By Sagar V. Mankar 
Tiny Glade, a relaxing and city-building game from indie studio Pounce Light, has sold 616,000 copies within its first month, according to GameDiscover.
Released on Steam on September 23 at a modest $15, the game has drawn players worldwide with its unique, pressure-free gameplay. Unlike traditional games that focus on competition or clear objectives, Tiny Glade stands out as a “sandbox” experience—offering players a serene space to build and explore without time limits or rules.
Players are given complete freedom to create, from simple village scenes to complex structures inspired by pop culture, such as Helm’s Deep from The Lord of the Rings. The game’s versatility has encouraged players to explore their creativity at their own pace. While the game is mainly played in a bird’s-eye view, there’s also a first-person mode, allowing players to see their creations up close.
Tiny Glade had a remarkable debut on Steam, peaking at over 10,000 concurrent players. Just two weeks after release, on October 9, the developer officially announced that the game surpassed 500,000 sales. Even after its initial hype, the game continues to maintain a strong presence, with over 1,000 concurrent players still playing it now.
According to GameDiscover data, the United States leads in player count with 32%, followed by Germany, France, and China.
The numbers are not surprising as it accumulated over 1.37 million wishlists on Steam before its release. The title was also the fourth most-played demo on Steam Next Fest in June 2024.
Critics and players alike have praised Tiny Glade for its charm, simplicity, and refreshing approach. Despite an average playtime of just over an hour, reviews on Steam remain overwhelmingly positive, with a rating of around 94%. This indicates that players don’t necessarily seek long sessions but appreciate the game’s calming, stress-free environment. Ultimately, Tiny Glade provides a creative escape that resonates with players seeking tranquility and imagination, marking it as one of the year’s standout indie successes.
Currently, Tiny Glade has been nominated for Best Self-published Indie Game in the Golden Joystick Awards 2024.