Play on Words Studios
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Explore Shadow City
  • A Clockwork Noir
  • Case Files: Visual Novels
  • The Roleplaying Game
  • Tarot Deck
  • Actual Play Streams
The Studio
Wishlist Now
  • A Clockwork Noir
  • Case Files
Dev Blog
Press Kit
Play on Words Studios
Home
Explore Shadow City
  • A Clockwork Noir
  • Case Files: Visual Novels
  • The Roleplaying Game
  • Tarot Deck
  • Actual Play Streams
The Studio
Wishlist Now
  • A Clockwork Noir
  • Case Files
Dev Blog
Press Kit
More
  • Home
  • Explore Shadow City
    • A Clockwork Noir
    • Case Files: Visual Novels
    • The Roleplaying Game
    • Tarot Deck
    • Actual Play Streams
  • The Studio
  • Wishlist Now
    • A Clockwork Noir
    • Case Files
  • Dev Blog
  • Press Kit
  • Home
  • Explore Shadow City
    • A Clockwork Noir
    • Case Files: Visual Novels
    • The Roleplaying Game
    • Tarot Deck
    • Actual Play Streams
  • The Studio
  • Wishlist Now
    • A Clockwork Noir
    • Case Files
  • Dev Blog
  • Press Kit

Play On Words Studios

Who We Are

Play On Words Studios is a Malta-based indie game studio creating original narrative-driven experiences across video games, tabletop RPGs, and transmedia storytelling formats. 

 

Quick Facts


  • Studio Name: Play On Words Studios
     
  • Founded: 2023
     
  • Location: Malta
     
  • Focus: Narrative adventure games, visual novels, TTRPGs, transmedia
     
  • Key Titles: Shadow City Mysteries: A Clockwork Noir, Case Files, The Roleplaying Game
     
  • Founder: Christopher Mifsud
     
  • Press Contact: info@playonwordsstudios.com


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Shadow City Mysteries: A Clockwork NoirShadow City Mysteries: Case Files - Rise of the Rat King

Shadow City Mysteries: The Roleplaying Game

Fact Sheet

 

  • Developer: Play On Words Studios
  • Release Date: Q4 2025
  • Price: PDF €30, Basic Edition €60, Deluxe Edition €100, Tarot Deck €40, GM Screen €20
  • Availability: PDF and Physical Book
  • Languages: English,  TBD
  • Press Contact: info@playonwordsstudios.com
  • Pre-Order: https://shadow-city-mysteries-tabletop-roleplaying-game.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders

Description

Shadow City Mysteries: The Roleplaying Game is a tabletop RPG that invites players into the shadows of a city shaped by secrets, factions, and supernatural forces. Built on a 5E-compatible system, the game empowers you to investigate mysteries, navigate moral gray areas, and explore the layered intrigues of Shadow City. Choose your background, align with factions, and build your own story within this richly imagined world.


Available in print and digital formats in Q4 2025, Shadow City Mysteries: The Roleplaying Game offers a narrative-driven alternative to traditional fantasy RPGs. With original mechanics for investigation, influence, and character progression, it brings cinematic storytelling to the tabletop. Enhance your sessions with a Shadow City Tarot Deck, a custom Gamemaster Screen, and a noir-themed Dice Set. You can also experience the world firsthand in our live Actual Play series, where players unravel conspiracies and clash with factions in real time. Planned expansions and transmedia tie-ins ensure the world continues to grow beyond your campaign.

Shadow City Mysteries: Case Files - Rise of the Rat King

Fact Sheet

 

  • Developer: Play On Words Studios
  • Release Date: 2025
  • Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S, Playstation 5, iOS, Android
  • Price: TBD
  • Availability: Digital Download
  • Languages: English,  TBD
  • ESRB: TBD
  • Press Contact: info@playonwordsstudios.com
  • Steam Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3496430/Shadow_City_Mysteries_Case_Files__Rise_of_the_Rat_King/

Description

Shadow City Mysteries: Case Files is a Visual Novel series where players immerse themselves in the lives of Shadow City's most influential citizens. In Case Files, starting with "Rise of the Rat King", you'll experience multiple narratives to uncover a world deeper than you ever imagined. As you make choices and interact with characters, your decisions will carry over to Shadow City Mysteries: A Clockwork Noir, influencing the larger story.


Available on PC. Consoles and Mobile, Shadow City Mysteries: Case Files brings a fun, exciting, and original twist to the visual novel genre. With a rich array of influential figures to explore, immersive storytelling, and impactful choices, it adds to an already compelling new IP for fans of the genre. New stories, new characters, and cross-game continuity add to the potential for future expansion and transmedia beyond the initial release.

Shadow City Mysteries: A Clockwork Noir Press Kit

Fact Sheet

 

  • Developer: Play On Words Studios
  • Release Date: 2026
  • Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S, Playstation 5
  • Price: TBD
  • Availability: Digital Download
  • Languages: English,  TBD
  • ESRB: TBD
  • Press Contact: info@playonwordsstudios.com
  • Steam Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2821240/Shadow_City_Mysteries_A_Clockwork_Noir/

Description

Shadow City Mysteries: A Clockwork Noir is a Narrative Adventure game in which players take on the role of a down-on-their-luck private detective, Nyla Nightingale, investigating a Mystery. Or is it a Conspiracy? Or is it a Supernatural Thriller? In Shadow City Mysteries, players experience the story multiple times to discover a story and world bigger than they suspected existed. As the player investigates scenes and talks to witnesses, they unlock new abilities allowing them to learn more each playthrough.


Shadow City Mysteries: A Clockwork Noir brings a fun, exciting, and original twist to the narrative adventure genre. With a variety of locations to investigate, mysteries to solve, and characters to question, Shadow City Mysteries creates a great new IP for fans of the genre. New mysteries, new stories, and new platforms add to the potential for future expansion and transmedia beyond the initial release. 

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