A new indie outfit formed by developers from the AAA space, Big Distraction, not only announced their studio, but also brought an announcement of their first game, LORT—and it’s due out this year.
Announced today, LORT is a 1–8 player co-op roguelite set in a cursed fantasy world, where players can run solo or team up to survive waves of enemies, collect over-the-top power-ups, and aim for the coveted “God Run.” It’s scheduled to hit Steam in Q4 2025.
Big Distraction describes itself as a team of devs who got fed up with the bureaucratic sludge of larger studios and wanted to make something more fun-focused, faster-paced, and genuinely enjoyable with friends. It’s the kind of origin story we hear more often now, passionate developers leaving behind big-budget projects in favour of scrappy, independent projects.
“Where LORT seems most confident is in its attempt to lean into absurdity.”
The result—at least so far—looks interesting. Gameplay footage showed off the basics: fast movement, clunky combat, and a wide mix of weapons that range from swords and bows to guns and magic wands. Enemy mobs fill the screen, numbers fly everywhere, and the aesthetic is loud in every sense, colour, sound, UI, and tone. It’s chaos that makes sense in the world and is easy to read on screen, which is nice.
Where LORT seems most confident is in its attempt to lean into absurdity. Players will stack power-ups like Trophy of Swole and Cool Comfy Shorts while reviving teammates mid-fight and dodging oversized boss attacks. On paper, it’s a formula that could work for casual group play, with short bursts of co-op mayhem, no pressure, and no grindy systems to memorize.
But for a debut project, there are a few things worth keeping an eye on. For one, the class system is launching with just three playable archetypes, which feels slim given the roguelite promise of infinite replayability. If the variety isn’t there early on, or if the content stretches thin after a few sessions, it could struggle to hold attention, especially in a genre where competition is fierce and comparisons are inevitable.
There’s also the tone. LORT makes a deliberate effort to speak in what you could call “internet voice,” a mix of ironic slang, exaggerated confidence, and meme-adjacent phrasing. Think “goblin tickler to god slapper” and you’re in the right ballpark. It’s clearly meant to be lighthearted and community-friendly, but the delivery doesn’t always feel natural. Instead, it comes across as trying a little too hard to tap into a culture it may not fully embody. It’s not offensive, just awkward like hearing a corporate mascot tell you to touch grass.
Still, tone is something that can evolve, and for a first-time studio, LORT at least has a defined direction. The idea of building a streamlined, low-commitment co-op roguelite is a good one. The real question is whether the experience in LORT will deepen over time or wear out after a few chaotic weekends with friends.
If nothing else, Big Distraction has shown they’re coming out swinging. LORT isn’t groundbreaking, but it doesn’t seem aimless either. Whether that lands somewhere memorable or just middling will depend on how much it can grow between now and launch.
LORT is currently slated for release in Q4 2025. It’s available to wishlist on Steam for those curious to see where it lands.
