Make Games Play will launch GrowBud, a desktop companion cannabis cultivation simulator, on Steam for PC and Mac on 26 January 2026, offering players a configurable sidebar game that runs alongside their daily workflow and turns unused screen space into autonomous, evolving grow houses. Featuring dual progression paths, strain mastery, genetic customisation and a variety of orders and minigames, GrowBud is designed to reward focus rather than constant attention, with a free demo already available on Steam.
Cultivate Cannabis Alongside Your Workflow in This Unique Desktop Sidebar Simulator
CENTURION, SOUTH AFRICA – December 19, 2024 – Make Games Play today announced that GrowBud, a desktop companion cannabis cultivation simulator, will launch on Steam for PC and Mac on January 26, 2026, priced at $6.99. The game sits as a configurable sidebar - anchored to the left or right of any screen and adjustable up to half your display width - transforming unused screen space into a scrolling stack of grow houses that progress autonomously while players work or play.
At its core, GrowBud offers substantial depth through dual progression systems and strain mastery. Players advance through six club levels total - three levels each in The Grow Club (focused on quality and craftsmanship) and The Bud Club (emphasising efficiency and production). Each strain features five mastery levels that unlock research into plant genetics, enabling specific genetic modifications through the Gene Expression system. These modifications allow players to customise growth patterns, enhance traits, unlock different playstyles, and complete specialised orders for local dispensaries, premium buyers, and time-sensitive rush orders. Plants progress through multiple growth stages - vegetative, pre-flowering, flowering, harvest, and recovery - creating a continuous cycle of cultivation.
"GrowBud rewards focus, not constant attention," said Jared Brandjes, Creative Director at Make Games Play. "Players configure their grow environments, meet plant needs, then return to their actual work. When they're ready for a break and the plants are ready to progress, there's meaningful engagement: stage transitions with games of chance, challenges and orders to complete, or the club games - crane game, wheel of fortune or blackjack. The deeper you progress, the more unexpected things start happening - but we'll let players discover those moments themselves. It's a companion that works on your schedule."
Key Features:
- 20+ cannabis strains with unique growing requirements and five mastery levels each
- Six total club levels across two distinct progression paths (Grow Club and Bud Club)
- Gene Expression modifiers to customise growth patterns, enhance traits, and unlock different playstyles
- Configurable desktop sidebar with multi-monitor support and flexible positioning
- Customisable grow houses with equipment upgrades, themes, and decorations
- Varied order fulfilment for dispensaries, premium buyers, and rush orders
- Stage transition events and minigames throughout plant lifecycle
- Seasonal holiday content including Halloween and Christmas events
- Full localisation in English, Simplified Chinese, Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil), Russian, and Spanish
A free demo featuring 6 experimental strains and approximately 12 hours of gameplay is available now on Steam. The demo showcased at Steam Next Fest, Joburg Games Fest, Playtopia, and Midwinter Spirits Festival. ENDS.
About Make Games Play
Make Games Play is an indie game studio based in Centurion, South Africa, founded by game design lecturers and former students. GrowBud represents the studio's first original IP, developed alongside full-time teaching responsibilities. The team previously handled the mobile recreation of Shapez under publisher Playdigious.
For more information, visit the GrowBud Steam page at https://store.steampowered.com/app/3923900/GrowBud/
Media Contact:
Jared Brandjes, Creative Director Make Games Play | Discord: https://discord.gg/WQjnfcYs4Y | X: https://x.com/MakeGamesPlay | Website: https://makegamesplay.games/
Assets:
Release Date Announcement Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sb0i0iKdr4 | Press Kit: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1rNMqg8kgiHewNkAlM-o_B2xEXe8LyGid