PlayWay is a publisher of simulation games that released three titles on Steam in the first half of 2026: Cheap Car Repair, the Gold Mining Simulator 2 demo, and Ore Factory Squad. All three launched with strong early user ratings.
PlayWay's three most recent releases show a consistent focus on simulation games, each built around a specific hands-on activity - car repair, gold mining, and factory automation. Cheap Car Repair, developed by Little Dog Games and published by PlayWay in May 2026, is a comedic car repair sim set in the Polish countryside of the 1990s. It launched on Steam to a "Very Positive" rating, with 91 percent of 202 user reviews positive at the time of reporting and a concurrent player peak above 5,200. About half of the reviews came from Polish users, who praised the game for evoking nostalgia.
In June, Code Horizon and PlayWay released a demo for Gold Mining Simulator 2 on Steam. The game is a sequel to the 2017 original Gold Mining Simulator. Unlike the single-player-only predecessor, the full game will support multiplayer. The demo, which is single-player only, includes a narrated quest line, interactions with NPCs, and physics-based excavation mechanics using heavy machinery such as excavators and the AUH-20C washing plant. It is available on PC via Steam and supports Japanese.
In July, PlayWay released Ore Factory Squad, a cooperative mining and factory building simulation, on Steam. Priced at 1,700 yen with a 25 percent launch discount running until July 31, the game supports up to four players who dig through procedurally generated terrain, extract resources, and automate production with conveyor belts and warehouse robots. Game Spark reported a "very positive" rating on Steam, with 92 percent of 127 user reviews positive. A free demo had been available since March 2026, and a patch, version 1.0.1, was released alongside the game to address tutorial freezes, crashes, and connection issues.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself
sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every
fact links the story it came from.
Jul 17
PlayWay released the cooperative mining and factory building simulation game Ore Factory Squad on Steam on July 16, 2026. The game is priced at 1,700 yen (tax included), with a 25 percent launch discount running until July 31. In Ore Factory Squad, up to four players dig through procedurally generated terrain to extract resources, which they process and ship to earn funds. Players start with a shovel and unlock tools like pickaxes, jackhammers, and dynamite as they progress. The factory system begins with simple machines and expands through licenses that unlock new equipment and recipes. Players can automate production with conveyor belts, pallets, forklifts, and warehouse robots. They also purchase various properties-from backyards to construction sites and forests-to expand operations and fulfill contracts from companies. A patch, version 1.0.1, was released alongside the game to address tutorial freezes, crashes, connection issues, and balance adjustments. Game Spark reported that the game launched with a 'very positive' rating on Steam, with 92 percent of 127 user reviews being positive. A free demo has been available since March 26, 2026.
Jun 12
Code Horizon and PlayWay released a demo for Gold Mining Simulator 2 on June 11, 2026. The game is a sequel to the 2017 original Gold Mining Simulator. Players use heavy machinery such as excavators, pickup trucks, and the AUH-20C washing plant to mine gold in the Alaskan wilderness. The demo includes a narrated quest line and interactions with local NPCs. Unlike the previous single-player-only title, the full game will support multiplayer. The demo is single-player only. It is available on PC via Steam and supports Japanese. Mining operations require resources and machinery can break down, so players must manage supplies and perform maintenance. The demo allows players to experience the evolved physics-based excavation mechanics and realistic heavy machinery.
May 29
Simplicity Games and PlayWay S.A. released the comedic car repair simulation game 'Cheap Car Repair' on PC via Steam on May 28, 2026. Developed by Polish studio Little Dog Games, the title is set in the Polish countryside of the 1990s. Players run a small auto repair shop with limited resources, fixing cars using improvised and often questionable methods. Repairs can include filling dents with putty, using stockings as fan belts, diluting gasoline with water, or installing a stolen water valve as a steering wheel. The game also features an open world where players can explore the village, take on side quests, and interact with neighbors. Since launch, the game has received a 'Very Positive' rating on Steam, with 91% of 202 user reviews positive at the time of reporting. Concurrent player numbers peaked at over 5,200. About half of the reviews are from Polish users, many of whom praised the game for evoking nostalgia for their homeland. A release sale offers a 25% discount until June 12, bringing the price to 1,875 yen.