Permafrost is scheduled to enter PC Early Access on October 9, 2026, through Steam, GOG and the Epic Games Store. SpaceRocket Games' frozen-world survival game supports solo play or a group of up to four. October's release begins development with paying players; it is not the finished 1.0 launch. Toplitz's latest release announcement
Official information checked September 25, 2026 (UTC+8).
Can you try Permafrost before launch?
The Steam store page currently has a Join the Permafrost Playtest section. Sign in to Steam and choose Request Access to apply. Steam will notify you when the developer admits more participants; requesting access does not guarantee an immediate invitation.
The Playtest is separate from the October 9 Early Access release. A test invitation does not establish ownership of the paid release or confirm that a test save will carry over.
Which release date should you use?
Use October 9 when planning your first session. The older August 21 date was superseded by a July delay announcement. Toplitz said the additional time would be used to refine performance and content, then repeated October 9 in August. Neither announcement specifies a launch hour, so do not treat a database timestamp as a confirmed unlock schedule. Delay announcement
What is planned for Early Access?
The developer's Steam answers draw a useful line between the opening version and future additions:
On a narrow screen, swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Development status | What the developer describes |
|---|---|
| Implemented for the initial offering | Core systems, multiple biomes, items, building and crafting options, an opening narrative with side quests, and four-player co-op |
| Intended expansion | More biomes, quests, characters, enemies, equipment and vehicles |
| Development schedule | At least 12 months in Early Access is the intention; no fixed 1.0 date |
The developer’s Steam answers also say the price is likely to increase during Early Access. A possible future price rise is not a reason to buy before the available game meets your needs. Steam's Early Access Q&A
For a group choosing its next survival game, the decision is straightforward: consider the initial release if you want to explore an evolving game together and can tolerate changes. Wait for hands-on reports if you need a complete story, dependable performance or a long-running shared world before committing everyone to a purchase.
View the release and Early Access infographic
Solo or co-op: what can you plan around?
The announced group size is one player or up to three friends. Toplitz describes exploration, scavenging, crafting and shelter building under persistent cold; its dog companion can scout, warn of danger and carry supplies. Publisher's game overview
The Epic listing carries a “Cross Platform” label, but the pages reviewed do not explain which PC storefront combinations can connect. We also could not verify dedicated-server support, host migration, offline authentication or playtest-save transfer. If any of those is essential to your group, wait for specific instructions before choosing stores or starting a persistent save. A multiplayer label alone does not resolve them. Epic Games Store listing
Check your PC and language requirements
Epic currently lists Windows 10 64-bit, 16 GB RAM, DirectX 12 and 30 GB storage. Its minimum GPU is a GTX 1060 6 GB or RX 590 8 GB; recommended is an RTX 3070 Ti or RX 6750 XT. These specifications do not promise a particular resolution or frame rate. Check the full CPU and hardware list against your machine before launch. Official specifications
Steam lists English audio and English, German and Russian text support, among other languages. Turkish and Brazilian Portuguese are absent from its current language table. That is a localization distinction, not proof that a country can or cannot purchase the game. Steam language table
Before arranging launch night, revisit the store for an exact unlock time, your regional checkout price and any updated co-op instructions. Those checks will be more useful than treating promised additions as content you can already play.
Get ready with ModOpen
Download Free Client. Check the client for currently available game support.
Cover image: SpaceRocket Games / Toplitz Productions, from the official release announcement.
Frequently asked questions
Does Steam Playtest access include the paid Early Access release?
No. The Playtest and paid Early Access release are separate. A test invitation does not establish ownership of the paid release or confirm that a test save will carry over.
Does the co-op announcement confirm cross-store multiplayer?
No. A co-op label alone does not confirm that Steam, GOG and Epic players can join one another. At this article’s September 25, 2026 source check, the supported store combinations were not confirmed; check the publisher’s co-op instructions before arranging a group.