Monster Shop Games and indie.io have announced that Pie in the Sky, a retro-inspired arcade adventure with a uniquely Australian twist, will launch on February 2, 2026, for PC via Steam. In the game, players step into the role of one of Australia’s most feared aerial threats: the magpie.
Swoop, Steal, and Terrorize as a Magpie
In Pie in the Sky, players take to the air as a highly territorial magpie with two primary goals: feed your ever-hungry chicks and cause as much chaos as possible. Gameplay centers on swooping down on unsuspecting pedestrians, knocking over cyclists, spilling trash bins, stealing food, and performing aerial “bombing runs” with whatever you can carry. It’s slapstick mayhem seen from a bird’s-eye view, with humans firmly positioned as targets rather than heroes.
Six Australian-Inspired Levels Packed With Chaos
Players can unleash feathery havoc across six different levels, each inspired by iconic Australian locations. From quiet suburban streets and sunny beaches to bustling city centers, every environment is packed with secrets, collectibles, and interactive elements. Objectives grow increasingly wild as levels progress, encouraging experimentation and creative destruction.
Retro Style With Modern Sensibilities
Visually, Pie in the Sky embraces a PlayStation 2–era aesthetic, pairing chunky character models with fast-paced arcade gameplay. Progression follows an old-school philosophy: no DLC gating, no loot boxes, and no pay-to-win systems. Everything is unlocked simply by playing, rewarding skillful swoops and chaotic combos.
Customize Your Perfect Feathered Menace
While the magpie may already be “perfect,” players can still upgrade and customize their bird. Enhancements allow faster flying and walking speeds, more frequent swoops, and improved digestion, enabling longer bombing runs. Cosmetic options let players recolor feathers or even dress their magpie in accessories—including a pirate hat, because why not?
A Solo Dev’s Aussie-Inspired Vision
Solo developer Mark Smith, based in Perth, Australia, says the idea came from watching magpies terrorize people in real life. Inspired by that chaos, Smith describes Pie in the Sky as “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater in the sky,” replacing skate tricks with swoops, food theft, and combo-building aerial maneuvers.
Pie in the Sky launches on February 2, 2026, for PC via Steam.
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