Early Access
Ongoing coverage on Early Access.
Latest coverage
Nearly 500k players showed up for the Wardogs beta: 'The reaction from the FPS community has been insane'
The milsim FPS Wardogs saw over 500,000 unique players participate in its recent closed beta, with a peak of over 100,000 concurrent players on Steam. Game director Howard Philpott expressed excitement about the strong reaction from the FPS community. The game, which features realistic ballistics and large maps, is set to enter early access on September 10.
The Last Disease Z Fuses The Walking Dead With Valheim in a Solo-Built Open-World Survival Game
The Last Disease Z, a solo-developed open-world zombie survival game, has launched in early access on PC. Inspired by The Walking Dead and Valheim, the game features undead hordes, mutants, and bandits on a desolate island. A free demo is also available.
Kakao-pubbed zombie survival title God Save Birmingham confirms co-op multiplayer
Kakao's upcoming zombie survival title, God Save Birmingham, has officially confirmed co-op multiplayer support for up to three players. The game features tactile, physics-based gameplay and hardcore survival elements like scavenging for resources. God Save Birmingham is slated to enter early access soon with multiplayer available from the start.
Camelot Unchained fleshes out early access with item drops, gathering improvements, and world beautification
Camelot Unchained's Update 0.47 introduces several improvements to its early access experience, including the first-ever item drops from enemy mobs, a more balanced gathering curve, and an XP boost for player-versus-player combat. The update also focuses on beautifying in-game zones like Yggdra Forest and Silvermine Mountains to make them feel more lived-in and diverse.
This week in PC games: Gamescom and GTA 6 fight for our attention, but don't forget Folk Emerging, MGS4 and the horror game about balancing a cake
This week's PC gaming news is dominated by Gamescom and a Grand Theft Auto 6 documentary, alongside a significant number of new game releases. Notable titles include the early access milsim Burned Horizons, horror visual novel Money for Girls: Amortized, and Patrice Désilets' long-troubled 1666: Amsterdam. Other releases span various genres, from bullet hell and platformers to 4X strategy and survival games.
Rumours of a third Ori game are "nonsense", confirms series creator
Moon Studios CEO Thomas Maher has debunked rumors of a third Ori game, stating they are "nonsense." He confirmed the studio's focus remains on their action-RPG, No Rest for the Wicked, which recently launched into Early Access and is scheduled for a 1.0 release in October for PC and PlayStation 5. The last Ori title, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, was released in 2020.
MMO Week in Review: Way too early access
This week's MMO news covers the early access launch of Stars Reach, which some consider premature. Other highlights include a look at Guild Wars 3's Kodan, Daybreak's acquisition of Cold Iron Studios, new content for EverQuest Legends, and an analysis of the survival game Stormforge. The article also touches on various other MMO updates, rumors, and industry discussions.
Stars Reach puts out a hotfix that attacks a wide list of bugs and issues
Playable Worlds has released a hotfix for their early access MMO, Stars Reach, addressing numerous bugs and issues. The patch includes fixes for rubberbanding, crafting, collection, and more, though the studio admits it's not a complete solution. User reviews remain mixed on Steam, with player concurrency numbers having dropped significantly since launch.
Betawatch: Stars Reach hits early access stumbles and Guild Wars 3 outlines its Kodan details
This week's Betawatch covers the early access launch of Stars Reach, with developer Raph Koster apologizing for initial issues. Guild Wars 3 has also detailed its playable Kodan, while City of Heroes and Stormforge have received updates. The roundup includes news on numerous other MMOs in various testing phases, including Aero Tales Online, Elder Scrolls Online, and Aloft.
Weekend PC Download Deals for Aug. 21: The Humble Store Summer Sale continues
This article rounds up various PC game deals available from multiple digital storefronts, including Humble Store, Battle.net, GamesPlanet, Ubisoft Store, Green Man Gaming, Epic Games Store, Amazon Luna, Fanatical, Gamebillet, GOG.com, and Steam. Notable sales include Humble Store's Summer Sale, Battle.net's August Game Deals, and Ubisoft's Gamescom sale, featuring discounts on a wide range of titles.
NBA 2K27 Crossplay & PC Requirements: Specs, Platforms, Details
NBA 2K27 will feature cross-play exclusively between PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with no support for PC or Nintendo Switch 2. Cross-progression will also not be available. The game's PC requirements include a minimum of a GTX 1060 or RX 5500 XT graphics card and 110 GB of storage. Early access begins August 26, 2026, for Deluxe and Ultra Edition owners, with the official launch on September 4, 2026.
Hytale brings Update 6 next week with a hardcore mode and network improvements
Hytale is releasing Update 6 next week, introducing a new hardcore mode for its online RPG experience. The update also includes a mod browser, enhanced creative tools, performance improvements, and significant network enhancements to facilitate easier online connections between players.
Echoes of Elysium brings weather to your airships with its newest Tempest update
The Tempest update for Echoes of Elysium introduces dynamic weather systems, including rain and wind, that directly impact airship gameplay and piloting. This update also brings UI improvements and biome-specific weather cycles. The patch was originally slated for spring, indicating a shift in the game's development roadmap.
‘We aren’t where we want to be yet in terms of server stability,’ says Stars Reach boss
Stars Reach, an early access MMORPG sandbox, is experiencing significant server stability and performance issues shortly after its launch. Playable Worlds' Raph Koster acknowledged these problems, stating the team is working on patches to address bugs, optimization, and gameplay blockers. The game has struggled to maintain a large player base and has received mixed reviews due to its pre-alpha state.
NBA 2K27 Early Access: Start Date, Times, & How to Play Early
2K has announced that early access for NBA 2K27 will begin on August 26, 2026, up to nine days before the global release on September 4. Players who purchase the Deluxe or Ultra Editions on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, or PC will be eligible for early access. The Standard Edition, available on all platforms including the Nintendo Switch 2, does not include early access.
Trivia Murder Party 3 slashes onto Steam Early Access in September
Jackbox Games announced that Trivia Murder Party 3 will launch on Steam Early Access on September 17, with a full release planned for 2027. This standalone title introduces online multiplayer for the first time, alongside new mini-games and character accessories.
Fina omdömen för Morrowind-inspirerade The Lantern of the Laughless Saint
The Lantern of the Laughless Saint, an action RPG inspired by The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, has launched in early access. Developed by Nervelabs, the game features cooperative play for up to six players, including local split-screen. Initial player reviews on Steam are very positive, though some bugs are present.
The Daily Grind: How much are you willing to forgive with an MMO in early access?
This article discusses the player's perspective on early access MMOs and the level of forgiveness players should have for unfinished games. It highlights the difference between a journalist's acceptance of bugs and a regular player's expectation of a polished experience, questioning how much developers can get away with in early access.
Subnautica 2’s Buddy System Update is here with improved chat, emotes, trade, and revives
Unknown Worlds has released a new update for Subnautica 2's early access, focusing on multiplayer improvements. The update introduces proximity voice chat, an emote system, direct inventory trading, and a revive mechanic. The studio also announced a $100,000 donation to The Ocean Cleanup.
Physics-Based Brawler Stick It to the Stickman Is Getting a Full Launch Next Month!
The physics-based brawler Stick It to the Stickman, developed by Free Lives and published by Devolver Digital, will leave Early Access on September 23rd. The full launch will introduce two new game modes, Neurolink and [REDACTED], and conclude the game's story. The game is available on PC via Steam.
