R.E.P.O. Next Update and a Deserved Golden Joystick Win
Hey everyone, sorry for being AFK for a bit!
My son and I both got knocked out by a nasty bug, and since ReportAFK is a one man show (hi, it’s me), when real life hits – the whole site slams on the brakes. No team. No backup. Just me, ginger ale, and a sick kid watching YouTube until we’re both better apparently.
But we’re back, baby!
And what better way to return than with some big wins and even bigger updates for one of my favorite horror games out there: REPO!
Semiwork, the tiny and talented team of chaos gremlins behind this horror-tastic masterpiece, dropped a devlog teasing the next patch and also walked away from the Golden Joystick Awards with Best Early Access Game.
That’s right: an indie horror title beat out huge-budget contenders and claimed a legit industry win. Massive congrats to them. The community votes spoke loud and clear and they deserved it all.
So...What's Actually Coming in the Next REPO Update?
Short version: cosmetics, baby. And they’re 100 percent free.
Long version: The next big REPO patch is all about player swag, visual flair, customization, and giving you a reason to grind without ever reaching for your credit card.
Semiwork made it extremely clear (almost aggressively clear) that there will be zero microtransactions. None. Zilch. Nada. If you happen to be a seasoned whale who loves dropping $19.99 on a funderful pixel hat, the devs said…with love…that they are going to disappoint you deeply.
Everything cosmetic in REPO will be earned by playing the game, not by paying for it. They also stressed that cosmetics will not feel like some cheap sticker slapped on the side of the gameplay loop. They want unlocks to feel natural, integrated, and rewarding. These are the kinds of items you earn because you put the time in, not because you gave your bank account a concussion.
It’s refreshing, honestly.
In a world where every other multiplayer title tries to sell you a Battle Pass, a Premium Battle Pass, a Booster Pack, a Booster Pack Booster Pack, and maybe a shiny blue hat for $7.49 (looking at you, League of Legends), REPO. is choosing the path of simply playing the game, enjoying yourself, and unlocking cool stuff.
It shouldn’t feel groundbreaking…yet, here we are.
Semiwork May Be Setting the Bar too High
While I 100% respect what semiwork is trying to do with keeping microtransactions out of REPO, I’m concerned about how this could affect the longevity of the game.
This decision might feel right to them now, while the game is at peak popularity – however, I doubt they’re going to feel the same way down the road…think about it:
Even if REPO continues to maintain a strong fanbase for years to come, the single-purchase business model that REPO uses just isn’t sustainable for keeping the lights on at semiwork long-term without help from some sort of subscription or microtransaction to keep revenue coming in.
They don’t have to be greedy asshats like Riot (League of Legends) or Behavior Interactive (Dead by Daylight), but mark my words – they will have to walk back this decision in the future for the sake of the game.
The Golden Joystick Win and Why It Matters
Okay – enough of the doom and gloom. Let’s pivot and talk about REPO’s big win in the Golden Joystick Awards, because (despite the Golden Joysticks being another media-controlled puppet show) the win is huge.
The Golden Joysticks are not some tiny Discord award where your friend’s uncle picks the winners. This is one of the longest-running game award shows in the industry, and I do feel like fans slightly control the results more than others like The Game Awards.
R.E.P.O. takes Best Early Access Game at The Golden Joystick Awards 🏆
— GamesRadar+ (@GamesRadar) November 20, 2025
Congratulations to @semiworkstudios pic.twitter.com/VHWTsolXnL
That means players were not only enjoying REPO, they were motivated enough to vote for it over everything else. That is community power. That is momentum. It’s also the kind of recognition that can genuinely elevate an indie team.
And semiwork earned it.
Their communication has been transparent, their roadmap is steady, and they have not sold out their players. That combination is how you build an actual lasting community rather than a seasonal content churn and I’m truly happy for them!
Reminder: Devlogs Do Not Delay Development
Semiwork also made sure to clarify something important: their devlogs do not interfere with actual game development.
Different teams handle videos and updates, so nobody needs to panic when a devlog appears instead of a patch. You don’t need to freak out thinking that Pontus is trying to animate a bug fix while also editing footage at 3 AM.
Separate roles, separate workloads, and everything remains on track.
The devlogs exist because direct communication with the community matters to them, and honestly, that is one more reason this team is kicking ass and making games.
REPO is Still Going Strong!
Even though the next update is not adding new maps or meta progression just yet, what is coming shows the devs’ priorities clearly.
Keep the game fun.
Keep the grind meaningful.
Keep it fair.
Keep the community close.
Free cosmetics might not sound world-shattering at first, but when you look at them as trust signals, as proof that semiwork is not interested in nickel and diming players, the update feels a lot bigger.
Plus, everyone loves showing off. This update is about to turn lobbies into a fashion show with funderfully dripped out lighting.
I’ll keep covering REPO as updates roll out, especially now that I’m back on my feet. Thanks again for being patient while life had me in a chokehold.
More to come soon! Stay spooky. Stay chaotic. Stay AFK.
All images, logos, and video clips used in this article are the property of their respective owners. This content is used for the purposes of commentary, criticism, and news reporting under the guidelines of Fair Use (17 U.S.C. § 107). No copyright infringement is intended. If you are the copyright holder and believe your content has been used improperly, please contact us directly.
Want More?
Check These Out Next!
About Report AFK
A place for gamers, by gamers, untarnished by corporate gaming media and their nonstop attempts to elevate bad games while denouncing any developers brave enough to stand up to them.
Site Links
Copyright 2025 ReportAFK.com
Be the first to leave a comment