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Niche - a genetics survival game header art

Niche - a genetics survival game

Niche - a genetics survival game is a turn-based strategy game combined with simulation and roguelike elements. Shape your own species of animals based on real genetics. Keep your species alive against all odds, such as predators, climate change and spreading sickness.

Developer
Stray Fawn Studio
Publisher
Stray Fawn Publishing, WhisperGames
Release
September 21, 2017
8 years and 362 days ago
Steam Reviews
Very Positive5,228 reviews86.2%
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Game contextLatest: IGF Team
ContextThe evidence factors used to assess whether this game belongs on IndieGame.Fan.Status
Notes
Latest Contributor: IGF TeamEdit notes
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Developer scaleThe operating scale of the game's developer.
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Publisher scaleThe operating scale of the game's publisher.
Stray Fawn Publishing; WhisperGames meets the large-publisher game and partner thresholds.
Search Google: Is Niche - a genetics survival game self-published or published by Stray Fawn Publishing and WhisperGames?Publisher statusHow the game's publishing relationship is classified.
Search Google: How is Niche - a genetics survival game and Stray Fawn Publishing and WhisperGames funded?FundingThe known source of funding behind the game.
Search Google: Who controls the creative direction and IP for Niche - a genetics survival game and Stray Fawn Studio?Creative controlWho appears to retain creative control of the game.
Updated: Aug 13, 2026Release statusWhether and how the game has been released.
The game released with a separate publishing relationship.

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About the Game



Niche - a genetics survival game is a fresh blend of turn-based strategy and simulation combined with roguelike elements.
Shape your own species of cat/fox/bear/dog-like animals based on real genetics. Keep your animals alive against all odds, such as hungry predators, climate change and spreading sickness.
If your species goes extinct the game is lost and your evolution needs to start anew.

Key Features:

  • Living, dynamic world to test your survival skills
  • Breeding system based on real genetics
  • Over 100 genes to shape your species
  • Procedurally generated worlds and animals
  • Five biomes featuring different predators, prey and flora to explore
  • Game mechanics inspired on population genetics

Games/books that inspired us:

  • Spore
  • Don’t Starve
  • The Creatures Series
  • Warrior Cats

Educational aspects:

While playing Niche, the player is introduced to the scientific mechanics of genetics (featuring dominant-recessive, co-dominant inheritance, etc). The game also features the five pillars of population genetics (genetic drift, genetic flow, mutation, natural selection, sexual selection). All knowledge is interwoven with the game-mechanics. This creates the effect of learning by playing.

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