Early Access
Ongoing coverage on Early Access.
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MMOs You’ve Never Heard Of: Fumes, Battle for Embolia, and Enarian Online
This article rounds up three lesser-known MMOs: Fumes, an early access car combat game adding co-op; Battle for Embolia, an indie MMORPG with fast-paced combat and unique classes; and Enarian Online, a text-based action RPG blending classic MUD elements with modern ARPG progression. Fumes and Battle for Embolia are set to launch new features or early access in July.
Co-op Soulslike Serpent’s Gaze adds a new weapon and shares a general roadmap of updates
Serpent's Gaze, a co-op Soulslike game in early access, has received a new weapon called Magnolia's Thorn and Petal. Developer Feeble Minds also shared a vague roadmap detailing plans for future content such as more weapons, classes, upgrades, and quests. The game is currently part of a Steam Sale.
MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars goes mobile, Bungie gets layoffs
This week's MMO news includes Guild Wars launching on mobile, Star Trek Online's new update, and Throne & Liberty's summer expansion. However, the industry also saw significant layoffs at Sony and Bungie, impacting hundreds of developers working on Destiny 2 and Marathon. Other news includes Valve's Steam Machine pricing, the ongoing Ashes of Creation lawsuit, and updates on Grand Theft Auto VI's online multiplayer.
Palworld 1.0 officially launches on July 10 with 27 pages of patch notes
Palworld is officially launching its 1.0 version on July 10th, exiting early access. Developer Pocketpair has prepared 27 pages of patch notes detailing numerous changes, including overhauls to tower bosses and wildlife sanctuaries, which will now feature unique ecosystems and rare Pals.
Survival sandbox Sand Raiders of Sophie sees 200K new players since its early access launch
The survival sandbox game Sand: Raiders of Sophie has attracted over 200,000 new players since its early access launch last week. The developers have released an initial patch addressing server issues and bugs, with a roadmap indicating future updates like a lobby browser, matchmaking improvements, and new content such as additional biomes and weather hazards.
Another doomed Kickstarter MMORPG goes up in smoke as DreamWorld is pulled from Steam
The MMORPG DreamWorld has been removed from Steam Early Access and its servers shut down, less than two months after launching into early access. The developers cited the need to retire online services as the reason for the removal. One of the developers claimed to have no administrative access or control over the decision to take the game offline.
Multiplayer sci-fi sandbox SpaceCraft introduces an offline solo mode just two weeks after its early access
Shiro Games has introduced an offline solo mode for its sci-fi sandbox game SpaceCraft, just two weeks after its early access launch. This new mode allows players to experience the game solo, with some features like nexus trading disabled, while enabling benefits such as paused production when the game is inactive. The studio cited community feedback as the primary driver for this addition, which comes amidst mixed reviews on Steam and a peak concurrency of over 7,700 players.
1.0-släppet av spökjägarspelet Phasmophobia försenas till 2027
Kinetic Games has announced that the 1.0 release of their co-op ghost hunting game Phasmophobia has been delayed to 2027 to prioritize quality. While the full release is postponed, the developers plan to release updates throughout the year, including a revamped 13 Willow Street map, bug fixes, and character improvements. A Phasmophobia film is also in development with Blumhouse.
Seafarer: The Ship Sim: New Update Charts a New Course for Core Systems
astragon Development has released a major Career Update for Seafarer: The Ship Sim, fundamentally changing core game systems and adding new story missions to conclude the narrative. The update shifts the game towards a sandbox experience with a new reputation system replacing the old EXP model, allowing players to manage their own businesses and use ships independently of missions. The game is available in Early Access on PC for $24.99.
Uncover the Observatory’s Secrets in the Upcoming Life & Shadow: Celestial Call Prologue 🔭
Immeta Studios and PlayWay S.A. announced that the free prologue for Life & Shadow: Celestial Call will launch on July 10. The prologue offers a preview of the full game's blend of psychological cosmic horror and life simulation gameplay, where players manage an observatory and confront nighttime horrors. Early Steam prologue keys are available.
Ludeo Opens Early Access to Self-Serve Integration for Developers, Enabling Game Studios to Turn Gameplay Clips Into Instantly Playable Experiences Fast
Ludeo has launched early access to its self-serve integration platform, allowing game developers to transform gameplay clips into instantly playable experiences. This new tool aims to bridge the gap between discovering games through videos and actually playing them, with a focus on reducing drop-off and increasing purchase conversion.
SpaceCraft Releases Highly Anticipated Offline Solo Mode
Shiro Games has released a highly anticipated offline solo mode for their space sandbox game, SpaceCraft, now available on PC via Steam Early Access. This update allows players to experience the game's exploration, industry, and automation features at their own pace without online systems. CEO Nicolas Cannasse expressed pride in implementing this community-requested feature less than a month after the Early Access launch.
Frosthaven 1.0 in October
Snapshot Games and Arc Games have announced that Frosthaven will officially launch on October 15th, graduating from Early Access on the Epic Games Store. This marks the full release of the board game adaptation.
Ground Branch, a first-person tactical shooter from an original Rainbow Six dev, is finally hitting v1.0 after eight years in early access
Ground Branch, a realistic tactical shooter developed by BlackFoot Studios, is launching its version 1.0 after eight years in Early Access on July 16. The full release will include the long-awaited campaign, a new prologue, and an extraction mode. The developers plan to continue adding content post-launch, including single-player chapters and a mod kit.
Frosthaven Launches October 2026 on PC as Full Release Date is Confirmed | Invision Game Community
Frosthaven, the PC adaptation of the board game, will have its full release on October 15, 2026, via Steam and the Epic Games Store. Snapshot Games confirmed the date alongside a trailer showcasing the game's evolution during Early Access, which has incorporated community feedback. The full release will include the complete campaign, all 17 playable heroes, and enhanced multiplayer systems.
Wreckfest 2 Update 8 Adds Player Progression, New Cars, and Chaotic Random Waypoint Mode | Invision Game
Wreckfest 2 has launched Update 8, introducing its first player progression system that rewards players for racing, crashing, and general chaos. The update also adds new races, two new cars, a multiplayer-exclusive Random Waypoint Mode with unpredictable objectives, and features like shareable paint jobs and an Easy Tuning Mode. This update is part of the game's ongoing Early Access roadmap, with further progression features planned.
Exclusive interview: The Scroll of Taiwu is what happens when an RPG stops holding your hand
The Scroll of Taiwu, a complex Wuxia-inspired RPG from ConchShip Games, has launched its 1.0 English version after years in Early Access. Founder Zheng Jie discusses the game's unique design philosophy, which emphasizes player agency within a living world rather than making the player the central focus. The game blends life simulation, roguelike elements, and generational drama, offering a deep cultural experience rooted in Chinese folklore and martial arts.
Assetto Corsa Rally now has online multiplayer as update 0.5 releases
Assetto Corsa Rally has released update 0.5, introducing online multiplayer with official and custom lobbies. The update also adds Greece as a new location with two special stages and 12 layout variants, alongside a significant physics overhaul including a gravel bulldozing effect. New events, cockpit dynamics, and improvements to the ideal line feature are also included.
5 years after we called this Kickstarted MMO 'a giant fiasco' and just 3 months after it finally launched,…
The sandbox MMO DreamWorld, which launched on Steam Early Access in March after a troubled development and Kickstarter campaign, is being shut down. The game, developed by DreamWorld Realities, failed to gain traction, peaking at only 56 concurrent players and receiving mixed reviews. Server-dependent functionality will cease, effectively ending the game's online services.
In your face Nintendo – Palworld’s huge free 1.0 update lands just before Pokémon Pokopia’s paid DLC
Pocketpair's monster-taming survival game Palworld is set to leave Early Access and launch version 1.0 on July 10, featuring new Pals, regions, and a revamped story. This major free update arrives shortly before the paid DLC for Nintendo's Pokémon Pokopia in August, intensifying comparisons between the two titles. Despite a past patent infringement lawsuit, both games are releasing significant content updates close to each other.
