The Wolf is up to some shady shenanigans! Check out the playtest details below~
Oct. 8, 2026 – Grandma is out of the picture, but her criminal business is very much alive. Today Publisher WATT Studio and Developer Hoolignome have released a new trailer providing a first look at the gameplay and story of its noir crime management strategy game When Wolf Fades.
Additionally, applications for the playtest are open on the game’s Steam page. Playtest participants will be among the first to try When Wolf Fades and share their feedback with the developers.
In When Wolf Fades players become the Big Bad Wolf as he secretly takes over the deceased Grandma’s crime empire to keep her gang of Red Caps in line without tipping off his own gang. Players will need to carefully keep both gangs under control without blowing their cover.
Dark City has its own rules: break them, and you’ll pay with your own skin. Grandma’s underlings believe Big Bad Wolf is their new boss, while his town pack still sees him as their rightful leader. The problem is, he can’t fool everyone forever. His disguise is starting to crack, and dangerous crime bosses are already waiting for a chance to exploit any weakness.
For the next 30 days, until the full moon, Big Bad Wolf will have to keep his ears open, make shady deals, and make sure no one smells a rat. And while he’s at it, he’ll have to find out who wanted Grandma out of the way – and why. Taking her place was easier than figuring out why someone wanted her gone in the first place.
When Wolf Fades is a story where fairy tales are long gone and their characters have found much more profitable ways to make a living. Gnomes do the dirty work, the Mermaid runs contraband through the port, the Tooth Fairy owns the city’s nightclubs, and Morozko knows how to keep a body fresh. Especially when that body knew too much.
Wolf will have to navigate Dark City’s crime bosses, pull off shady deals, and play on everyone’s greed.
“We want every day in the game to feel like a new episode of your favorite crime series – packed with events and unexpected twists.
In the upcoming playtest, players will be able to discover the beginning of Wolf’s story and experience the atmosphere of Dark City. And there’s more to come: new mechanics and eccentric characters are on the way, and we still have plenty of ideas to bring to life.” – Hoolignomes.
Add When Wolf Fades to your wishlist on Steam.
And if anyone asks — Grandma is right where she belongs.
Key Features
- Grandma with a wolfish streak. You’re an impostor at the top of a criminal empire. Manage, manipulate, and don’t blow your cover.
- The full moon is your deadline. Every day brings a new threat, deal, and consequence. Time is running out, suspicion is growing, and your disguise is starting to crack.
- Two gangs. One secret. Keep control over two rival gangs that have no idea they’re answering to the same impostor.
- Fairy-tale characters, very un-fairy-tale appetites. Deal with Dark City’s kingpins, figure out how to play each of them, and turn their interests against one another. Here, weakness is an invitation to push harder.
- Mistakes come at a price. Trust the wrong person — you’ll regret it. Cross the wrong one – you’ll pay for it. Every decision brings Big Bad Wolf closer to the full moon – or to failure.
About the Developer
About HolliGnomes
HooliGnomes is a development studio that formed in 2021 by a team of industry veterans with the goal to bring quality games to as many players as possible, no matter what. The studio has built its creative identity around its gnome mascots. Rather than creating direct sequels or one continuous universe, HooliGnomes develops different games in different genres, with the gnomes appearing in changing roles each time. The team previous title deck-building roguelite the Union of Gnomes which launch on Steam in 2025 and was very positivity received. To learn more about HooliGnomes please visit wolf.hoolignomes.com
We make small, high-quality games with juicy graphics. Crafting worlds full of dwarves, wolves, and harsh reality.
Follow the project on social media and visit the studio website:
