PixelCrown Games has confirmed it will permanently delist its 2023 2D Halloween shooter Witchcraft: Candy Hunt from Steam. The game is currently free to claim, and anyone who adds it to their library before the delisting goes through gets to keep it forever. The catch: no exact removal date has been announced, so the clock is already running.
What Is Witchcraft: Candy Hunt?
Witchcraft: Candy Hunt is a 2D side-scrolling shooter developed by PixelCrown Games and released in 2023. The developer describes it as ‘an old-school shooter game with charming pixel art graphics that will take you on a Halloween adventure.’ You play as a witch flying on a broomstick, blasting through enemies across three distinct levels, each with their own enemy types and layouts.
The game offers three difficulty settings, making it accessible whether you want a casual run or something more demanding. It leans hard into retro aesthetics, which fits the Halloween theme well. Side-scrolling shooters of this style are not especially common on Steam right now, so it fills a fairly specific niche for fans of the format.
Why Is It Being Delisted?
In a statement published on Steam, PixelCrown Games described Witchcraft: Candy Hunt as ‘an important stepping stone’ for the studio. The developer confirmed it is shifting its full focus toward its current project in development, a dark fantasy action platformer called GODSCALE. With no ongoing monetization model attached to Witchcraft: Candy Hunt, continued hosting and support comes at a cost with no return, which makes delisting the practical choice for a smaller studio.
This situation is not unusual. Smaller developers who release free titles without in-app purchases or DLC sometimes reach a point where maintaining a Steam presence for an older game no longer makes sense. Delisting lets them close the chapter cleanly while moving resources toward whatever comes next.
How to Claim Witchcraft: Candy Hunt on Steam
Claiming the game is straightforward. Follow these steps to make sure it lands in your library before it disappears:
- Step 1: Open the Steam client on your PC or visit the Steam website at store.steampowered.com.
- Step 2: Make sure you are signed in to your Steam account. If you do not have one, creating an account is free.
- Step 3: Use the search bar to search for Witchcraft: Candy Hunt.
- Step 4: Navigate to the game’s store page. The listed price should show as free.
- Step 5: Click the Add to Account or Play Game button, whichever appears on the page.
- Step 6: Confirm the prompt if one appears. The game will be added permanently to your Steam library.
Once the game is in your library, it stays there even after it has been delisted from the store. You will still be able to download and play it through your library as normal. The only thing that changes is that no one else can claim it after the removal date passes.
When Will It Be Delisted? Act Fast Either Way
PixelCrown Games has not given a specific date for when Witchcraft: Candy Hunt will be removed from Steam. When a developer wants to delist a title, they submit a request to Valve, which then handles the removal process on its own timeline. That means the final removal date is ultimately in Valve’s hands, not the developer’s, and there is no public schedule for when it will happen.
Because there is no confirmed deadline, waiting is a real risk. Once Valve processes the delisting request and removes the game from the store, it will be gone with no indication it will return. Given that Halloween is approaching, it is worth grabbing now if you have any interest in a seasonal pixel art shooter at zero cost.
Is It Worth Claiming?
At no cost and with a permanent place in your library once claimed, there is very little reason to skip it if the genre appeals to you at all. Three levels with varied enemies, multiple difficulty options, and a retro Halloween theme make it a solid short-play option during the October season. It is not a sprawling title, but it was never meant to be. For fans of old-school arcade shooters and pixel art, it is a reasonable addition to any Steam collection.
If you are more interested in what PixelCrown Games is working on next, keep an eye on GODSCALE, the dark fantasy action platformer the studio mentioned as its current development focus. For now though, head to Steam and grab Witchcraft: Candy Hunt before Valve processes the delisting request and the window closes for good.