Early Access
Ongoing coverage on Early Access.
Latest coverage
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.
RuneScape Dragonwilds’ new agility update overhauls movement and jumping and recalling
RuneScape Dragonwilds has released a new early access patch introducing an Agility skill that enhances player movement and stamina. This update includes six new agility courses with leaderboards, offering rewards such as passive stamina consumption reduction, increased carry weight, and reduced fall damage. The patch also features a new quest, improved jumping mechanics, and performance enhancements.
Still in Steam early access after 13 years, zombie survival RPG Project Zomboid gets a price increase as devs roll out…
The Indie Stone has announced a price increase for their zombie survival RPG, Project Zomboid, coinciding with the release of Build 42. The game, which has been in Steam Early Access for 13 years, will now cost $24.99/£22.49, up from $19.99/£16.75. Developers state this is a reasonable adjustment for the ongoing substantial upgrades and value provided.
Mimic Early Access in October
Ryan Laley Games has announced that Mimic, an online social deduction game, will launch in Early Access on PC via Steam on October 27th. The game aims to capture the fear and vulnerability associated with the genre.
Release Dates/Windows
Several games have announced their release dates or windows. The Core will launch in Early Access on August 13th, 2026. Finding Polka has released a launch date trailer, and Hell Galaxy's official release date has been updated to August 12, 2026. Omen is also slated for release in 2026.
Facing a 17% review score on Steam, survival game dev says sorry about the bugs and promises to add a way to, uh, save…
Developer Justin Jager of Extrude has apologized for the buggy state of his zombie survival game, The Left Behind, which launched with a 17% positive review score on Steam. Players have reported numerous issues including performance problems, clunky combat, and a lack of a save function for story progression. Jager plans to release updates addressing these bugs, adding a map, and implementing the crucial save feature, acknowledging that releasing the game in Early Access might have been a better approach.
Brighter Shores introduces botanist bounties and the ability to grow chameleon plants
The early access MMORPG Brighter Shores has received an update introducing new botanist bounties and the ability to grow chameleon plants. Players can undertake these bounties by reaching Milestone 1 in the botanist skill line and fulfilling specific customer demands, often requiring the cultivation of chameleon plants which adapt based on growing conditions. A follow-up patch has added further refinements to the bounty system, including harvest-only options and album card rewards.
Grid-Based Strategy RPG Prelude Dark Pain Launches on Steam in Early Access
Prelude Dark Pain, a grid-based tactical strategy RPG, has launched on Steam in Early Access. Developed and published by indie studio Quickfire Games, the game features a grim dark fantasy setting and combat inspired by classics like Final Fantasy Tactics. The Early Access version offers 12-15 hours of gameplay, covering Act 1 with nine playable heroes and an explorable world map.
Dwarf Delve Early Access
Dwarf Delve has launched its Early Access period on Steam, developed by Gloom Box. This roguelite first-person extraction game features voxel graphics and is now available for PC players.
Not So Massively: ZeroSpace needs a lot of work, but Galactic War is a blast
ZeroSpace, an ambitious multiplayer RTS from Starlance Studios, has entered early access but remains in a very unfinished state with numerous bugs and UI issues. Despite its rough edges, the Galactic War PvE mode is highlighted as a strong and enjoyable feature, offering addictive co-op missions and territory control. The new Xol faction shows promise with its unique unit-combining mechanic, though its incomplete status prevents its use in competitive modes.
Vanakan 405 – Beta Sign Up | Alpha Beta Gamer
Vanakan 405 is a third-person action-adventure game set during Armenia's Golden Age, where players control a monk investigating a mysterious valley after a sacred journey goes wrong. The game features a realistic swordplay combat system and draws heavily from Armenian history and culture. A beta sign-up is currently available for players to request access.
Prelude Dark Pain Early Access
Early Access for the tactical RPG Prelude Dark Pain has begun on PC via Steam. Developed by QUICKFIREGAMES and Firesquid, the game features a dark fantasy setting.
How to Play FC 27 Early: Pre-Order Access & EA Play Trial Guide
Players can access EA Sports FC 27 early by purchasing the Ultimate or Ultimate Plus editions for a 7-day head start, beginning September 18, 2026. Alternatively, an EA Play subscription offers a 10-hour trial on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox starting the same date, with progress carrying over to the full game.
Yet Another Zombie Defense HD, which is its real name, is free on Steam for a limited time
Yet Another Zombie Defense HD is currently free on Steam for a limited time to promote the upcoming release of Yet Another Zombie Survivors. The twin-stick shooter, originally released in 2017, features zombie shooting and base defense mechanics, with unlockable weapons and traps. Its successor, Yet Another Zombie Survivors, is a bullet heaven game currently in early access, scheduled for a 1.0 launch on August 20.
If you miss the straightforward action RPGs of the past, try the generous demo for Darkstone Restoration
The action RPG Darkstone is back with a remaster, Darkstone Restoration, available in early access with improved UI, controls, and graphics. A generous demo allows players to try out eight classes and three randomized quests. The game aims to recapture the straightforward, action-focused gameplay of older titles, offering a break from complex modern RPG mechanics.
The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu Review - Tainted by over-promises
The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu is a co-op indie game that suffers from poor optimization, frequent crashes, and a lack of clear explanations for its mechanics. Despite a promising premise involving a sanity system, the gameplay loop is repetitive and unenjoyable, especially in solo play. The game's numerous bugs and foundational issues make it a disappointing experience that likely should have been released in Early Access.
MMO Week in Review: FFXIV in Berlin, Black Desert in SoCal, and Jimothy saturation
This week's MMO news covers Final Fantasy XIV's Fan Festival in Berlin, Black Desert's Heidel Ball, and the early access launch of SEED. Updates were also provided for Dungeons & Dragons Online, Aion 2, and The Guild reunion movie. Several games saw controversy including World of Warcraft staff cheating, Elder Scrolls Online capacity issues, and Microsoft layoffs.
