Studio Ortica and Dark Product Reel in “Loan Shark” HOOKED EDITION for Console Release in Early 2026
- Scott Millard
- Oct 9
- 3 min read
Busan, South Korea / Turin, Italy — [09 October 2025] — Independent developer Studio Ortica and publisher Dark Product are delighted to announce that the acclaimed fishing-horror game Loan Shark is heading to consoles in early 2026.
Originally released as a compact experiment in tension and storytelling, Loan Shark has grown into a breakout indie success — praised for its haunting atmosphere, striking visuals, and psychological depth. Its unique blend of horror and humanity even caught the attention of Markiplier, who recently showcased the game to millions of viewers.
That momentum continues with the release of the Multiple Endings Free Update, also known as the Hooked Edition. Players asked for more conclusions to the Angler’s grim story, and Studio Ortica listened.
The update adds three new endings, two accessible through familiar choices, and a third that takes a more elusive, compassionate path. It’s an alternative route, one that requires listening closely rather than obeying blindly and introduces a new character who appears only in this hidden storyline. In addition, players can now unlock new achievements, bringing the total to sixteen.
This update expands on what the developers see as the heart of Loan Shark: the dangers of independence and the narrative weight of every decision. Each choice now carries greater emotional weight and consequence, reflecting the studio’s ongoing effort to make the experience feel more human and responsive. The update also serves as a gesture of gratitude to the players who have supported, reviewed, and encouraged the team to refine and deepen the game, a reflection of how community feedback helped shape its evolution.
For the team, the update represents more than just new content. What began as a small creative experiment has become a foundation for their future as indie developers - a dark story about failure and broken dreams that, paradoxically, helped light the way forward.
In Loan Shark, players step into the worn boots of an indebted fisherman working through the night to repay a crushing debt. Amid the crashing waves, they haul up something that should not exist, a talking fish named Cagliuso, who offers fortune in exchange for something far more precious. What begins as a desperate night’s work soon spirals into a descent through greed, guilt, and survival. The deeper you go, the more the sea reveals its horrors and the closer the real loan shark comes to collecting.
“Buying the boat put you deep in debt to a loan shark,” the game warns. “Now you’re forced to work nonstop to repay a sum you can never truly escape. And tonight, the collectors are coming.”
Built in just three months as both a horror experiment and a narrative exercise, Loan Shark distills fear, empathy, and economic despair into a short but unforgettable experience.
Key Features
Compact but Unforgettable: A short, intense experience designed to leave a lasting mark.
Underwater Eye-Cam: Watch fish strike your lure in eerie real-time — but beware what else lurks below.
Fish & Gut Mechanic: Catch and clean your haul with precision; one wrong cut could cost you more than your catch.
Deals with the Devil: Converse with Cagliuso, a one-eyed fish offering golden temptations with sinister consequences.
The Clock is Ticking: The “loan shark” is both metaphor and monster — and it’s getting closer.
The Hooked Edition: Adds three new endings, a secret storyline, a new character, and expanded achievements.
Atmospheric Horror: Layers of dread, surreal dialogue, and psychological unease drawn from the depths of debt and despair.
With Very Positive overall reviews (around 83%) and a growing cult following, Loan Shark has become one of indie horror’s quiet triumphs. The new Hooked Edition brings that experience to life once more — available now on PC and coming soon to consoles — inviting a new audience to discover just how far they’ll go to stay afloat.
About Studio Ortica
Based in Turin, Italy, Studio Ortica is an independent development team led by Nicola Dau and Luca Folino, focused on creating evocative, experimental games that explore the boundaries between narrative and mechanics.
About Dark Product
Headquartered in Busan, South Korea, Dark Product is a boutique publisher specializing in distinctive indie horror and psychological titles, bringing bold, artistic experiences to console audiences worldwide.
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