Starsand Island removed from steam amid unauthorised content issue

Starsand Island removed from Steam after developer cites unauthorised content, players suspect Tetris connection

Starsand Island, a notable cosy title for 2026, has been removed from Steam following an issue involving unauthorised content, according to its developer.

Mollie Taylor praised the demo in December 2025, while Lauren Morton described it in February as “the first can't-miss cosy game of 2026.” However, the title is currently unavailable on Valve’s platform.

In a statement posted on X, Seed Sparkle Lab explained the reason behind the removal. The developer said that “certain core visual elements from a classic title were used without proper authorisation within our mini-game section,” adding that the issue was “an oversight during the planning phase.”

The studio did not identify the specific title referenced in its statement. However, discussion among players on the Starsand Island subreddit has pointed towards Tetris as a possible source of the issue.

This speculation appears to stem from gameplay footage in which a streamer reacts to a segment of the game by asking, “Is this Tetris?”

The removal has prompted discussion within the community about intellectual property use and the approval processes involved in game development.

Seed Sparkle Lab has not confirmed when or if Starsand Island will return to Steam.