Early Access
Ongoing coverage on Early Access.
Latest coverage
Windrose Dev Talks Black Flag Inspiration And Why Dropping Free-To-Play Was Best
The producer of the pirate game Windrose discussed its inspiration from Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag and the decision to drop its free-to-play MMO model for a paid early access release on PC. The studio found that sustaining a live-service free-to-play game was too resource-intensive and that players preferred a buy-to-play PvE adventure. Windrose is published by Pocketpair and is currently available on Steam.
MEMOLITH: Forsaken by Light Sets Global Launch for April 27, Rebuilt Through Player Feedback
WEBZEN announced that MEMOLITH: Forsaken by Light, a turn-based tactical RPG developed by Black Anchor Studio, will launch globally on April 27, 2026, for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. The game has been rebuilt based on player feedback from its Early Access period, introducing expanded story progression, new Survivors, redesigned gameplay flow, and enhanced tactical depth with reworked quests and upgraded systems.
Best Windrose graphics for no lag and max FPS
This guide provides recommended graphics settings for the PC game Windrose to improve performance and reduce lag. It details specific adjustments for options like VSync, Frame Rate Limit, Global Illumination, and Shadows, aiming for a smoother experience in early access. The recommended settings are based on a system with an NVIDIA RTX 3060.
Co-op pirate survival game Windrose: should you grab it in early access?
Windrose, a co-op open-world pirate survival game, has launched into early access on Steam. The game features base-building, ship-to-ship combat, and exploration, with developers aiming for one to three years in early access. While the current build offers significant content and stable performance, some survival mechanics are still developing.
Road to Vostok Sells About 140,000 Copies, Funds “Entire Development Roadmap”
Road to Vostok has sold approximately 140,000 copies since its launch, with the revenue generated sufficient to fund the game's entire development roadmap. The solo developer plans to release a hotfix for launch crashes within a week, followed by a break before commencing work on Build 2, which will include AI overhauls and other major additions.
After his city builder flopped in early access, Firewatch's Nels Anderson didn't give up: 'Smarter people than me … probably would've pulled the plug'
Despite significant wishlists and positive pre-launch indicators, Nels Anderson's solarpunk city-builder Generation Exile sold fewer than 300 copies during its early access launch on Steam. Anderson, also known for Firewatch and Mark of the Ninja, expressed his desire to understand the outcome rather than feeling entitled to success, while also critiquing industry trends that prioritize short-term gains over long-term player engagement.
Skyship sandbox Everwind plots a course for next month’s patch with a hardcore mode
Enjoy Studio announced that the early access sandbox game Everwind will receive a major content update in May. This update will introduce new enemies, legendary items, a Steamer Colossus boss, expanded character customization, and a new hardcore mode where player death is permanent.
Multiplayer econ PvP sci-fi sandbox SpaceCraft confirms a May 20 early access launch
Shiro Games has announced that its multiplayer economic PvP sci-fi sandbox game, SpaceCraft, will launch into Early Access on May 20th for PC via Steam. The initial Early Access build will feature core gameplay mechanics, with future updates planned to focus on social features for player-run corporations and expanding the explorable sectors.
Global Rescue launches on Steam in Early Access on April 27 — MP3s & NPCs
The management simulation game Global Rescue will launch on Steam in Early Access on April 27. Players will manage an emergency operations command center, dispatching various emergency vehicles to respond to dynamic incidents across a global map. The Early Access version promises expanded features and refined mechanics based on demo feedback.
Seeds of Calamity Hits 1.0: A Farming Tale Finally Complete
Laborious Lark Studios has officially released Seeds of Calamity 1.0, marking the end of its early access period. The update introduces Steam achievements integrated into the game's journal system, two new starting maps (Combat and Ranching) offering different gameplay experiences, and new companion animals like Wooly Boars. The soundtrack is also available as a separate purchase, with the developers emphasizing the game's complete narrative experience and commitment to polish.
Windrose Early Access Review So Far
Windrose is a survival crafting game that allows players to take to the high seas. The game features deep combat mechanics and is currently in Early Access.
Surreal jazz-noir RPG Moves of the Diamond Hand rolls into Steam Early Access today
Cosmo D Studios has launched its surreal jazz-noir RPG, Moves of the Diamond Hand, into Steam Early Access today, priced at $19.99 with a 15% launch week discount. The game features a dice-based narrative system and is set in a single city block. An Early Access roadmap indicates episodic content drops throughout the coming year, culminating in a full launch in Spring 2027.
Release Dates/Windows
Several games have announced their release dates or early access windows. Dark Pals - The 1st Floor released its first trailer on May 1st, MEMORIAPOLIS - Banners & Wonders is set for April 28th, and Ricochet Raven has an official release date trailer for April 21st. SpaceSlog is also mentioned as entering early access.
"This is the most reasonable and wise thing to do": survival shooter Road to Vostok's dev plans to recharge a bit before tackling fixes and larger updates
Road to Vostok's solo developer, Antti Leinonen, plans to take a week to recover before addressing player feedback and implementing fixes. He aims to avoid making mistakes due to exhaustion and will then focus on a second build, codenamed Nomads, planned for Q3, which will include an AI overhaul, new map, shelter, and a trader.
Moves of the Diamond Hand is my favorite dice-rolling RPG since Disco Elysium, and it's somehow even weirder
Moves of the Diamond Hand is a unique and chaotic dice-rolling RPG that evolves on Cosmo D Studios' previous work, offering significant freedom and an off-beat sense of humor. The game features a deep dice-based combat system, a striking visual style, and a dense world filled with multiple quest paths, currently available in early access on PC.
Know when you can start manning sails with these Windrose Early Access release times
Windrose, a pirate-themed survival game with base-building elements, will launch its Early Access on April 14, 2026, globally. The article provides specific release times for various time zones, noting that there is no pre-load option for the less than 30 GB download.
The upcoming 'hardcore sci-fi FPS' Fragmentary Order finally gets a huge lore drop trailer
Fragmentary Order, a hardcore sci-fi FPS from Rant Gaming and publisher Cor3, has released a new lore trailer detailing its dystopian future setting of 2251. While not directly related to Escape From Tarkov, the game shares similar aesthetic elements. Players can engage with the lore and work towards early access through the COR3 website's ranking system.
Island Survival Game Oceaneers is Out Now in Early Access on Steam
Barrel Smash Studios has released their survival crafting colony simulation game, Oceaneers, into Early Access on PC via Steam. The game is set in a flooded world where players must build and manage a colony on unstable islands, scavenge for resources, craft equipment, and explore to uncover lost technology. Oceaneers is available for US$24.99 with a demo also offered on Steam.
Triple-i Initiative Showcase had some really incredible announcements - a roundup
The Triple-i Initiative Showcase featured numerous announcements for indie games, including new reveals, release dates, and DLC. Several titles like Alabaster Dawn, Alkahest, and Away Team were highlighted, with many set to enter Early Access or launch in the coming months. The showcase also included updates for existing games such as Barotrauma and Brotato.
Chaotic co-op shooter Far Far West launches this month
Publisher Fireshine Games and developer Evil Raptor have announced that their chaotic 1-4 player co-op shooter, Far Far West, will launch in early access on PC via Steam on April 28th. The game will remain in early access for at least 12 months and features robot cowboys battling monsters and sling spells in a Wild West setting.