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Steam: Game stays free forever due to mistake, dev explains the reason

Due to Steam’s guidelines, PICO PARK: Classic will remain free forever. (Image source: Steam)
Due to Steam’s guidelines, PICO PARK: Classic will remain free forever. (Image source: Steam)
After being available for free for several years, PICO PARK: Classic was supposed to become a paid title again after an update. However, that never happened. The game remains free – though not by design. The developer explained the reasons behind this in a statement on Steam.

PICO PARK: Classic is a cooperative puzzle platformer developed and published by TECOPARK. Despite its simple appearance, the game offers several unique features. Up to ten players can join a level simultaneously – something quite rare for co-op puzzlers. Another standout feature is the TecoGamePad app, which allows players to use their smartphones as controllers when there aren’t enough physical ones available.

The gameplay is simple yet challenging. You take on the role of small, cute characters and work together to solve puzzles across various levels. The goal in each stage is to collect all the keys required to open the door to the next area. Teamwork is essential – some paths only become accessible when players stack on top of one another, activate switches or move blocking elements together.

PICO PARK: Classic currently has around 1,800 reviews on Steam, with only 75% rated positive. One unusual complaint concerns the game’s extremely loud startup volume, which can’t be adjusted in-game. Additionally, PICO PARK is strictly a co-op experience with a high potential for frustration. The puzzles require precise coordination, and a single mistake from one player can quickly undo the entire group’s progress.

(Image source: Steam)
(Image source: Steam)
(Image source: Steam)
(Image source: Steam)

PICO PARK: Classic remains permanently free - but not on purpose

Since its release in 2016, PICO PARK: Classic has been available for free. Following a major update in September, it was supposed to return to being a paid title – but that plan was blocked by Steam’s guidelines. In an official post on October 5, the developer explained with a touch of humor that once a game switches from “paid” to “free,” there’s no going back. As a result, PICO PARK: Classic Edition will remain permanently free – unintentionally, but much to the community’s delight. On a side note, the game is also Steam Deck Verified (the device currently sells for around $440 on Amazon).

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2025 10 > Steam: Game stays free forever due to mistake, dev explains the reason
Marius Müller, 2025-10-10 (Update: 2025-10-10)