Dressmaker Dev: 'I May Have Peaked' as Indie Hit Hits 35k Players

Dressmaker, the cozy dressmaking sim, has surged past 35,000 concurrent Steam players and boasts a 98% Overwhelmingly Positive rating, prompting a dev to joke about peaking.
Ever dreamed of designing your own ballgowns? Well, you're not alone โ thousands of you are diving into Dressmaker, the cozy dressmaking sim that's taking Steam by storm.
Launched last week, Dressmaker lets you pick fabrics, cut patterns, and create bespoke gowns with impressive creative freedom. It didn't take long for players to fall in love: the game quickly earned an Overwhelmingly Positive rating, and since then, it's climbed from 96% to 98% positive. That's a whole lot of happy dressmakers.
And the player count? It's exploding. Over the weekend, Dressmaker hit a record 35,650 concurrent players on Steam โ and that was yesterday. As I write this, over 28,000 of you are actively dressmaking, even in the middle of a working day. With hype still building, it wouldn't be surprising to see that record fall again soon.
The game's success has even taken its developer by surprise. Ruan Rothmann, a dev at publisher Free Lives (known for Broforce and Gorn), shared his excitement on Twitter. "I used to be worried that I peaked way too early in my career," he wrote. "Now it seems I may have peaked with a dressmaking game." He added, "Dressmaker is awesome and I couldn't be more proud."
Rothmann, who programmed the game, also teased a small upcoming update: the next patch will hide pins of other trims while one is selected. So if those pins were driving you up the wall, relief is on the way.
As for what's next from Free Lives, Rothmann isn't spilling the beans. But if you were hoping for a "girly horse game," he has some bad news. "I dont trust horses or horse people sorry," he joked in response to a fan suggestion. Guess we'll have to stick to dresses for now.
With its charming concept and massive player base, Dressmaker is proving that sometimes the most unexpected ideas become the biggest hits. Have you tried your hand at dressmaking yet? Let us know in the comments!
๐ฐ Related Articles
Dressmaker: The Cosy Sewing Sim Taking Over 2026
A surprisingly deep dressmaking simulator called Dressmaker is winning over cosy gamers, who are recreating armour, Van Gogh gowns and even an Excel minidress.
Dressmaker Takes Steam by Storm: Players Are Creating Actual Masterpieces
The cozy dressmaking sim Dressmaker has taken Steam by storm with Overwhelmingly Positive reviews, as players recreate Van Gogh's Starry Night and the Mona Lisa using individual beads.
Dressmaker Review: A Cozy Yet Hardcore Seamstress Sim That Respects the Craft
Dressmaker is a charming seamstress simulator that balances technical sewing mechanics with accessible shortcuts, making it perfect for curious beginners and seasoned crafters alike.
Cozy Dressmaker Game Sews Up Steam Top 10
Indie dressmaking sim Dressmaker hits Steam's Top 10 best sellers days after launch, earning 96% positive reviews and sparking debate about niche vs. AAA games.
State of Decay 3 Lives On: Undead Labs Goes Indie, Game Pass Day-One Confirmed
Undead Labs has become an independent, employee-owned studio and will continue developing State of Decay 3, which will still launch on Xbox Game Pass day one.
Indie RPG Queen's Domain Hits Steam & Consoles Oct 30
Queen's Domain, a King's Field-inspired first-person RPG, launches October 30 on Steam, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch 2. It's hit over 180,000 Steam wishlists.