Why Only Up was removed from Steam and what it reveals about indie game development pressures
The Phenomenon That Was Only Up
Only Up, the cult-classic platformer that exploded into popularity in 2023, has been removed from Steam at the behest of the creator.
The hit sensation Only Up is no longer available on Steam after the developer had the game delisted from the Steam store and cited “stress” as the reason for its removal.
Every now and again a game will explode out of the blue. It will become a complete haven for streamers and content creators as they give it all the attention under the sun. It happened with Among Us, and in 2023 it happened with Only Up.
Created by SCKR Games – a studio operated by a single user – Only Up is a platformer that encourages players to ascend a seemingly never-ending series of obstacles that get progressively harder. At times you will make unbelievable progress, but the caveat is that one false move can send you hurtling back down – conceivably to the beginning of the game.
The Real Reasons Behind the Delisting
While streamers were sinking hours of gameplay, and rage, into Only Up, the metaphorical weight of the game has taken its toll on its creator.
In place of Only Up’s Steam page, there is now pretty much only a statement from the creator explaining why they have had the game removed.
“I’m a solo developer and this game is my first experience in Gamedev, a game I did for creativity, to test myself, and where I made a lot of mistakes. The game has kept me under a lot of stress all these months. Now I want to put the game behind me. And yes. The game won’t be available in the Steam store soon, that’s what I decided myself.”
Steam ban leaves indie horror game on brink of failure
Epic Games boss thinks Steam’s AI warning “makes no sense”
This Is Fine meme turned into a game & you can play the demo right now
They continued: “What I need now is peace of mind and healing. I plan to take a pause, and continue my education in game design and further with new experience and knowledge to direct my energies to my next game with the working title “Kith” – it will be a new experience and a new concept with realism, a completely different genre and setting, and the emphasis is on cinematography. This time I hope the project will be created by a small team. This is a challenging project on which I want to significantly improve my skills in game design. Thank you for your understanding.”
Lessons for Indie Developers
While it may come as a shock to many to see such a popular product suddenly removed, it appears to be for the betterment of the creator’s own health and general well-being. The game was temporarily removed for a short while due to copyright claims against some of the game’s “stolen assets”.
Many players and fans of Only Up will likely be disappointed with this news. However, it will be encouraging to know that the dev is already working on a new game. Also, check out the game that inspired Only Up – Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy – which is still available to play on Steam.
For aspiring indie developers, the Only Up story offers crucial lessons about managing sudden success. The pressure of maintaining a viral hit can overwhelm solo creators, especially when dealing with community expectations, technical issues, and personal creative growth simultaneously.
Building sustainable development practices from the start—including proper asset management, community engagement boundaries, and mental health awareness—can help prevent similar burnout situations.
What’s Next for SCKR Games
The developer’s journey continues with “Kith,” a project that represents both a creative evolution and a practical approach to game development. By transitioning from solo work to team collaboration, SCKR Games demonstrates important growth in development methodology.
The emphasis on cinematography and realism in Kith suggests a move toward more narrative-driven experiences, potentially attracting a different audience than the hardcore platforming community that embraced Only Up.
For players who enjoyed the challenging mechanics of Only Up, exploring similar games in the precision platformer genre can provide satisfying alternatives while awaiting new developments from SCKR Games.
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Only Up creator reveals they are removing the game on Steam due to “stress” Why Only Up was removed from Steam and what it reveals about indie game development pressures