After the todays update (build 164540) the Steam want to install .net 3.5 as a requirement.

Unlike the Victor or Lucy Dev or on initial release build of the game.

I do not believe this is intentional or technically needed with your modern game.

Steps to reproduce: 

Install Humankind / PC Steam on a Windows 10 computer that has no .net 3.5 installed but only .net 4.8

see screenshot below it now asks to install .net 3.5 (netfx35 optional feature)

Please check the code with build 164540 or add this file to the game directory.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/framework/migration-guide/how-to-configure-an-app-to-support-net-framework-4-or-4-5

possible remediation (does not work):

create a humankind.exe.config in the game folder with following content 

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>

<configuration>

  <startup>

    <supportedRuntime version="v2.0.50727"/>

    <supportedRuntime version="v4.0"/>

  </startup>  

</configuration>

Expected behaviour: Humankind.exe / Steam should not require to install .net 3.5

Note that thing like DotNet3.5 can be required for middleware 

For example they added vcredist 2012 because of Logitech RGB middleware integration

It might work fine for you without it, but others might have issues with the middleware. This was the same with the Logitech issue where only those who had the Logtiech RGB integration enabled encountered issues.

Hi @satoru I understand the reason but think that this is a wrong approach.

If Logitech RGB has this prerequisite it should have and install .net 3.5 on its own. 

It is not feasible to force all users to install and maintain legacy .net just for some people that want a fancy RGB integration by a different vendor unrelated to the game itself.

it is common sense in development that an application cares bring their own dependencies.

I mean you can blame Logitech for that but the reality is, its a problem. The solution is ot install vcredist 2012.

The 'I dont need this' mentality is moot. People have problems, and your system isnt going to implode because it installs vcredist 2012 or dot net 3.5. This is the exact mentality as ot why prerequiistes are just that, pre-requisites. If you gave people choices they'd just not install anything, then complain as to why the game is crashing, not loading etc. Your computer isn't gong to die because there are some prerequietes you dont happen to like on it.