Early Access
Ongoing coverage on Early Access.
Latest coverage
Soul Merger Announced
Tambù Digital and Keya Labs have announced Soul Merger, a roguelite auto-battler set to launch in Early Access on Steam for PC later this year. The game combines elements of the soullessness of a merger with roguelite and auto-battler mechanics.
Actionäventyret 1666: Amsterdam presenterar två huvudkaraktärer i ny trailer
Panache Digital Games has released a new trailer for their upcoming action-adventure game, 1666: Amsterdam, introducing two main characters. The game, set in 17th-century Amsterdam, 1999, and the present day, features a witch named Noa and a man named Aaron who finds himself trapped in a cat's body. A prologue is available on Steam, and the full game is planned for early access release later this year.
MMO Week in Review: I want to believe
This week's MMO news roundup covers updates and announcements for numerous titles including Stars Reach, EverQuest Legends, Elder Scrolls Online, and Final Fantasy XIV. Key stories include Stars Reach's official early access date, Elder Scrolls Online's post-layoff roadmap, and Guild Wars 3 revealing its composers. The article also touches on game development, business practices, and player sentiment across various MMORPGs.
EMPULSE Introduces Aim Down Sights For All Weapons in Latest Update
Developer 1047 Games has released its largest content update for the Early Access shooter EMPULSE, introducing Aim Down Sights (ADS) for all weapons and a new secondary anti-mech weapon, the Crescendo. The update also includes Custom Games version 1, revamps to the Plaza and Harbor maps, and new red dot sight attachments. This update follows recent layoffs at the studio, with Associate Art Director Jonathan Kuo confirming it as the third round.
Engagement Ring
Project Zomboid, a game that has been in early access for a long time, has set a new record for concurrent players. This surge in players occurred following the release of a significant map update for the PC version of the game.
SpiritVale opens a PTR to test item trading, guild storage, and its still-broken auction house
Indie MMORPG SpiritVale has opened a public test realm to allow players to test features like item trading, guild storage, and the auction house. The game's developers at Baikun Interactive are using the PTR to gather feedback and ensure more stable updates for the live servers. Despite ongoing issues with the auction house and bugs, the game's Ragnarok Online-like gameplay is noted, though player concurrency has seen a decline since its early access launch.
Perennial early access game Project Zomboid hit a new concurrent player record after a huge map update added reworked towns, a spooky orphanage and '400 procedural basements'
Project Zomboid has set a new concurrent player record on Steam following the release of its major build 42.20 update. This update overhauls Knox County with reworked towns, a doubled map size, new locations like an orphanage and prison, and adds 400 procedural basements. The game's price has also increased to $25.
Release Dates/Windows
ShipShaper will launch in Early Access on September 3rd, as revealed in a new trailer. The game is a ship-building simulation.
Evening Previews
This article provides previews for two upcoming games: 'The House Dreams Along With Them' and 'The Ranchers'. It also includes early access impressions for 'The Ranchers'.
Betawatch: Stars Reach sets course for early access, EverQuest Legends successfully launches
Stars Reach has announced its paid early access will begin on August 18th, while EverQuest Legends has officially launched. The article also provides updates on Guild Wars 3's music, Cinder City's pre-alpha testing, and Reaper Actual's free weekend, alongside a comprehensive list of games currently in various stages of testing and early access.
Hit Stardew Valley-like Starsand Island is already leaving Steam early access with update 1.0 out next month, adding…
Starsand Island, a farming simulation game similar to Stardew Valley, will leave Steam Early Access on August 18. Developer Seed Sparkle Lab announced the 1.0 launch will include four-player multiplayer. The game has maintained an 88% positive review score during its early access period.
Stoneguard Early Access
Early Access for the science fiction game Stoneguard is now available on Steam, following a delay from its originally planned March launch. The game blends science fiction elements with a medieval setting.
John Smedley’s Reaper Actual kicks off a free play weekend through August 3
Reaper Actual, John Smedley's early access game, is offering a free play weekend on Steam until August 3rd. During this period, players can access the full game and purchase it at a 20% discount. The game, a twist on the PlanetSide formula, has faced controversy and low player counts since its launch.
Starsand Island Nintendo Switch 2 release date and physical version announced
Starsand Island will launch digitally on Nintendo Switch on August 18, 2026, with a physical release following on November 12, 2026. The full version of the cozy life simulation game, developed by Seed Sparkle Lab, will include online multiplayer for up to four players, expanded NPC relationships, and a new Autumn Pumpkin Carnival seasonal event.
Ambitious sc-fi epic Era One will reveal multiplayer and its 1.0 release date at Gamescom 2026
Team Complex will reveal the multiplayer mode and 1.0 release date for its space strategy game Era One at Gamescom 2026. Attendees will have the first public opportunity to play the multiplayer, which combines real-time strategy and fleet combat with modular spaceship construction and base building. The game, which launched in Steam Early Access in August 2025, will officially leave early access on its announced 1.0 release date.
Release Dates/Windows
Cloudscrapers, a cozy strategy game, will be released on September 14th. Delverium is launching into Steam Early Access on September 22nd. The Fertile Crescent 2: Collapse of the Bronze Age also has release information.
Morning Multiplex
This article highlights recent game trailer releases, including the demo trailer for Ardent Wilds now available on Steam. It also announces the Early Access release date trailer for Delverium and an animal spotlight trailer for Planet Zoo 2 featuring the Indo-Pacific Leopard Shark.
Raph Koster’s MMORPG Stars Reach officially announces paid early access is coming August 18
Playable Worlds announced that Raph Koster's sandbox MMORPG, Stars Reach, will launch its paid early access on Steam on August 18th. The game will feature three tiers of entry, offering increasing rewards and cosmetics. The early access build will include combat, trade, and crafting across multiple planets, with future updates planned for features like PvP and factions.
Gears of War: E-Day – Get an In-Depth Look at Multiplayer with New Trailer and Deep Dive
Gears of War: E-Day is set to feature a robust multiplayer experience, including the new 12-player Horde Siege mode and the return of classic Versus PVP. The Coalition developers provided a deep dive into these modes, highlighting new mechanics and post-launch content teases. An open beta for pre-orders on Xbox Series X|S and Steam begins August 6.
Subnautica 2 Sells Over 5 Million Copies, Krafton Wants to Make it a “Franchise IP”
Krafton has announced plans to develop Subnautica 2 into a franchise IP following its success, selling over 5 million copies across PC and Xbox Series X/S in 22 days. The company is focusing on quality and community trust for the Early Access title, while also addressing past legal disputes with the development studio Unknown Worlds Entertainment and its former leadership.
