The Message from Deep Space
In the codexIndie

The Message from Deep Space

Mission: Translate an interstellar message, using the universal languages of math & science.

DEV: ApplesinmypantsPUB: ApplesinmypantsAppID 4080030
UPDATE PULSEevery ~10d·last 78d ago·8 recent on record

Is The Message from Deep Space still being updated? — the short answer, with the evidence.

98.8
Exceptional

Elixir Rating

96.8% of 1,612 Steam reviews are positive, which after adjusting for sample size gives a reception score of 95.9. The developers have shipped 5 substantial updates in the past six months, adding 2.9.

reception 95.9·support +2.9·Exceptional

Computed from Steam’s own review tally and observable developer activity — never from anyone’s opinion of the game. How this is calculated

Should you look into this?

From Steam's own record

Current price

$7.99$9.99−20%

Development

Actively supported

Last heard from developers

2 days ago

Usual rhythm

every ~10 days

Substantial updates (6 mo)

5

Current silence

within normal range

The developers post roughly every 10 days and were last heard 2 days ago — within their normal range. 5 substantial updates landed in the past six months, 1 of them major. It is currently 20% below its usual price.

Distilled by the oracle

Our coverage

1 dispatch written from this game’s announcements

patchAug 20, 2026

The Message from Deep Space Patch 1.2.0 Fixes Transmission 237 and Adds Dictionary Context

Two weeks after launch, developer Applesinmypants has shipped version 1.2.0 of The Message from Deep Space, addressing what the developer describes as the patch's most consequential fix: transmission 237.

The transmission had been updated in a prior patch to remove a chemical compound (C2) that made little sense contextually — but that edit inadvertently made the puzzle unsolvable in a reasonable way. The new patch corrects that mistake.

What changed

  • Transmission 237 reworked so the puzzle is solvable again
  • Dictionary entries now display the transmission in which each signal was first introduced — a highly requested feature
  • Journal entries correctly show the Translator's dictionary words when quickly advanced
  • Both Ctrl keys now supported for in-game hotkeys
  • Screensaver can be disabled in settings
  • Periodic table fixes: Bismuth given a proper entry; Elements 87, 88, and 89 added
  • Fixed a glucose typo in Chemistry → Common Compounds
  • General fixes to transmission clarity, consistency, and dialogue typos

The update arrives alongside a community milestone report: 11,000 copies sold and 500 Steam reviews at an "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating, along with community-built tools including a Dictionary Renderer and a Deep Space Communication Relay.

For players mid-puzzle, the dictionary transmission-source feature in particular should meaningfully reduce dead ends when tracing unfamiliar signals back to their origin.

Two years of development

■ substantial ■ routine

Nov2025FebMayAugNov2026FebMayAug

12 announcements · 5 substantial · 19 months with nothing

Recent Transmissions

12 entries in codex

Community AnnouncementsOct 1, 2026
Steam Autumn Sale!!

Hi Translators, and soon-to-be Translators! "The Message from Deep Space" is 20% off during Autumn Steam Sale, Oct 1st through Oct 8th. This is the largest sale price for the game to date! Maybe you've been eyeing the game for some time. Ma…

Community AnnouncementsJul 18, 2026
1.2.1 Hotfix

1.2.1 Hotfix - No longer softlocks in the end of week meetings of weeks 24 & 26

Community AnnouncementsJul 17, 2026
Update 1.2.0

Hi Translators! The Message from Deep Space has been released for just over 2 weeks now! I first would like to thank you all for the incredible support and love for the game. It makes me really happy to see the fanart, the theories, the dis…

Read our dispatch on this

Read this patch for

Community AnnouncementsJul 5, 2026
1.1.1 Hotfix

Hi Translators!Quick patch to fix the framerate limiting setting. Happy Translating!- Applesinmypants ːsteamhappyː

Community AnnouncementsJul 4, 2026
Patch 1.1.0

Hi Translators!This is the first post-release update! It’s packed full of bugfixes & QoL changes and a few content updates. We're not even a week out yet and the response has been incredible! I'm glad you all are enjoying the game. Plus, we…

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Community AnnouncementsJul 1, 2026
Game Release!! 1.0.0!!

Hi Translators! “The Message from Deep Space” is now released! The full release is here. 1 Meteor, 900+ Transmissions. I hope you all enjoy! (Astronomer's Note: Meteorite***)Only a day out and we're already rated "Very Positive"! How awesom…

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Community AnnouncementsJun 21, 2026
Update 0.10.8 (beta)

Hi Translators! Today we’ve got a small round of changes for the beta. A few bugfixes, a once again much-requested improvement to dictionary formatting (custom default formatting settings!), and a bit of content updates too, across hypothes…

Community AnnouncementsJun 18, 2026
Update 0.10.7!! :D

Hi all! New round of changes! I appreciate the feedback this community gives because it actively shapes the game in a myriad of ways. You get stuck on a transmission? Great, it’s updated for clarity and an Idea is written! (Like the dreadfu…

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Community AnnouncementsJun 16, 2026
We're In Steam Next Fest!!

Hi Translators! This week is Steam's Next Fest, a fun event that happens a few times a year to explore upcoming releases and play their demos!And guess who's in it... The Message from Deep Space!! There's never been a better time to play th…

Community AnnouncementsMay 30, 2026
Update 0.10.6!! :D

Hi Translators! New patch landing for the demo & beta! I hope you all are continuing to enjoy the game! It’s really cool seeing how much this game resonates with people. It seems like you all really get it. Now, the problem with having a co…

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Community AnnouncementsMay 20, 2026
3 Weeks of Updates!

It's been a great 3 weeks since the demo released, and the response has been amazing! Thank you all sharing your feedback, letting me know the transmissions that were overbearing or inconsistent, the dialogues that were especially funny, an…

Community AnnouncementsMar 3, 2026
Game Trailer + Release Date!!

Hi All, Two Big Announcements!The Game's first trailer is out now!! Check it out!! And The Message from Deep Space will release on June 29th!! Trailer:DRelease DateOriginally, the game was set to release in March, but I've pushed it back to…