Survive on Raft

Survive on Raft

Digital ReleaseSteam
July 05, 2019

Nintendo Switch
January 20, 2022 (EU, NA)
March 03, 2022 (JP)
DelistingOctober 2022 – Nintendo Switch (NA)
DeveloperIO Games – Steam
Megame – Nintendo Switch
PublisherIO Games – Steam
Megame – Nintendo Switch
Available OnNintendo Switch (EU, JP)
Nintendo Switch (NA) – as Survive & Craft
Steam
LinksPublic Facebook group linked from the game’s Steam Store page
SteamDB page

Delisting

Survive on Raft was likely delisted on Nintendo Switch, only in North America, in October of 2022 shortly before the release of Survive & Craft on October 20th. Survive & Craft appears to be the same game on Nintendo Switch as Survive on Raft  — right down to the identical screenshots and description — which remains available in Europe and Japan without the change in name. It is unclear why the game was delisted exclusively in North America and why a new product release was required instead of just a name change. 

Developer and publisher Megame remains as the sole credit on all of the Switch releases while on Steam the game has flip-flopped between Megame and IO Games from 2019 through 2022. Versions on Android and iOS are published by Megaplay Studios and Duhnich Dmitrij respectively with titles varying slightly between Survival & Craft and Survive and Craft.

The original 2019 release on Steam bears striking similarities to the prototype of what would go on to become Raft from Redbeet Interactive and Axolot Games.This prototype was released on itch.io for free in 2016, and though unscrupulous, it may not be entirely illegal for other studios to use that code in their own unrelated projects. Since 2016 several copycat titles have been reported to Redbeet and Axolot but it appears they are unable to litigate against the most egregious offenders, either for lack of copyrighted content or funds for the cost of legal action.

All that said, it does not appear that Survive on Raft was replaced by Survive & Craft on Nintendo Switch exclusively in North America for any kind of trademark or infringement against Megame. The change may have been made to bring the title closer to the mobile releases in hopes of attracting players from one platform to the other but this still does not explain why the name hasn’t changed in Europe or Japan.



About the Game

You survive in a terrible plane crash and now you are out of civilization. Around the endless ocean, exhausting sun and hungry sharks. There is only one thing left for you – to survive at any cost. To do this, you need to collect resources, improve the raft and build your shelter right on the raft. Remember that thirst and hunger are not the only dangers. Make sure the hungry shark doesn’t destroy your raft!

Survival Simulator
Watch for indicators of health, hunger and thirst. Otherwise your adventure on the raft will quickly end!

Explore the recipe for crafting!
Catch fish, grow vegetables and get water — do everything to survive! Create building materials, clothes, weapons, chests and other things necessary for survival.

Explore the islands!
Travel to the islands and discover new lands!

Get resources!
Use the hook to catch the necessary resources: debris, algae, boxes and others. They will be useful to you for survival!

Craft and build!
Spread, equip and protect the raft. Build a real shelter that will allow you to last as long as possible!

Сreative Mode!
A mode for real architects who want to make their dreams come true!

Thanks to A. Payne for submitting this game to the site