Early Access
Ongoing coverage on Early Access.
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Morning Multiplex
This article rounds up recent announcements and content, including the official Kickstarter gameplay trailer for Code RAPID and the reveal trailer for Sponge Break. It also provides an update on Subnautica 2's Early Access version 1.1, titled Adaptive Measures.
Palworld developer Pocketpair decides not to raise the open-world survival game's price tag as it nears a 1.0 launch later this week
Developer Pocketpair announced that Palworld will not increase its price from $29.99 upon its 1.0 launch on July 10th, as a thank you to players. The open-world survival game has surpassed 40 million players since its early access debut in January 2024 and will also be available on Xbox and PC Game Pass on launch day.
Paralives’ Success Shows Being Generous To Players Isn’t Unreasonable
Paralives' success in early access highlights the appeal of its commitment to free post-launch DLC and updates, contrasting with industry trends focused on maximizing player spending. The small, independent team, funded by Patreons and without investors, can afford to prioritize player generosity. This approach is compared to No Man's Sky, which also found success through consistent free content updates.
The Sims’ Biggest Competitor Is Ignoring All Of The AAA Rules Of Game Dev, And That’s Why It’s Already A Huge Success
Paralives, a crowdfunded life simulation game developed by a small team, is emerging as a significant competitor to The Sims. Despite its indie status, Paralives has achieved over one million copies sold in early access and boasts a thriving modding community. The developers are committed to offering free future content and DLC, focusing on player feedback and sustainable growth rather than traditional AAA monetization strategies.
Hatch Mysterious Minsgons in the Free Prologue for Minsgon Simulator 🥚
Vokcen and PlayWay S.A. announced that the free prologue for Minsgon Simulator will launch on July 15. The prologue will allow players to experience core mechanics like incubation, evolution, and creature care. Minsgon Simulator is a simulation game where players hatch, train, and collect creatures to manage their own shop and magical garden exhibit.
Palworld Reaches A Huge Player Milestone Ahead Of 1.0 Launch
Palworld has surpassed 40 million players before its official 1.0 launch on July 10, developer Pocketpair announced. The game, currently available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5, will maintain its $29.99 price point. The upcoming 1.0 update will introduce new Pals, an improved combat system, and revamped quests.
Palworld celebrates 40M players since early access as it heads toward its July 10 1.0 launch
Palworld has surpassed 40 million players since its early access launch and is preparing for its 1.0 release on July 10th. Developer Pocketpair released a video address thanking players and summarizing past updates, while also hyping the upcoming full launch content.
Become King Dracula's personal vamp-assassin in Vampirium: 1997, an immersive sim Bithell Games are launching into Steam early access soon
Bithell Games is launching its immersive sim Vampirium: 1997 into Steam early access soon. Players will take on the role of a vamp-assassin descended from Dracula, tasked with eliminating his enemies through stealth or direct combat. The game is planned for an approximately two-year early access period, with new content and features to be added over time.
Palworld price won't increase as update 1.0 takes it out of early access, Pocketpair says it's "a small way of saying thank you" after unbelievable success
Pocketpair has announced that the price of Palworld will remain at $29.99 even after the upcoming 1.0 update takes the game out of early access. The studio cited the game's
Subnautica 2's olive branch to fend off threats is just enough to preserve the terror
Unknown Worlds has released a significant update for Subnautica 2, focusing on quality-of-life improvements and new deterrents against hostile creatures. While permanent solutions for predators are not yet available, players can now better fend them off with improved flinch reactions and a stunning Sonic Resonator. The update also introduces new biolabs for biomod discovery and a personal storage chest, with larger features like multiplayer and new biomes planned for later releases.
Subnautica 2 Early Access 1.1 Update Improves Creature Flinches So You'll Know When You've Hit Them With the Survival Multitool — but No, You Still Can't Kill Fish
Unknown Worlds is releasing the Early Access 1.1 update for Subnautica 2 today, July 8. This update introduces improvements to creature flinch reactions, making it clearer when players hit them with the survival multitool. However, players will still not be able to kill the game's fish.
Palworld Hits an Incredible 40 Million Players 2.5 Years After Early Access Launch, and With 1.0 Right Around the Corner
Palworld has reached an impressive milestone of 40 million players, approximately 2.5 years after its early access launch. This announcement comes as the game's full 1.0 release is anticipated soon.
Over 2 years since launch, Palworld hits 40 million players right before its 1.0 release, and now has over 8 million…
Pocketpair announced that Palworld has surpassed 40 million players across all platforms just before its 1.0 release on July 10. This milestone highlights the game's massive success since its Early Access launch over two years ago, with the survival game having previously reached 32 million players in February 2025. The developer thanked the community for their support, noting the game's significant growth and its impressive player count compared to historical Pokemon game sales.
Palworld Crosses 40 Million Players on the Road to 1.0’s Release
Pocketpair announced that Palworld has surpassed 40 million players ahead of its 1.0 release on July 10th for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and PC. The upcoming update will introduce significant new content, including offshore base-building, revamped sanctuaries, new Pals, weapons, and armor, alongside the end-game scenario with the World Tree. Cross-play has also been implemented, with previous updates adding raid bosses, an arena, and collaborations.
Palworld 1.0 – Everything You Need to Know
Palworld 1.0 marks the full release of the popular title, exiting Early Access with significant upgrades. The update introduces a reworked progression curve, a mission-driven story structure, an overhauled world map featuring the World Tree, and mechanically reworked bosses and raids. Players are advised to consider a new playthrough to fully experience the redesigned journey and new content.
Mini MMO Farever sets first big early access update for July 15 – here’s the new trailer
Shiro Games announced that the first major update for the mini-MMO Farever, titled 'Nightling Invasion,' will launch on July 15th. This update introduces 15-player world events, a new Ramburg map, and raises the level cap to 25. The game is currently available on Steam for $16.
Online Fantasy ARPG Farever’s Nightling Invasion Content Update Launches July 15
Shiro Games is launching the first major update for its online fantasy action RPG Farever, titled 'The Nightling Invasion,' on July 15 for PC via Steam Early Access. This update introduces new mechanics like demonic Rifts, a new region called Ramburg, world events for up to 15 players, and raises the level cap to 25. Game Director Quentin Lapeyre stated that the team plans to continue expanding the game's world with more updates throughout 2026.
Early access nautical sim Ships at Sea adds a huge mobile naval base and doubles server capacity
The early access nautical simulation game Ships at Sea has received Update v0.8.7, introducing its first Class 4 ship, the IMT 9604, which functions as a mobile naval base with deployable support boats. This update also doubles server capacity to 16 players and enhances various gameplay mechanics, including physics, water simulation, and multiplayer replication, to improve immersion and realism.
Early access survival sandbox Bellwright finally got co-op functionality online for console players
Donkey Crew has released online co-op functionality for their early access survival sandbox game Bellwright on PlayStation and Xbox consoles. The studio cited rigorous certification processes by Sony and Microsoft as the reason for the delay compared to the PC version. Crossplay is the next planned feature, with a release date to be announced after certification.
FD's Industry Tycoon Announced
Longplay Studios has announced FD's Industry Tycoon, a business simulation game set to launch in Early Access on PC next year. The game will allow players to manage their own industrial enterprises.