Controller Layout and Menu Bindings

Control Schemes and Hardware Compatibility

Developer Studio Ashty launched the public demo on May 8, 2026, followed by a publishing partnership with Irox Games. Playtest feedback collected on March 9, 2026 highlighted input gaps, which prompted adjustments planned for the September 18, 2026 release. The Steam store lists full controller support as an official feature, but in the demo build players still need a keyboard to access certain interface menus.

Selecting Keyboard and Mouse Controls

Desktop hardware provides the primary interaction method across the demo build. Screen prompts show desktop buttons, such as pressing [B] to open the building menu, allowing players to navigate menus directly.

Community feedback from September 10, 2026 pointed out that the demo lacks a toggle option for sprinting. This causes physical fatigue during the Dark Thicket minigame, where players report having to constantly sprint. Mouse inversion also has limits in the test build, where vertical and horizontal axes invert together. Developer Ashty verified on the Steam forums that version 1.0 separates horizontal and vertical axis inversion into two independent toggles.

Navigating the Hybrid Demo Gamepad Setup

Using a gamepad in the test build requires keeping a desktop keyboard within reach. While a controller works in the demo released on May 8, 2026, players still need a keyboard for several actions. When an on-screen prompt displays "Press [ B] to open the Building Menu", the software is listening for the physical B key on a computer keyboard rather than a button on a controller.

This arrangement applies while players explore the opening area, The Woods, and preview the Mountains biome. Players can gather resources and automate production, but still need keyboard inputs for actions like opening the building menu. The demo does not allow unlocking milestone items for Mountains biome resources such as coal and tin, but players spending up to 4 hours exploring available content keep both input devices active side by side.

Preparing for the Version 1.0 Gamepad Build

Studio Ashty is overhauling controller navigation for the full launch on September 18, 2026. The March 9, 2026 playtest report confirmed that mechanics will receive clearer descriptions, and all resource containers will have dedicated input and output slots. Demo save files cannot carry over because early progression paths were rewritten to prevent world corruption.

The planned full release aims to provide full controller support across factory expansion and exploration.

• Constructing assemblers, farmers, and storage units among 60+ buildings.
• Linking machines with pipes to automate production chains.
• Tracking milestone goals across 20+ resources to unlock crafts and buffs.
• Exploring secret areas and uncovering all four endings.

Configuring Linux via Proton

Running the software on Linux distributions requires adjusting standard Steam compatibility flags. Players attempting to launch the demo on Fedora encountered startup failures under native settings. Testing confirmed that selecting Proton Experimental resolves the boot issue immediately.

While Proton Experimental runs the demo on Linux, no confirmed fix is documented yet for the lack of a sprint toggle. In response to feedback regarding gamepad controls, the developer confirmed that controller support will be reworked before the full release. Additionally, although Steam Cloud is supported, the developer stated that demo progress will not carry over to the full game on September 18, 2026, as early game changes require a fresh start to avoid corruption or bugs.