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261 changes: 261 additions & 0 deletions _posts/2026-08-25-Newsletter-July-August-2026.md
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---
layout: post
title: Defold Summer Newsletter 2026
excerpt: Defold 1.13.1, Defold Game Jam 2026, gamescom, Photon Fusion multiplayer, new games, assets, tools, and community highlights from July and August 2026.
author: Defold Foundation
tags: ["newsletter", "release", "community"]
---

![Defold Summer Newsletter 2026](/images/posts/newsletters/2026-august/newsletter_august.webp)

## News

Hello Defolder!

Welcome to our summer newsletter edition, covering both July and August!

**Defold 1.13.1 is out** with new **Light components** and many more improvements, the Defold Game Jam was announced and will be there soon, and we have a great collection of games, extensions, tools, articles, and videos from the community to show to you. If you have something you wish to share, please send us an email at [info@defold.se](mailto:info@defold.se).

[Read the formatted newsletter here](https://4sy55.r.a.d.sendibm1.com/mk/mr/sh/1t6AVsd2XFnIGFBui6K7FYyZikjvAg/Tp_AMh9FlKHt) or read its content below:

## Defold Game Jam 2026

![Defold Game Jam 2026](/images/posts/newsletters/2026-august/game_jam_announcement.webp)

It is time for another [Defold Game Jam](https://itch.io/jam/defold-game-jam-2026)! Join us in September, make a game, meet fellow developers, enjoy online talks, and compete for prizes. Among announced sponsors we have us, the Defold Foundation, Wavedash and CraftPix - check the rewards and stay tuned, as there's still more to come!

[Register for Defold Game Jam 2026](https://itch.io/jam/defold-game-jam-2026)


## Meet Defold at gamescom 2026

![Meet Defold at gamescom 2026](/images/posts/newsletters/2026-august/gamescom_2026.webp)

We are at gamescom and would love to meet developers, publishers, partners, and everyone interested in games and Defold.

[Schedule a meeting with us](https://defold.com/gamescom2026/)


## [Photon Fusion multiplayer and 3D platformer sample](https://forum.defold.com/t/photon-fusion-multiplayer-for-defold-sample-3d-platformer/83165)

![Photon Fusion multiplayer and 3D platformer sample](/images/posts/newsletters/2026-august/photon_fusion.webp)

We are happy to publish a Photon Fusion multiplayer extension for Defold together with a networked 3D platformer example, which is also available as a standalone sample project.

[Explore the extension and sample](https://forum.defold.com/t/photon-fusion-multiplayer-for-defold-sample-3d-platformer/83165)


## New games made with Defold:

<div class="newsletter-media-list" markdown="0">
<div class="newsletter-media-item">
<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fdgentertainment.bananakong"><img src="/images/posts/newsletters/2026-august/banana_kong.webp" alt="Banana Kong"></a>
<div class="newsletter-media-copy">
<h5><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fdgentertainment.bananakong">Banana Kong</a></h5>
<p><em>by FDG Entertainment</em></p>
<p>The much-loved endless side-scrolling adventure has been rebuilt with Defold, sending Kong racing, jumping, bouncing, and swinging through the jungle once again.</p>
<p><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fdgentertainment.bananakong">Get it on Google Play</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="newsletter-media-item">
<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.softboiledgames.micromacro"><img src="/images/posts/newsletters/2026-august/micromacro.webp" alt="MicroMacro: Downtown Detective"></a>
<div class="newsletter-media-copy">
<h5><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.softboiledgames.micromacro">MicroMacro: Downtown Detective</a></h5>
<p><em>by Soft Boiled Games</em></p>
<p>Explore a huge hand-drawn city, follow visual clues, and solve interconnected crimes in this mobile adaptation of the award-winning tabletop mystery series.</p>
<p><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.softboiledgames.micromacro">Get it on Google Play</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="newsletter-media-item">
<a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/4953900/Iron_Skies_Demo/"><img src="/images/posts/newsletters/2026-august/iron_skies.webp" alt="Iron Skies"></a>
<div class="newsletter-media-copy">
<h5><a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/4953900/Iron_Skies_Demo/">Iron Skies</a></h5>
<p><em>by 171 Dev</em></p>
<p>Take a propeller-driven warplane into fast arcade combat in a retro-styled shoot 'em up inspired by the genre's classics.</p>
<p><a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/4953900/Iron_Skies_Demo/">Play the demo on Steam</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="newsletter-media-item">
<a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/3147720/Dual_Cat_Max/"><img src="/images/posts/newsletters/2026-august/dual_cat_max.webp" alt="Dual Cat: Max"></a>
<div class="newsletter-media-copy">
<h5><a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/3147720/Dual_Cat_Max/">Dual Cat: Max</a></h5>
<p><em>by Seal Unicorn Games</em></p>
<p>Help a clever cat navigate a strange laboratory and solve quantum-inspired platforming puzzles by using its unusual dual-state powers.</p>
<p><a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/3147720/Dual_Cat_Max/">Play the demo on Steam</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="newsletter-media-item">
<a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/1322780/Unexpected_Tasks/"><img src="/images/posts/newsletters/2026-august/unexpected_tasks.webp" alt="Unexpected Tasks"></a>
<div class="newsletter-media-copy">
<h5><a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/1322780/Unexpected_Tasks/">Unexpected Tasks</a></h5>
<p><em>by Rionix</em></p>
<p>Settle into a cozy time-management adventure filled with varied jobs, friendly characters, and a relaxing world to explore at your own pace.</p>
<p><a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/1322780/Unexpected_Tasks/">Wishlist it on Steam</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="newsletter-media-item">
<a href="https://poki.com/en/g/crowd-rush"><img src="/images/posts/newsletters/2026-august/crowd_rush.webp" alt="Crowd Rush"></a>
<div class="newsletter-media-copy">
<h5><a href="https://poki.com/en/g/crowd-rush">Crowd Rush</a></h5>
<p><em>by Refold</em></p>
<p>Guide a growing crowd through gates and obstacles in a fast-paced endless arcade challenge built for quick runs and high scores.</p>
<p><a href="https://poki.com/en/g/crowd-rush">Play it on Poki</a></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>


## Assets, extensions and tools:

<div class="newsletter-media-list" markdown="0">
<div class="newsletter-media-item">
<a href="https://forum.defold.com/t/applovin-official-extension-for-defold/83080"><img src="/images/posts/newsletters/2026-august/applovin.webp" alt="AppLovin 2.0.0"></a>
<div class="newsletter-media-copy">
<h5><a href="https://forum.defold.com/t/applovin-official-extension-for-defold/83080">AppLovin 2.0.0</a></h5>
<p>The official extension now uses AppLovin MAX 13.6.3 and supports interstitial, rewarded, banner, and MREC ads in modern Android and iOS projects.</p>
<p><em>by Defold Foundation</em></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="newsletter-media-item">
<a href="https://forum.defold.com/t/unity-levelplay-native-extension-for-defold/83078"><img src="/images/posts/newsletters/2026-august/unity_levelplay.webp" alt="Unity LevelPlay SDK"></a>
<div class="newsletter-media-copy">
<h5><a href="https://forum.defold.com/t/unity-levelplay-native-extension-for-defold/83078">Unity LevelPlay SDK</a></h5>
<p>This major update replaces the legacy ironSource integration with Unity LevelPlay SDK 9 and a modern API for mediated mobile advertising.</p>
<p><em>by Defold Foundation</em></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="newsletter-media-item">
<a href="https://forum.defold.com/t/new-admob-extension-by-the-defold-foundation/68482/16"><img src="/images/posts/newsletters/2026-august/admob.webp" alt="Google AdMob 4.2.1"></a>
<div class="newsletter-media-copy">
<h5><a href="https://forum.defold.com/t/new-admob-extension-by-the-defold-foundation/68482/16">Google AdMob 4.2.1</a></h5>
<p>The official AdMob extension refreshes Google's next-generation Android SDK and updates a broad set of mediation adapters.</p>
<p><em>by Defold Foundation</em></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="newsletter-media-item">
<a href="https://forum.defold.com/t/defold-pbr-asset/83112"><img src="/images/posts/newsletters/2026-august/defold_pbr.webp" alt="Defold PBR Asset"></a>
<div class="newsletter-media-copy">
<h5><a href="https://forum.defold.com/t/defold-pbr-asset/83112">Defold PBR Asset</a></h5>
<p>A reusable metallic-roughness PBR material and shader stack that works with the new Light components and can be extended with image-based lighting.</p>
<p><em>by Defold Foundation</em></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="newsletter-media-item">
<a href="https://forum.defold.com/t/automation-bridge-for-defold/83094"><img src="/images/posts/newsletters/2026-august/automation_bridge.webp" alt="Automation Bridge"></a>
<div class="newsletter-media-copy">
<h5><a href="https://forum.defold.com/t/automation-bridge-for-defold/83094">Automation Bridge</a></h5>
<p>A debug-only extension that lets local tools inspect and control a running game for automated testing, screenshots, input, debugging, and AI-assisted workflows.</p>
<p><em>by Defold Foundation</em></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="newsletter-media-item">
<a href="https://forum.defold.com/t/defold-crowd-native-extension/82994"><img src="/images/posts/newsletters/2026-august/defold_crowd.webp" alt="Defold Crowd Extension"></a>
<div class="newsletter-media-copy">
<h5><a href="https://forum.defold.com/t/defold-crowd-native-extension/82994">Defold Crowd Extension</a></h5>
<p>A native 2D local-avoidance solution that helps large groups of circular agents move around one another and static obstacles using an ORCA solver.</p>
<p><em>by Selim Anaç</em></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="newsletter-media-item">
<a href="https://forum.defold.com/t/sonilo-audio-generator-ai-music-and-sound-effects-inside-the-defold-editor/83141"><img src="/images/posts/newsletters/2026-august/sonilo.webp" alt="Sonilo Audio Generator"></a>
<div class="newsletter-media-copy">
<h5><a href="https://forum.defold.com/t/sonilo-audio-generator-ai-music-and-sound-effects-inside-the-defold-editor/83141">Sonilo Audio Generator</a></h5>
<p>Generate, preview, and export AI-created music and sound effects without leaving the Defold editor, including ready-to-use audio prefabs.</p>
<p><em>by Sonilo</em></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="newsletter-media-item">
<a href="https://forum.defold.com/t/clay-for-defold-native-extension/83063"><img src="/images/posts/newsletters/2026-august/clay.webp" alt="Clay UI Extension"></a>
<div class="newsletter-media-copy">
<h5><a href="https://forum.defold.com/t/clay-for-defold-native-extension/83063">Clay UI Extension</a></h5>
<p>This Lua-friendly native extension brings the fast, renderer-agnostic Clay UI layout engine to Defold and maps its layouts to native GUI nodes.</p>
<p><em>by Hans Sjunnesson</em></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="newsletter-media-item">
<a href="https://forum.defold.com/t/effekseer-extension-for-defold/83017"><img src="/images/posts/newsletters/2026-august/effekseer.webp" alt="Effekseer Extension"></a>
<div class="newsletter-media-copy">
<h5><a href="https://forum.defold.com/t/effekseer-extension-for-defold/83017">Effekseer Extension</a></h5>
<p>Play rich 2D and 3D effects created in Effekseer through a ready-made component or Lua API, with support for textures, materials, models, and caching.</p>
<p><em>by Alexander Bulatov</em></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>


## Worth reading:

##### [From tabletop mystery to mobile city — MicroMacro Creator Spotlight](https://defold.com/2026/07/30/Creator-Spotlight-Felix-Weiler/)

Felix Weiler explains how Soft Boiled Games adapted the tabletop hit into a huge zoomable mobile city and why Defold was the right engine for the job.

_by Defold Foundation_


##### [Making The Mutiny of Willy Killem in 96 hours](https://forum.defold.com/t/gmtk-game-jam-2026-the-mutiny-of-willy-killem/83061)

A candid GMTK Game Jam postmortem covering the team's pirate-game idea, 3D production tricks, Defold tools, and hard-won lessons from a 96-hour sprint.

_by gameoffate2018_


##### [New Defold manuals on automation workflows](https://defold.com/manuals/?tag=automation)

Five new manuals explain editor and engine automation, external tooling, testing, validation, and AI-assisted development workflows.

_by Defold Foundation_


## Worth watching:

<div class="newsletter-media-list" markdown="0">
<div class="newsletter-media-item">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijAz5moKHcU"><img src="/images/posts/newsletters/2026-august/yt_sprite_loop.webp" alt="SpriteLoop - Awesome FREE Animation Software"></a>
<div class="newsletter-media-copy">
<h5><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijAz5moKHcU">SpriteLoop - Awesome FREE Animation Software</a></h5>
<p><em>by Gamefromscratch</em></p>
<p>Take a tour of the free 2D cut-out animation tool and see how its native extension brings SpriteLoop projects into Defold.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="newsletter-media-item">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz7HS8Vukug"><img src="/images/posts/newsletters/2026-august/yt_2_5d_tutorial.webp" alt="Making a complete 2.5D game with Defold"></a>
<div class="newsletter-media-copy">
<h5><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz7HS8Vukug">Making a complete 2.5D game with Defold</a></h5>
<p><em>by Asatte Games</em></p>
<p>Start a complete 2.5D game project from scratch, beginning with project setup, tile source animation, and the foundations for the series.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="newsletter-media-item">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDxnlfC5QQA"><img src="/images/posts/newsletters/2026-august/yt_defold_vs_godot.webp" alt="Defold vs Godot performance comparison"></a>
<div class="newsletter-media-copy">
<h5><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDxnlfC5QQA">Defold vs Godot: The Performance Truth Nobody Talks About</a></h5>
<p><em>by Tinkr | Reviews &amp; Guides</em></p>
<p>A practical comparison that looks closely at runtime performance and highlights where Defold's focused architecture stands out.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>


## [Defold 1.13.1 has been released](https://defold.com/2026/08/17/Defold-1-13-1/)

![Defold 1.13.1 has been released](/images/posts/newsletters/2026-august/defold_1_13_1.webp)

Highlights:

- 💡 New Light components
- 💪 Instanced models with morph targets
- 🎮 SDL gamepad database
- ⚡ Up to 19% faster warm builds
- 🖥️ Borderless desktop fullscreen
- 🛠️ Expanded Editor Scripts and HTTP API
- 📦 Resource archives larger than 4 GiB
- 🔊 HTML5 audio fixes and more!

[CHECK THE RELEASE ANNOUNCEMENT](https://defold.com/2026/08/17/Defold-1-13-1/)


## Help Defold grow!

Support the Defold Foundation and help us cover operational costs. Received donations will be used to pay for the native extension build servers. The Defold native extension build servers are provided completely free of charge to all.

[SUPPORT DEFOLD 🧡](https://defold.com/donate/)
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