Unpacking: revision #7

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**Unpacking** is a zen puzzle game about pulling possessions out of boxes and fitting them into a new home, developed by Witch Beam, a studio based in Brisbane, Australia.[^1] Released on 2 November 2021 for Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One,[^1] it went on to win two BAFTAs, including the publicly voted EE Game of the Year.[^3][^4]

## Gameplay

Part block-fitting puzzle and part home decoration, Unpacking has the player create a satisfying living space while picking up clues about the life being unpacked. Across eight house moves, it tells the story of a character the player never sees.[^2]

## Development and release

The concept originated from co-creator Tim Dawson's real-life move in with Wren Brier in February 2018; after the pair were selected for the Stugan accelerator program in May 2018, they developed a playable demo in Sweden.[^1] The soundtrack is by BAFTA-winning composer and audio director Jeff van Dyck.[^1]

Unpacking was published at launch by Humble Games;[^1] the game's Steam listing today credits Balor Games as publisher.[^2] After its 2021 launch platforms, it reached PlayStation 4 and 5 on 10 May 2022,[^6] and iOS and Android on 24 August 2023.[^7]

## Reception

The game sold over 100,000 copies in its first ten days.[^1] On its first anniversary, Humble Games and Witch Beam announced it had passed one million copies sold worldwide, with 20 award wins and 50 nominations in its first year.[^5] At the 2022 BAFTA Games Awards on 7 April 2022 it won EE Game of the Year — the ceremony's only publicly voted award — alongside the BAFTA for Narrative.[^3][^4] Its success helped cement tidying-as-gameplay alongside titles like [[A Little to the Left]].

## External links

- [Official website](https://www.unpackinggame.com/)
- [Steam page](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1135690/)

[^1]: Witch Beam. ["Unpacking — Press Kit"](https://www.unpackinggame.com/presskit/) — unpackinggame.com. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
[^2]: Valve. ["Unpacking"](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1135690/) — Steam store data. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
[^3]: EE. ["Unpacking wins the EE Game of the Year Award at the 2022 BAFTA Games Awards"](https://newsroom.ee.co.uk/unpacking-wins-the-ee-game-of-the-year-award-at-the-2022-bafta-games-awards/) — EE Newsroom, 7 April 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
[^4]: NME. ["Returnal and Unpacking win big at BAFTA Games Awards 2022"](https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/returnal-and-unpacking-win-big-at-bafta-games-awards-2022-3201065) — NME, 8 April 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
[^5]: GoNintendo. ["Humble Games and Witch Beam's Unpacking Celebrates 1 Year and over 1 Million Units"](https://gonintendo.com/contents/11711-humble-games-and-witch-beam-s-unpacking-celebrates-1-year-and-over-1-million-units) — GoNintendo, November 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
[^6]: NME. ["'Unpacking' is coming to PlayStation consoles really, really soon"](https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/unpacking-is-coming-to-playstation-consoles-really-really-soon-3221367) — NME, 9 May 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
[^7]: Engadget. ["Zen moving game 'Unpacking' comes to Android and iOS on August 24th"](https://www.engadget.com/zen-moving-game-unpacking-comes-to-android-and-ios-on-august-24th-214513079.html) — Engadget, 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2026.