Intrepid Studios, the developer and publisher of the highly anticipated fantasy MMORPG Ashes of Creation, has announced that the game will join Steam Early Access on December 11, 2025. This move represents a major step in the game’s progression, broadening the testing base on the massive PC platform.

After a development journey that has included on-and-off playtesting since 2020 and the first long-term Alpha in 2021, Ashes of Creation has transitioned into a persistent Early Access phase marked by regular content updates. The decision to bring the game to Steam is intended to expand the audience and leverage the platform's community testing capabilities.

The developers explained that a reactive world that evolves based on player activity is a core tenet of their design philosophy, making community testing an integral part of their development strategy. Early Access on Steam will allow them to gather critical feedback on systems like settlement progression, the economy, and combat balance.

 

Key Dates and Access Details

 

The shift to Steam will be accompanied by several important changes:

  • Alpha 2 Wipe: The current Alpha 2 realms will conclude with a send-off event on December 1, before all character and server progress is fully wiped.

  • PTR Runs: Public Test Realm (PTR) runs are scheduled for late November to ensure the stability of the upcoming phase.

  • Steam Access: Players who previously purchased access to the Beta 1 and Beta 2 phases will be able to join the Early Access phase on Steam.

  • New Early Access Bundle: Starting December 11, a new Early Access Bundle will be available for $49.99 USD (with a temporary launch discount to $42.49) on both Steam and the official website. This bundle includes access to Alpha Two, Beta One, Beta Two, and one month of game time.

Intrepid Studios has also launched the game’s official Steam page for wishlisting, which features a new cinematic trailer providing a general overview of the world of Verra.