The studio behind the MOBA battle royale title, Velev, has made the difficult decision to remove the game from Steam just days following its launch. In a heartfelt message posted on its store page, developer Chaf expressed their hopes of supporting the game in the long-term through its Early Access release. However, the journey took an unexpected turn when the studio was unable to secure the necessary funding or investment to sustain development.
Challenges in Development
Initially, Chaf announced a transition from a premium model to a free-to-play format, aiming to broaden the game’s accessibility. However, in a subsequent blog post, the studio revealed that this shift was no longer feasible. In light of these challenges, all purchases have been refunded to players.
“As some of you may have already noticed, we weren’t able to reach the point we needed to continue supporting and servicing Velev,” Chaf stated. “Despite our best efforts, we couldn’t secure the investment we needed from VCs or larger partners. With limited options, we made the decision to launch in Early Access, hoping for the best.”
The developer acknowledged that Velev was still in a premature state when it debuted as a paid title on Steam. “It wasn’t an ideal situation, but it was the only path we had at the time,” they explained.
A Bittersweet Farewell
Chaf’s message conveyed a sense of heartbreak as they prepared to step away from development. “Our team poured so much passion and energy into this project, but we couldn’t quite reach the goals we had set,” they reflected. “Still, hearing your feedback, encouragement, and kind words along the way meant the world to us.”
