Steam database update seemingly confirms Returnal PC

Following months of speculation, a PC port of PlayStation’s PS5 console exclusive Returnal has been all but confirmed, after a Steam database entry was updated to reference the game.

The steam listing for Codename ‘Oregon’ first appeared earlier this year, and was strongly suspected to be related to the Housemarque roguelike due to localisation strings which appeared to reference locations from the game.

Now, an update made to the database entry on Tuesday has seemingly put to rest any doubt that the listing in question is related to Returnal. As seen below, the entry’s change list shows “Returnal” being added to the title’s save games directory, before being edited out hours later.

Beyond the Steam listing, there was already a fair amount of evidence to suggest the PS5 exclusive is coming to PC.

A video showing off the settings menu for a PC version of Returnal seemingly leaked online in September, before being removed due to a copyright claim from Sony Interactive Entertainment. Before that, VGC was provided footage appearing to show Returnal running on PC.

And last year, a PC port of Returnal was included in the huge ‘leak’ of unannounced games on Nvidia’s GeForce Now streaming service.

Many other games on the leaked list have since been released, including the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy remasters and the PC version of God of War. Another Sony game mentioned on the list, a PC version of Sackboy: A Big Adventure, also appeared in the Steam backend last year and was eventually released this October.

Further reading

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Housemarque interview: ‘With Sony, we have a runway to go even wilder’

Returnal's narrative designer explains how development of PS5's hardest blockbuster shaped the studio's future

Returnal was released for PS5 last April and is Finnish studio Housemarque’s largest and most ambitious project, following several decades focused on 2D arcade-style shooters such as Super Stardust HD and Resogun. Following the game’s release, Housemarque was acquired by Sony.

PlayStation boss Jim Ryan said during a business briefing in May that Sony expects half of its annual releases to be on PC and mobile by 2025.

Housemarque’s senior narrative designer recently told VGC that the studio plans to incorporate ideas and narrative systems originally planned for Returnal into its next original game.