- Milky Way in a Box - July 2026 - 2 July 2026
Hello Planetary Architects,Welcome to the first edition of Milky Way in a Box! In this probably quarterly newsletter we will give you latest updates on the Nekokami universe!Successful Launch! 🎉Getting beyond 50 reviews is a gigantic milestone for us. As an "indie" type of indie, we never have the budget to ever have any modern day paid promotion. In a tiny corner of the Milky Way, we will continue to create slowly and patiently. Once again, thank you to all the players who love Nekokami, as well as all content creators who have shared their love of the game!If you have enjoyed Nekokami and haven't left a Review on Steam, please do! That's the best gift you can ever give to a creator! 🐣QoL Improvements🍩After the almost 2 years of working on Nekokami, I'll need to slow down a bit to replenish my Creative Energy. 🍉 Your feedback have been and will always be well documented and careful…
- Post Launch Update (v1.0.4) - 20 April 2026
Hello Planetary Architects!Thank you for the suggestions and bug reports! We have uploaded several rounds of post-launch updates and fixes:Additions/Changes 👏A mysterious shrine now appears in Paperbag Point in Chapter 4. Our ancient Monk seems reluctant to let you approach the location! Non-gamepad devices will now be ignored by default. (If you have a gaming controller plugged in and would like to use keyboard and mouse you will still need to disable it manually in "Controller" under main menu)A language selection box will appear when you first start the game.Bug Fixes🔧Fixed a dialog issue when replaying an expedition.Fixed a lock-up issue due to Kami not arriving in Kunlun. (Chapter 4)Fixed issue of energy orbs hiding in the great wilderness in Savanna Biome.Digging out Deep Ruins on planets with artisan requirement will no longer lead to error. (Chapter 4)Fixed several random stor…
- Nekokami Version 1.0 is here! - 14 April 2026
Hi Current and Aspiring Planetary Architects,We made it~ Nekokami v1.0 release is here! 🌏🚀🌌 To celebrate, let's enjoy a new indie-made trailer? 💖🍄🌺Thank you for your patience - you can now fully indulge in the Nekokami Universe with our v1.0 release! Come, join us now! They have all been waiting for you! We have a total of FOUR chapters in the version 1.0 release. New Planetary Architects, please expect a long, emotionally rewarding journey! 🌱The Early Access meter has now become the Nekokami Universe meter! Existing Early Access players can check out these posts on what's been added in the latest update. A Big Thank You 🌷We can't thank you all enough for being with us throughout the development of the game. We hope the game will bring you joy, peace of mind and serenity. 🔭Please feel free to leave a review if you're enjoying the game, and may you create the most beautiful of p…
- Chapter 4 has Arrived! - 10 April 2026
Hi Planetary Architects,Yay! Chapter 3 finale and Chapter 4 have arrived! Is this the v1.0 Release? Almost there, so it's Version 0.9.9! Most of the game will now function like it's v1.0. It's delivered so that our Early Access supporters can get their hands on it early!🍄New ContentTongSui and DimSum star systems for the Chapter 3 Finale. Save the poor kitten!Early Access Players: Please head to Galala Valley if you have finished everything in the last Content update.The Elders of the Milky Way would like to test your skills and resolve.5 new Star Systems and a new gameplay progression in Chapter 4!Distant, abandoned lands where the ancestors of the Cats once thrived.For details on Chapter 4 please see the post (or just play it!): 🌟Changes The Dream Garden is now in Paperbag Point, in-game (in case you haven't played since the patch before last).Endings for each star system can now be…
- About Chapter 4 - 28 March 2026
Hello Planetary Architects,As we approach our scheduled v1.0 release date, it's time to talk about Chapter 4! After the climactic ending of Chapter 3, which we can't spoil here, your life in Nekokami will enter a new stage! 🎁A New Chapter! 🎆In Chapter 4, you are free to venture into new content or revisit your favorite biomes, colleagues, and Kami! We’ll make sure you enjoy both — there will be new twists and surprises in your most familiar biomes. You are now a hero of the Milky Way, and everyone is eager for your expertise. Wait, I didn’t spoil any of the story, did I?We intend Chapter 4 to be a slower-paced adventure. Planetary creation should feel more like a daily activity. You're a legendary Planetary Architect now. "What should I be creating today?"When we first started designing Nekokami, we wanted the experience to resemble one of our inspirations: the classic jigsaw puzzle —…
- We have a Tentative v1.0 Release Date! ✨ - 1 March 2026
Hello Planetary Architects ✨,Just to let everyone know that we are working day and night towards our upcoming v1.0 release! This release will include the finale of Chapter 3 and a brand new Chapter 4 that features a slightly different pace of gameplay. We can't spoil too much here but we'll share more details in the coming month. 🌱Some screenshot teasers for our Chapter 3 finale...? The Kami Elders would like to... TEST you...?🌌 What does v1.0 mean for Nekokami?The v1.0 milestone means that the Nekokami experience has matured through the valuable feedback of our Early Access supporters. Planetary architects who desire a self-contained, complete experience can now safely jump in at the v1.0 launch! However, like most games on Steam, we will continue to update the game after release, so it’s not the end of our adventure!🍄 Will there be a price adjustment?Yes, there will be a slight pri…
- Happy Holidays! - 26 December 2025
Hello Planetary Architects 🛸,Happy Holidays! It's near the end of 2025, and it's cold here! We would like take the chance to share with you our progress with Nekokami. It's probably quite obvious - the upcoming biome will be Winter!⛄It's actually only ONE of the upcoming biomes but it makes the most sense to share it now, right?We are nearing the end of our Early Access so we are finalizing what features are definitely going into our 1.0 release. 🙌 One thing in particular is that we are not satisfied in how we now summon our bonded Kami and how they are going to help. Here's a preview of the coming changes:We're also implementing "Memories", as suggested by some of our esteemed Early Access players. Our Planetary Architects might come back to the job after a long break and you might want to remind yourselves the mischiefs you have done together...🍄 Will there be new content after 1.0…
- The Paperbag Monk Update - 10 November 2025
Hello Planetary Architects,Please welcome Paperbag Monk, proud protector of one of the Four Artifacts of the Milky Way! The Paperbag Monk will now provide company sponsored spiritual training for all new employees. Guess that includes you! This Major Update includes:🛸 New ContentThe Paperbag Point, now accessible from the Milky Way 🌌. The new Star System comes with new daily Expeditions and one Certificate plus a Steam Achievement🏆 for our players to unlock.The Paperbag Monk of the Still Water Temple maintains a strange device called 🦋 The Dream Launcher... The original Mileage System has been simplified. You will now unlock cards in The Dream Launcher simply by your Total Tile Mileage!EYE and Chief Xia has opened their Shops 🏪! There are a total of 8 cosmetic items available for you in N43 and Paperbag Point respectively. Time to spend your hard-earned Reputations! Where EYE's sho…
- Upcoming Update, and Discord! - 2 November 2025
Hello Planetary Architects ✨,It's us! We have been busy preparing a functionality update for Nekokami! Chapter 4 won't be arriving yet - this update is about some essential polish needed for our eventual 1.0 release early next year. Some improvements that we promised our Early Access players will also be included. First of all, we have a Discord now! 🍵 Come join us at A Tiny Corner of the Milky Way:Join Our Discord!As we approach 1.0 we believe we need an extra means to connect with our players. It won't really be a busy place but do come and drop by! One of the major changes in the upcoming update is that The Dream Garden🌱 will now be folded into the main campaign. Paperbag Monk, our third (actually second in proper appearing order) Holy Cat with his Artifact, will now await our Planetary Architect recruits in the Paperbag Point. Hm... hello?Another major functionality is the Nekokam…
- 🍾Early Access Anniversary!🎉 - 18 August 2025
Hello all current and aspiring Planetary Architects!It's Anniversary for Nekokami's Early Access! 🌟🍾🎉Well, technically our game was launched into Early Access around the end of June 2024, but we kept keep debugging and patching the game fanatically until it is pretty bug-free in... Aug? So here we are, from that point to now:30-40 hours of gameplay 🌱22 Star Systems and 6 biomes 🌱Almost 3 Chapters of cat adventures and mysteries of human extinction (oops) 🌱30 Kami and over a dozen Future Cat colleagues and personalities (ALL CATS) 🌱We are really really grateful for the patience and contributions of our Early Access supporters. 🌳 To celebrate the anniversary, let's have a sneak peek of what's coming up for Nekokami!Chapter 4 ❄️Hm, we cannot give any spoilers for our last Chapter except it is about Winter and it's all over the Milky Way 🌌. An epic ending to your adventure in Nekok…
- Chapter 3 Has Arrived! - 8 May 2025
Hello Planetary Architects, It's Spring!💐Well, it's actually almost summer but in the Nekokami universe, Spring is coming! In the season of growth, renewal and confusion, our Spring Council Member and her buddies are waiting to meet the company's latest rising star. Major Gameplay Changes📣 Hill Tiles: Hill Tiles can now only be placed where there are at least two adjacent Tiles (of any type). This gives Hill Tiles a more unique gameplay identity. Catcus Habitats: The Cat's favorite succulents now have a stricter size limit. Flower Habitats: Kami Approval has slightly decreased. They are still as beautiful as ever. New Content🎁 Chapter 2 Finale: Star System Pan New Hub Systems: Seat of Seasons, The Blooms, Sector 79, Galala Valley. New secrets of the universe will unfold! New Star Systems, each with unique gameplay: Udon'en, Garden of Oden, Tamago Reserve, Pastry, Pho, Katsu, Trials o…
- Chapter 3 Progress, Part 5 - 18 April 2025
Hello Planetary Architects, Here we are, the last part of our progress update. Some of you may have started the journey when we first launched into Early Access. The feline folks and gods will be quite disappointed if your memory of them are already fading, but maybe it's a good idea to give a small summary of the story so far? 📃The Story So FarSpoilers for existing content. You started your career with our Caretaker greeting you at the office... with all the suspicious signals that he is "up to something"...?! Things spiral as you realize you are simply a magnet of Kami and they just love "helping out" in every one of your Expeditions... be it a lush paradise, a desert, or a home for the Golden Humans. Oh, the tiny Golden fellows, loved by the Cats and Mr. Autumn, in particular. Did you manage to help Senpai on his troubles? Well, there're greedy, virulent intelligent races unlike the…
- Chapter 3 Progress, Part 4 - 16 March 2025
Hello Planetary Architects, ⚡Kami PreviewIn this fourth post of our series, we are going to preview... the Kami! There're a total of TWELVE brand new Kami who will join forces in messing up... I mean, "helping" you in your career! Hm, but we don't want to spoil the surprise... so let's have some teaser screenshots for a Guess-a-Kami?(...some of them are easier than the others) (The secrets of the Milky Way are safe, for now. 🌠 ) 🔮UI/Menu ImprovementsBtw, there will be a ton of UI improvements 🔧 that will come along with the Content Update. For instance, human species as well as special rules for the planet will now be shown clearly in the Expedition Summary: (Look at the glittering face of the Golden Human!) The main menu will feature tiny worlds that tempt you with glimpses of future adventure: Hope you enjoy the progress update. We are working real hard to bring the naughty cats to…
- Local Co-op Game Mode Update - 3 February 2025
This is a functionality update. The new star systems, biomes and Chapter 3 content will arrive in the update AFTER this one. 🤝Local Co-op Game Mode Surprise! We had this experimental two-player game mode brewing for some time. Enjoy your Planetary adventure in the Nekokami universe with another human! The Co-op Game Mode, as the name suggests, is highly cooperative. Players will share the same Tile queue and take turns to create beautiful planets and meet the objectives. At least one controller is required. Please see second part of the post for more details. 🔥 Other New Features Surveying a placed Tile will now show a mini-Hexagon with iconic representation of constituents of the Tile. The star system display will now feature the associated main character(s). This will help players get around more easily. 🔧Bug Fixes and Other Improvements Fixed a bug that prevent players from gettin…
- Chapter 3 Progress, Part 3 - 20 December 2024
Hello Planetary Architects, Schedule Update: Q1 2025 📅First, a schedule update - the ETA for Chapter 3 is now Q1 2025! We have all the gameplay ready, but we are still working hard to resolve bugs and catch up with the localization and music. We wish to stress that the content update will be BIG, and we need to make sure our Early Access players will have a smooth experience through the Chapter 2 finale and beyond. So, we must humbly ask for your patience. Thank you! In this third post of the series, we will address one concern from some of our beloved Early Access players - why all planets so far are Earth-lookalikes? Where are our alien landscapes of a universe ruled by the Future Cats? 👽 Onsen Biome ♨️Let me introduce you to the Onsen Biome - a biome where Kami Energy is far too intense for general Human habitation. Excess Kami Energy crystallizes on the planet surface as Kaminites…
- Chapter 3 Progress, Part 2 - 5 December 2024
Hello Planetary Architects, In this second post of the series, we are going to look at two of the upcoming Biomes 🌵🌴🌲, both under management of our yet-to-reveal Spring Council Member. One-third of our Nekokami experience is building soothing diorama of nature on deliciously named planets. Let's take a preview of the tranquil nature 🌰 you will create before the naughty cats try to steal the spotlight again? Fertile Biome🌾The first Biome is the Fertile Biome 🌾, the "official" biome of Spring. The keywords for the Biome is Variety and Artisanry. Did you notice in the above planet, Bushes, Trees and Flowers come in more than one species? Arrangement of the different species, along with various rules over how Habitats should be formed, will determine your Artisanry of your Planetary Creation. Earn Artisanry Points and prove to the Kami your growth as Planetary Architect! The Artisanry…
- Chapter 3 Progress, Part 1 - 21 November 2024
Hello Planetary Architects, It's about time we reveal more details about the upcoming Major Content Update, which we target to deploy before end of year. Major Content Updates are big updates. In the Chapter 3 Update, you will get to catapult your career to new heights with: 🌱 Four brand new biomes, each with unique mechanics! 🌌 9 Playable Star Systems and 4 new destinations on the Milky Way! 🎶 10+ new Kami and Colleagues and lots and lots of cats! 🍄 Brand new gameplay mechanics that are challenging, relaxing or outright silly! 🔧 Tons of UI and gameplay improvements The update will push the total Story gameplay hours to 30 hours total. The quality control has become a little bit challenging for our two person team but we will try our best to keep the promise of delivering within Q4 of 2024! 🍂 Chapter 2 Finale If you have already joined our Early Access, you will definitely know th…
- The Big Visual Update!✨ - 7 September 2024
The BIG Visual Update✨ is here! This major patch includes numerous visual enhancements and gameplay balance changes over existing content of the game. 🌌 Star System Updates Expedition objectives have been adjusted. New objectives have been introduced to offer more variety for our Planetary Architects. Mochi Star System: As you can see from the GIF at the top of the post, Professor's vessel can now be spotted wandering around your creation site. The deployment of B.O.X.es has been rebalanced to allow better gameplay flow. Tempura Star System: The planets ravaged by greedy lifeforms now have a proper ravaged look. 🌟Kami Changes Chief Xia offers more interesting gameplay when he arrives. Kami of the Wetland is now more difficult to handle, like a proper cat! He will also now pop up somewhere on the planet when he's about to "have fun" with you! Kami arrivals now have a more exciting look…
- Nekokami is great on Steam Deck! - 26 August 2024
Yes, Nekokami runs great on Steam Deck! 🌠🚀 Actually, our prologue🌱 attained Steam Deck Verified status a couple of months ago, so you can be sure that our Early Access version will also provide a smooth experience: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/2825730/view/4182235001962536563 Steam will take time to officially review and verify the full game's Steam Deck support. Unfortunately, they have no timetable for it. In the meantime, if you own a Steam Deck, feel free to let us know about your planet creation experience on it! Feedback and suggestions are greatly appreciated. 🌟 Rocket-in-Bottle Team 🚀
- We have an Early Access trailer! - 10 August 2024
Just to let everyone know, we have a trailer for our Early Access release! The new trailer showcases many visual improvements we've added to the game over the past month. They will arrive via the next update along with some gameplay balancing changes. Please stay tuned! Hm... why does the Early Access trailer come after the Early Access release?Hm, because we are in a universe ruled by Future Cats? Maybe that's how cat would do it! Seriously, though, we are a really tiny team. No team of PR. No publisher. So we handcraft everything one at a time! We truly appreciate your patience and your support of indie creations. 🌱 Rocket-in-Bottle Team
