Early Access
Ongoing coverage on Early Access.
Latest coverage
Wardogs servers go down as over 300,000 people rush to play on launch day
Wardogs, a new 100-player milsim FPS, has experienced significant server issues on its launch day due to an overwhelming player count exceeding 300,000. Developer Bulkhead has taken servers offline to address the problem, with CEO Joe Brammer suggesting Valve's rate-limiting may be a contributing factor. Players are advised to remain in the queue for potential re-entry.
FC 27 Release Date, Early Access Start Times, & Preload Details
EA Sports FC 27 is set to release on September 25, 2026, for consoles and September 24 for PC. Early access begins on September 18 for Ultimate and Ultimate+ Edition owners, with EA Play subscribers getting a 10-hour trial starting September 17. Pre-loads for early access holders commence on September 15.
Wardogs Has A Massive Start On Steam, But Players Face Brutal Server Queues
Wardogs, a new military FPS, has achieved a strong launch on Steam with over 300,000 peak concurrent users, becoming the platform's number one best-seller. However, players are experiencing severe server queues and issues with incorrect bans. Developer Bulkhead is working with Valve to address rate limiting and resolve the queueing problems.
Palworld publishing chief worries early access has 'lost its meaning' as the rise of 'hyper-casual' gaming culture means people often don't understand what they're getting into
Pocketpair's John Buckley believes the concept of early access gaming has lost its meaning due to the rise of hyper-casual gaming culture. He argues that players now often treat early access titles like finished products, diminishing the collaborative feedback loop developers rely on. Buckley suggests developers must be transparent with players about update schedules and content to manage expectations.
Wardogs Season 1 Changelog patch notes adjusts progression, fixes voice chat & more
Bulkhead has released the Season 1 Changelog patch notes for Wardogs ahead of its early access launch. The update focuses on adjustments to player progression, including significant changes to XP curves and vendor prices, alongside fixes for voice chat, exploits, and performance issues. The developers have also implemented a new report tracking system and adjusted various gameplay elements like vehicle balance.
The Stream Team: Visiting Valheim on its official launch day
Massively OP's MJ Guthrie is streaming Valheim on its official launch day, marking the game's exit from early access. The stream will offer a look at the new Deep North region, though MJ may be distracted by other new content. The event is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. EDT on September 9th, 2022.
Palworld lead worries Steam early access has "lost its meaning": players treat it like "a normal game" and the program has been "abused for a lot of reasons"
John Buckley, communications and publishing lead for Palworld developer Pocketpair, expresses concern that Steam's Early Access program has lost its original meaning. He believes players now treat Early Access games like finished products, leading to unrealistic expectations and a decline in meaningful feedback, which he feels has been "abused for a lot of reasons."
Valheim 1.0's Steam player count soars to a huge 5-year high, but it's not enough to beat the viral survival game's early access peak
Valheim has experienced a significant surge in player count on Steam following its 1.0 release, reaching its highest numbers in five years. While the current player count is impressive, it has not yet surpassed the game's early access peak. The update introduces a new biome, numerous weapons, and crafting additions, and the game is now also available on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.
RuneScape Dragonwilds announces that its price won’t change when it makes its 1.0 launch
Jagex has announced that RuneScape: Dragonwilds will maintain its $30 price point upon its full 1.0 launch on September 15th, eschewing the common practice of raising prices after early access. The studio expressed pride in the game's development and thanked early access players. Future monthly updates and a content patch called Luminance are planned.
Gods, Death & Reapers aims for early access in February 2027 while its next playtest hits this month
Gods, Death & Reapers has delayed its early access release to February 2027 to allow for more playtesting and development. A sixth closed alpha test is scheduled for September 24th, featuring new characters, the Asgard map, a summoner archetype, a new faction called The Chosen, and a training area.
Rally Point: Strong simulation and team building can't carry Menace forever
Menace offers a compelling core of turn-based shooting, simulation, and character leveling, but its execution is often hampered by frustrating elements. While some annoyances are expected in early access, the game's premise and faction interactions feel underdeveloped, lacking personality and meaningful choices. Despite these flaws, the tactical combat and squad customization remain satisfying.
Skate Season 5 brings underflips, block parties, and the S.U.M.R. Camp location
Skate's Season 5 update introduces the S.U.M.R. Camp location, new underflip tricks, and block parties. The season features a premium battle pass for early access to the new mega park, with general access starting October 6th. Developer Full Circle also announced changes to legacy skate passes and various gameplay fixes.
Gods, Death & Reapers Closed Alpha 6 Announced as Early Access Moves to February 2027 | Invision Game
Wolcen Studio has announced that the Closed Alpha 6 for Gods, Death & Reapers will run from September 24 to September 28, 2026, introducing features like a Party System and a new Asgard map. The studio also confirmed that the game's Early Access launch has been postponed to February 2027 to allow for additional development and playtesting.
MMOs You’ve Never Heard Of: Above Land Rhapsody, Myth War, and Delverium
This article rounds up lesser-known multiplayer games, including Above Land: Rhapsody, a co-op action roguelite with unconventional weapons; a revival of the 2D fantasy MMO Myth War Online; and Delverium, a 2D pixel art survival sandbox coming to early access.
Large-scale multiplayer FPS Wardogs will let players host 100-person servers at early access launch
The large-scale multiplayer FPS Wardogs, developed by Bulkhead, will allow players to host their own 100-person servers at its early access launch on September 10th. This feature is made possible through a partnership with BisectHosting, a provider also known for server hosting for games like Minecraft, Palworld, and Valheim.
Bellwright takes you on a horsey ride with a trailer for its upcoming mounts update
Bellwright is preparing to release an update that will introduce mounts, specifically horses, to the early access survival sandbox game. A trailer debuted at Gamescom showcasing characters riding horses and hinting that the feature is 'closer than you think.' The recent hotfix also addressed several bugs and crashes.
Here’s all you need to know about Monsters & Memories early access, from costs to content to start times
Monsters & Memories, a throwback MMORPG from Niche Worlds Cult, is launching its early access on Thursday, October 1st. The game will feature 28 zones, nine races, 18 classes, and a level 1-60 progression. Access requires a $15 monthly subscription fee, with no box price or in-game cash shop.
Five Reasons to Race into HOT WHEELS Infinite Rush, Out in Early Access Today
HOT WHEELS Infinite Rush has launched in Early Access on Xbox Series X, PC, and ASUS ROG Ally, offering a high-speed arcade racing experience with four explorable toy-scale islands. The game features over 150 vehicles across four classes, extensive customization options, and a Track Builder for creating and sharing custom tracks.
Halloween video game removes interactive sex scene involving Donald Pleasance
IllFonic has removed an interactive sex minigame from the early access version of Halloween: The Game following its discovery and viral spread. The minigame, which involved two civilian characters hiding in a closet, was patched out due to an unintended issue allowing a reinforcement character, Samuel Loomis, to participate. This raised concerns due to the character's age and likeness to the late Donald Pleasance.
Steam Has Generated $15 Billion in Revenue in 2026 So Far, Says Analyst
Steam has generated $15 billion in revenue so far in 2026, according to analyst Rhys Elliott of Alinea Analytics. Six new games, including Forza Horizon 6, Crimson Desert, and Resident Evil Requiem, contributed nearly $1 billion to this total. While established IPs dominate revenue, new IPs like Crimson Desert are showing significant success.
