The Pioneers: Surviving Desolation
Early access since Jan 2023
Deep and innovative space survival simulation experience. Build your station, manage your crew and explore the harsh environment of Io, the innermost moon of Jupiter. Are you brave enough to survive?
65% positive · 443 reviews
Not yet
In early access, content planned but development status unclear
Low confidence
Content Planned
Development Uncertain
Not yet
In early access, content planned but development status unclear
Low confidence
Content Planned
Development Uncertain
Where to buy
Steam $29.99
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Evaluation
The Pioneers: Surviving Desolation entered Steam Early Access on January 20, 2023, with Supercube publishing a roadmap targeting six major updates on the path to a 1.0 release. Three major updates were delivered: Major Update #1 on March 16, 2023 (player XP, traits, game modes), Major Update #2 on July 24, 2023 (the rover "The Bear"), and Major Update #3 on April 1, 2024 (the "Decisions" update). This established an update cadence of roughly 6–9 months between major releases.
The last developer communication of any kind was a localization and bug-fix patch (0.52) posted on May 13, 2024. Before that, on September 3, 2024 — wait, the September 2024 dev diary actually predates the patch in the posting order shown but is dated after it; reading the timeline carefully, the September 3, 2024 development status post is the most recent developer communication. In that post, Supercube was candid about severe financial strain: the team is small, members are working jobs outside the gaming industry to survive, and the next major update (which would rework core systems) was significantly delayed with no target date given. The developer affirmed they had not abandoned the project, stating they had invested five years of their lives into it.
Since that September 3, 2024 post, there has been no further communication from the developer — a silence spanning more than 20 months as of June 22, 2026. The promised fourth major update and eventual 1.0 release remain undelivered. The game is still purchasable on Steam and remains in Early Access. Given the documented financial difficulties, the extended silence well beyond the historical update cadence, and no confirmation that development has resumed or concluded, the status of the project is genuinely uncertain.
Evidence
Developer diary acknowledges serious financial difficulties: team is small, members work outside the gaming industry to make ends meet, and the next major update is significantly delayed due to these constraints. Developer states they have not abandoned the project.
Major Update #3 'Decisions' released, adding a new character, station module, victory condition, and extensive new content. Post also describes the team's financial situation and the challenge of developing such an ambitious game with limited resources.
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Supercube
Achievements
—
Platform
Windows
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Unsupported
Players
Single-player
About this game
The Pioneers: Surviving Desolation is an innovative space simulation game where you play as a crew of specialists that must survive and explore the secrets of the desolated moon, Io.
Planet Earth. 2084. It is time to put your mark on history. You are in charge of Io-1, the first inhabited space mission to Io. The dangerous biomes here feature extreme temperatures, intense volcanic and seismic activity and magnetic storms. Retrieve your space station, prep your crew, manage your resources and get ready to face the most hostile environments in the solar system.
Each game of The Pioneers offers players a unique challenge. Start with 3 different characters chosen randomly among a pool of 15. Adapt to their strengths and weaknesses and use everything they have at their disposal to survive.
Your spaceship has wrecked on the surface of Io but you can still use the parts to your advantage. Produce Materials, build modules and engineering systems, craft wearable equipment and make food. Utilize the game’s advanced health system to monitor everyone carefully to keep them alive.
Volcanos, seismic activity and magnetic storms will put nearly constant pressure on your crew. Monitor your beacons carefully to avoid dying because of a sulfur wind. Anticipate and adapt. Your life depends on it.
Io may be dangerous but it is also home to beautiful, desolate landscapes. Board a rover or a flying drone and venture out to gather precious resources int he various biomes of Io. Explore the land and collect important scientific data to accomplish your mission.
The Pioneers: Surviving Desolation features multiple winning conditions and endings. Play again and again, take advantage of upgrades, learn the best strategies for survival, and master all of Io’s unforgiving elements.
Planet Earth. 2084. It is time to put your mark on history. You are in charge of Io-1, the first inhabited space mission to Io. The dangerous biomes here feature extreme temperatures, intense volcanic and seismic activity and magnetic storms. Retrieve your space station, prep your crew, manage your resources and get ready to face the most hostile environments in the solar system.
Each game of The Pioneers offers players a unique challenge. Start with 3 different characters chosen randomly among a pool of 15. Adapt to their strengths and weaknesses and use everything they have at their disposal to survive.
Your spaceship has wrecked on the surface of Io but you can still use the parts to your advantage. Produce Materials, build modules and engineering systems, craft wearable equipment and make food. Utilize the game’s advanced health system to monitor everyone carefully to keep them alive.
Volcanos, seismic activity and magnetic storms will put nearly constant pressure on your crew. Monitor your beacons carefully to avoid dying because of a sulfur wind. Anticipate and adapt. Your life depends on it.
Io may be dangerous but it is also home to beautiful, desolate landscapes. Board a rover or a flying drone and venture out to gather precious resources int he various biomes of Io. Explore the land and collect important scientific data to accomplish your mission.
A New Adventure to Experience
The Pioneers: Surviving Desolation features multiple winning conditions and endings. Play again and again, take advantage of upgrades, learn the best strategies for survival, and master all of Io’s unforgiving elements.
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 22, 2026
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