- Vast nature and hand-drawn animation… An emotional project by a 3-person Czech development team
- Steam Demo Revealed: The Journey of Friendship and Growth Together with Girl Lily and Shepherd Dog Hubert
- Selected as the Best Game of Game Access 2026 by Visitor Voting, a Sentimental Adventure on Wishlist 3
“Hubert,” an epic adventure game currently under development by Brocap Studio, a three-person indie studio in Brno, Czech Republic, won the Best Game award selected by audience vote at Game Access 2026, the largest game conference in Central Europe.
With its official release approaching, ‘Hubert’ is emerging as a highly anticipated title, having surpassed 30,000 items on Steam wishlists. Through the free demo currently available on Steam, players can experience the unique gameplay in advance, taking on the role of a sheepdog named Hubert to herd a flock of sheep and explore the wilderness.
A special adventure experienced through the eyes and nose of a sheepdog
Hubert is a third-person narrative adventure game where you experience the world as a sheepdog.
The protagonist, Hubert, is a shaggy sheepdog who firmly believes he is the main character of the story. Through his eyes, the player observes a world filled with movement, smells, and instinct.
A clever girl named Lily accompanies Hubert. After persuading a demanding farmer in the valley to hire them, Lily continues the journey with Hubert, tending to a flock of sheep.
The first mission seems simple: to safely lead dozens of sheep across the pasture. However, dealing with unfocused sheep and an impatient farmer is more difficult than expected. Furthermore, with the addition of a mysterious call from the northern wilderness, the story gradually takes an unexpected turn.
The development team introduces the work not as a simple animal simulation, but as a coming-of-age narrative dealing with friendship, courage, and the conflict between instinct and reason.
The atmosphere created by vast nature and hand-drawn animation
One of Hubert’s greatest appeals is its 3D graphics that realistically capture the vast nature of the northern wilderness.
Vast grasslands, rugged fields, and ever-changing weather create a serene yet beautiful atmosphere. The developers emphasized quiet tension instead of flashy visuals, and players gradually come to understand the world through small details placed throughout.
The game completes the work’s unique warm sensibility with the addition of hand-drawn animations. Users who have played the actual demo are also positively evaluating the atmosphere created by the vast landscapes and delicate direction.
The sound design is also impressive. The sounds of Hubert barking to herd the sheep, the environmental sounds of the wilderness with strong winds, and unfamiliar sounds from afar combine to provide the player with an immersive experience, making them feel as if they have become a sheepdog.
Scent tracking, predator response… Gameplay utilizing canine instincts
At the heart of the gameplay lies the unique theme of a sheepdog. Players must guide the flock by barking and track scents to find scattered sheep. Sometimes storms and rugged terrain block the path, while at other times, predators threaten the flock.
In particular, the scent tracking system is one of the core elements of the game. Even on familiar paths, scent traces can fade or disappear if the weather changes, so players must carefully observe their surroundings.
As the game progresses, Hubert finds himself torn between the farm he must protect and a wild voice calling to him from somewhere in the wilderness. The daily routine of tending the sheep and mysterious explorations unfold simultaneously, creating a unique narrative distinct to the work.
Brocap Studio… A 3-person studio created by Mafia and Crime Boss veterans
Brocap Studio is a three-person independent development company located in Brno, Czech Republic. Although small in size, the team members have experience participating in various projects such as ‘Mafia: The Old Country’, ‘Last Train Home’, and ‘Crime Boss: Rockay City’.
The development team has invested over 3 million Czech Koruna (approximately 180 million KRW) of its own funds into the production of Hubert and is improving the game’s quality by actively incorporating community feedback.
Game Access Visitor Choice Best Game… Attention from International Media
The development team’s efforts paid off. Hubert won the Best Game award, selected by a vote of all festival attendees, at Game Access 2026, the largest game conference in Central Europe held in Brno, Czech Republic. A work by a small three-person indie studio competed against developers, publishers, and major studios and was chosen by the audience.
Positive reviews for the game are also pouring in. GameDaily described it as having “a fresh premise structuring the entire game around the perspective and instincts of a shepherd dog instead of a traditional hero,” while another YouTube gaming outlet noted it as “a deeply moving work that allows you to view the world from the dog’s (protagonist’s) point of view, much like a playable animated movie.”
Furthermore, Hubert is receiving widespread attention across Europe, with overseas users, including the Ukrainian gaming community, showing great interest through platforms such as Steam forums.
The ordinary daily life of herding sheep across the fields, and an inexplicable call heard from beyond the wilderness. ‘Hubert’ is set to present a special adventure capturing friendship, growth, and the mysteries of nature through the eyes of a single sheepdog.
Information regarding ‘Hubert’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Brocap Studio sro (Brno, Czech Republic) |
| Publisher | Brocap Studio sro (in-house publishing) |
| Genre | Epic Adventure / Animal Simulation / Exploration |
| Release platform | PC (Steam) |
| Release Date | Undetermined (Demo currently available for free trial) |
| graphics | 3D Naturalism / Hand-drawn Animation |
| Point of view | 3rd person |
| core system | Sheep Herding / Scent Tracking / Environment Response / Predator Management |
| Steam Wishlist | Over 30,000 |
| premier | Game Access Conference 2026 Best Game Award (Vote by All Audience Members) |
| Team size | 3 people |
| Development costs | Self-investment of over 3 million Czech Koruna |
| Team experience | Mafia: The Old Country · Last Train Home · Crime Boss: Rockay City |
| Main Keywords | Dog, Shepherd Dog, Healing, Narrative, Wilderness, Exploration, Emotional Adventure |
| Official Channel | YouTube · Discord · Instagram · X · TikTok |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
