Early Access Release Archives

AppWizard

May 3, 2026

Steam’s Most-Wishlisted Games Forced Into Early Release As Subnautica 2 Pulls A Hollow Knight: Silksong

Developers are adjusting their release schedules due to the impending launch of major titles like GTA 6 and Hollow Knight: Silksong. The release date for Hollow Knight: Silksong in September 2025 has caused over eight games to delay their launches, with some moving to November and others, like Aeterna Lucis, postponing until 2026. The early access release of Subnautica 2, confirmed for May 14, has led other games, including Outbound, to change their release dates. Outbound, originally set for May 14, will now launch on May 11 for Steam and Xbox, while keeping May 14 for Epic Games Store and PlayStation.

AppWizard

May 2, 2026

Subnautica 2 Release Date Announcement Forces Outbound Dev to Bring Its Game Launch Forward

Subnautica 2 is set for early access release on May 14. Developer Unknown Worlds faced challenges, including a public falling out with publisher Krafton and the dismissal of its management team, but the CEO has been reinstated. Square Glade Games has moved the release of their game Outbound to May 11 to avoid competition with Subnautica 2. Outbound is currently ranked 13th on Steam's Most Wishlisted chart. Subnautica 2 will allow players to explore an open-water environment, featuring solo and multiplayer experiences, and will be available on PC and Xbox Series X/S.

AppWizard

May 1, 2026

Subnautica 2 now has a firm early access launch date, and it’s really soon

Subnautica 2 is set to launch into early access on May 14. The game's development has faced turmoil between studio Unknown Worlds and publisher Krafton, including a leadership change at Unknown Worlds and a delay of the early access release to 2026. Krafton previously suggested that releasing the game in 2025 could cause "irreversible harm to the entire franchise," a statement that was later retracted. Subnautica 2 is currently the most wishlisted game on Steam.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

Peter Molyneux’s right about one thing: It’s sad how no one seems to care about god games anymore

Peter Molyneux, creator of Masters of Albion, expresses sadness over the decline of god games, a genre he pioneered with Populous. He notes that modern iterations are rare, leading to a perception that the genre is overlooked compared to others like first-person shooters and role-playing games. Molyneux identifies a vicious cycle where dwindling interest from developers results in less enthusiasm from publishers, further discouraging new projects in the genre. His studio, 22cans, has chosen to self-publish Masters of Albion, which blends elements from his previous works. Despite mixed initial impressions, there is hope that the game could revive interest in god games.

AppWizard

April 15, 2026

Subnautica 2 multiplayer explained – crossplay and four-player co-op

Subnautica 2 introduces multiplayer functionality, allowing players to explore underwater landscapes with up to three friends. The game maintains a design that ensures all single-player features are available in multiplayer without exclusive elements. Players can switch between single-player and multiplayer modes, converting existing saves or creating new ones. Friends can join a player's world but may be able to take resources. The game is fundamentally designed as a single-player experience, preserving moments of solitude. Subnautica 2 supports cross-play between Xbox and PC users, with a friends list system for connecting across platforms. Future expansions to other platforms are expected to maintain this cross-play capability. Players should check system requirements for compatibility.

AppWizard

April 1, 2026

Ubisoft Teams With Xbox To Bring ‘Heroes Of Might And Magic: Olden Era’ To PC Game Pass

Ubisoft and Hooded Horse have partnered with Xbox to launch Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era on April 30th on the Xbox PC app and PC Game Pass. A free demo on Steam has received a "Mostly Positive" rating from nearly 2,000 users. The game features strategic empire building, turn-based tactical battles, and RPG mechanics, set in a vibrant world with a narrative campaign. It will be released as a "Game Preview," indicating it is a work in progress. Discussions about a potential Xbox console port are not a priority at this time.

AppWizard

March 18, 2026

Subnautica 2 set for early access release in May as Krafton signals surrender: ‘We look forward to working with Ted Gill to support a smooth transition and work toward a successful launch’

Krafton announced that Subnautica 2 will enter early access in May. This announcement follows a leadership change at Unknown Worlds, with Ted Gill set to reclaim his position as CEO. Steve Papoutsis, the current head of Unknown Worlds, expressed gratitude to the team for their hard work on the game. The early access launch is anticipated to lead to a full release in 2025. Krafton faces a financial obligation related to a 0 million bonus tied to the leadership dispute, with the deadline extended until September 15, 2026. Papoutsis highlighted the importance of collaborating with Gill for a smooth transition.

AppWizard

March 17, 2026

Minecraft meets Wind Waker? Hytale with airships? Everwind is Steam’s latest big early access release, and it could be a winner with time

Two fantasy-themed sandbox titles, Hytale and Enjoy Studio's Everwind, have recently emerged, with Everwind featuring airships as a unique gameplay element. The game invites players to scavenge, craft, and explore in a procedurally generated world made of destructible voxel blocks, reminiscent of Minecraft. Players gather resources to create weapons, armor, tools, and furniture, while the game’s aesthetic evokes a muted, medieval fantasy atmosphere. Everwind's world consists of vast oceans and diverse islands, some floating in the sky. Players can engage in crafting and combat, with a stamina-based system that enhances gameplay. The process of salvaging and constructing airships involves scanning parts for blueprints and gathering essential components. Initial experiences may include challenges such as resource scarcity and unexpected events, but these can lead to deeper exploration. Air travel mechanics allow players to set speed and elevation, though early travel can be slow and lacks engaging distractions. The game is currently in early access and has the potential for growth and improvement over the next year.

Winsage

January 21, 2026

Someone got Windows 95 running in the newest sandbox game, Hytale

A modder named iamcxv711 successfully ran Windows 95 within Hytale just one week after the game's early access release. They demonstrated the ability to navigate Windows 95 menus and applications in Hytale. Additionally, the modding community has created a mod to experience Hytale within Hytale and has run the classic game Doom inside Hytale. iamcxv711 is also working on a project to synchronize servers between Hytale and Minecraft, allowing interactions between players on both platforms. TheGamer is providing guides to help players explore Hytale's features and modding potential.

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

Hytale Feels Like Little More Than A Neat Minecraft Texture Pack

Hytale is an early access game that has been in development for a decade, facing a cancellation by Riot Games before its revival in November. The game features mechanics such as jumping two blocks high and a combat system that requires timing for attacks, which are similar to potential mods in Minecraft. Hytale includes familiar mobs like skeletons, spiders, zombies, and golems, alongside new creatures like goblins and Kweebecs, and a mysterious area known as the Void. Crafting in Hytale is more complex than in Minecraft, requiring multiple workstations, and workbenches can recognize adjacent chest contents. Despite its unique elements, Hytale often feels derivative of Minecraft, with similar sounds and inventory mechanics. Future updates, including an anticipated Adventure Mode, aim to introduce RPG-like storylines and quests. The game currently faces balancing issues but remains visually appealing, though it has not surpassed Minecraft's foundational elements.