Luminids Lets You Build a Cozy Colony, Then Step Inside and Live Among Its Creatures

Solo developer Nick Jacob has released a new trailer for Luminids, an upcoming cozy colony-building game where players create a settlement for tiny beings of light, then switch to first person to explore the world alongside them.

Titled One Light, the trailer showcases the game's unusual blend of settlement building, creature simulation, and exploration ahead of its planned February 2027 Steam Early Access release.

Developed under Luminids Studios, the game puts players in charge of shaping an island inhabited by creatures called Luminids. Rather than simply managing resources and assigning tasks, players help these inhabitants build homes, develop relationships, and establish lives of their own.

And unlike most colony builders, players can leave the overhead planning view behind and experience their creations from ground level.

Build a village, then become part of it

The central idea behind Luminids is that the settlement exists as a place players can actually inhabit.

From an overhead perspective, players can shape terrain, lay paths, grow food, and determine where structures should be built. The Luminids then work together to construct their homes and gradually turn a small camp into a village.

Switching to first person allows players to walk those same paths, visit their neighbors, and explore the surrounding environment.

The creatures themselves are intended to be more than interchangeable workers. According to Jacob, each Luminid develops its own personality, relationships, memories, and personal history.

Their experiences influence how they behave over time. One might become an adventurous explorer, while another prefers cooking for the colony or spending time near the water.

The idea is to create a settlement where players become attached to individual inhabitants rather than treating them as another resource to manage.

A colony builder without combat or game over

Luminids also takes a gentler approach to the colony simulation genre.

There are no enemies to fight, no game-over conditions, and no permanent creature deaths. Players can spend their time farming, fishing, mining, crafting, and exploring without worrying about losing their entire settlement.

The game takes place across a continuous island featuring nine distinct regions, including forests, mountains, deserts, and other environments. Players can explore beyond their village, discover forgotten sanctuaries, and use wings of light to glide across the landscape.

Jacob is developing the game using Godot 4, with the simulation and individual creature behaviors forming an important part of its design.

The Steam listing also confirms plans for cooperative play, although the developer has not yet detailed how its multiplayer systems will function at launch.

Luminids is coming to Steam Early Access in February 2027

Luminids is currently targeting a February 2027 Early Access release on PC through Steam.

According to the developer's Early Access plans, the game will initially include its foundational colony-building, exploration, and creature simulation systems. Jacob expects development to continue for approximately 12 to 18 months during Early Access, with additional mechanics and improvements informed by player feedback.

The newly released One Light trailer provides a closer look at the game's atmosphere and its emphasis on building a community rather than conquering or surviving one.

Players interested in following development can wishlist Luminids on Steam or explore the official website.