LOS ANGELES — August 3, 2026 — BUCK Games today scales up its portfolio with the grand reveal of Ladder Lad, the 2D platformer all about ladders, climbing onto PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch in 2027. Get hands-on with the first playable demo at the PAX Rising Showcase at PAX West!
The game is a collaboration between BUCK Games and BUCK, a global creative company serving brands like Nike, Apple, Netflix, IBM, Airbnb, as well as contributing to the likes of Netflix’s Love, Death + Robots and Sony Pictures Animation’s Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse. But do these globally recognized pop culture I.P.s heavily feature ladders? Sadly, no. That’s why for their next original title, BUCK Games chose to focus entirely on ladders.
In a world that has forgotten how to jump, ladders have become the only means of upward mobility. As the titular Lad, scale a whimsical ladder-shaped tower with nothing more than a personal ladder and a healthy serving of creative climbing.
In the Lad’s capable hands, a ladder can do so much more: bridge gaps, pole-vault into the air, bounce on it like a pogo stick, ride it like a sled… if it comes to mind, it’s worth a try! In this vertical adventure, platforming staples transform into new surprises ripe for experimentation.
Physics-based chaos and slapstick comedy collide in a world seemingly built to torture our poor, sweet Lad. Master the ladder’s intuitive tilting control scheme to triumph over each trial. Precariously balance at the top to suck in the sweet, sweet oxygen above toxic plumes. Dodge a variety of deadly projectiles by ascending (or descending) at juuuust the right moment.
Beyond the many, many applications of the basic ladder, dream even bigger with augments found along the journey. Soar above it all with an inflatable hot air balloon attachment, tunnel through danger with a non-Euclidean Warped Ladder, or fuel up the BFL (Big Flying Ladder, of course!) and hit the afterburners.
On the way to the top of this strange world, meet even stranger characters. Larger-than-life Rungmasters lead the Lad through each uniquely themed rung. Encounter sentient ooze and an ancient, poetry-reciting eldritch frog. Climb to an eclectic, delightful score and sound design courtesy of the award-winning Antfood, marking their third collaboration with BUCK Games.
“Ladder Lad’s mix of absurdist comedy with precision ladder-based platforming makes for a truly one-of-a-kind experience,” said Marla Anyomi, Production Director for BUCK Games. “The Lad is equally lovable, staring out from behind the rungs, ready to confront the trials and tribulations above him.”
Ladder Lad ascends to new heights when it launches on PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch in 2027. For further information, check out more about BUCK Games and Ladder Lad here!
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About BUCK Games
BUCK Games brings together the creative spirit of an indie developer with the resources, discipline, and talent of design-driven global creative company BUCK. These industry veterans have ample expertise in both AAA and indie-game development and work alongside BUCK’s world-class artists and designers. BUCK Games' first original release was 2023’s Let’s! Revolution!, a whimsical roguelite riffing on Minesweeper mechanics. Next came a trans-media collaboration with Netflix and AGBO: Electric State: Kid Cosmo, an adventure puzzler blending gameplay with emotional storytelling to create an immersive mobile experience.
Visit www.buckgames.co to learn more, follow on Instagram, BlueSky, TikTok, and join the community on Discord.
About BUCK
BUCK is a design-driven, global creative company with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Sydney, Amsterdam, Vancouver, and London. Founded in 2004, BUCK has built a reputation for outstanding craftsmanship and innovation through collaboration with a wide range of clients across the cultural and technology spheres, including Nike, Apple, Netflix, IBM, Airbnb, and Google. Recognized as an industry leader, BUCK’s trophy case includes two Emmys, multiple gold Cannes Lions, Clios, pencils, cubes, and over 200 other awards from the most prestigious competitions in the world.
BUCK is in Residence, a global network of independent creative companies.
Media Contacts
Jared Lugo
Stride PR for BUCK Games