Hiraeth News

[p][/p][h2]Hey Creators![/h2][p][/p][h3]⚡ TL;DR – Steam Keys for Creators[/h3][p]Want a key for Hiraeth?  [/p][p]Send your request from the official email of your channel and include:[/p]

1. [p]Link to your channel (Twitch / YouTube / TikTok / Steam Curator).[/p]

[p]Link to content from a similar game  [/p]

1. [p](curators: simply point to similar titles on your list).[/p]
2. [p]A short description of how you plan to showcase Hiraeth.[/p]

[p]Proof that the channel is yours, such as:[/p]

• [p]Twitch Whisper,[/p]
• [p]a short note in your “About” section,[/p]
• [p]a public post/tweet about the collaboration,[/p]
• [p]or an email from the official address linked to your channel.[/p]

[p]TikTok is optional, but appreciated — a short clip from Hiraeth (e.g., from the demo) is enough.[/p][p]The best place for quick communication and verification is Discord.[/p][p][/p][h2]READ MORE BEFORE SUBMISSION[/h2][p]If you stream or create content on Twitch, YouTube, TikTok, or you’re a Steam Curator, I’d love to collaborate with you to help promote Hiraeth.[/p][p]Since the Early Access launch, I’ve received many requests for Steam keys. Unfortunately, only some of them are legitimate — many are scams or automated spam, often impersonating real creators.[/p][p]As a solo dev, I simply don’t have the capacity to manually verify every request, but I’m very happy to send keys to genuine creators and build long‑term partnerships![/p][p][/p][h2]🎮 Who Are We Looking For?[/h2]

• [p]Twitch streamers (big and small),[/p]
• [p]YouTube gameplay/review creators,[/p]
• [p]TikTok creators making short gaming clips,[/p]
• [p]Steam Curators.[/p]

[p]You don’t need a large channel — passion, activity, and honesty matter most.[/p][p][/p][h2]🎬 What About TikTok?[/h2][p]TikTok is not required, but it’s welcome.[/p][p]All you need is a short, interesting clip from Hiraeth — for example, recorded in the demo.[/p][p]It’s a great platform for dynamic gameplay moments, though Twitch and YouTube remain the main focus of our creator program.[/p][p][/p][h2]📘 Basic Requirements[/h2][p]This offer is open to all creators — beginners and experienced alike.[/p][p]The only requirement is an honest and fair presentation of Hiraeth.[/p][p]Hiraeth is an Early Access title — unique, challenging, and requiring some learning.[/p][p]The game includes a Training Center that introduces the core mechanics. It’s worth completing it before streaming to ensure a smoother experience for your viewers.[/p][p]There is also a free demo based on the main game, but with limitations (no save/load, limited progression, no vehicle, and some tasks disabled):[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][h2]🔑 How to Get a Steam Key – updated Feb 21, 2026[/h2][p]To receive a key, please send an email from the official address of your channel and include:
[/p][h3]🎥 Requirements for Video Creators (YouTube / Twitch / TikTok)[/h3][p]We are currently accepting requests from content creators who meet the following criteria:[/p][h3]Audience[/h3]

• [p]Minimum 1,000 subscribers/followers[/p]
• [p]OR 500+ if the channel is strongly focused on walking sims, narrative indie, sci‑fi or exploration games[/p]
• [p]OR any size if the creator has previously covered similar niche titles with good engagement[/p]

[h3]Content quality[/h3]

• [p]At least 2 recent videos related to similar genres[/p]
• [p]Real gameplay content (not AI‑generated, not slideshow compilations)[/p]

• [p]Links required[/p]

[h3]Authorisation[/h3][p]A short explanation of how you plan to present Hiraeth and proof that you own the channel, such as:[/p]

• [p]a Twitch Whisper,[/p]
• [p]a short note in your “About” section,[/p]
• [p]a public post/tweet confirming the collaboration,[/p]
• [p]or an email from the official address tied to your channel.[/p]

[h3]🔑 Key distribution policy[/h3]

• [p]Approved creators receive one Steam key to begin[/p]
• [p]Additional keys may be provided after a published video or ongoing cooperation[/p]

[h3]📝 Requirements for Steam Curators[/h3][p]We are currently accepting Steam Curator requests that meet the following criteria:[/p][h3]Specialisation[/h3][p]Curators focused on:[/p]

• [p]walking simulators[/p]
• [p]sci‑fi[/p]
• [p]narrative indie[/p]
• [p]exploration / survival[/p]

[h3]Minimum audience[/h3]

• [p]1,000+ followers for genre‑specific curators[/p]
• [p]20,000+ followers for general‑interest curators[/p]

[h3]Review quality[/h3]

• [p]Links to 2–3 reviews of similar games required[/p]
• [p]Meaningful commentary preferred over one‑line recommendations[/p]
• [p]No keys for inactive or mass‑posting curator groups[/p]

[h3]🔑 Key distribution policy[/h3]

• [p]One key provided upon approval[/p]
• [p]More keys possible after a successful first review[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Important Notes for All Applicants[/h3]

• [p]Due to a limited number of keys, we provide one key initially. Additional keys may be granted after a published review or successful cooperation.[/p]
• [p]We manually verify all requests to ensure keys go to active and relevant creators.[/p]
• [p]Response times may vary depending on the number of requests.[/p]

[p][/p][h2]❗ For Creators Who Already Made Content About Hiraeth:[/h2][p]ːss2heartː Just contact me via Discord or from your official channel email — you’ll receive a key with priority.[/p][p][/p][h2]💬 What We Offer[/h2]

• [p]a Steam key for Hiraeth,[/p]
• [p]the possibility of early access to upcoming updates,[/p]
• [p]sharing your content on our social channels,[/p]
• [p]long‑term collaboration as the game evolves,[/p]
• [p]the option to feature your stream on the game’s Steam page or in announcements,[/p]
• [p]additional keys for your viewers if your content is engaging.[/p]

[h3]Game page:[/h3][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][h2]📩 How to Apply[/h2][p]Contact me via Discord or email:[/p][p][email protected]

Please include a link to this announcement in your message — it confirms that you’ve read and understood the requirements.[/p][p]
You can also use the Steam Curator / Creator request form. [/p][h3][/h3][h3]🔥 Join the Hiraeth Creator Community and help shape the future of the game!

[/h3][h2]Additional Tips for Creators[/h2]

• [p]Check out other videos from my playlist to avoid repeating the same content and to show the game from a fresh angle. This also helps your channel stand out: [dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]
• [p]You can also browse existing content under the “Hiraeth” tag to see what has already been covered: [dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]
• [p]Use a clear and searchable title + description for your video or stream. It helps with visibility and makes it easier for players to find your content.[/p]
• [p]If you’re streaming a longer session, consider splitting it into shorter parts afterward. Viewers often prefer watching episodes rather than a 3–4 hour VOD.[/p]
• [p]Try to show different aspects of the game — exploration, survival mechanics, story elements, crafting, or challenges. Variety helps your content perform better.[/p]
• [p]If you find something interesting, funny, or surprising, feel free to clip it — short highlights often perform extremely well on YouTube Shorts and TikTok.[/p]
• [p]You’re welcome to share feedback or suggestions — as a solo dev, I really appreciate insights from creators.[/p]

[h3]For the best results[/h3][p]I recommend checking other videos from my playlist to avoid repeating the same content and to show the game from a fresh angle, as well as browsing existing Hiraeth videos to see what has already been covered. Use a clear, searchable title and description to improve visibility, and if you stream for several hours, consider splitting the VOD into shorter episodes, which viewers tend to prefer. Highlight different aspects of the game, create short clips of interesting moments for YouTube Shorts or TikTok, and feel free to share feedback or ask questions — I’m always happy to help. Adding relevant tags and using a strong thumbnail can also significantly boost your reach.[/p][h3]Hiraeth logos[/h3][p]You can download the official Hiraeth logos here: (link) If you need any additional assets or formats, feel free to let me know.[/p][p]
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.[/p][p]Discord is the best place for discussion, quick verification, and coordinating collaboration.[/p][h3]
Warm regards and looking forward to working together,[/h3][p]Paweł – Hiraeth author & solo dev[/p]

[p]Today marks the first Ahra Prime Times after a longer break — the ☵ HIRAETH game devlog returns. And we’re back with big news: Ahra Prime has just received its very first working vehicle, opening the door to a major leap forward in gameplay and to entirely new possibilities in the upcoming locations.[/p][p]In this issue, you’ll also find a summary of the current Early Access stage, the direction of development, and a very important call to action — because at this point, everything depends on you.[/p][h2]A True Game Changer — The First Vehicle in Hiraeth[/h2][p]Last week’s update introduced a major milestone: the first of many planned vehicles, the Virex EV Scout. Ahra Prime is vast, and this addition marks the moment when exploration can finally expand beyond the limits of traveling on foot. The Scout brings a new layer of mobility and strategy, but it doesn’t replace the core survival experience. On‑foot exploration remains essential, and vehicles will never grant access to every location. While the Scout is currently available early in the game, future vehicles will require completing demanding tasks to earn and maintain them — making each one a meaningful achievement.
[dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]A first test drive, along with a presentation of the vehicle’s controls and repair system, has been prepared by a familiar face — our game tester 🦅 Eagle[/p][h2][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]Almost Six Months of Building Ahra Prime Together – Summary[/h2][h3]A Major Boost in Performance and Stability[/h3][p]We’re approaching six months since Hiraeth launched in Early Access on Steam. Many of you have followed the updates closely, but the changes have been so significant that they deserve a proper recap. Since release, the game has taken a huge leap forward in both performance and stability. This was made possible not only through continuous optimization work, but also thanks to upgrading the project to a newer version of Unreal Engine — one that finally resolved several engine‑level issues outside my control. Players with Nvidia GPUs also benefit greatly from the addition of DLSS 4. Even though Hiraeth is a solo‑dev project, it’s a true next‑gen title using cutting‑edge lighting and world‑streaming technologies. These systems are demanding, yet the current performance now surpasses that of some larger studio games that rely on less advanced features.[/p][h3]Hundreds of Fixes and Improvements[/h3][p]Thanks to your reports, the testers’ work, and my own ongoing efforts, I’ve implemented several hundred important fixes. A few issues remain — such as certain save/load edge cases for world items — but they’re already identified and only require some focused work to resolve.[/p][h3]Expanded Settings and Player Customization[/h3][p]Hiraeth now includes full key‑binding customization, controller support, and a wide range of new settings. Video options, audio controls, and general user preferences have all received major updates, giving players far more flexibility in how they experience the game.[/p][h3]From Survival Sandbox Toward a Rich Story Mode[/h3][p]While Hiraeth is still primarily a survival sandbox, the introduction of the first tasks — and recently the first major quest — marks the beginning of the planned Story Mode.[dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][h3]A New Era Begins — From Foot Travel to Crossing the Vast Expanse of Ahra Prime[/h3][p]The arrival of the first vehicle marks the beginning of a new chapter for Hiraeth. Instead of repeating the details, let’s focus on what this truly means: the world of Ahra Prime can now grow in scale, ambition, and diversity. Vehicles are not arcade toys — they’re tools that enable the creation of larger, more dynamic environments and new types of challenges. This update opens the door to future regions designed with greater distances, harsher conditions, and deeper survival mechanics in mind. It’s the foundation for the next stage of Hiraeth’s evolution.[/p][p]I’ve left out the countless smaller improvements — movement tweaks, combat adjustments (hello, crowbar), world design updates — but together they mark the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next.[/p][h2]A Call to Action — Your Support Truly Matters[/h2][p]Hiraeth is a large, ambitious project built by a solo developer — every day, without breaks, often for well over a dozen hours daily. The game already has its dedicated fans; one player recently passed 100 hours within a month of buying it, not counting those who played even more during the playtest era. That tells me one thing: Hiraeth has real potential.[/p][p]But potential alone isn’t enough. Sales are not yet strong enough to sustain development at the current pace. I will never abandon the game out of choice — but passion and determination don’t pay for electricity, Internet, or the countless hours needed to keep pushing forward.[/p][p]I have no budget for marketing, and even creating “free” promotional materials like trailers takes time I must currently dedicate to development. Hiraeth is also a unique game, which makes reaching the right audience both a challenge and an opportunity — and this is where your help becomes crucial.[/p][h3]Steam Reviews Are the Key[/h3][p]If you want to support the continued development of Hiraeth, the single most impactful thing you can do is leave a Steam review.[/p]

• [p]Many of you praise the game, but never leave a review — and reviews are vital for visibility.[/p]
• [p]If you left a negative review early on, chances are the issue has long been fixed — updating your review helps immensely.[/p]
• [p]If you already left a positive one, consider refreshing it with your thoughts on the new features: quests, tasks, the first vehicle, and the many improvements since launch. Updated reviews also count in the eyes of the soulless algorithms.[/p]
• [p]If you enjoy the game but are “waiting for more” — I understand. But without your support, we may never reach that “more”.[/p]

[p]Recommending the game to friends who might enjoy it, following on social media, and checking out the refreshed Instagram channel also helps more than you might think.[/p][h2]
Plans for the Future[/h2][p]Instead of repeating the features already mentioned before, let’s focus on what Hiraeth is — and what I hope it will become.[/p][h3]The Unique Nature of the Game[/h3][p]Although Hiraeth fits under the broad “survival” label, it is far from a typical survival game filled with chopping trees, grinding for resources, or building large bases. I’ve been clear about this from the very beginning.[/p][p]Hiraeth is primarily your personal experience as a survivor on the strange yet grounded world of Ahra Prime — discovering its story, its mysteries, and its dangers. Crafting, repairs, and scavenging are important and will continue to grow, but they exist to support survival and world‑building, not to dominate the gameplay loop. Base building has never been a core goal in a game centered around constant movement, though some related elements will appear soon. Work is already underway on repairing, upgrading, and restoring shelters — with more surprises planned.[/p][p]
[/p][h3]The Road to Full Release[/h3][p]Many Early Access titles — even those from large studios — remain in EA for years. From the start, I stated that Hiraeth should have a much shorter EA period, and that still looks achievable.[/p][p]In just six months, the game’s fundamental issues have been resolved thanks to intense development work and major improvements in newer Unreal Engine versions. There is a real chance that the full release will arrive roughly one year after the EA launch.[/p][p]Development will continue following the originally announced roadmap: five chapters, all free for current owners of Hiraeth, interconnected and building toward a powerful finale.[/p][h3]What to Expect in “Chapter 1” for Full Release[/h3][p]Many of the features listed below will appear gradually — some very soon. By the time of full release, returning players will experience Hiraeth in a significantly expanded and refined form. Beyond the obvious ongoing improvements to core gameplay, here’s what’s planned:[/p]

• [p]Further refinement of Nesoi Island, including new areas to explore on the surface, underground, and underwater[/p]
• [p]A new location or locations — one significantly larger than Nesoi, and possibly a second, smaller but more challenging region[/p]
• [p]Localization into German and French (the two strongest communities among Hiraeth players), plus support for community translations via Steam Workshop[/p]
• [p]A Linux version planned for release[/p]
• [p]Major improvements to underwater exploration, fauna encounters, and related systems[/p]
• [p]New vehicles required for upcoming gameplay challenges[/p]
• [p]Story expansion: around four additional major quests for Nesoi, plus side tasks, leading to the moment when players can finally leave the island and travel deeper into Ahra Prime[/p]
• [p]A target of at least 15 in‑game days to leave The Nesoi for Easy mode and going to other areas of Ahra Prime[/p]

[p]Can we make it happen? I believe so — and with your support, we’ll get there.[/p][h2]

Thank You — And a Few Final Words[/h2][p]To everyone supporting the Hiraeth project: thank you. Your feedback, your time, your messages, and your presence in this community mean more than I can express. Everything described above is real and achievable — and as you’ve seen, the game keeps improving, step by step, update by update.[/p][p]But now, more than ever, the future of Hiraeth is in your hands. Your reviews, your recommendations, your engagement — they directly shape what I can build next. I’m deeply grateful for every bit of support, and I believe that together we can take this world much further.[/p][p]ːss2heartː Thank you in advance for your help,
Paweł[/p][p]
[/p]

[p]Today marks the release of the previously announced major update — the very first vehicle in Hiraeth![/p][p][/p][h2]Meet the Virex EV Scout[/h2][p]Although still WIP in version 1, the vehicle already includes almost all of its intended core features:[/p]

• [p]Driving in Hiraeth — which, in a live‑loaded and complex game system, is not as obvious as it sounds[/p]
• [p]Full sound system[/p]
• [p]Vehicle damage and repair[/p]
• [p]Fuel consumption and a charging station[/p]
• [p]Player damage during crashes[/p]
• [p]Interaction with creatures — go test it![/p]
• [p]Driving model[/p]

[h3]Driving Model[/h3][p]The Virex is quite off‑road capable and very responsive — watch out for obstacles.[/p]

• [p]The driving model is WIP and will be improved over time[/p]
• [p]Currently, most obstacles on Nesoi are static and can stop the vehicle instantly, causing heavy damage to both the vehicle and the player at higher speeds[/p]
• [p]Many rocks and foliage still have no collision (as previously mentioned), but many do — and they can stop the vehicle immediately[/p]
• [p]A damaged vehicle gradually loses driving properties such as steering and engine performance[/p]
• [p]The Virex is not a submarine — water tolerance is roughly up to the height of the handlebars; going deeper causes irreversible damage[/p]
• [p]A winch will be added later — currently not functional[/p]
• [p]Tires and many other vehicle systems are still in very early stages[/p]

[h3]Controls[/h3]

• [p]Movement: WASD[/p]
• [p]Brake: S, Handbrake: SPACE[/p]
• [p]Lights: F[/p]
• [p]Exit Vehicle: Backspace[/p]
• [p]Change Camera: C[/p]

[p][/p][h2]Notes[/h2][p]Originally, I planned to place a single vehicle near the Comm Center, available only after completing that quest. However, I know many of you have been eager to finally drive something — and I need your tests and feedback — so for now it’s available almost from the start, at the Forwarding Center along with a charger.[/p][p]Soon, after adding the next quest, I’ll return to the original plan. The vehicle’s condition and trunk contents will also vary, and repair manuals will need to be found…[/p][p][/p][h2]Vehicle WIP[/h2][p]I didn’t want to delay this update any longer, so many aspects of the vehicle will be improved further.[/p]

• [p]Sounds are present but will change significantly[/p]
• [p]The driving model will also evolve[/p]
• [p]Manual charging using a large battery is coming soon — the system is being finalized not only for vehicles[/p]
• [p]Sometimes, after exiting the vehicle, you may lose HUD visibility — you can ignore the vehicle for now; this is a test[/p]
• [p]Creatures near the vehicle are shocked and ragdoll — a temporary solution to prevent strange physics behavior[/p]
• [p]You are currently invisible while driving (though some armor parts may still be visible) — this is version 1; driver visibility and animations will come soon[/p]
• [p]Crash damage is currently set to medium‑high difficulty; on Easy it will soon be much lighter[/p]

[p]More changes and new vehicle types are coming soon.[/p][p][/p][h2]Vehicle Summary[/h2][p]The vehicle will be useful on Nesoi, but as mentioned, it definitely won’t be available this early in the future. It also opens the path to new, much larger locations on Ahra Prime! Nesoi itself will also change soon — new roads, improved collisions, and more.[/p][p][/p][h2]Other Changes in This Update[/h2][p]Introducing the vehicle required a massive amount of work. Even though the vehicle itself was already driving correctly some time ago (as seen in the video from days ago), it caused a small revolution across the entire game system.
[dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]I had to review most systems, change many things, add new connections, or make radical adjustments. There are so many changes that I’ll describe them separately in the upcoming Ahra Prime Times. Some you may discover yourselves — like the new DATAVAULT section containing blueprints and manuals.[/p][h3]
ℹ️ Because this update introduces the vehicle system and major internal changes, starting a new game is required.[/h3][p][/p][h2]What’s Next?[/h2][p]As you may notice, old save/load issues still exist — for example with dumpsters and more. But here’s the good news: thanks to the work on the vehicle, I’ve found solutions to most of these problems. They will be included in an upcoming update soon.[/p][p]For now, I focused entirely on the vehicle and integrating it into the game system.
[/p][h2]Closing Words[/h2][p]This update is a big milestone for Hiraeth — not just because of the vehicle itself, but because it opens the door to entirely new gameplay systems, locations, and possibilities. Thank you for your patience, your feedback, and your curiosity. The Virex EV Scout is only the beginning — and the road ahead is going to get much more exciting.
[/p][h3]See you on Nesoi. Drive safe!
Paweł

[/h3]

[p]A few days ago I received a report from a long‑time player — Victor Van Doos, currently with around 100 hours in Hiraeth – thank you again! ːss2heartː
Today the same issue appeared on my own machine, and fortunately I managed to find a reliable fix.[/p][p]The build is fine. The error appeared suddenly, without any game update, and the game files themselves are correct.[/p][p][/p][h2]Cause[/h2][p]A recent Windows update, a Steam issue, or something related to Steam’s download/cache system.[/p][p][/p][h2]Symptoms[/h2]

• [p]Hiraeth cannot get past the loading screen[/p]
• [p]If it does start, the screen may stutter heavily and/or the keyboard stops working (mouse may partially respond)[/p]
• [p]Steam file verification does not fix the issue[/p]

[p][/p][h3]THIS IS NOT CAUSED BY THE GAME, YOUR SYSTEM, OR YOUR HARDWARE[/h3][p][/p]

1. [p]Open File Explorer and go to:[/p]

   %localappdata%\\Hiraeth\\

2. [p](Optional) Copy the SaveGames folder somewhere safe. It’s your choice — and a big vehicle update requiring new saves is coming soon anyway.[/p]
3. [p]Uninstall Hiraeth from Steam.[/p]
4. [p]Delete the entire Hiraeth folder from:[/p]

   %localappdata%

5. [p]In Steam: Steam → Settings → Downloads → Clear Download Cache[/p]
6. [p]Reinstall Hiraeth on Steam.[/p]
7. [p](Optional) Restore your saves by copying your backup back into:[/p]

   %localappdata%\\Hiraeth\\Saved\\SaveGames\\

   [p]At minimum, you can restore NVideo.sav and UserSettings.sav to bring back your settings.[/p][p][/p]

[h2]This fix also works for other Steam games[/h2][p]If you encounter similar issues in other games — stuttering on startup, missing input, or the game refusing to load despite correct files — you can apply the same steps. Just replace:[/p]

%localappdata%\\Hiraeth\\

[p]with the corresponding folder for that game, for example:[/p]

%localappdata%\\GameName\\

[p]The combination of clearing Steam’s download cache and removing corrupted config files solves a wide range of Steam‑related startup problems.[/p][p][/p][h2]After applying these steps, the game runs perfectly![/h2][p][/p][p]I’m sorry for the inconvenience — as you’ll see, the issue appeared independently of the game itself, most likely due to a Windows update or a Steam cache error. I didn’t report this to Steam because, although their support usually responds quickly, I wanted to find a fast solution for everyone.[/p][p][/p][h2]Warm regards,[/h2][p]Paweł[/p]

[p]Soon you’ll finally get a chance to rest those tired legs — a vehicle is on the way![/p][p]Since launch, weekly updates and news posts have been the norm. The recent silence might feel unusual, but it’s actually a very good sign. I’ve been working intensely on a true game‑changer: the first vehicle![/p][p]It will arrive in the upcoming update, just days away. When it lands, I’ll go into full detail about how it works, and in the next Ahra Prime News you’ll also learn about the development plans for this vehicle and the ones that will follow. [/p][p]Introducing a vehicle required a massive amount of work, which is why this break was longer than usual. On top of that, several major changes were needed — both due to the new engine version and the systems tied to vehicle handling.[/p][p]I’ll cover everything in the next update, which I expect to release this week.[/p][h2]See you soon, Paweł[/h2][p][/p][p]P.S. The video shows a successful test on Nesoi. The vehicle has actually been fully functional for a few days already, but several connected gameplay systems needed refinement — and the vehicle itself went through a bit of a metamorphosis. [dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]