Original article: Entre Valparaíso y Japón: Videojuego chileno «Dinopirates from Inner Space» lanza su primer playtest al público

Chilean Video Game ‘Dinopirates from Inner Space’ Launches Its First Public Playtest Between Valparaíso and Japan

Tangara Studio, an independent development team from Valparaíso, Chile, with a presence in Japan, has released the initial public playtest for «Dinopirates from Inner Space». This exciting roguelite game—known for its random level generation and permadeath mechanics—draws inspiration from the whimsical aesthetics of the 1990s.

The action-packed game offers a humorous experience where each session resembles a ‘run’, filled with numerous enemies, intense battles, and rewards that facilitate upgrades and progression between sessions.

Additionally, the diverse environments make each gameplay session dynamic and highly replayable.

According to Tangara Studio, «Dinopirates» takes cues from genre-defining titles such as Enter the Gungeon, Cult of the Lamb, and Risk of Rain.

In this game, players assume the role of TTT (TriceraTreasure Tom), a pirate dinosaur who must survive and rescue allies from a horde of mutant broccoli invading the ship, triggering an intergalactic riot full of chaos.

The project initially started as a pilot for a webcomic and evolved into an independent production, driven by Tangara Studio as part of a new wave of Latin American developers aiming to introduce fresh creative proposals into the international gaming scene.

«We learned that it’s not about creating the most complex system possible, but about making it the most entertaining,» explains Jacob Wilschrey, CEO and Creative Director of Tangara Studio.

«This philosophy led us to simplify structures, prioritize gameplay rhythm, and build a compact, frenetic, and accessible experience without losing personality,» Wilschrey added.

Marked by exploration, hands-on learning, and the challenges inherent in independent development, the studio encountered various difficulties during production, including funding, organizing multidisciplinary teams, technical limitations, and the need to balance creative ambition with practical viability.

Over the past year, Tangara Studio has participated in various gaming events in Japan, including BitSummit Kyoto, Tokyo Indie Games Summit, and Tokyo Indies.

The studio recently returned to BitSummit Kyoto 2026, one of the most important independent gaming gatherings in Asia, strengthening the creative and professional ties the team has built between Chile and Japan during the development of Dinopirates from Inner Space.

This project is part of an expanding local creative scene, fueled by independent studios and collaborative networks like the Guild of Video Game Developers of the Valparaíso Region (GDV), reflecting the growth of video game development in the area and the aspirations of new studios to reach international audiences.

As part of this development phase, the first playtest sessions will allow players to experience the game universe, test its mechanics, and actively participate in direct feedback with the studio via an integrated form within the game.

To join the first public playtest of «Dinopirates from Inner Space», players must add the game to their wishlist on Steam HERE.

The Citizen