Early Access
Ongoing coverage on Early Access.
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I thought this sci-fi mystery looked cool, but my interest dropped when I realized it's another multiplayer…
The author expresses disappointment that the sci-fi mystery game Blind Descent is another four-player co-op survival title, finding the genre repetitive. While the game promises a unique symbiosis system reacting to player actions, the author doubts its solo playability and overall appeal.
Windrose Early Access sales top one million in six days
The cooperative pirate survival game Windrose has achieved over one million sales within its first six days of Early Access. This milestone highlights the strong initial reception and commercial success of the title.
Steam week in review: Pragmata and Windrose face off, with sad sci-fi dads proving no match for tree-chopping pirates
The pirate survival game Windrose has achieved significant success in its early access launch on Steam, selling one million copies in six days and surpassing the concurrent player count of Pragmata. While Pragmata, a sci-fi shooter from Capcom, also performed well and released on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X, Windrose's popularity on PC has been a notable surprise. Other games mentioned include Counter-Strike 2, Mouse: P.I. For Hire, PUBG: Battlegrounds, and Forza Horizon 6.
MMO Week in Review: Gorgon’s drama, TurtleWoW’s demise, Ashes’ docs
This week in the MMORPG genre saw significant drama and updates across various titles. Ashes of Creation's former boss released legal documents, Project Gorgon faced community backlash over bans, and TurtleWoW announced its closure following a lawsuit. Additionally, Book of Travels is transitioning to a solo offline game, while new content and updates arrived for games like Guild Wars 2, Final Fantasy XIV, and Elder Scrolls Online.
Windrose Has Sold 1 Million Copies Within Six Days of Early Access Release
Kraken Express announced that its pirate-themed survival crafting game Windrose has sold over one million copies within six days of its Early Access release on PC. The game also peaked at over 200,000 concurrent players. The developer plans to support the game for 1.5 to 2.5 years, with the 1.0 update promising 50% more content.
Windrose surpasses Crimson Desert and Slay the Spire 2 as players are driven to stranger tides
The co-op pirate adventure game Windrose has achieved significant popularity in early access on Steam, reaching a peak of 204,000 concurrent players. This surge places it among the top three most-played games on the platform, surpassing titles like Crimson Desert and Slay the Spire 2. The game features survival, crafting, exploration, and naval combat set during the Golden Age of Piracy.
Windrose Celebrates 1 Million Copies Sold as Player Counts Climb
The cooperative pirate survival game Windrose has sold over 1 million copies less than a week after its Early Access launch on PC. Player counts for the game are also reportedly on the rise.
Horror Speed-Climbing Roguelike White Knuckle Anniversary Update Live
The horror speed-climbing roguelike White Knuckle, developed by Dark Machine Games and DreadXP, has released its major Anniversary Update. The update introduces buff/debuff equippables, Facility Upgrades, and a Competitive Mode. The game is currently available in Early Access on Steam and is on sale for 25% off.
The sequel to flying city-builder Airborne Kingdom just hit 1.0 with a huge update and a 50% discount
The sequel to the flying city-builder Airborne Kingdom, titled Airborne Empire, has officially launched its 1.0 version with a significant update and a 50% discount on Steam. The update introduces new structures, customization options, and a jet engine for combat and speed bursts. The original Airborne Kingdom is also on sale.
Sci-fi Survival Game Blind Descent Reveals First Story Trailer
The upcoming sci-fi survival game Blind Descent, developed by Pokuch and published by META Publishing, has revealed its first story trailer. The game, set on Mars, will feature co-op survival-crafting elements and is slated for an Early Access launch on PC via Steam in 2026, with a full release planned for PC and consoles.
White Knuckle Reaches New Heights with Massive Anniversary Update, Available Today!
Dark Machine Games and DreadXP have released a major Anniversary Update for their horror speed-climbing roguelike, White Knuckle. The update introduces new debuff mechanics, facility upgrades, a competitive mode for speedrunners, and more. The game is available on Steam in Early Access and has maintained an Overwhelmingly Positive rating since its October 2024 launch.
After 2 years in Steam Early Access and almost 2 million copies sold, ARPG No Rest for the Wicked is "not slowing…
Moon Studios, the developer behind Ori and the Blind Forest, has announced that No Rest for the Wicked is still actively being developed for its 1.0 release, despite being in Steam Early Access for two years. The action RPG has sold nearly two million copies during its Early Access period.
Phasmophobia by Alan Wake Collaboration Event Announced
Kinetic Games announced a limited-time collaboration event between Phasmophobia and Alan Wake 2, launching on May 12. The event will introduce new horror elements and twists to investigations, blending the atmospheres of both games. Phasmophobia is available in Early Access on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC, with a Nintendo Switch version planned.
Pirate game Windrose dethrones Steam's survival champion as it sails up the charts
The pirate survival game Windrose, published by Pocketpair and developed by Kraken Express, has achieved significant success on Steam, surpassing long-standing titles like Rust. The game offers a PvE experience with soulslike combat inspiration, extensive building options, and a story involving a 1700s captain challenging Blackbeard. Windrose is currently available in Early Access on PC with up to eight-player co-op support.
Coming Out in gaming this week — April 20, 2026
This week's gaming releases include "Jay and Silent Bob: Chronic Blunt Punch," a beat 'em up for multiple platforms, and "Vampire Crawlers," a deckbuilder roguelite. "Masters of Albion" launches in Early Access on PC, while "Tides of Tomorrow" offers a narrative adventure with player-influencing choices. Other notable releases include "Kingdom’s Return: Time-Eating Fruit and the Ancient Monster," "Kiln" from Double Fine Productions, "Titanium Court," and the rhythm adventure "Yunyun Syndrome!? Rhythm Psychosis."
Steam’s Hidden Update Info Breaks the Early Access Story
Steam's current interface makes it difficult for players to find crucial information about when early access games were last updated, potentially leading to a perception of abandonment. This lack of transparency undermines the trust between developers and players, which is essential for the early access model. Platforms like Itch.io offer better visibility for recent activity, and Steam could improve its own system with simple additions like a 'last updated' date on store pages.
Morbid Metal Early Access Roadmap Includes New Sub-Biomes, Minigames and “Aura Farming” Systems
SCREEN JUICE has revealed the early access roadmap for their character action roguelite, Morbid Metal. Upcoming updates will introduce new sub-biomes, enemy systems, temporary and permanent upgrades, "aura farming" systems, minigames, new paths, and a new hero. The developer also plans to expand lore and add cinematics in later updates.
Indie Duo Breaks the Fourth Wall With Craftia Elements’ Brutally Honest Soft Launch
Indie game Craftia Elements has launched in soft launch with a transparent announcement from its two-person development team, acknowledging existing quirks and inconsistencies. This approach aims to foster a collaborative relationship with players, treating them as partners rather than just consumers. The developers are offering a 20% discount to early adopters, framing it as mutual respect for the unfinished state of the game.
Slay the Spire 2 roadmap suggests we won't get matchmaking but does promise "whimsy" – here's what's new
Mega Crit has outlined the roadmap for Slay the Spire 2's early access period, focusing on bug fixes, system improvements, and content updates. The developers emphasize a healthy pace and creative freedom over strict deadlines, ruling out features like matchmaking but promising continued "whimsy." The game has seen significant player engagement, with millions of runs completed since its launch.
The new Slay the Spire 2 roadmap has no dates: "Exacting deadlines produce sloppy, uninspired work"
Mega Crit has released a roadmap for Slay the Spire 2, detailing upcoming features like alternate acts, a new character, and experimental game modes, but without specific release dates. Studio co-founder Casey Yano emphasized the team's commitment to a healthy development pace, stating that exacting deadlines lead to uninspired work. The roadmap prioritizes features such as Steam Workshop support and a Bestiary, followed by new content and ongoing improvements, with 'True Victory' and other endgame features planned for further in the future.
