To the developers: We need to talk about platform abandonment (A message from Japanese SnowRunner players)
[Update: Let’s focus on the future]
After reading through your comments, I’m convinced that implementing PROS for the upcoming Switch 2 version is technically feasible, even considering hardware limitations—other titles have already proven it's possible. What we are hoping for most right now is an early official announcement regarding the Switch 2 release and PROS support.
With the hidden code now brought to light, accelerating this announcement would be the ultimate opportunity for Saber to restore our trust and strengthen the bond with the community. While this thread is reaching a natural conclusion, it’s not the end; I hope it serves as a foundation for making these changes a reality.
I’m also keeping my fingers crossed for a brighter future for our fellow Mac players. Let's look forward to some good news.
[English Version]
I am writing this as a voice for many dedicated Japanese SnowRunner players who have been silently struggling with the sudden termination of PROS support on Nintendo Switch. Please understand that this is not just a protest; it is a challenge. It is a challenge to all of us—developers and players alike—to define what kind of future we want for this game and the gaming culture we share.
SnowRunner offered us something truly special—a unique alternative to the speed-oriented racing games that dominate the industry. We loved and supported this challenge because it dared to be different. However, abandoning the community's progress based solely on numerical logic feels contradictory to that creative spirit. To walk away from this continuity now is to risk stifling the rich, inclusive culture that made SnowRunner such a success in the first place. I also want to emphasize that the Nintendo Switch port itself was a technical masterpiece; maintaining such complex physics and immersion on that hardware earned our deepest respect, which is why it is so heartbreaking to see it abandoned.
In Japan, we value humility and patience. However, many Japanese players (and likely those in other Asian countries) have remained silent out of a sense of cultural restraint. But I want to be clear: this silence does not mean indifference. The frustration and disappointment are building up inside.
There is a large community in Japan that has invested hundreds of hours and significant money into Year 1-4 DLCs. We understand that technical limitations made it difficult to maintain PROS support on the original Switch, and we are not necessarily demanding an immediate fix for the old hardware. However, the upcoming release of the Switch 2 version could be a turning point. We believe this is the perfect opportunity to address the issue. By synchronizing the launch of the Switch 2 version with a solution for legacy data, developers could show respect for the time and dedication we have invested—our partnership in this creative journey.
To the developers: Your bold challenge has been a resounding success, proven by the fact that SnowRunner has reached Year 4 and beyond. We don't just love this game; we believe that the next generation of creators will use the inspiration and high aspirations they received from this experience to pave the way for new horizons in gaming. Funselektor Labs Inc.'s "over the hill" is a prime example of this ripple effect. You are the pioneers, and you deserve to remain on the throne. Never forget that every revolution in history was ignited by those whom the status quo underestimated as "insignificant."
I believe that speaking up is essential for the evolution of gaming culture. Whether on Switch, Steam, or any other platform, our progress is our personal investment. Abandoning this investment without notice is not just a technical decision; it is a breach of the trust that built this game’s success. Please, let’s not just walk away in silence. Let’s keep speaking up, sharing our stories, and demanding that our dedication be respected.
We love this game, and that is exactly why we cannot stay silent.
[日本語訳]
Nintendo Switch版のPROSサポートの突然の終了により、静かに苦しんでいる多くの熱心な日本のスノーランナープレイヤーの代弁としてこれを書いています。どうか理解していただきたいのですが、これは単なる抗議ではありません。これは「挑戦」なのです。このゲーム、そして私たちが共有するゲーム文化の未来をどのようなものにするのかを定義するための、開発者とプレイヤー双方への挑戦です。
スノーランナーは、業界を支配するスピード重視のレースゲームに対して、真に特別な、唯一無二のオルタナティブを提示してくれました。私たちはその挑戦を愛し、支持してきました。しかし、数値的な論理だけでコミュニティの歩みを切り捨てることは、その創造的な精神と矛盾するように感じます。ここでこの連続性を諦めてしまうことは、スノーランナーを成功に導いた、あの豊かで寛容な文化そのものを殺すことにつながりかねません。また、強調しておきたいのは、Nintendo Switch版そのものが技術的な傑作であったということです。あの限られたハードウェアの中で、これほど複雑な物理演算と没入感を維持しきった手腕には、深い敬意を抱いています。だからこそ、今こうして見捨てられるのが心から辛いのです。
日本には謙虚さや忍耐を美徳とする文化があります。しかし、こうした美徳は不当な状況に直面したとき、時には欠点となり得ます。多くの日本のプレイヤー（そしておそらく他のアジア諸国のプレイヤーも）は、文化的抑制から、この冷酷な変更について声を上げることを控えてきました。しかし、はっきりさせておきたいのは、この沈黙は「無関心」を意味するものではないということです。世界中のプレイヤーが抱いているのと同じように、私たちの心の中には不満と失望が積み重なっています。
日本には、何百時間ものプレイ時間と、Year 1〜4までのDLCに多額の投資をしてきた大規模なコミュニティがあります。私たちは、オリジナルのSwitchでPROSサポートを維持することが技術的に困難であったことは理解しており、旧ハードへの即時修正を強硬に求めているわけではありません。
しかし、Switch 2版の発売は転機となり得ます。私たちはこれがこの問題を解決するための絶好の機会だと考えています。Switch 2版のリリースに合わせて、過去のセーブデータを引き継げる解決策を提示することは、私たちがこれまでゲームに捧げてきた時間と情熱――このクリエイティブな旅におけるパートナーシップ――に対する敬意を示すことになるはずです。
開発者の皆様へ：あなた方の果敢な挑戦は、スノーランナーがYear 4（そしてそれ以降）までリリースされているという事実によって、大成功を収めていることを高らかに証明しています。私たちは単にこのゲームを愛しているだけではありません。次の世代の作り手たちが、このゲームから受け取った刺激や高い志を糧にして、新たなゲームの地平線を切り開いていくはずだと信じています。Funselektor Labs Inc.による「over the hill」は、まさにその波及効果を示す好例です。あなた方はパイオニアであり、これからも王者の椅子に座り続けるべき存在です。歴史上のあらゆる革命は、既存の勢力から「取るに足らない存在」と見くびられていた人々によって引き起こされてきたことを、どうか忘れないでください。
私たちはこのゲームを愛しています。だからこそ、黙っていることはできないのです。
Edit 1:
Wow, the response has been incredible. Thank you all for sharing your stories and perspectives—it's clear I'm not the only one feeling this way.
To those asking about my setup: I’ve been playing SnowRunner across Switch, Steam, and macOS precisely because the PROS cross-progression allowed me to carry my progress wherever I went. It was the "bridge" that made my cross-platform playstyle possible. Seeing this bridge collapse feels like losing the very reason I invested so much time into the game across these devices.
I’d love to hear your thoughts: Are you also in a similar situation, relying on cross-progression across multiple platforms? It’s heartbreaking to see this bridge collapse, and I’m curious if anyone has found an effective way to voice this to the developers. I’d love to keep our discussion constructive—let’s see if we can find a way to make ourselves heard.
Edit2: A few clarifications based on the feedback so far
- "What exactly is your goal ?" - We are not here to voice endless complaints; our purpose is clear. We are calling for a full restoration of PROS cross-progression connectivity, ideally synchronized with the potential release of a Switch 2 version. While this version is not yet officially confirmed, if it is in development, an early official statement regarding legacy data support would be the best possible gift for the community. This would be the perfect turning point to honor the time and dedication invested by legacy players, proving that the developers truly value those who have kept this unique game alive. It is not just about the technical aspect; it is about providing the peace of mind we all deserve and ensuring a fair, sustainable future for all players.
- "Business as usual?" – I completely understand that the developers are a business. My concern isn't with the necessity of profit, but with the lack of transparency. If a feature has to be cut, a prior notice allows players to adapt. Trust is the foundation of any long-term business model.
- "Why not just play on the old version?" – This is only a temporary fix. Future updates and DLCs will inevitably force us onto the latest version. We need a sustainable long-term solution.
- "Is this just a local issue?" – Definitely not. The comments here show that players across multiple platforms (Mac, etc.) are facing the same abandonment. This is a global issue regarding the lifecycle of digital ownership.
- "Just get a PC, problem solved?" – It might seem that way if you only play on one platform, but this is a broader issue of how companies value the time we invest in their games. If we accept this "rational business decision" to abandon a platform without notice, what’s stopping them from abandoning "low-spending" PC users or players with older hardware next? This isn't about platform elitism; it's about protecting the rights of all players.
- "Was there not a 3-month notice?" – Yes, there was. However, the core of our concern is whether that notice effectively addressed the reliability of PROS connectivity and the actual data migration process. There is a fundamental difference between simply "announcing a shutdown" and "providing a functional, reliable solution for data migration." For us, the latter is what truly matters.Furthermore, the developers themselves have officially acknowledged that the loss of PROS access caused issues for players trying to transfer their saves (see their official statement). If they were aware of these issues, a mere 'notice' is not enough; a functional resolution is the only way to fulfill their responsibility to the players."
Edit 3: 1hour ≠ 1hour — Why this matters to all of us
I am a father of two, and like many of you, my free time has become a precious commodity compared to my younger days. I know I am not alone in this—many of us in this community have navigated life events, work, and family responsibilities that have significantly limited our gaming time. One hour of gaming as a child and one hour as an adult are completely different things, and I am certainly one of those who feels this deeply.
For us, that one hour we can squeeze into our day isn't just "time"—it’s our sanctuary. It’s a moment of peace in a busy life. We play SnowRunner not just to race, but to build, to progress, and to invest our limited time into something meaningful. When that continuity is broken, it feels like we’re losing a part of the effort we’ve carefully woven into our lives.
This isn't about blaming anyone; it's about acknowledging the value of the time we have all collectively invested. I believe we all want to keep this "sanctuary" sustainable, regardless of what platform we use. Let’s keep sharing our stories—not out of anger, but out of a shared love for the world we’ve built together.