Climbing Game Cairn Has Been Delayed

In a post on Bluesky, the studio said Cairn requires a bit more time to make sure the game is at its best. After announcing the delay, the message shares “We’ve been running a lot of playtests, and you’ve let us know that we have something truly special with Cairn. However, we also see the improvements we can still make. After five years of work, so close to our goal, it makes no sense to rush.” The team then states its focus will be on”optimization, debug, and polish” for the extra few weeks of waiting.

The Game Bakers also shared that a special demo update is on its way. For a limited time, players will be able to see the ghosts of others who are climbing Mount Tenzen—“speedrunners, community members, and the dev team,” as the studio puts it—and potentially discover new routes and hidden areas in the process. The team also responded to a comment on its delay post about potential Steam Deck verification, responding to an inquiry with “You bet your boots! Steam Deck is very important to us”.

Cairn has been hotly anticipated after its demo received high marks from players and critics alike. This early look revealed a meditative yet intense experience that sees players climb Mount Tenzen by managing resources, charting routes up the mountain, and taking in some beautiful scenery along the way. The game evidently aims to replicate the trials (and joys, if you plan well) of climbing precarious mountains. The demo dropped on December 5, 2024 and has since racked up over 300 reviews on Steam, currently sitting at an Overwhelmingly Positive. It clearly has an excited audience, one that only needs to wait a bit longer than before to get their hands on the climbing game.