Imprint Press Release

Executive Summary

Dog Water Studios is proud to announce the upcoming launch of Imprint, a vaporwave narrative puzzle adventure coming to Steam in November 2025. Created by a team whose members worked on Sixth Extinction (2011–2015, a modern RTS) and 6 Seasons and a Game (released 2021, a multiplayer arena shooter with over 150,000 copies redeemed on Steam), Imprint combines emotional storytelling with inventive puzzles inspired by real-world computing concepts.

• Genre: Narrative Puzzle Adventure
• Platforms: Windows, Linux (console plans pending initial reception)
• Release: November 2025 on Steam, Epic and Company Website
• Engine: Unreal Engine 5.5.1

Company Background

Dog Water Studios was founded in 2022 by Jeremy Matsumoto, a U.S. Army veteran who spent years living in a converted transit bus to save up enough to make this game. Passionate about storytelling, games, science, and Carl Sagan, Jeremy remains the only full-time employee. In addition to Imprint, he has served as a Asset Creator on titles such as Sixth Extinction (a modern RTS in production 2011–2015) and progressed to the project manager for6 Seasons and a Game (a multiplayer arena shooter released in 2021 that has over 150,000 copies in players’ hands on Steam).

Our remote team spans Oregon, Arkansas, Washington, D.C., Denver, Los Angeles, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. We specialize in narrative-driven games with retro-modern aesthetics. By combining atmospheric design, thoughtful puzzles, and evocative music, we aim to create experiences that linger long after the credits roll. We call this 'oatmeal media' because it sticks with you.

Game Overview: Imprint

In Imprint, players become Chloe Ersatzman who, after a brain scan goes awry, is cast into her father’s corrupted decaying computer. As Chloe explores glitching environments, she uncovers buried memories of her grandparent’s internment, her mother Misaki’s hidden grief, and her father James’s obsessive work. Along the way, she solves puzzles that mirror real computing concepts (hexadecimal, binary, logic gates)and pieces together her family's past.

The vaporwave art style features neon pinks, cyans, and golds set against dark, glitching backdrops. Subtle CRT scanlines and a synth-driven score by Kieren Lawrence reinforce a retro-modern atmosphere. Players will spend a few short hours unraveling layered environments making choices that determines Chloe’s, and her family’s, digital fate.

Development History

Imprint’s development kicked off in early 2022 when Jeremy assembled a team of collaborators from previous projects:

• Carmela Rourke (Lead Writer & Artist) began crafting Chloe’s storyline in April 2022.
• Connor McClosky & Evil Pear Productions joined in June 2024 to design core gameplay loops and puzzle mechanics.
• Connor Inglis came on board in August 2024 as Lead Level Designer & UI Engineer, prototyping levels in Unreal Engine.
• Kieren Lawrence contributed music and textures starting October 2021, setting the tone with his synthwave compositions.
• Julia Kendl began community outreach and early testing in January 2024, building a feedback-driven development cycle.

Internal playtests and closed alpha sessions throughout 2024 helped refine puzzles, story beats, and user interface. Final polishing, localization efforts, and certification checkpoints are underway in mid-2025 ahead of a November launch.

Team & Key Contributors

• Jeremy Matsumoto – Founder & Project Manager
• Carmela Rourke – Lead Writer & Artist
• Connor McClosky & Evil Pear Productions – Narrative & Gameplay Design
• Connor Inglis – Lead Level Designer & UI Engineer
• Kieren Lawrence – Composer & Texture Artist
• Julia Kendl – Social Media Manager
• Jarne Aerts – Community Manager
• Jason Sincrope – Puzzle Designer
• Sam Turner – Audio Engineer
• Ben Pavlovits – Programmer
• QA Team – Daniel Polanowicz, Robert Hume, Jeffery Ahle, and numerous others
• Consulting Acknowledgments:
  • James Earl Cox III – Forbes 30 Under 30 game designer known for creating 100 games in five years
  • Jon Lomberg – Longtime collaborator of Carl Sagan and designer of the Golden Record illustration
  • Ann Druyan – Emmy-winning writer/producer who co-wrote the Golden Record with Carl Sagan
  • Timothy Ferris – Science writer who authored the Golden Record’s script
  • David Pescovitz – Co-editor of Boing Boing and co-founder of Institute for the Future

Chloe Mei-Li Bundt – Voice of Chloe

Sam Witwer – Voice of James

Erika Ishii – Voice of Misaki

Influences & Inspiration

Imprint is deeply influenced by Carl Sagan’s Golden Record project. Just as that record carried the story of humanity into the cosmos, Imprint examines how memories and stories persist within digital realms. By weaving these themes into the narrative, Imprint invites players to reflect on personal legacy and the nature of existence.

The original synthwave score by Kieren Lawrence channels space-age wonder, evoking Sagan’s cosmic vision. Combined with vaporwave visuals, Imprint creates a unique blend of nostalgia and speculation.

Media Assets & Downloads

Below are direct links for high-resolution images, videos, and promotional materials. Please credit Dog Water Studios in any coverage.

• Imprint Logo – PNG: Download
• Imprint Logo – SVG: Download
• Official Wallpaper – PNG: Download
• Official Trailer (16:9, 4k, 60fps) – MOV: Download
• High-Res Screenshots – ZIP: Download
• Press Kit PDF: Download

Featured Screenshot

Download Full-Res PNG

Official Trailer

Download MP4

Press & Contact Information

For interviews, additional assets, or any press inquiries, please contact:

• Press Email: [email protected]
• Media Relations Lead: Julia Kendl ([email protected])
• Bluesky: @dogwaterstud.io
• Website: dogwaterstud.io