Outbound developer apologises after asking player to remove negative Steam review

Outbound developer Square Glade Games has issued an apology after asking a player to change or remove a negative Steam review. The situation began when a player criticised the cozy camper-van survival game on Steam, and the developer reportedly responded by requesting that the review be adjusted or taken down. That is always risky territory because Steam reviews are supposed to reflect player experience, not developer pressure. Square Glade has now said it recognises the mistake and will no longer ask players to change or remove reviews. For Outbound, the timing is awkward. The game launched on May 11 for PC, Xbox and Game Pass, with PS5, Switch and Switch 2 versions arriving on May 14. It is a charming concept built around electric van life, crafting, exploration and sustainability, but this kind of community misstep can quickly overshadow a launch. The good news is that the apology came quickly. The real test now is whether the team responds to criticism through patches, communication and visible improvements instead of review management.