early access phase Archives

AppWizard

June 5, 2026

RuneScape Dragonwilds leaves early access with full launch on PC and consoles on September 15

Becoming a member of GB MAX provides access to a global B2B leadership community in the gaming, entertainment, and tech industries, along with a VIP ticket to the GamesBeat Next event on November 2-3 in San Francisco. Jagex announced that RuneScape: Dragonwilds will launch on September 15, 2026, for PC and consoles, transitioning from early access after achieving over one million sales. The launch will include the Scorned Wilderness update and content from the Umbral Sands expansion. RuneScape: Dragonwilds is an open-world, co-op crafting and survival game set in the continent of Ashenfall, allowing solo or team play. It features quests, skill leveling, battles against dragons, and emphasizes player feedback in its development. The game will be available on Steam and the Epic Games Store, with crossplay capabilities and approximately 20 hours of content at launch.

AppWizard

June 4, 2026

Subnautica 2 promises to add ‘one of the most requested’ features, but sorry, it’s not a knife you can stab fish with

Subnautica 2 was launched last month and has received positive feedback from players and critics. The game is currently in its early access phase, with design lead Anthony Gallegos indicating that numerous updates and enhancements are planned. A beloved feature from the original Subnautica will return, while the ability to confront aggressive sea creatures is currently not included. Players can explore mods for alternative combat options with ocean inhabitants. The game is expected to evolve with new content and features.

AppWizard

May 29, 2026

Paralives received ‘over 100,000 big reports’ in less than a week, as its creator reminds us that life sims are really hard to make

The life simulation game market is experiencing a scarcity of titles, acknowledged by industry veterans from games like The Sims and Life by You. Developing a life simulation game is complex due to the intricate interactions among characters and their environments. Alex Massé, the creator of Paralives, highlighted the challenges of game development, noting that even simple tasks can be complicated. Paralives has received over 100,000 bug reports, and the development team consists of just 15 members. Despite being in early access, the game has shown a commendable level of polish. Massé prefers to keep the team small for a focused development process, although there may be slight expansions in the future. Players currently enjoy the game's build mode, reflecting the team's commitment to quality.

AppWizard

May 28, 2026

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era teases a roguelike mode as it hits 1 million sales

The latest installment of the Heroes of Might and Magic franchise, Olden Era, sold 250,000 copies within one day of its release and reached 1 million units sold in less than a month. The game pays homage to the mechanics of HoMM 3 while introducing new elements like a revamped magic system and new gameplay modes. Developers Unfrozen and publisher Hooded Horse have announced a roadmap for early access that includes new modes such as teamplay, observer modes, and replays, along with significant class reworks and hero skill rebalancing. Future updates will introduce features like a thieves guild, underground terrain, and a roguelike mode. The early access version currently offers a single act of the campaign with limited higher-tier magic and monsters.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Is Paralives worth playing in early access for life sim fans?

Paralives has launched into early access, entering the life simulation genre alongside The Sims 4. The game is currently in a rough state with bugs such as menu glitches and unresponsive buttons, but overall performance on desktop PCs is satisfactory despite lengthy load times. It offers a unique take on life simulation, reminiscent of earlier games in the genre, and has a promising roadmap for updates over the next two years, including features like seasons, weather, pets, and improved building tools. Dedicated life sim enthusiasts may find it worthwhile to engage now, while casual gamers might prefer to wait due to its buggy state and steep price. Live Mode players will find intriguing elements but may desire more gameplay variety.

AppWizard

May 20, 2026

Another live service game is dead just a few months after launch

Quantic Dream has announced the discontinuation of its multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA), Spellcasters Chronicles, just three months after its launch due to insufficient audience engagement for long-term sustainability. The game peaked at 888 concurrent players at launch, which quickly declined to very few active users. The studio will halt development, likely leading to layoffs, but will continue work on Star Wars Eclipse. Players can access Spellcasters Chronicles until June 19, after which the servers will shut down, and all expenditures during early access will be eligible for refunds upon request.

AppWizard

May 20, 2026

Subnautica 2’s EULA is so severe that even this news story breaks it

Subnautica 2 has launched in early access and received praise for its gameplay, but it faces controversy due to its publisher Krafton's strict End User License Agreement (EULA). The EULA prohibits players from transferring their Steam accounts to family members upon death, raising concerns about digital asset inheritance. Discussions on platforms like the Stop Killing Games subreddit reflect unease about consumer rights. Additionally, Krafton's CEO has been using ChatGPT to address corporate challenges, including reducing bonus payouts to the heads of Unknown Worlds, the studio behind Subnautica.

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

After all that drama, Subnautica 2 is good

Subnautica 2 is a combat-free survival game set in an expansive oceanic world where players gather resources, craft gear, and uncover the fate of settlers. The game features an AI supervisor that encourages players to embrace death, allowing for instant respawning. Players can absorb alien DNA to adapt to new biomes, and the game promotes exploration and self-discovery, although some mechanics could benefit from clearer explanations. Co-op gameplay has been introduced, allowing for collaborative base-building. The game is currently in early access and will remain so for up to three years, during which additional content will be added. Despite being unfinished, it has achieved significant sales.

AppWizard

May 3, 2026

My favorite dice roguelike just left early access, and it’s finally broken my Slay the Spire 2 streak

Die in the Dungeon has released its 1.0 update, marking a significant milestone since its early access debut in 2023. The game features a unique dice-centric combat system where players collect and strategically place dice on a board to perform actions. Different colored dice serve specific functions: red for damage, blue for defense, and green for healing, with additional modifier dice introducing further complexity. The update adds a new character, Nera, who uses the Broken Memento relic for counterplay. Players can now earn experience on every run, unlocking new dice, relics, and lore fragments. The codex has been expanded with detailed enemy information, and a new secret quest offers a chance to uncover the game's true ending. A new 'D8 difficulty' mode challenges players with a degrading dice mechanic. Die in the Dungeon 1.0 is available on Steam with a 35% launch discount until May 15. The development team expresses gratitude for community support and plans to continue updates based on player feedback.

AppWizard

May 1, 2026

Google Home’s camera feed, media controls get upgraded in all the right ways

Google Home is rolling out a significant update for its app and Gemini for Home. All users will receive an enhanced media control interface, while Premium users on the Advanced plan will gain access to new "AI descriptors" for smart cameras. The update includes a modernized camera interface with dynamic theming and improved contextual logic for Gemini, reducing errors and enhancing response times for commands in English, French, and Spanish. The Continued Conversations feature allows Gemini to remain attentive longer, enabling users to complete their thoughts or ask follow-up questions without interruption.