Steam Machine stomps on indie game's promotion after Valve apologized for release date wishlist bug

The developers of Planet Centauri keep encountering setbacks as they try to promote the 2D sandbox indie game. The early access project gained a following before the final version’s December 2024 release date. Unfortunately, Valve failed to notify the gamers who had the title saved on their Steam Wishlist. After a disappointing launch, the Steam Machine debut trounced on a second chance for visibility.

As reported by Polygon, Planet Centauri had 138,000 prospective buyers add the game to their wishlists. However, after five days, its makers earned only 581 sales. Initially, the French Permadeath studio didn’t realize that a technical glitch was a factor in the slow launch.

Once Valve recognized the wishlist bug, it tried to make amends with the developers. The company offered Permadeath a lucrative place in its Daily Deals promotion. Steam Games are selected for the 24-hour spot based on strong sales or high interest. Sadly, the chosen date for the event was November 12th. The day happened to coincide with the arrival of the Steam Machine, Steam Frame VR headset, and new controller.

Not surprisingly, the new gear dominated the marketplace and made it challenging for lesser-known games to stand out. The Daily Deal wasn’t a complete bust for Planet Centauri, as it managed to generate 5,000 sales. Even so, following the wishlist snafu, it wasn’t quite the boom its fans had hoped for.

Valve and Permadeath remain on good terms

Despite the difficulties, developer Laurent Lechat told Polygon that the studio feels no ill will toward Valve. Critics argue that Steam should have warned Permadeath about the timing of the Steam Machine reveal. Still, considering how secretive the company was about the cube, it’s quite possible that whoever arranged the event was unaware.

Planet Centauri has also drawn media attention for its struggles, attracting new players. Even so, the calamities demonstrate how dependent indie games are on Valve for marketing. Without a boost, Games Radar highlighted that more than 5,000 Steam games in the past year didn’t even recoup the $100 listing fee.