Three days before launch, one of the most wishlisted games on Steam warns players not to expect ‘a huge survival game’ with ‘hundreds of hours of main progression’
Solarpunk, a survival crafting sandbox that has accumulated over 1.2 million wishlists on Steam, is launching on June 8. Just three days before release, developer Cyberwave has published a cautionary message to potential players, urging them to carefully consider whether the game matches their expectations.
The warning specifically addresses common misconceptions about the game’s scope. Cyberwave clarifies that Solarpunk is not a “huge survival game” with “hundreds of hours of main progression” like recent high-profile releases Windrose or Subnautica 2. Instead, the developer describes it as a “calm, cozy, focused survival craft sandbox” developed by a small team. The team reveals they have been working on the game as a two-person operation, emphasizing the intimate, boutique nature of their project.
The pre-launch message appears designed to set realistic player expectations and prevent negative reviews from those seeking a massive, time-intensive survival experience. By transparently communicating the game’s actual scale and focus, Cyberwave aims to reach players who will appreciate what they’ve created rather than those looking for sprawling, content-heavy survival mechanics.
This approach reflects a broader trend in game marketing where developers proactively manage player expectations to ensure the right audience discovers their work. The substantial wishlist count indicates significant interest, though the developer’s warning suggests they believe quality of player experience matters more than maximizing day-one sales from mismatched audiences.