Flotsam Steam Key | Floating Town-Builder & Ocean Survival PC

Release Date

Full Release Date: December 5, 2025 (Exited Early Access)
Platform: PC (Steam Global Key and GOG)

Flotsam: The Charming Garbage Town Survival Sim

Flotsam is a unique and visually appealing survival city-building simulation game developed and published by Pajama Llama Games. Set in a colorful post-apocalyptic world entirely flooded by water, the game challenges players to guide a group of stranded survivors (known as Drifters) as they build and manage a floating town constructed entirely from recycled ocean garbage and scrap. It combines strategic resource management with exploration and base-building on the open sea.

Game Story and Focus: Building Order from Ocean Debris

The world has been engulfed by a flood, leaving behind an endless sea dotted with the ruins of the old world and patches of floating debris.

The Narrative: You are the commander of a small group of Drifters whose only chance of survival is to utilize the pollution of the old world. You must turn plastic, driftwood, and scrap into a habitable, self-sustaining, and mobile floating city.
The Focus: The primary gameplay is centered on resource scavenging and city movement. Players must direct Drifters to salvage floating trash to construct essential buildings (like Desalinators for water and Recyclers for materials) while steering the floating town to discover new resource-rich locations, relics, and ruins.

Key Features Defining the Floating Survival Sim

Garbage Town Building: Recycle the trash and flotsam found floating in the ocean to construct and continually expand your base. Your entire town is a makeshift collection of floating structures that must be strategically connected and managed.
Strategic Exploration: Steer your floating town across a sprawling, dynamic ocean map. Decide which obstacles to dismantle for scrap and which distant ruins, coral reefs, and sunken cities to explore for rare, vital resources and relics.
Drifter Management: Manage the needs of your small colony of Drifters, ensuring they have fresh water, food (fish), and a place to rest. Assign specific work priorities to maximize efficiency in crafting, scavenging, and repair.
Survival Resource Loop: Maintain a delicate balance of resources. You must collect rainwater or desalinate saltwater for drinking, fish for food, and constantly scavenge the endless scrap to craft planks, rope, and essential building materials.
Upgrades and Research: Research old-world technology to unlock new, more complex buildings and upgrades. For example, build larger Desalinators or specialized fishing boats to improve the quality of life and sustainability of your town.
Charming, Colorful Graphics: Despite the post-apocalyptic setting, the game features a bright, colorful, and visually pleasing cartoon aesthetic, giving the survival experience a distinctly cheerful and relaxing atmosphere.

Flotsam PC FAQ

Q: What is the main objective of the game?

A: The main objective is to establish a self-sustaining and mobile floating village capable of surviving the flooded world. This involves resource management, exploration, and overcoming environmental challenges.

Q: Is there combat or violence?

A: While the world has dangers, such as dangerous sea animals, the game emphasizes survival and management over combat. Threats usually come in the form of resource depletion, pollution, or the environment itself.

Q: Is the game verified for the Steam Deck?

A: Yes. Flotsam is listed as Steam Deck Verified, meaning it performs well and is fully functional on the handheld device.

Q: What are Drifters?

A: Drifters are the names of the survivors in your colony. Each Drifter has unique attributes and professions (stories) that grant bonuses to certain skills like crafting or salvaging.

Q: Was the game previously in Early Access?

A: Yes. Flotsam was in Early Access for several years before its full 1.0 release in late 2025, during which the developers added a full narrative questline and new features.

How to Download & Install Flotsam (Steam Key Activation)

The process for downloading and activating your game key on Steam is standard:

Install Steam: If you don't have it, download and install the Steam client on your PC.
Activate Product: Open the Steam client, log into your account, and locate the "Games" menu at the top.
Enter Key: Choose "Activate a Product on Steam..." from the dropdown menu.
Complete Activation: Enter your unique product code exactly as provided in your purchase confirmation and follow the on-screen instructions. The game will now be added to your Steam Library for download and installation.