Probably Stolen – Cyberpunk Shopkeeper Sim drew more than 162,000 concurrent players on Steam last night, according to the source report. The game started out as Deepspace Emporium, a non-cyberpunk shopkeeping sim that still has a Steam page.
Publisher tinyBuild backed the project and worked with developer Questing Goose on a visual overhaul and changes to its design focus. tinyBuild CEO Alex Nichiporchik said the earlier game had a released demo that peaked at 28 concurrent players. He said the publisher liked its concept and gameplay, then worked with the developer to reinvent its visuals and emphasise the elements that worked best.
The central premise remains a space-station trading business. Players haggle over goods of varying quality and legality, navigate changing market conditions and manage rent, while dealing with factions that include station security and underworld figures. The game also offers different retail lines and career paths, including gunsmithing and chemistry.
The available information does not establish how much the original demo differed in its mechanics. The earlier Deepspace Emporium demo is no longer available, while Probably Stolen presents the trading and faction systems with a cyberpunk visual direction.
Sources: Rock Paper Shotgun.