Steam Next Fest

AppWizard
August 2, 2026
Delverium, an indie sandbox survival game from Sagestone Games, is set to enter Early Access on PC via Steam on September 22nd. The game has over 80,000 wishlists and features pixel graphics, open-world survival, and farming simulations. Players can explore a vast pixel-art world, engage in activities like fighting, fishing, farming, and foraging, and play solo or cooperatively with up to eight friends. A free demo was showcased during February’s Steam Next Fest, and the game has been refined based on player feedback from a recent playtest. The Early Access version will include core gameplay, cooperative play, and full controller support, and is expected to perform well on the Steam Deck. The Early Access phase is planned to last approximately two years, during which new content will be added based on player feedback. Pricing details are not yet available, but it is expected to be lower during Early Access.
AppWizard
July 24, 2026
Becoming a member of GB MAX provides access to exclusive insights and connections within the global B2B leadership community in gaming, entertainment, and technology, along with a VIP ticket to the GamesBeat Next event on November 2-3 in San Francisco. Playstrom, a Belarus-based game studio, has achieved over 1.5 billion downloads across more than 20 mobile titles and is transitioning into PC game development. In 2026, they will launch Shipping Store Simulator 2037, their first dedicated PC title. Playstrom has paused mobile game projects to focus on this PC title, which is part of a strategic exploration of their strengths in PC development. The studio's PC development arm was initially established for research and development, and they plan to create mobile adaptations of successful PC titles. The demo for Shipping Store Simulator 2037 received a Very Positive rating on Steam, and SayGames plans to invest in influencer campaigns and user acquisition strategies to promote the game.
AppWizard
July 19, 2026
The real-time strategy (RTS) genre, which thrived in the late 90s and early 2000s, experienced a decline from the late 2000s until around 2015 but is expected to make a comeback in 2026 and 2027. Anticipated titles include Stronghold 4, ZeroSpace, D.O.R.F., Dawn of War IV, and Total War: Warhammer 40,000. Bergfried, developed by Quid Pro Games, is a medieval strategy game that combines castle-building mechanics, town management, and real-time combat, with a unique grid reflecting European castle shapes. Panzer Strike, by ISAK Team, aims to recapture the essence of late 90s RTS games and is set for release in Q3 2026. Falling Frontier, a procedurally generated space RTS, is highly wishlisted on Steam and promises detailed ship combat. Chronicles: Medieval, releasing in 2026, offers a sandbox strategy experience during the Hundred Years’ War, blending free-roaming gameplay with large-scale battles. Dinolords, developed by Northplay, features a medieval world with armored dinosaurs and allows players to control dinosaur-riding Lords, presenting a unique twist on traditional RTS gameplay.
AppWizard
June 30, 2026
As of July, several new VR games and downloadable content are set to be released across platforms like Meta Quest, Steam, and PlayStation VR2. Key upcoming releases include: - Enigmo - July 7 (PC VR) - Geronimo - July 10 (PC VR) - Fixer Undercover - July 16 (PC VR) - Roboquest VR - July 23 (Quest 3) - Puzzles of the World - July 23 (Quest 3) - Cybercore Protocol - July 26 (Quest) - Hyperstacks - July 30 (Steam) - Streets of Miami VR - July 30 (Steam) Additionally, the UploadVR Summer Showcase Humble Bundle is active until July 8, with discounts on various titles. The Steam Summer Sale and Meta Quest Summer Sale are also ongoing, with PlayStation VR2 expected to participate later in July.
AppWizard
June 17, 2026
Bus Simulator 27 is set to launch later this year, with a free demo available on Steam until June 22. The demo lacks support for DLSS or FSR, and during testing at 1440p on high settings with an RTX 5090, frame rates ranged from 70-80 FPS, with occasional drops. The AI traffic exhibits erratic behavior, often stopping abruptly and inconsistently adhering to speed limits, leading to penalties for the player in case of collisions. The voice acting can be distracting, interrupting the gameplay experience. The game is priced modestly, with additional content available for purchase, but there are concerns about optimization and AI dynamics that need addressing before the full release.
AppWizard
June 17, 2026
The second installment of Steam Next Fest for 2026 is running until June 22 and features a total of 8,682 demos, nearly double the entire library of PlayStation 2 games. Approximately 1,700 of these demos incorporate AI technology, leading to concerns about the quality of some titles, often labeled as "shovelware." Various digital storefronts are struggling to maintain quality amidst the influx of AI-generated content, with Sony recently removing a publisher known for low-quality releases. The reaction to AI in game development has been mixed, with backlash against certain titles. Additionally, early Geekbench results for Valve's upcoming Steam Machine suggest a potential launch next week.
AppWizard
June 15, 2026
Steam Next Fest has begun, featuring 4,347 game demos available for a week. This number is expected to increase during the event. If a player spends half an hour on each demo, it would take about three months to experience them all. Notable titles include Empulse, an FPS with wall-running and mech-dropping mechanics, and Omen, an isometric spaceship extraction shooter.
AppWizard
June 15, 2026
This week features the Steam Next Fest, showcasing numerous game demos and playtests. Notable new game releases include: - Stellaris: Nomads: Introduces migrant civilizations with planet-scale spaceships in a 4X strategy game. - Day Trade Coach: A stock market trading simulator with a live news feed and professional trading terminal interface. - Mole: Players pilot a drill guided by whispers from the deceased in a whimsical setting. - Alaric: A "boomer shooter" with metroidvania design elements. - Copa City: A football management game set in 2026, focusing on the chaos of fan influx. - GoblinAmerica: An early access FPS where players embody US presidents to restore order and rewrite history. - The Last Salvage Squad: Features anime robots battling UFOs. - A four-dimensional chess game concept. Additional noteworthy titles include: - R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos: A remastered collection of turn-based PSP R-Type games. - The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales: An action-RPG with "2D-HD" graphics by veterans of Octopath Traveller. - Mech Spa: A nurturing game focused on mechs. - Mythic Love: Iberian Legends: An otome visual novel exploring Iberian folklore. - The Quiet Things: An autobiographical narrative addressing childhood trauma. - Moon River: A short RPG where players navigate a river revealed by moonlight, marking its full release. The Treehouse team is engaged in various activities, including urban adventures, exploring fungal brains, and artistic projects.
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