How Cairn Hit 500k Steam Demo Downloads

The climbing game genre has seen a rise in popularity, driven by titles that explore both humorous and serious gameplay approaches. Games such as Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy and Only Up! have attracted attention through challenging mechanics and viral appeal, while others like Jusant from Don’t Nod and PEAK by Aggro Crab and Landfall have offered more immersive experiences. The Game Bakers, a French development studio known for games like Furi and Haven, has joined this trend with their new title, Cairn, which is set for release in 2025. Cairn introduces itself as a single-player “survival-climber,” offering a precise, methodical gameplay style that focuses on slow but stressful progress.

According to a report by GameDiscoverCo, Cairn recently surpassed 500,000 demo downloads, with the majority of those coming from Steam. The demo launched on the platform in December 2024 and has recorded approximately 440,000 downloads to date. It maintains a 99 percent positive review rating and a median playtime of 44 minutes. On PlayStation 5, where the demo was released on June 4, 2025, Cairn reached 100,000 downloads and currently holds a 4.6 out of 5 star rating. These figures reflect a positive reception from players across platforms.

Lauranne Cauduro of The Game Bakers noted that while the studio cannot compete with the high volume of quality indie titles, they aim to offer something distinct. Cairn’s emphasis on deliberate gameplay and realistic climbing physics stands out in a landscape often dominated by fast-paced action adventure titles. According to player feedback, the game’s slower pace combined with its tension-filled mechanics offers a unique experience that feels both refreshing and challenging.

Building Awareness Through Events

Much of Cairn’s demo success can be attributed to a deliberate and structured marketing approach. The developers launched the demo during the PC Gaming Show Most Wanted event, roughly six months after the game’s initial reveal at Summer Game Fest 2024. Cairn was also showcased at Gamescom 2024, where it won Best Game of the Indie Arena Booth. These events helped generate early interest and provided opportunities for the development team to gather valuable feedback.

The team was highly active in participating in Steam events and festivals, appearing in over eighteen showcases since the demo’s release. These included Indie Live Expo, Demospree, the Earth Appreciation Fest, and Actu Gaming France Direct. Visibility on the Steam platform was further supported by new demo functionality that allowed The Game Bakers to notify all players who had wishlisted the game when the demo became available. Cairn was also featured in the Trending Free section on the Steam homepage for an extended period, including during the Steam Winter Sale, which further increased its reach.

How Cairn Hit 500k Steam Demo Downloads

Community Engagement and Organic Creator Support

In addition to platform features and event participation, Cairn benefited significantly from organic content creation and community enthusiasm. According to Cauduro, several social media videos featuring the game went viral, including some posted directly by The Game Bakers and others from independent creators. Notably, one TikTok video from an Indonesian game showcase creator surpassed 1.8 million views, outperforming similar content from other titles.

The studio confirmed that it has not yet spent its allocated budget for content creator campaigns. Most of the video coverage and online engagement has been organic, with only limited investment made to test advertising materials and target specific audiences. This early interest, driven largely by word of mouth and creator enthusiasm, suggests a high level of natural appeal for the game’s theme and mechanics.

How Cairn Hit 500k Steam Demo Downloads

Localization and Strategic Timing

The Game Bakers also employed localization as a key strategy for maintaining visibility. When English-language featuring on Steam ended in early January 2025, Cairn continued to appear on front pages in other regions, including Spanish, Russian, and Chinese markets. This extended visibility helped sustain download momentum well into March.

Additional insights shared by the development team include the benefits of launching a demo outside of Steam Next Fest, which can allow for longer homepage exposure. Releasing demos during other Steam events or alongside seasonal sales was also found to improve visibility. The team emphasized the importance of aligning demo launches with external events or showcases to maximize audience outreach.

Looking Ahead

While Cairn’s full release is still months away, its performance to date has positioned it as one of the more promising upcoming indie games. The game is currently listed among the top 75 unreleased titles on Steam’s Popular Wishlists and is estimated to have around 500,000 wishlists on PC. Its early momentum highlights how a focused approach to event participation, demo timing, platform functionality, and organic creator support can contribute to early-stage success.

Cairn’s performance reflects a broader interest in climbing-themed games, and its distinctive survival-focused gameplay may continue to resonate with players seeking thoughtful and challenging experiences. As The Game Bakers prepare for the game’s full release, Cairn serves as an example of how mid-sized teams can effectively navigate a competitive indie game landscape. The games mentioned in the article: