Survival Sandbox
Ongoing coverage on Survival Sandbox.
Latest coverage
ARK Survival Ascended releases free Genesis Ascended map, Tides of Fortune and Dragontopia paid DLCs
ARK: Survival Ascended has released three new content additions: the free Genesis Ascended map, the paid Tides of Fortune DLC, and the paid ARK: Dragontopia DLC. Genesis Ascended is a reimagining of an ARK: Survival Evolved map with an ocean biome, while Tides of Fortune is based on content from the MMO Atlas. Dragontopia introduces a new high-altitude region, dragons to tame, and a dragon skill tree.
After spending more than a decade in early access, robotic survival game Scrap Mechanic enters 1.0 later this month
Axolot Games announced that its robotic survival sandbox game, Scrap Mechanic, will officially launch its 1.0 version on July 24th, after more than a decade in early access. The 1.0 update will include a significant graphical upgrade and new content for the survival experience, with more details expected closer to release.
Valheim’s price is going up in September as the devs won’t confirm post-launch content
Iron Gate announced that Valheim's price will increase to $29.99 when it exits Early Access on September 9th. The developers have not confirmed if more content will be added post-launch, focusing on bug fixes and quality of life improvements, with the 1.0 update specifically targeting the Deep North biome rather than oceans.
Rust gets even more cutthroat by adding its own version of apartment rentals
Facepunch Studios has introduced apartment rentals as a new feature in Rust, allowing players to rent rooms with various perks. The update also includes player-run shops within the apartment complex, and maintains the game's cutthroat PvP elements with eviction policies and a master key for burglary. Additionally, changes to softcore mode, a new clan system, and improved animations are part of the latest update.
Dino survivalbox PixARK unveils new DLC that sends you into underground ruins this August
PixARK, the voxel-styled survival sandbox game, is releasing a new DLC called Terracrypt this August. The DLC will introduce a new underground ruin map with 12 biomes, 11 new species, and new factions, alongside features like genetic creature engineering and base building enhancements. The base game will also receive updates including single-player save functionality and an updated creature scanner.
Survival sandbox Sand Raiders of Sophie sees 200K new players since its early access launch
The survival sandbox game Sand: Raiders of Sophie has attracted over 200,000 new players since its early access launch last week. The developers have released an initial patch addressing server issues and bugs, with a roadmap indicating future updates like a lobby browser, matchmaking improvements, and new content such as additional biomes and weather hazards.
PixARK: Terracrypt DLC Announced
Snail Games has announced the upcoming Terracrypt DLC for their sandbox survival game, PixARK. The new content will be available on PC via Steam in August, with console releases to follow.
EVE Frontier's Cycle 6: Sanctuary is a 'bedrock' for the game's future
EVE Frontier's latest major update, Cycle 6: Sanctuary, introduces significant changes including modular ship-building, direct flight controls, and new NPCs. Community Manager Ben Sisson emphasizes the importance of player feedback in shaping the game's development, calling Cycle 6 a 'bedrock' for future improvements. Fenris Creations is also planning to implement a player representation council similar to EVE Online's CSM.
Survival sandbox Sand Raiders of Sophie has officially launched into early access
The survival sandbox game Sand: Raiders of Sophie has officially launched into early access, allowing players to build and pilot modular mechs for scavenging and combat. Despite a "Mixed" review score on Steam, primarily due to a lack of matchmaking, the game is available at a discounted price of under $20 until July 6th.
Join Us Hands-on Preview - Honey, I started a cult
Join Us is a satirical cult-comedy sandbox survival game from indie developer Wolf Haus Games, previewed at Summer Game Fest. The game features base-building, farming, indoctrination, and third-person combat, with a focus on dark humor and player choice. It is set to launch for PC and Xbox Series X|S in March 2027.
In the middle of its Steam beta, survival sandbox Outward 2 delays planned July 7 launch to next year
Nine Dots Studio has delayed the launch of Outward 2 from July 7th to 2027, citing player feedback and a desire to deliver a more polished product. The challenging action RPG with survival elements is currently in its Steam beta, which will continue until June 22nd.
Lost Skies’ patch built ‘after hours’ is live with treasure changes and ship scanning
A new patch for the survival sandbox game Lost Skies has been released, featuring improvements to island loading, ship part scanning, and treasure chest mechanics. The update was reportedly developed by a dedicated team at Bossa Studios outside of normal working hours, leading to community speculation about the publisher Balor Games and the game's development roadmap.
Multiplayer zombie survivalbox State of Decay 3 announces a 2027 release window in new gameplay trailer
Undead Labs has announced that State of Decay 3 is targeting a 2027 release window for Xbox, PlayStation 5, and PC. A new gameplay trailer showcased features like plague nests, improved combat, and a larger map. Alpha testing will be expanded later, followed by beta testing.
DayZ Cool Edition coming to Switch 2 in 2026
Bohemia Interactive announced that DayZ Cool Edition, an open-world multiplayer survival sandbox game, will launch for the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026. The game is currently available on PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Xbox Series.
Medieval survivalbox Bellwright locks down June 9 release date for PlayStation 5 and Xbox consoles
The medieval survival sandbox Bellwright will launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X on June 9th. The console versions will include all content added during its PC early access period, such as the Halmere Isles map and expanded systems. While the exact status regarding its exit from early access is unclear, the developer states players will experience the full game with over two years of content updates.
Renewable Energy Powers Solarpunk’s Sky-High Game Pass Adventure
Solarpunk, a sky-high crafting adventure focused on creativity and renewable energy, has launched on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch, also arriving Day One on Game Pass. Developed by Cyberwave and Mi'pu'mi Games and published by rokaplay, the game encourages players to build a thriving paradise on floating islands using sustainable power sources and co-op multiplayer.
Nintendo Download: 4th June (North America)
The latest Nintendo Download update for North America brings a variety of new games to the Nintendo Switch eShop. Highlights include Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and eFootball Kick-Off!, with numerous other titles across different genres also launching this week. The update also features enhanced editions of existing games and various bundles.
Funcom is adding a singleplayer mode to Dune: Awakening, and wow, the new features are definitely gonna bring me back to…
Funcom is introducing a dedicated singleplayer mode to Dune: Awakening on September 22, addressing a highly requested feature. This mode will allow players to experience the game's story and build bases in the Deep Desert without weekly wipes, offering customizable difficulty settings and a simulated Landsraad endgame.
Neojac’s early access cowboy survivalbox Frontier Legends was hit with a wave of furious gamer reviews
Neojac's early access Wild West survival sandbox, Frontier Legends, has been met with a wave of negative reviews on Steam, with players citing issues like Unreal Engine asset flipping, potential AI art usage, and unplayable gameplay. The game saw a peak of only 144 players, which has since dropped to 20. Neojac has released a hotfix for several bugs and shared a development roadmap.
SoulMask Tribe Management in 2026: How the 1.0 AI Overhaul Changes the Late Game
The 1.0 update for SoulMask has significantly transformed late-game tribe management by overhauling its AI, shifting the game from a survival sandbox towards a leadership simulation. Key changes include the Training Ground for talent transfer and an improved Tribesmen Assignment system with a new Management Mode, allowing for more strategic optimization of the player's workforce. These updates, particularly impactful in Tribe Mode, aim to fulfill the game's core premise of leading and growing a living tribe with enhanced mechanical depth.
