My History With Deadside
Over the past weeks, I’ve been asked a simple question: “Why don’t you write news about Deadside anymore?”
The answer is just as simple — there’s no news to write. And that fact alone speaks volumes about the current state of the game and the team behind it.
I’m not speaking as an outsider. I was directly involved in Deadside’s community during its early days, even stepping in as Community Manager for Bad Pixel, the original developer, before TinyBuild took over publishing duties. I dedicated countless hours to supporting the game, its developers, and its players across multiple platforms, working to keep excitement alive.
But everything changed the moment TinyBuild entered the picture. Communication slowed, priorities shifted, and promises began to fade. What was once a project with long-term potential started to feel like a rushed product — one where support and meaningful development were no longer a priority. They even kicked me from their team, while i was the only one who actually listened to the player base and kept everything together within the community.
Some players are still wondering up to today why i suddenly got removed from the team. Even they saying it, that i was the only one that kept the whole game a bit together. I liked to listen to player’s their problems, their in game problems and even being a listening ear if it was something outside the game. I’m not like any other dev or staffmember that keeps it strict with the rules.. I’m just me.
The Silence Around Deadside
The lack of updates isn’t an accident. It’s the direct result of a publishing model that values short-term sales over sustained growth. Deadside has become another example of TinyBuild’s questionable handling of projects — games are released in a half-finished state, promised updates arrive late or never, and communities are left to wither.
Without a proper promotion budget or a strategic content plan, Deadside slipped into obscurity. Its visibility dropped, potential new players never showed up, and longtime supporters lost trust.
The TinyBuild Pattern
This is not unique to Deadside. TinyBuild has a history of publishing unfinished games or rushing projects for a quick profit. Hello Neighbor is one of the clearest examples, where unused code, incomplete levels, and years-old bugs remain unresolved.
It’s terrible to see how a game company like TinyBuild handles their promotions. Time and again, the same pattern emerges: launch early, market aggressively, then move on as soon as sales slow down.
A Bare-Bones “Full Release”
Deadside’s so-called “full release” appears to be on track to deliver the bare minimum. Instead of a polished experience, it looks increasingly likely the game will rely on community-created mods to sustain it. While mod support can add longevity, it’s a double-edged sword — especially if confined solely to Steam Workshop. Restrictions on technical freedom and unclear rules only limit what modders can achieve.
Adding to the uncertainty, Deadside still lacks a proper Terms of Service. Without it, no one knows what boundaries exist for creators or how disputes could be resolved.
Where the Players Went
The outcome of this approach is clear in the numbers. According to Steamcharts, Deadside has seen a big dip in its player base. Servers that once buzzed with activity now sit quiet, with only small groups of players logging in.
For a multiplayer survival shooter, this kind of decline is devastating. Without major updates or a real commitment from the publisher, a rebound seems unlikely.
The Final Word
I don’t avoid writing about Deadside because of bias — I avoid it because there’s nothing of substance to report. No meaningful updates, no strong roadmap, and no evidence of long-term dedication from TinyBuild.
If Deadside were to step away from TinyBuild and return to working independently under Bad Pixel, I would gladly come back to support and even work on the project again. But under TinyBuild’s management, the game is doomed.
What once showed immense promise is now in danger of becoming just another cautionary tale in TinyBuild’s growing list of under-supported titles.
