Oxide: Survival Island Online v1.12.944 Blocks Friends From Playing Together, Sparking June 2026 Backlash

The core change in version 1.12.944 is the removal of the manual region selection menu. While the publisher did not issue detailed release notes, its own support website now features an article titled, "I can't change my region. What should I do?" This article serves as an official acknowledgment that the game now automatically assigns players to a server based on geography.

This change fundamentally alters a key social component of the game, as players who previously played with an international circle of friends can no longer connect with them. The motivation for the change has not been officially stated but is likely an attempt to improve server latency or reduce operational costs.

The community's reaction to the update was immediate and severe. The app's average ratingGlossaryStar RatingThe 1-5 star average users give your app on the App Store and Googl^[1]e Play — a primary ranking signal and one of the biggest conversion drivers on your product page. on the App Store dropped from 3.43 stars to 2.66 stars in the days after the release. The primary complaint, voiced across dozens of 1-star reviews, is the inability to play with friends. As one reviewer on version 1.12.944 wrote, "RETURN THE REGIONS SO THAT EVERYONE CAN PLAY WITH FRIENDS FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES!!!!!"

Another user stated simply, "RETURN THE REGIONS TO BE ABLE TO PLAY WITH FRIENDS." This sentiment highlights that for a significant portion of the user base, which has over 241,000 monthly downloads in the US, cross-region play was a critical feature.

Beyond the region lock, users report that version 1.12.944 has introduced new stability problems. One 1-star review claims, "every time they update the damn game it gets worse and more unplayable." This follows a pattern for the developer, which acknowledged "minor game stuttering" after a previous update in May 2026.

Complaints about in-game hackers have also intensified. The publisher appears aware of this issue, as its careers page lists an open role for a "Senior Unity Developer (Anti Cheat)". This suggests that while the company is working on the problem, the current user experience is negatively affected.

The removal of region selection, while damaging to the community, was likely intended as a technical improvement. Forcing players onto local servers is a standard industry practice to reduce lag and provide a smoother gameplay experience. It can also simplify server maintenance and potentially lower infrastructure costs for the publisher.

However, HYPERHUG LTD appears to have underestimated the social impact of this decision. The backlash suggests the developer did not anticipate how many players valued the ability to connect with friends globally over the potential for lower latency. The strategic goal was overshadowed by the immediate negative effect on the user experience.

The backlash against Oxide version 1.12.944 shows a critical disconnect between the publisher's technical priorities and the community's social expectations. While optimizing for performance is logical, doing so by removing a core social feature without warning or an alternative solution has proven costly to user sentiment.

HYPERHUG LTD now faces pressure to either revert the change or implement a new system, such as a friend-invite mechanism that bypasses region locks. Without a clear response, the sustained negative ratings may harm the game's visibility and new player acquisition in a competitive market.