Early Access
Ongoing coverage on Early Access.
Latest coverage
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.
Palworld developer confirms when the version 1.0 update will go live
Pocketpair has announced that the version 1.0 update for Palworld will go live on July 10th, with specific release times provided for various time zones. While players can continue using existing saves, the developer strongly recommends starting fresh to experience the numerous overhauls to mechanics, story, and content. The article also briefly touches on the legal dispute with Nintendo regarding character design similarities.
COMMAND THREE, SURVIVE THOUSANDS! ‘LUMINAS: PARASITE REIGN’ EARLY ACCESS LAUNCHES ON STEAM JULY 24TH
SOTO Game Studio announced that their debut game, Luminas: Parasite Reign, will launch on Steam in Early Access on July 24th, 2026. This party-based roguelite features up to three controllable magical beings, waves of enemies, boss battles, and unlockable treasures, with player feedback shaping future content.
Action Flight Sim G-Rebels Enters Early Access on Steam This Month
Reakktor Studios and Senatis will launch the flight simulation game G-Rebels in Early Access on Steam for Windows on July 20, 2026. The game will feature a native VR mode, a first-person cockpit view, and up to 20 missions across new areas in the Atlas Archipelago. The Early Access version includes the first chapter of the story, side missions, and race challenges.
Dust Off Your Spiked Club… Quarantine Market Simulator Launches on July 10
Arafkan Games and PlayWay SA announced that Quarantine Market Simulator will launch on July 10. Players will manage a market within a quarantine zone, balancing business with survival elements like managing inventory, keeping customers happy, and defending against zombie raids. The game will be available on PC via Steam, with early keys being offered.
MMO Week in Review: EverQuest rising
This week's MMO news roundup highlights the resurgence of the EverQuest franchise with EverQuest Legends entering paid beta and expansions teased for EverQuest and EverQuest II. Other major stories include the implosion of DreamWorld, potential layoffs at Blizzard and Bethesda, and Sony's shutdown of PS3 and PS Vita storefronts. The article also covers updates and news from various other MMOs like Elder Scrolls Online, Conan Exiles, and Valheim.
Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core Interview – Timer Mechanics, Roguelite Structure, Lore, And More
Ghost Ship Games marketing manager Aaron Hathaway discusses Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core's surprising player reception to its roguelite structure and timer mechanics. He explains that Rogue Core will receive smaller, interval-based updates rather than a seasonal model, and that the game is intended to be more challenging than Deep Rock Galactic. Hathaway also touches on the game's lore, potential console versions, and the ongoing optimization efforts for PC and Steam Deck.
Release Date Announcement Trailer news - Deep Space Outpost
Deep Space Outpost will leave Early Access and launch its 1.0 version on July 14, 2026, after over four years in development. The upcoming update will introduce new features such as enhanced tourist facilities, production items like the Distillery and Laboratory, trader services for repairs and refueling, dynamic hauler craft, and pirate boarding defense.
Make My MMO: DreamWorld’s dream is over, SpiritVale’s Kickstarter is a success
The crowdfunded MMORPG DreamWorld has been pulled from Steam and its servers appear to be offline, marking another failed campaign for Dreamworld Realities. Meanwhile, SpiritVale and Tomo Endless Blue successfully funded on Kickstarter, while Elite Dangerous, Star Citizen, and Ashes of Creation faced various development and legal challenges.
After spending more than a decade in early access, robotic survival game Scrap Mechanic enters 1.0 later this month
Axolot Games announced that its robotic survival sandbox game, Scrap Mechanic, will officially launch its 1.0 version on July 24th, after more than a decade in early access. The 1.0 update will include a significant graphical upgrade and new content for the survival experience, with more details expected closer to release.
Something for the Weekend – 04/07/26
This week's gaming news includes Sony phasing out physical disc production by 2028 and closing PlayStation Store access for PS3 and Vita again. Xbox is reportedly testing a disc-to-digital feature. Several games received release date changes or confirmations, including Onimusha: Warlords and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. Reviews were published for Rhythm Paradise Groove and WILL: Follow The Light, alongside previews for Fatekeeper, Witchspire, Dziady, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Splatoon Raiders.
Betawatch: EverQuest Legends begins paid beta, Project Fantasy goes poof
EverQuest Legends has launched its paid beta, offering a familiar EverQuest experience with quality-of-life improvements. Meanwhile, IO Interactive's Project Fantasy faces funding issues after Xbox pulled support, leading to layoffs, though the studio insists development continues. Other games like Dreamworld and Cinder City are also mentioned in the context of ongoing testing and development.
Sand publisher celebrates 300,000 copies sold: 'We getting a half hour of air conditioning tonight!'
The steampunk-themed desert game Sand: Raiders of Sophie has sold over 300,000 copies since its early access launch. Publisher TinyBuild's CEO Alex Nichiporchik announced the milestone, noting the game's recent success on Steam with over 40,000 concurrent players. An update rolled out on July 2 caused temporary issues but was quickly resolved.
Weekend PC Download Deals for July 3: Steam Summer Sale continues
The Steam Summer Sale and other PC gaming storefronts are offering numerous deals on a wide variety of titles. This includes discounts on major releases, indie games, and bundles across platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Humble Bundle. Several retailers are participating, with prices and availability varying.
Windrose teases the new biome, improved ship gameplay, and wind mechanics coming in Ashlands
Developers Pocketpair and Kraken Express have teased details about the upcoming Ashlands update for Windrose, the game's first major content addition. The update will introduce a new biome called Ashlands, featuring new enemies, items, resources, and a challenging boss, alongside improved ship gameplay and wind mechanics. The developers also mentioned plans for new factions, updated costumes, and building expansions, with longer-term plans still being finalized based on player feedback.
Stars Reach says it’s reached a ‘pivotal moment’ in testing and requires a full wipe
Playable Worlds announced a full data wipe for the test servers of its space sandbox game, Stars Reach, calling it a 'pivotal moment' before early access. This reset is necessary to implement new systems and refine core game mechanics. While an early access release date is not yet finalized, the developers indicated it is planned for this summer.
Japanese Art: How Expeditions: Samurai Is Bringing Nippon to Life
THQ Nordic and Campfire Cabal released a developer diary for Expeditions: Samurai, detailing the game's artistic vision inspired by Japanese art and culture. The video showcases concept art, character customization, and the use of Unreal Engine 5. The upcoming historical RPG will feature fully customized character models in dialogue and dynamic companion facial expressions, and is set to launch on PC via Early Access this summer.
Valheim’s price is going up in September as the devs won’t confirm post-launch content
Iron Gate announced that Valheim's price will increase to $29.99 when it exits Early Access on September 9th. The developers have not confirmed if more content will be added post-launch, focusing on bug fixes and quality of life improvements, with the 1.0 update specifically targeting the Deep North biome rather than oceans.
Capcom’s Gorgeous PS5 Action Game Moves Up Release Date
Capcom has moved up the release date for its upcoming PlayStation 5 action game, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, to September 4, 2026. The game will also be available on Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. This marks the first entry in the Onimusha series in 20 years, featuring samurai battling supernatural forces in a dark fantasy Japan.
