'Returnal' players need to take a break before a bug eats their save files

Today the first update for Returnal rolled out and Housemarque has already pulled the patch after players complained about losing their progress in the game. While the rogue-lite invites you to repeat runs over and over again, it tracks progress against many of the game's challenges, and according to reports, many players were losing either all of their progress, or just anything new they attempted since the patch.

Patch 1.3.3 has been pulled and we are reverting back to 1.3.1 until it's fixed.

We are fixing the issue now and a new patch will be published in a few hours

All users affected by the 1.3.3 need to re-download the game.

Our sincerest apologies.

— Housemarque (@Housemarque) May 5, 2021

So to be safe, don't start the game before the upcoming patch is available and downloaded.

— Housemarque (@Housemarque) May 5, 2021

According to Housemarque, "We are fixing the issue now and a new patch will be published in a few hours." If you see the CE-100028-1 error message, then you've been affected by the bug. If your system already downloaded the 1.3.3 update, then they advise not playing until the new patch rolls out, and said that anyone who downloaded it will need to reinstall the game. If your game file never updated, then you should be able to play without worry.