Early Access
Ongoing coverage on Early Access.
Latest coverage
’83’s early access release date will feature performance upgrades from beta feedback
Blue Dot Games announced that its game '83 will launch into early access on April 23rd, 2026. The release date patch includes substantial performance improvements based on feedback from the March closed beta test. The game is set in a 40v40 server environment during the Cold War and aims for 'accessible realism'.
Something for the Weekend – 18/04/26
This week's gaming news includes the reveal of Metro 2039 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, and Masters of Albion launching into Early Access. Updates were announced for Battlefield 6, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam, Fortnite Save the World, and STALKER 2. Several games received reviews, including Pragmata with a 9/10 score, and new trailers were released for 007: First Light and Northgard: Battleground.
Generation Exile Hits 1.0 with New Planetfall Chapter and Charity Drive
Developer Sonderlust has released version 1.0 of their indie strategy game Generation Exile, concluding its Early Access period with the new "Planetfall" chapter. The launch coincides with the 5th annual Earth Appreciation Fest, during which Sonderlust is supporting the conservation charity Cool Earth. The game is currently available at a 35% discount.
Write Warz 3.0 Ditches Free-to-Play Model in Bold Full Release Move
Boltz Entertainment has transitioned Write Warz 3.0 from a free-to-play model to a premium purchase for its full release out of Early Access. This move includes all themes and cosmetics upfront, with a new mobile beta allowing players to join via browser if only one person owns the game on Steam. The developer is betting on a complete experience rather than ongoing monetization, a strategy that could influence other indie developers.
'I don't want Sloppy Spire 2': Slay the Spire 2 dev teases exciting updates, rejects the concept of…
Developer Mega Crit has teased upcoming updates for Slay the Spire 2, including alternate act versions, Steam Workshop support, new characters, and more. The studio emphasizes a healthy development pace over strict deadlines, aiming to avoid a "sloppy" final product and maintain a sense of whimsy.
Slay The Spire 2 Gets Major Update With Balancing Changes, Bug Fixes, And New Relics
Mega Crit Games has released the first major update for the early access title Slay the Spire 2. The update introduces balancing changes, bug fixes, improved controller support, and new in-game relics and cards. The developers emphasize that these changes are part of an ongoing development process towards the game's final build.
Betawatch: Camelot Unchained opens another ‘early access’ weekend, Windrose goes viral
Camelot Unchained is hosting another early access weekend, though details are under NDA and current early access is unavailable. The article also highlights Windrose and MapleStory Classic World as games currently in early access or beta testing. It clarifies the definitions of open and closed testing phases for MMOs.
Nippon Marathon 2: Daijoubu Now Available in Steam Early Access
Nippon Marathon 2: Daijoubu has launched in Steam Early Access, featuring new stages, revamped physics, and a contestant creation mode. Developer Onion Soup Interactive plans to add online multiplayer, more stages, and weapons throughout the Early Access period. The game is currently 20% off until April 24.
Airborne Empire Soars to 1.0 After Epic 15-Month Early Access Journey
Airborne Empire has officially launched version 1.0 after a 15-month Early Access period, concluding its narrative with a confrontation against the Pirate Queen. The flying city builder has been significantly shaped by community feedback, introducing new biomes, game modes like Survival and Pacifist, and expanded language support including Brazilian Portuguese and Russian. This release marks a successful collaboration between developers and players, offering a polished experience for both new and returning players on PC and Mac.
Heroes of Might and Magic Olden Era plans April 22 stress test – here’s the new trailer
Heroes of Might and Magic Olden Era will host a multiplayer stress test on April 22nd to prepare for its early access launch on April 30th. Developed by Unfrozen, Hooded Horse, Ubisoft, and Nova Assembly, the game will be available via a Steam demo for the stress test, focusing on arena mode. A new gameplay trailer has also been released.
Echoes of Elysium Update 0.18 Overhauls Early Game | Invision Game Community
Loric Games and Snail Games USA have released Update 0.18 for their airborne open-world survival RPG, Echoes of Elysium, which is available on Steam Early Access. This significant update overhauls the early game experience, introducing a new Power Jump ability, a revamped glider progression system, and 150 new items, alongside numerous performance improvements and bug fixes based on player feedback. The developers also shared a roadmap for future updates, including controller improvements, Steam Deck optimization, and two major content expansions planned for 2026.
Peter Molyneux’s Masters of Albion launches into Early Access next week
Peter Molyneux's studio 22Cans announced that their god game Masters of Albion will launch into Steam Early Access on April 22nd. The game blends city-building, simulation, and real-time combat, allowing players to manage towns by day and defend them from creatures by night. Molyneux, known for Populous and Black and White, returns to the genre after previous mobile ventures.
Last year's best climbing game was also a horror game, and it gets a big anniversary update today
The early access horror-climbing game White Knuckle by Dark Machine Games is receiving a significant anniversary update today, one year after its initial release. The update introduces customizable runs with trinkets and bindings, a revamped metaprogression system, a new map, and a competitive mode.
Release Dates/Windows
The article announces release dates and windows for several games. '83 is set for an Early Access launch on April 23rd, Life Below will release a Hazards Trailer on May 26th, and Swan Song's Official Release Date Trailer was shown during the Galaxies Spring Showcase on June 4th, with a 2026 release window.
Here are all the ships you can captain in Windrose during Early Access
This guide details the available ship types in the Early Access version of Windrose, including the Ketch, Brigantine, and Frigate. Each ship has variants like Stock, Brethren, and Blackbeard, affecting stats such as health and speed. More ship types are expected upon the game's full release.
Properly funny chaotic dungeon crawler Lucky Tower Ultimate 1.0 has launched
Studio Seufz has officially launched Lucky Tower Ultimate 1.0, exiting Early Access with a significant content update. This chaotic roguelite dungeon crawler features randomly generated levels, hand-drawn 2D graphics, full voice acting, and new end-game content including a multi-stage quest and over 600 new voice lines. The game is confirmed to work well on Linux via Proton and on Steam Deck.
Congratulations, Slay the Spire 2 players: first "Major Update" lets you experience the pain and bliss Steam beta players have endured for weeks, and you're in for a treat
Mega Crit has released the first major update for Slay the Spire 2, bringing all changes and fixes from the beta branch to the main game. This update includes new features like Badges, a pseudo-achievement system, and addresses feedback from beta testers. The patch is now available for all players on the regular PC branch.
Windrose hotfix should help connectivity issues, with more fixes "underway" as the open-world pirate game sails past 113,000 concurrent Steam players
Developer Kraken Express has released a hotfix for the open-world pirate game Windrose to address connectivity issues encountered since its early access launch. The game has seen significant player interest, surpassing 113,000 concurrent players on Steam, with further fixes currently in testing.
Strategy fans have spoken – Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era's fae faction "wasn't meeting…
Developer Unfrozen has renamed a faction in Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era from 'Sylvan' to 'Grove' following community feedback. The change aims to better represent the faction's intended theme of diverse fae creatures and elemental beings ahead of the game's Early Access launch.
Wired Productions Delivers Triple Hit with Surprise Launch, New Trailer and 1.0 Reveal
Wired Productions announced three major updates: Task Time has launched into Early Access on PC and is free for 48 hours, When Sirens Fall Silent revealed a new trailer for its second act, and Hotel Architect will receive its full 1.0 release on May 14th with new features and locations.
