standing in a dramatic, noir-style staircase scene. The scene has a bold, comic-book aesthetic with strong contrast and shadow lines.

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 10/04/2025

The @paintbucket.de team celebrated the Darkest Files‘ release tonight with friends and drinks and … cake! Thank you @downieseb.bsky.social what a fantastic surprise! 🧡

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The Darkest Files 🕵️‍♀️ @thedarkestfiles.paintbucket.de · 09/04/2025

Since today you can collect Steam trading cards featuring Nazi hunting prosecutor Fritz Bauer - or his supporting cat Marlene. Are these the coolest trading cards Steam has ever seen? You decide for yourself - but we think: yes.

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