{"rewrite":{"id":"r_d12ff6952014780f4bbdb072","clusterId":"c_1447835e29f523d0368652b1","slug":"funnel-runners-early-access-launches-to-5-000-concurrent-players-on-steam","model":"deepseek-v4-flash","headline":"Co-op Tornado Survival Game 'Funnel Runners' Launches to 'Very Positive' Steam Reviews","summary":"Developer Supernova Studios released the early access version of 'Funnel Runners' on Steam on July 17, 2026. The game is a first-person survival escape title that supports solo play and online co-op for up to eight players. Set in a city threatened by an F5-class tornado, players must explore randomly generated areas to collect vehicle parts, fuel, and tools, then repair a broken-down van and escape before the entire map is destroyed. The tornado and storms grow in strength over time, and items cannot be obtained from collapsed areas. The game also includes dynamic weather effects such as lightning, acid rain, hail, and fires. Player communication uses proximity voice chat and a transceiver. The number of concurrent players reached 5,476 shortly after launch, and Steam user reviews have earned a 'Very Positive' rating, with 84% of 207 reviews positive at the time of one report. The early access price is 1,500 yen, with a 10% launch discount until July 24. The game currently does not support Japanese language. Supernova Studios plans a one-year early access period, adding new biomes, weather types, modes, and gadgets, with no paid DLC during early access.","whyItMatters":"Funnel Runners' early success, driven by a clear objective and physics-based co-op chaos, will test whether a single-biome foundation can sustain player interest over the planned year-long early access period.","webCardHtml":"\u003cp\u003eFunnel Runners pits players against an F5 tornado that randomly destroys buildings and infrastructure as they work together to repair a van. The game\u0026#39;s weather system includes lightning strikes that cause fires, fallen power lines, acid rain, and hail. Getting wet reduces movement speed and increases electrical damage, while crouching helps avoid being blown away. Players can use an umbrella to block rain, acid rain, and hail. Health items like bandages and energy drinks are available. Communication is handled through proximity voice chat, with louder voices carrying farther; a transceiver reaches distant teammates, and the van\u0026#39;s broadcast radio projects voices across the entire map. The game adjusts the number of van troubles and map events based on the number of participants, making solo play viable. At launch, the game contains one biome set in an American suburb with three randomly selected maps, 15 weather types, six types of health/stamina items, six van repair parts, and six gadgets. Future updates planned include biomes such as \u0026#39;The Great Plains,\u0026#39; \u0026#39;The High Sierras,\u0026#39; and \u0026#39;The Desert,\u0026#39; along with new modes and quests. The early access price of 1,500 yen is expected to increase at the full release. Two reports from the launch day show the review count growing: an earlier article counted 207 reviews with 84% positive, while a later one noted nearly 300 reviews. The game currently lacks Japanese language support, but active updates are promised.\u003c/p\u003e","blueskyPost":"Funnel Runners, a co-op game where you repair a van while an F5 tornado destroys the city, launched today on Steam and already has a 'Very Positive' rating. 5,476 concurrent players and counting.","twitterPost":"Funnel Runners is out in early access on Steam. It's a co-op survival game where you and up to 7 others race to escape an F5 tornado. The devs plan one year of updates, but the game currently has no Japanese language support. 84% positive reviews so far.","threadsPost":null,"newsletterBlurb":"Developer Supernova Studios released Funnel Runners on Steam today, a co-op survival game where up to eight players repair a van and escape a city before a massive F5 tornado destroys everything. The early access title has already earned a 'Very Positive' rating from Steam users, with over 5,000 concurrent players. A 10% launch discount is available until July 24.","attributionJson":"[{\"source\":\"4Gamer.net\",\"url\":\"https://www.4gamer.net/games/016/G101670/20260717026/\",\"title\":\"Fight against a massive F5 tornado. Maximum 8-player cooperative disaster survival game \\\"Funnel Runners\\\" begins distribution\"},{\"source\":\"Automaton\",\"url\":\"https://automaton-media.com/articles/newsjp/20260717-455502/\",\"title\":\"Up to 8-Player Co-op Disaster City Escape Survival 'Funnel Runners' Explodes in Popularity on Steam. \\\"20 Minutes Left\\\" Until the City Is Blown Away, Reviving a Junker Car with an F5 Tornado at Your Back\"},{\"source\":\"Denfaminicogamer\",\"url\":\"https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/news/2607173w\",\"title\":\"Giant tornado survival game 'Funnel Runners' early access starts with 'Very Positive' status. Up to 8 players cooperate to explore the city before being swallowed by the storm. Collect items like tools and fuel, repair the car, and aim to escape.\"}]","lintFlagsJson":null,"lintHits":0,"costUsd":0,"inputTokens":6097,"outputTokens":2837,"status":"published","repairAttempts":0,"nextRepairAt":null,"factsAttemptedAt":1784264383,"createdAt":"2026-07-17T04:52:55.000Z","publishedAt":"2026-07-17T04:57:28.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-07-17T10:25:58.000Z"},"cluster":{"id":"c_1447835e29f523d0368652b1","canonicalTitle":"最大8人協力・被災都市脱出サバイバル『Funnel Runners』Steamで人気爆発。街が吹っ飛ぶまで“残り20分”、「F5級竜巻」を背にポンコツ車を叩き起こす","representativeArticleId":"a_30c285211ea32a33acc4e60e","sourceCount":4,"writtenSourceCount":3,"writeAttempts":0,"isSolo":false,"entitiesJson":"{\"anime_titles\":[],\"manga_titles\":[],\"work_titles\":[\"Funnel Runners\"],\"studios\":[\"Supernova Studios\"],\"people\":[],\"type\":\"release\",\"domain\":\"games\",\"is_roundup\":false}","contentType":"news","status":"written","firstSeenAt":"2026-07-17T03:47:59.000Z","lastSeenAt":"2026-07-18T12:00:03.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-07-18T12:01:46.000Z"},"attribution":[{"source":"4Gamer.net","url":"https://www.4gamer.net/games/016/G101670/20260717026/","title":"巨大なF5級竜巻に立ち向かえ。最大8人協力災害サバイバルゲーム「Funnel Runners」，配信開始"},{"source":"Denfaminicogamer","url":"https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/news/2607173w","title":"巨大竜巻サバイバルゲーム『Funnel Runners』早期アクセスが「非常に好評」の好調スタート。最大8人協力で、嵐に飲み込まれる前に街を探索。工具や燃料などのアイテムを回収し、車を修理して脱出を目指す。"},{"source":"Automaton","url":"https://automaton-media.com/articles/newsjp/20260717-455502/","title":"最大8人協力・被災都市脱出サバイバル『Funnel Runners』Steamで人気爆発。街が吹っ飛ぶまで“残り20分”、「F5級竜巻」を背にポンコツ車を叩き起こす"},{"source":"Game Spark","url":"http://www.gamespark.jp/article/2026/07/18/169455.html","title":"最大8人で超巨大竜巻から逃げる『Funnel Runners』早期アクセス開始で“非常に好評”スタート。早くも人気に"}],"entities":{"anime_titles":[],"manga_titles":[],"work_titles":["Funnel Runners"],"studios":["Supernova Studios"],"people":[],"type":"release","domain":"games","is_roundup":false},"keyFacts":["Funnel Runners was released in early access on Steam on July 17, 2026 by developer Supernova Studios.","The game supports up to 8 players in online co-op and solo play.","As of July 17, 2026, the game had a 'Very Positive' rating on Steam with 84% of 207 reviews positive (per Automaton) and nearly 300 reviews (per 4Gamer).","The early access price is 1,500 yen, with a 10% launch discount to 1,350 yen until July 24, 2026.","Supernova Studios plans a one-year early access period with new biomes, weather types, modes, and gadgets, with no paid DLC during early access."]}