Draft:Dinkum (video game)

Introduction

Dinkum is a survival life simulation video game developed by Australian solo developer James Bendon and published by KRAFTON. The game was released into early access on Microsoft Windows via Steam on July 14, 2022, and officially launched as version 1.0 on April 23, 2025^[1][2]. Set in a fictional environment inspired by the Australian outback, Dinkum allows players to gather resources, hunt, mine, fish, and build as they develop their own personalized town^[3][1].

Gameplay

In Dinkum, players establish and develop a settlement on an island inspired by the Australian outback. The game features various activities including farming, hunting, mining, fishing, and crafting^[3][1]. As players progress, they can build relationships with island residents and attract non-player characters (NPCs) to their town, creating a thriving community^[1]. Each NPC offers unique services and contributes to the town's development.

The game supports both single-player and multiplayer modes, allowing up to six players to collaborate on one island^[1][2]. The multiplayer functionality was enhanced in the full release, with improved guest permissions for more flexible and coordinated play^[2].

Key Features

The full 1.0 release introduced several significant additions:

• Creative Mode: A sandbox-style mode enabling players to freely design and customize their islands, generate items, animals, and objects at will, and control time and weather^[1][2]
• NPC Guest Houses: Players can rent out accommodation to up to four NPCs for steady in-game income^[1][2]
• Two-Person Airplane: A new transportation option for rapid travel across the island^[1][2]
• Bug Terrarium System: Allows players to collect and raise insects using new crafting recipes^[1][2]

Development

Dinkum was developed independently by James Bendon using the Unity engine^[4][5]. Bendon worked on the game alone for five years before releasing it in Early Access, stating: "To be honest, I really like working alone. Not having deadlines or meetings to attend is very freeing."^[5] He developed the game with financial and emotional support from his wife^[5].

For the first three years of development, Bendon kept the game mostly to himself, later allowing select family members and friends to playtest and provide feedback^[5]. In February 2025, KRAFTON signed a global publishing agreement for Dinkum, acquiring publishing rights for all titles within the Dinkum IP^[6]. The partnership included expanding the game's language support to 14 languages to increase global accessibility^[6][2].

A spin-off title, Dinkum Together, was revealed at G-STAR 2024. While Bendon continues developing the core game, Dinkum Together is being developed by KRAFTON's creative studio, 5minlab^[6].

Reception and Sales

During its Early Access period, Dinkum surpassed 1 million copies sold on Steam and maintained a "Very Positive" user rating^[6][1][2]. Players appreciated the game's blend of farming, town-building, crafting, and exploration, drawing comparisons to Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing, and Minecraft, but with a distinct Australian twist^[2][7].

The game has developed a dedicated community, with some players investing significant time creating elaborate towns. One Reddit user reported spending over 230 hours building their town, stating it was "dedicated to James Bendon for creating such a wonderful game as Dinkum"^[8].

To coincide with the official launch, a free demo version was released, allowing players to try the game and carry over their progress if they purchase the full version^[2]. At launch, Dinkum was priced at $19.99^[2].

References

[1] https://store.steampowered.com/app/1062520/Dinkum/

[2] https://krafton.westeu-v2.propressroom.com/KRAFTON-SIGNS-GLOBAL-PUBLISHING-DEAL-FOR-PC-SURVIVAL-LIFE-SIM-DINKUM-A

[3] https://www.gameinsight.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=35147

[4] https://www.gamingamigos.com/post/dinkum-leaves-early-access

[5] https://modding.wiki/en/dinkum

[6] https://premortem.games/2024/05/29/james-bendons-5-year-journey-to-create-dinkum-to-be-honest-i-really-like-working-alone/

[7] https://www.reddit.com/r/Dinkum/comments/wku351/my_town_in_dedicated_to_james_bendon_for_creating/

[8] https://www.gamegrin.com/articles/playing-way-too-much-dinkum/

[9] https://x.com/dinkumdev

[10] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bk65sJYNv2Q

[11] https://m.gamevu.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=38794

[12] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktdOYx30eSw

[13] https://rpggamers.com/news/dinkum-leaves-early-access-and-officially-launches-april-23

[14] https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Dinkum

[15] https://dinkum.krafton.com/en

[16] https://www.mk.co.kr/en/it/11239185

[17] https://www.reddit.com/r/Dinkum/comments/1jqugss/full_release_on_april_7th/

[18] https://www.vice.com/en/article/dinkum-has-finally-hit-version-1-0-and-i-cant-wait-to-head-back-to-totally-not-australia-again/

[19] https://steamcommunity.com/app/1062520/discussions/0/4414173425006101114/

[20] https://store.steampowered.com/app/1062520/

[21] https://dinkum.fandom.com/wiki/Dinkum

External links

• Official YouTube Channel
• Dinkum - Launch Trailer (2025)
• Dinkum - Gameplay Trailer (2025)

Citations:

1. https://www.gameinsight.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=35147

2. https://www.gamingamigos.com/post/dinkum-leaves-early-access

3. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1062520/Dinkum/

4. https://modding.wiki/en/dinkum

5. https://premortem.games/2024/05/29/james-bendons-5-year-journey-to-create-dinkum-to-be-honest-i-really-like-working-alone/

6. https://krafton.westeu-v2.propressroom.com/KRAFTON-SIGNS-GLOBAL-PUBLISHING-DEAL-FOR-PC-SURVIVAL-LIFE-SIM-DINKUM-A

7. https://www.gamegrin.com/articles/playing-way-too-much-dinkum/

8. https://www.reddit.com/r/Dinkum/comments/wku351/my_town_in_dedicated_to_james_bendon_for_creating/