Three Years of Waiting
Indie horror game Amygdala: Prelude has been stuck in Steam approval for three whole years, according to its developer. The game is currently about 80 percent complete and ready for early access, but Valve's approval remains elusive. This situation has left the developers frustrated as they watch other games launch while their project waits in limbo.
The team reached out to Steam support in 2023, only to discover that because Amygdala: Prelude uses Valve's own Source engine, they need a commercial agreement to sell the game. Since then, the developers have been trying to finalize this agreement, but communication with Valve has been slow and choppy.
Communication Issues
According to the developers, they often wait between six and 12 months for replies to their inquiries. They have found themselves stuck in a frustrating cycle where they provide requested details to Valve, only to receive no response for extended periods. Eventually, they are told they must resubmit the same information.
"Stuck on Steam approval for 3 years by u/Iwannaseetheend in gamedev"Stuck on Steam approval for 3 years by u/Iwannaseetheend in gamedev
One developer expressed their feelings of helplessness, stating, "We’ve been stuck on this loop for the last few years and aren’t making any progress." The exhaustion from the prolonged wait is palpable, with the team feeling the strain of their hard work going unrewarded.
Frustration and Impact
Frustration permeates the community around Amygdala: Prelude. The developers lament that while they watch other teams ship their games, their project is stuck accumulating wishlists with no sales. "It’s painful watching everyone else ship their games every day whilst ours is stuck accumulating wishlists indefinitely but no one is able to buy," one developer stated, highlighting the financial burden on the team.
The developers worry they might never be able to release their game, especially since this situation appears to be common for other developers using the Source engine. Despite the challenges, the developers have managed to release a free demo on Steam, allowing potential players to experience a taste of their hard work.
The Future of Amygdala: Prelude
While the future remains uncertain for Amygdala: Prelude, the developers continue to hope for a resolution that will allow them to launch their game. As they navigate the complexities of approval and communication with Valve, players can only wait and wish the team well in their efforts to bring their vision to life.