Garry Newman responds to s&box criticism in lengthy YouTube comment: ‘I don’t like giving up on things, I am stubborn’
October 4, 2026
In a candid response to the s&box community, Garry Newman, the founder of Facepunch Studios, took to YouTube to address criticisms regarding the platform’s recent performance. His comments came in reaction to a video by Eridium titled “S&box’s Free To Play Weekend Isn’t Enough,” which offered a pointed critique of the game’s current state.
Newman’s Acknowledgment of Challenges
Newman expressed a heartfelt acknowledgment of the issues plaguing s&box since its launch. He conveyed a sense of accountability, stating, “We can’t get away from that, we fucked it. We weren’t ready and we fucked it.” This admission reflects the frustrations felt by both the developers and the community, as the game has not met expectations in its initial months.
Among the critiques highlighted by Eridium were several key points:
The player character models: The design of the “citizen” character has faced backlash, even with recent updates.
Design Intransigence: Facepunch’s reluctance to alter the unpopular character design has been viewed as stubbornness.
Timing of Release: Eridium suggested that the game might have benefited from a delay to improve its first impression.
Quality Control: The influx of low-quality games, particularly those generated by AI, has hindered the platform’s discoverability.
Lack of Community Engagement: Eridium criticized Facepunch for insufficient outreach, suggesting that he could perform the role of community manager more effectively.
Newman also acknowledged the importance of Eridium’s role as a critical voice within the community, stating, “We don’t want you thinking you can’t make videos like this calling us out. We don’t want you to stop holding us to account.” He emphasized the value of independent criticism, recognizing that it plays a crucial role in maintaining trust between the studio and its audience.
Reflecting on the current landscape of user-generated content (UGC), Newman remarked, “Right now with AI, it’s either the worst time in history to launch a UGC platform or the best time in history to launch a UGC platform. I don’t know which one.” He expressed a sense of urgency about the decisions facing the studio, hinting at the potential long-term impact of their actions over the next few months.
As the conversation continues, the s&box community watches closely, hoping for a turnaround that aligns with Newman’s vision and the expectations of its players.
Garry Newman responds to s&box criticism in lengthy YouTube comment: ‘I don’t like giving up on things, I am stubborn’
In a candid response to the s&box community, Garry Newman, the founder of Facepunch Studios, took to YouTube to address criticisms regarding the platform’s recent performance. His comments came in reaction to a video by Eridium titled “S&box’s Free To Play Weekend Isn’t Enough,” which offered a pointed critique of the game’s current state.
Newman’s Acknowledgment of Challenges
Newman expressed a heartfelt acknowledgment of the issues plaguing s&box since its launch. He conveyed a sense of accountability, stating, “We can’t get away from that, we fucked it. We weren’t ready and we fucked it.” This admission reflects the frustrations felt by both the developers and the community, as the game has not met expectations in its initial months.
Among the critiques highlighted by Eridium were several key points:
Newman also acknowledged the importance of Eridium’s role as a critical voice within the community, stating, “We don’t want you thinking you can’t make videos like this calling us out. We don’t want you to stop holding us to account.” He emphasized the value of independent criticism, recognizing that it plays a crucial role in maintaining trust between the studio and its audience.
Reflecting on the current landscape of user-generated content (UGC), Newman remarked, “Right now with AI, it’s either the worst time in history to launch a UGC platform or the best time in history to launch a UGC platform. I don’t know which one.” He expressed a sense of urgency about the decisions facing the studio, hinting at the potential long-term impact of their actions over the next few months.
As the conversation continues, the s&box community watches closely, hoping for a turnaround that aligns with Newman’s vision and the expectations of its players.