Early Access
Ongoing coverage on Early Access.
Latest coverage
Make My MMO: Stars Reach’s prospects, Squadron 42’s postponements
This article provides an update on various crowdfunded MMORPGs. Stars Reach has launched into early access with server issues but is actively patching. Squadron 42 has been delayed again, citing Grand Theft Auto 6 as a reason, adding to its decade-long postponement. Pantheon Rise of the Fallen continues its slow development on a combat revamp, with player numbers declining significantly.
Start Your EA SPORTS NHL 27 Season Now With EA Play
Electronic Arts is offering EA Play subscribers a 10-hour early access trial for EA SPORTS NHL 27, featuring the new Connected Franchise mode and an overhauled broadcast package. Members also receive a 10% discount on digital purchases and monthly in-game rewards for various EA titles.
After 6 years, the survival game Palworld studio Pocketpair "would not exist without" is finally ready to escape Steam Early Access jail – and hopefully, its "Mostly Negative" rating, too
Pocketpair has announced that its six-year-old survival game, Craftopia, will finally leave Steam Early Access and launch its 1.0 version in 2027. The studio, which "would not exist without" Craftopia, also teased an Xbox release for the same year. The game currently holds a "Mostly Negative" rating on Steam, with feedback citing it as unfinished and abandoned.
After six years of early access, Craftopia is making its 1.0 launch sometime in 2027
Craftopia has confirmed a 1.0 launch for 2027, marking its sixth year in early access. Developer Pocketpair apologized for perceived neglect, stating that the company's growth has aided development and that the full release will focus on polish and refining existing systems rather than adding extensive new content. The 1.0 version will also launch for Xbox players in 2027.
Stars Reach brushes off sunset fears as it releases its Ground Control update
Stars Reach has released its 'Ground Control' update, addressing performance issues, restoring lost player items, and improving the in-game map and marketplace. The update also makes housing more accessible early on. Lead developer Raph Koster confirmed the game is not being sunsetted and that the studio is actively working on further improvements based on player feedback.
[Roblox] How To Craft a Pickaxe Handle in Grand Blue – Henry’s Side Quest!
This guide explains how to complete the 'Pickaxe Handle' side quest in the Roblox game Grand Blue. Players need to collect two sticks and one cloth by punching barrels and crates in Anchor Town and then return them to Craftsman Henry to receive the recipe, EXP, and Gold. The crafted handles are used for forging new weapons.
When does the Wardogs Closed Beta 2 start?
The second closed beta for the shooter Wardogs, developed by Bulkhead, will begin on September 3, 2026, immediately following The FPS Games Show. This final test aims to stress-test servers and systems before the game's early access launch. Access is granted to those who pre-ordered or through Steam's 'Request Access' button.
RuneScape Dragonwilds isn't getting a price increase when it leaves early access: "We hope this small gesture goes some way to showing our endless appreciation"
Jagex has announced that RuneScape: Dragonwilds will not increase in price when it leaves early access on September 15, maintaining its £24.99/$29.99 cost. This decision is a gesture of appreciation for the game's community and its long-standing support of RuneScape. The game will continue to receive monthly updates, with a major update called Luminance planned for Winter.
Whatever happened to Gaijin’s sci-fi PvPvE extraction game Star Wrath?
Gaijin Entertainment has delayed the open beta testing for its sci-fi PvPvE extraction game Star Wrath to the first quarter of 2027. The decision was made following closed beta testing, which indicated that core gameplay elements require further refinement to prepare for a larger player base. The studio assures that the game has not been abandoned and is being actively developed.
Wild West Pioneers open playtest begins ahead of September Early Access launch
The city builder Wild West Pioneers, developed by EmpireCraft Studios and published by Toplitz Productions, has begun its final open playtest on Steam, which runs until September 14. Players can apply for access to provide feedback before the game launches into Early Access on PC on September 25, 2026.
In Dungeon Settlers, you build a colony on top of a teeming RPG labyrinth in a trim take on Rimworld
Dungeon Settlers is an early access title that blends Rimworld-style colony simulation with party-based dungeon crawling. Players build a colony on the surface while sending teams into procedurally generated dungeons for resources, facing challenges like swarms of rats and stone golems. The game features a complex interface and has faced criticism for its use of generative AI in localization.
Moon Studios delays No Rest for the Wicked to March 2027 – "We're holding our games to a standard we won't compromise on"
Moon Studios has delayed the full 1.0 release of its action RPG, No Rest for the Wicked, to March 2027. The developer cited a commitment to quality and performance improvements as the reason for the postponement, stating that "close isn't good enough." The game, which entered early access in April 2024 and has sold two million copies, will continue to receive beta tests to help shape the final build.
No Rest for the Wicked Delayed to March 2027 for 1.0 Release — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
Moon Studios has delayed the 1.0 release of No Rest for the Wicked to March 2027 to ensure a polished launch. The team plans additional open betas throughout 2026 and will offer a Founders Pack for purchases made before January 1, 2027. The game is slated for PC and PlayStation 5, with Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch versions planned for a later date.
No Rest For The Wicked’s 1.0 Release Delayed to March 2027
Moon Studios has announced that the 1.0 release of No Rest for the Wicked, including its PlayStation 5 debut, has been delayed to March 2027. The extra development time will be used to polish gameplay systems, class system, and combat mechanics. The Founder's Pack benefits have been extended, and preorders for the PS5 version will open in January 2027.
"We all benefit from great games": How the 4X devs behind Endless Legend and Humankind went from Early Access…
Amplitude Studios, developers of Humankind and Endless Legend, discuss the evolution of the Early Access model and its impact on game development. They note how player expectations have shifted, making risk-taking more challenging. The studio also comments on the competitive 4X landscape, including the mixed reception of Civilization 7, and expresses optimism for the genre's future.
Games worth looking at in the Steam PvE Survival Crafting Fest
The Steam PvE Survival Crafting Fest highlights numerous games in the genre, featuring demos, discounts, and release windows. Notable titles include the highly-rated Early Access game Abiotic Factor, the space-train adventure Breathedge 2, and the upcoming 1.0 release of Valheim. Other recommended games with recent updates or significant discounts are Voidtrain, Len's Island, Aska, Planet Crafter, Project Zomboid, Once Human, and Palworld.
Camelot Unchained promises more improvements and a roadmap update ‘in the very near future’
Unchained Entertainment has promised more improvements for Camelot Unchained in the upcoming early access testing rounds and teased an updated development roadmap for the remainder of the summer and into fall. The most recent build only includes a single bug fix, but a developer fishing trip preview is available.
Drakantos adds more ability aiming, an auction house, artifact changes, and custom PvP match creation
Developer Wingeon Studios has detailed recent updates for the 2D pixel art MMOARPG Drakantos, including refined free movement with precise ability aiming, improved gamepad support, and changes to relics. The game will also feature a new auction house for player trading, custom PvP match creation with new maps, and HUD and ability color customization.
Early access sandbox Everwind unveils its next major update: Winds of Creation & Beyond
The early access sandbox game Everwind is set to receive its next major update, 'Winds of Creation & Beyond,' in the latter half of September. This update will introduce the Bandit faction, a Steamer Localizer, new items and enemies, and a significant focus on the Sandbox mode, aiming to provide players with more creative freedom.
Stars Reach’s latest hotfix addresses lost homesteads, marketplace listing bugs, and stability
Stars Reach has released a new hotfix addressing several issues, including a serialization problem affecting marketplace listings and safeguards to prevent homesteads from being lost. The update also includes optimizations for flora and fauna and ongoing efforts to resolve server crashes. Access to two wild wormhole planets has been temporarily disabled while developers work on a fix.
