Early Access
Ongoing coverage on Early Access.
Latest coverage
Acclaimed PS5 Strategy Game Sequel Is Out Today on PlayStation Store
The acclaimed PlayStation 5 4X strategy game sequel, Endless Legend 2, has officially launched its 1.0 version today on the PlayStation Store. After a year in Early Access, Amplitude Studios has refined the game based on player feedback, introducing features like receding oceans that dynamically alter the map and incentivize exploration. CEO Romain de Waubert de Genlis noted the shift in player expectations for Early Access titles.
You can play EA Sports FC 27 today if you own an Xbox
Players who own an Xbox can access EA Sports FC 27 early by changing their console's region to New Zealand, where the game's early access period has already begun. This method allows players to bypass the official September 25 release date. The early access is available for the more expensive editions of the game, while standard editions will unlock on September 25.
Monsters & Memories gears up for its October 1st early access with name reservations and advance billing
Monsters & Memories is set to launch its early access on October 1st, with Niche Worlds Cult providing a guide for players. The name reservation system is currently live for the first 4,000 users, and billing will begin next Monday, allowing players to pre-pay and create up to five characters before launch. The developers stated that the game is not yet complete and will continue development post-launch.
Steam Next Fest sensation Jump Space is having a free weekend, so grab your squad and see how far it's come
Jump Space, a squad space shooter, is offering a free weekend on Steam from September 17th to 21st. Developer Keepsake Games has also released an anniversary update that includes expanded difficulty levels, new enemy tiers, an auto-save system, and inventory improvements. The game, previously known as Jump Ship, was a sensation during Steam Next Fest and launched into early access a year ago.
World of Sea Battle is an early access open-world MMO offering PvE and PvP fighting in the Age of Sail
World of Sea Battle, an open-world MMO set in the Golden Age of Sail, has launched in early access. Developed and published by Thera Interactive, the game features over 50 customizable ships for PvP and PvE combat, a player-driven economy, and guild wars. While planned to remain in early access for about 18 months, some user reviews mention concerns about pay-to-win monetization and developer favoritism.
Jump Space marks its first year of early access with a meaty quality-of-life update and a free weekend
Jump Space, a co-op spaceship adventure game, is celebrating its first year in early access with a significant update focused on quality-of-life improvements. The update includes reworked character inventories, auto-save functionality between jumps, a revised threat level system for difficulty progression, and enhanced enemy AI. The game is also offering a free weekend from September 17th to 21st.
As Wardogs hits a "perfectly acceptable decline," studio boss asks players what they want to change: "Remember, we're in charge here, we're the ones with the vision"
Despite Wardogs' player count declining from its peak, developer Bulkhead is seeking player feedback on issues and design decisions for future updates. CEO Joe Brammer emphasized that the studio retains creative control while encouraging community input, though some players have offered humorous or trivial suggestions.
"15 years ago, people understood it was an unfinished game": As Endless Legend 2 hits 1.0, Amplitude reflect on how early access has changed
Amplitude Studios reflects on the evolution of early access game development over the past 15 years, noting shifts in player and media expectations. While the studio continues to use its Games2Gether program for feedback, the CEO acknowledges that players are less forgiving of unfinished games now compared to the early days of Endless Space.
"What you're talking about is Palworld 2": Pocketpair lead desperately asks players to stop asking for features that just "aren't possible" like terrain digging
Pocketpair's head of publishing, John Buckley, expressed frustration with player requests for features like terrain digging in Palworld, stating such additions would essentially require developing a sequel. He highlighted that these requests are not feasible due to engine and landscape rework complexities, and that players should not expect them. Buckley also touched on the perceived loss of meaning in Steam's Early Access program, suggesting it has been abused.
WARDOGS Launches to Big Sales & Early Problems
WARDOGS, a team-based FPS, has achieved significant commercial success since its Early Access launch on Steam, selling over two million copies in under five days. However, the game has been plagued by server capacity issues, login queues, and connection errors, leading to negative player reviews. Developer Bulkhead, led by CEO Joe Brammer, is actively addressing these problems while also facing scrutiny regarding their development practices and workload.
EA Sports FC 27 Announces Pre-Loading And Launch Windows Across The Globe Ahead Of Release
Electronic Arts has announced pre-loading is available for EA Sports FC 27, with staggered release windows globally. Ultimate Edition owners and EA Pro members can play starting September 17th at 4 PM PDT, while Standard Edition owners will access the game on September 24th. An EA Play trial begins five hours after the initial launch.
Early access FPS Wardogs recounts a challenging first day of operation and marks 2M in box sales
The early access launch of Bulkhead's online multiplayer FPS Wardogs experienced significant issues, including queue problems and false ban waves, documented in a video of its first day. Despite these launch day challenges, the game has sold 2 million copies and reached over 420,000 concurrent players on Steam.
Kingmakers Leads tinyBuild’s 2026 Showcase With 16 Games
tinyBuild's Connect 2026 showcase revealed updates and announcements for 16 games, including a deep dive into Kingmakers. The event also featured new titles like The Crab is Walking and Road to Jukai, confirmed release dates for several games, and detailed console ports and live-service updates for existing titles.
Wardogs feels like Call of Duty without the pressure to kill or be killed – as long as you're making phat…
Wardogs is a multiplayer FPS that blends traditional combat with mercenary simulation, allowing players to earn money through various roles beyond just combat. While the core gunplay is satisfying, the game suffers from issues like a harsh early-game experience, wonky vehicle controls, and a lack of Linux support. Despite these drawbacks, its unique approach to gameplay and the potential for diverse roles make it an engaging early access title.
Wardogs Sells 2 Million Copies in 5 Days as Early Access Shooter Blows Up on Steam
The early access shooter Wardogs has achieved significant commercial success, selling 2 million copies within its first five days of release on Steam. This rapid sales figure indicates strong player interest and a successful launch for the title.
Team17 owner Everplay increases shareholding in Wardogs dev Bulkhead, touts strong FY26 results
Everplay, the owner of Team17, has increased its shareholding in Wardogs developer Bulkhead following the game's success since its early access launch. Despite a reported decrease in revenue and profit for Everplay in the first half of FY26, the company anticipates strong full-year results, driven by the outperformance of Wardogs and Hell Let Loose: Vietnam. Everplay also noted significant growth in its subsidiary StoryToys.
WARDOGS Hits 2 Million Sales in Five Days
Bulkhead's military simulation game WARDOGS has sold two million copies in its first five days of early access. The game has seen a surge in positive reviews on Steam, with players praising it as a balance between realism and arcade action. The developers plan to add more content over the next one to two years and are targeting Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 releases.
"We track every server you enter": the Wardogs devs are "coming down hard" on XP farms and cash exploits, even as they encourage people to grind
The developers of the military shooter Wardogs, Bulkhead Interactive, have announced a strict crackdown on players using exploits and bugs to farm in-game currency and XP. Players caught in XP farming servers for more than a few minutes will face permanent bans, while those abusing cash exploits will have their progress reset and receive timed bans. This policy comes despite the game's premise of encouraging players to get rich, creating a mixed message for the community.
Early access turn-based tactical RPG Solasta II adds multiplayer functionality in its latest update
Developer Tactical Adventures has released a significant update for the early access turn-based tactical RPG Solasta II, introducing its long-promised multiplayer functionality. The update also adds the Warlock class, 30 new world events, enhanced character customization, new spell component rules, in-game dice rolling, and cloud saving.
Wardogs Devs Are Watching Economy Cheaters Like Hawks
Developer Bulkhead is implementing strict anti-cheating and exploit policies for its popular early access game, Wardogs. The studio announced that players caught farming money or experience through exploits will face temporary or permanent bans, with specific penalties outlined for different offenses. Bulkhead is open to feedback on the policy's severity.
