Early Access
Ongoing coverage on Early Access.
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Hardcore FPS immediately becomes Steam top seller as devs list '10 reasons not to buy' it
The tactical FPS Wardogs, developed by Bulkhead, has become Steam's top-selling premium game ahead of its early access launch on September 10. The developers have released a video detailing '10 reasons not to buy' the game, transparently addressing concerns about early access content, pricing, player count fluctuations, and the studio's past project, Battalion 1944.
Believe the hype for Wardogs, possibly the next great multiplayer FPS
Wardogs, an upcoming multiplayer FPS from Bulkhead, shows significant promise with its unique blend of milsim and extraction shooter elements. The game features a robust in-game economy where players earn and spend currency for gear, creating a strong incentive for survival and teamwork. Entering early access in September, Wardogs aims to strike a balance between approachable gunplay and deeper logistical gameplay.
Kakao Q2 2026: ArcheAge Chronicles hits early access this year as Kakao centers MMOs and older gamers
Kakao has announced that ArcheAge Chronicles will launch in early access in Q4 of this year, with ArcheAge S and Chrono Odyssey slated for 2027. The company is refocusing on its core MMORPG competitiveness and is also researching games for players aged 50 and older, expecting tangible results by Q3 of next year.
Dive Beneath the Surface in Grounded 2’s Biggest Update Yet: Into the Abyss
Grounded 2 has released its largest content update to date, titled 'Into the Abyss,' introducing a vast underwater adventure with new diving gear, underwater base building, and dangerous new creatures. The update also marks the game's launch on PlayStation 5, expanding its community during the Early Access development period. Players can now explore new areas beneath Skunk Pond, including underwater caverns and the mysterious Abyss, with new traversal options like the amphibious Toe Biter Buggy.
Grounded 2 (PS5) Early Access Review: Second Time’s (Still) The Charm
This review discusses Grounded 2, an early access title on PlayStation 5 that builds upon the original survival game. It highlights new features like the all-in-one Omni-Tool and rideable buggies for faster traversal and combat, while noting that the game is best experienced with friends.
Xbox’s Wild Action-Adventure Game Hits PS5 Today on PlayStation Store
The Xbox action-adventure game Grounded 2 has launched on the PlayStation Store for PlayStation 5, featuring PS5-specific enhancements and DualSense controller support. Available for $29.99, the game continues its early access development and offers online co-op for up to four players with a PS Plus subscription. This release introduces new features like rideable insect companions and expanded exploration areas.
Much-wishlisted 100-player shooter Wardogs gets an early access release date and promises refunds for anyone unhappy with the closed beta
The multiplayer shooter Wardogs, developed by Bulkhead, will launch on Steam Early Access on September 10th. The game will be priced at $40 during early access, with plans to increase to $60 at full release. A closed beta will be available from August 21st-23rd, and players are offered refunds if they are unhappy after participating.
Stars Reach gets ready to ‘go dark’ for a week prior to its early access launch
Playable Worlds is preparing for the early access launch of its space sandbox MMO, Stars Reach, on August 18th. The team thanked players for their participation in a recent stress test and emphasized that the launch build will be an alpha, with the goal of player input shaping the final game. Despite facing numerous challenges including turnover, COVID-19, budget constraints, and the loss of two developers, the company persevered with $40 million in funding to bring the ambitious indie title to fruition.
1666 Amsterdam Enters Early Access on August 25 | Invision Game Community
Panache Digital Games announced that 1666 Amsterdam will launch into Early Access on August 25, 2026, for PC players on Steam and the Epic Games Store for $29.99 USD. The game features investigation, combat, and mystical abilities, with players controlling two characters, Noa and Aaron, who possess unique skills to uncover mysteries and restore balance.
Evening Reading - August 10, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various game reviews including Agent 64: Spies Never Die and D-Topia. It also touches on upcoming titles like 1666: Amsterdam, the potential for a Payday TV show, and No Man's Sky's 10th anniversary. The article also mentions discussions around AI in gaming and the Xbox 360 era.
Yakkamon Sign-Ups Reach 53,920 as Early Access Stays Capped at 100,000 Trainers
Thought Farm's creature-collector game Yakkamon has reached 53,920 pre-registered trainers, with early access capped at the top 100,000 players on the Season 0 leaderboard. Early access will roll out in waves starting in Q4 2026. An unrelated free NFT mint for verified trainers is scheduled for October 1 on the Ronin network.
Games Inbox: Is No Man’s Sky worth playing 10 years on?
This article discusses the 10th anniversary of No Man's Sky, praising Hello Games for its redemption and the new Cosmos update. It also touches on speculation about Grand Theft Auto 6's online mode, recommendations for indie games like Big Walk, and theories surrounding Silent Hill 2. Additionally, it includes commentary on industry practices, developer criticism of publishers, and anticipation for upcoming titles like A Plague Tale and The Legend of Zelda.
1666: Amsterdam Early Access Date Set for August 25 — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
Panache Digital Games has announced that 1666: Amsterdam will launch in Early Access on August 25 for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, priced at $29.99. The game features a day/night cycle where players must remain discreet during the day and can use magic freely at night. This announcement was accompanied by a new trailer showcasing gameplay mechanics.
1666: Amsterdam Early Access Starts on August 25th, Day and Night Activities Detailed
Panache Digital Games announced that 1666: Amsterdam will launch its early access on August 25th for PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. The game features a day-night cycle where players can search for clues during the day and confront enemies at night. The early access period is expected to last about a year, offering approximately 15 hours of gameplay for the first part of the campaign.
2 years later, famous Palworld bug returns in 1.0 to bless players with a giant Sekhmet "at least 200x her normal…
A humorous bug that causes Pals in Palworld to grow to enormous sizes has reappeared following the game's 1.0 update. This bug, first observed around the game's early access launch, has been reported by players on Reddit and appears to be a non-modded, vanilla game feature that affects all players in multiplayer. Developer Pocketpair has not commented on the bug, but players seem to enjoy the amusing visual glitch.
1666: Amsterdam sets PC early access release date for later this August
Panache Digital Games has announced that its witchcraft-inspired action-adventure game, 1666: Amsterdam, will launch into early access on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store on August 25, 2026. The game blends sorcery with combat, investigation, exploration, and stealth elements.
Multiplayer RTS ZeroSpace devs confirm game is fully funded through the 1.0 launch
Starlance Studios has confirmed that the multiplayer RTS ZeroSpace is fully funded through its 1.0 launch, thanks to strong early access sales. The developers also addressed community concerns, promising UI redesigns, optimization, and bug fixing, with plans for weekly minor updates and monthly content drops. A new Galactic War season, units, and campaign updates are slated for September.
With gen AI assets cut from Assassin's Creed creator's new game demo, lead admits "we didn't even realize it was AI anymore because we were used to seeing it"
Patrice Désilets, former lead of Assassin's Creed, has committed to removing all AI-generated assets from his new game, 1666: Amsterdam, following player concerns. The developer apologized for the oversight, stating that the AI art was not sufficiently retouched and will not be present in the final product. The game is set to launch into Early Access on PC via Steam on August 25.
I've seen much more of 1666: Amsterdam, and the witchy game by the creator of Assassin's Creed has some surprising features
1666: Amsterdam, the long-gestating project from Assassin's Creed creator Patrice Désilets and his studio Panache Digital, is set to enter early access on August 25th. The game features a unique blend of action combat, exploration across multiple timelines in 1666 Amsterdam, and a roguelite structure for its boss encounters. Despite some performance issues and a 'scruffy' feel in its current build, the game offers a distinct experience with ambitious systems and artistic direction.
Assassin's Creed creator's dark and witchy action game 1666: Amsterdam is out in early access sooner than we expected
Assassin's Creed creator Patrice Désilets' game 1666: Amsterdam will launch in early access on August 25 for PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. Developed by Panache Digital, the game features around 10 hours of gameplay in its early access state, with plans for a full release later. Players will control a witch named Noa in 1666 and a civilian named Aaron in 1999, whose timelines and souls become intertwined.
