Exploring Postal 3’s controversial development history and why its creators celebrated its removal from Steam
The Troubled History of Postal 3
The development journey of Postal 3 represents one of gaming’s most notable cautionary tales about outsourcing and quality control. From conception to its eventual removal from digital storefronts, the game faced relentless challenges that ultimately led to its controversial demise.
Digital rights management complications prompted Postal 3’s removal from Steam, leading series creators Running With Scissors to host a distinctive ‘rest in piss’ commemorative event while encouraging fans to obtain the game through unofficial channels.
Postal 3’s development cycle encountered significant obstacles from its earliest stages. The game launched to lukewarm reception at best, with reviewers consistently highlighting numerous technical problems and game-breaking bugs that severely compromised the player experience. Critical analysis pointed to fundamental design flaws beyond simple technical issues.
Development responsibility for Postal 3 was transferred to a Russian publishing and development company, as documented in Steam community discussions by Toploader, a former Running With Scissors team member. This outsourcing decision created communication barriers and creative differences that impacted the final product’s quality.
The choice to withdraw Postal 3 from commercial availability was framed as protecting the ‘best interests of the Postal Community,’ a position elaborated in subsequent forum communications. This unprecedented move signaled the developers’ commitment to preserving franchise integrity over short-term profits.
Akella, the original publishing partner for Running With Scissors, reintroduced Postal 3 to Steam in late 2021. However, persistent DRM complications rendered purchased copies unplayable, prompting a second removal from the platform. These repeated technical failures inspired the development team’s characteristically unconventional response to the situation.
Running With Scissors’ Unconventional Response
The Postal franchise has built its reputation on dark comedy and extreme protagonist behavior. Few gaming series incorporate urinary mechanics as a central feature, yet within the Postal universe, this unconventional element becomes a defining characteristic.
Running With Scissors demonstrated clear dissatisfaction with Postal 3’s final quality. Their decision to remove a title bearing their studio name from commercial circulation back in 2012 powerfully communicated their assessment of the game’s shortcomings and their commitment to artistic standards.
When social media discussions raised the possibility of a Postal 3 remake, the developers responded unequivocally: “No we’re good. Games are expensive and we’d rather not rehash that horrible moment in time.” This candid rejection highlighted both financial pragmatism and emotional detachment from the project.
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Marking Postal 3’s second removal from Steam, Running With Scissors organized a ‘Rest In Piss P3 Celebration’ event, perfectly aligning with the series’ trademark irreverent tone while acknowledging the game’s troubled legacy.
Since DRM complications caused Postal 3’s delisting from Steam and we lacked control over the store page, we’re hosting a commemorative gathering.
Join our Discord community, obtain exclusive limited-time roles and participate in honoring P3’s departure (from Steam).https://t.co/2N1J0nyx5O pic.twitter.com/arIPMdWbQa
Symbolic gestures including mouse-clicking middle fingers and a questionably colored virtual tombstone represented Postal 3’s farewell, allowing developers to ceremoniously distance themselves from what they previously described as a ‘horrible moment in time.’
The studio affirmed ‘Yes’ when questioned about piracy alternatives for accessing Postal 3, simultaneously releasing an official statement regarding alternative acquisition methods.
“Yes, we’re fully conscious that alternative acquisition methods exist for Postal 3, but this prevents Steam customers from purchasing this subpar product under false pretenses.”
Lessons from Postal 3’s Failure
The Postal 3 development saga offers crucial insights for game developers and publishers regarding project management, quality assurance, and creative control. Understanding these lessons can help prevent similar situations in future game development cycles.
Outsourcing Pitfalls: The decision to transfer development to an external Russian studio created fundamental communication and quality control challenges. When core creative vision becomes disconnected from development execution, the resulting product often fails to meet audience expectations. Developers should maintain closer oversight and establish clear quality benchmarks when working with external partners.
Technical Debt Management: Postal 3’s persistent DRM issues and game-breaking bugs demonstrate the dangers of accumulating technical debt. Regular quality testing throughout development, rather than just before release, could have identified and resolved these issues earlier. Implementing robust automated testing protocols helps catch compatibility problems before they reach consumers.
Community Trust Preservation: Running With Scissors’ decision to remove a commercially available game, despite potential revenue loss, ultimately strengthened community trust. Being transparent about product quality issues and taking responsibility for subpar releases builds long-term player loyalty, even when short-term profits suffer.
Brand Integrity vs. Quick Releases: The studio’s refusal to remake Postal 3, despite fan interest, shows commitment to brand integrity over easy financial opportunities. Sometimes preserving a franchise’s reputation means walking away from problematic entries rather than attempting quick fixes that may further damage consumer perception.
Postal Series Renaissance
Following Postal 3’s difficulties, Running With Scissors released Postal 4 and Postal: Brain Damaged, both titles receiving significantly improved critical and community reception compared to their problematic predecessor.
The franchise’s recovery demonstrates how developers can learn from past mistakes and successfully revitalize beloved series. Postal 4 returned to the series’ roots with improved mechanics and the signature dark humor that originally defined the franchise, while Postal: Brain Damaged offered a fresh take that expanded rather than diluted the core gameplay experience.
This successful comeback story provides hope for other gaming franchises that have experienced disappointing entries. By listening to community feedback, refocusing on core strengths, and maintaining development control, studios can overcome previous setbacks and deliver products that satisfy both longtime fans and new players.
The Postal series’ journey from near-franchise collapse to successful revival serves as an inspiring case study in developer resilience and the importance of staying true to creative vision while learning from past development missteps.
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Postal 3 devs say “rest in piss” to their game and tell players to pirate it Exploring Postal 3's controversial development history and why its creators celebrated its removal from Steam