SunnySide Is Finally Back in Our Hands!

[h3]Hey everyone,[/h3][p]We want to share an important update about the present and future of SunnySide.[/p][p]As of now, Aftabi Games is the official publisher of SunnySide!!! After a long and difficult process behind the scenes, full control of the game is finally back where it belongs: with the original development team.[/p][p]This also means we now have full access to the game’s data, metrics, pricing, and development pipeline for the first time in a very long time.[/p][hr][/hr][h2]A New Price, A Better Starting Point[/h2][p]You may have already noticed that SunnySide’s price has changed.[/p][p]Now that we’re able to review sales data and regional pricing properly, we believe $19.99 USD (with appropriate international conversions) is a much better price, not only for the game but for the community as well. This price reflects where SunnySide is today, and where we want to take it next.[/p][hr][/hr][h2]The Road to SunnySide 2.0[/h2][p]Over the coming months, we’ll be working on a series of substantial updates aimed at pushing SunnySide toward what we consider a true 2.0 version of the game.[/p][p]We want to be very clear about something upfront: We are not going to be overly cautious with changes.[/p][p]SunnySide has often been described as a game with a lot of potential. That word shows up again and again in reviews, and while we appreciate the sentiment, we also believe potential can become a trap if it’s never fully realized.[/p][p]Our goal now is simple: To turn potential into something deeper, more engaging, and more fun to play.[/p][p]That may mean:[/p]

• [p]reworking or replacing core systems[/p]
• [p]significantly deepening mechanics that currently feel surface-level[/p]
• [p]removing features that don’t fit the game or hold it back[/p]

[p]Some updates will be bigger than others, and some changes may be bold, but every decision will be made with the long-term health of the game in mind.[/p][hr][/hr][h2]We’re Involving You in the Big Decisions[/h2][p]Whenever we’re considering a major change to a core system, we’ll be asking for your input.[/p][p]We’re already doing that right now.[/p][p]👉 https://forms.gle/h2gaLxQE4Zftm4CHA[/p][p]This first survey focuses on a significant decision we’re currently evaluating: The potential removal of the caves, including mining, combat, and rewriting Sparky’s story so that it no longer relies on cave progression. This would also mean rewriting the entire main storyline of the game.[/p][p]All of the context is explained in the survey itself, and we genuinely want your voice to help guide this decision. So if you care about the future direction of SunnySide, please take a moment to check it out.[/p][hr][/hr][h2]First Technical Step: Upgrading the Engine[/h2][p]Our very first development task is a big one.[/p][p]SunnySide is currently running on Unreal Engine 4.27, which is now quite old. One of the major constraints in the past was that the game needed to stay on that version due to external console porting requirements.[/p][p]That limitation is now gone.[/p][p]We are beginning the process of upgrading SunnySide to the latest Unreal Engine (5.7). This will:[/p]

• [p]improve performance and stability[/p]
• [p]unlock modern engine features and tools[/p]
• [p]make future development faster and more flexible[/p]

[p]This is not a small or trivial task. SunnySide is a large game, and some older systems will need to be reworked to function properly on newer engine versions. We’re going to take our time and do this carefully because this upgrade is the foundation for everything that comes next.[/p][hr][/hr][h2]Legacy Version Support[/h2][p]Because the upcoming changes will significantly alter core parts of the game, we’ll be creating a “Legacy” SunnySide branch on Steam.[/p][p]This will allow existing players as well as anyone who purchases the game in the future to continue playing the current version of SunnySide exactly as it exists today (bugs, quirks, and all)[/p][p]If you prefer the original experience, you’ll always have access to it.[/p][hr][/hr][h2]Looking Forward[/h2][p]Now that SunnySide is fully under our control, and finally able to properly support itself, we have the freedom to make the changes the game truly needs.[/p][p]That means:[/p]

• [p]trimming systems that feel disconnected or frustrating[/p]
• [p]deeply expanding mechanics players genuinely enjoy[/p]
• [p]focusing the experience instead of bloating it[/p]

[p]If something needs to be removed, we’ll remove it.
If something deserves more depth, we’ll give it the time and care it needs.[/p][p]The game and community come first.
It has to be fun, engaging, and cohesive, and most importantly: you all deserve a game you'll love.[/p][hr][/hr][h2]Platform & Console FAQ[/h2][h3]What’s happening with PlayStation?[/h3][p]SunnySide has already been removed from the PlayStation Store.[/p][p]If you previously purchased the game on PlayStation, you should still be able to download and play it without issues. At the moment, however, we are unable to update or support the PlayStation version.[/p][p]This isn’t a decision we took lightly, but the reality is that our studio is currently very small, and we do not have access to console porting hardware or the resources required to maintain console builds properly.[/p][hr][/hr][h3]What about Xbox?[/h3][p]SunnySide will also be removed from the Xbox Store.[/p][p]To be completely transparent: the Xbox version is not in a state that we’re proud of, and we are not able to meaningfully update or improve it going forward. Leaving it available for purchase without the ability to support or fix it would not be fair to players.[/p][p]As with PlayStation, existing owners should still be able to access the game, but no further updates will be made to the Xbox version at this time.[/p][hr][/hr][h3]Does this mean SunnySide is gone from consoles forever?[/h3][p]No, but consoles are not our focus right now.[/p][p]Our immediate priority is to stabilize, improve, and evolve SunnySide on PC, where we have full control of development. Once the game reaches a strong, stable place, and if our studio reaches a healthier financial position, we absolutely want to explore console ports again in the future.[/p][p]If and when that happens, it will be:[/p]

• [p]done with our direct supervision[/p]
• [p]built on a solid, updated foundation[/p]
• [p]supported with ongoing updates[/p]

[p]We’re not closing the door, we’re making sure we don’t rush back through it unprepared.[/p][hr][/hr][h2]Join the Conversation[/h2][p]You’re always welcome to share feedback and questions here on the Steam forums, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on discussions.[/p][p]That said, we’re currently most active on Discord, where we can respond faster, chat more casually, and keep conversations flowing more naturally.[/p][p]👉 http://discord.gg/sunnyside[/p][p]If you have questions, concerns, ideas, or just want to hang out and talk SunnySide, we’d love to see you there!![/p][hr][/hr][p]On a personal note, this outcome wasn’t guaranteed, and we still can’t quite believe it happened. Massive thanks to our legal team for making this possible![/p][p]2026 marks a fresh start for SunnySide, and we’re incredibly excited (and honestly a little terrified) to finally build the game the way it deserves.[/p][p]Thank you all for your patience, your support, and for sticking with us.[/p][p]Please don’t forget to check out the survey if you want to help shape what comes next.[/p][h3]Here’s to busy, but exciting year(s) ahead! 💛[/h3][p] – The Aftabi Games Team[/p]