Steam News28 July 20261mo ago

A new game appears

Hello dear followers, Today, it's a special announcement! It's been a bit more than a year since Zefyr's release, and during this time, I've been updating and fixing it, but also trying to prepare what will come next.

In this update7

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Full Zefyr: A Thief's Melody update

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Hello dear followers,

What changed

0 fixes2 additions1 change0 removals

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addedToday, it's a special announcement! It's been a bit more than a year since Zefyr's release, and during this time, I've been updating and fixing it, but also trying to prepare what will come next. And today I can finally share with you the brand new Steam page of my next game: Yashi - Sand Driver .

addedSo What is this game ?Here's the pitch: in an endless desert, you are Yashi, a lone survivor... until this radio signal changes everything. Jump in your van with your faithful coyote, drive across the wastelands, survive the heat, scavenge resources, craft tools, fight the elements & find your way to New Eden in this feel-good road trip.

changedSo Smaller Scope?That's the intent indeed. I aim at something between 2 and 4h of play, that you can complete in one play session. Of course, it will come at a lower price too. The progress should be more free and less linear than in Zefyr, giving Yashi some elements of sandbox (no pun intended 😁) where you discover and upgrade at your own pace. Expect no NPC, no dialogs, no quests, no enemies, just a simple goal, a cute companion, and free exploration. I know that Zefyr story was a bit weak, so I chose to keep it to environmental narration here. Let's focus!

Zefyr: A Thief's Melody changes

addedHere's the pitch: in an endless desert, you are Yashi, a lone survivor... until this radio signal changes everything. Jump in your van with your faithful coyote, drive across the wastelands, survive the heat, scavenge resources, craft tools, fight the elements & find your way to New Eden in this feel-good road trip.

changedThat's the intent indeed. I aim at something between 2 and 4h of play, that you can complete in one play session. Of course, it will come at a lower price too. The progress should be more free and less linear than in Zefyr, giving Yashi some elements of sandbox (no pun intended 😁) where you discover and upgrade at your own pace. Expect no NPC, no dialogs, no quests, no enemies, just a simple goal, a cute companion, and free exploration. I know that Zefyr story was a bit weak, so I chose to keep it to environmental narration here. Let's focus!

Today, it's a special announcement! It's been a bit more than a year since Zefyr's release, and during this time, I've been updating and fixing it, but also trying to prepare what will come next. And today I can finally share with you the brand new Steam page of my next game: Yashi - Sand Driver.

👇 Wishlist now 👇 to support me and be notified on launch

Yashi Sand Driver This will hopefully push the game a bit more in the mysterious grand Steam machinery.

So What is this game ?

Here's the pitch: in an endless desert, you are Yashi, a lone survivor... until this radio signal changes everything. Jump in your van with your faithful coyote, drive across the wastelands, survive the heat, scavenge resources, craft tools, fight the elements & find your way to New Eden in this feel-good road trip.

I'll let you check the Steam page for more details.

Why a new game and not a sequel to Zefyr?

Well, developing Zefyr has been a quite difficult journey 😅. I wanted something simpler to keep my sanity. Furthermore, despite the very nice reviews and decent sales for an indie game, I'm still very far from breaking even, so I need to make a game faster with a more viable business model (or even just with a business model at all... 😁) if I want to keep making games. So, smaller scope, faster dev, different setting, but... same vibe 👇!

Is it linked to Zefyr?

Well not explicitly or in the lore/world. However, you'll find the same mood and feel-good atmosphere that you may have loved in Zefyr. And now that I look at it from a broader perspective, in Zefyr you sail the Ocean on a turtle to explore islands. In Yashi, you drive in the Desert with your coyote to explore unknown places. There's definitely a common theme here.

In a way, Yashi is the "Journey" of my Zefyr/Abzu. It wasn't on purpose, but it definitely seems like it 😊.

So Smaller Scope?

That's the intent indeed. I aim at something between 2 and 4h of play, that you can complete in one play session. Of course, it will come at a lower price too. The progress should be more free and less linear than in Zefyr, giving Yashi some elements of sandbox (no pun intended 😁) where you discover and upgrade at your own pace. Expect no NPC, no dialogs, no quests, no enemies, just a simple goal, a cute companion, and free exploration. I know that Zefyr story was a bit weak, so I chose to keep it to environmental narration here. Let's focus!

So no more Zefyr?

Don't worry, I still plan a few fixes and quality of life updates thanks to all your feedback. I'll do my best to juggle between these and the dev of Yashi.

If you don't want to miss any big milestones in my next games, please subscribe to the newsletter. I've recently setup this to be sure to be able to reach directly to players.

As always, thanks a lot for your amazing support, and see you soon.

Have a great day, take care!

Peace.

Mathias, the dev

Source

Steam News / 28 July 2026

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