A City Beneath the Cursor

At IGDX 2025, surrounded by the usual blur of fast-paced demos and intense action games, one title offered something entirely different. Desktown, by Deskteam, is a cosy city-builder that lives on your desktop, quietly growing while you work, study, or unwind. It’s a small idea with big charm, turning your screen into a calming miniature world that blurs the line between game and companion.

Growing While You Work

Unlike traditional city-builders that demand full attention, Desktown thrives in the background. Your town expands as you type, read, or browse, its soft pastel palette and simple animations giving the impression of a living workspace. It’s the kind of game that doesn’t compete for time—it complements it, offering a moment of calm in the middle of productivity.

In the demo shown at IGDX, the concept felt intuitive. You can gather resources, set timers, and decorate your city with a few clicks. Need a break? Clicking the small planet expands it into a detailed view, revealing streets, buildings, and citizens going about their business. When you’re done, you can shrink it back into a tiny, unobtrusive orb in the corner of your screen.

Between Play and Productivity

What sets Desktown apart is its blend of utility and relaxation. It includes productivity widgets such as Pomodoro timers, alarms, and countdowns, turning your workday into a balanced rhythm of focus and reward. For those who like a touch of interactivity, the satellite mini-games provide quick word-guessing challenges that grant resource boosts without breaking immersion.

The current demo, available on Steam, features two themed areas, while the full release will expand to five, each offering unique architecture and ambience. With automation systems managing food, population, and knowledge, your city continues to flourish even when you step away. It’s a light but meaningful cycle of care and creativity.

A Quiet Companion

The game’s quiet brilliance lies in its restraint. It doesn’t shout for attention or overwhelm you with options. Instead, it feels like a friend sitting beside you, encouraging, unobtrusive, and satisfying to check in on between tasks.

Slated for a November release, Desktown is shaping up to be a delightful addition to both gamers’ libraries and workspaces alike. It’s a small reminder that play doesn’t always have to be loud, and that even the simplest of worlds can bring a little peace to a busy day.

Get your hands on the Desktown demo today and start building with calm.