Popular Survival Game Graduates from Early Access After a Decade

After more than ten years since its debut as a Steam Early Access title, a beloved survival game is finally making its official 1.0 release.
Popular Survival Game Graduates from Early Access After a Decade

Highlights

  • 7 Days to Die is stepping out of Early Access after a lengthy development period.
  • The stable 1.0 version of the game is scheduled for a June launch.
  • Next-gen console versions of 7 Days to Die are hinted to arrive in July.

Following over a decade of development, the renowned survival game 7 Days to Die has excitingly announced its departure from Early Access. Despite its long journey, many players may not realize that 7 Days to Die has lingered in this phase for so long.

When 7 Days to Die initially emerged towards the end of 2013, it entered a crowded genre landscape. The market was saturated with Early Access open-world survival titles, riding on the success of games like DayZ and Rust. Although the game faced a cool critical reception at first, it managed to carve out a dedicated fan base. Over the years, The Fun Pimps, the developer, has diligently provided numerous content updates, sustaining the interest in 7 Days to Die. Finally, the time has come for the game to shed its Early Access tag and unveil the long-awaited 1.0 version.

In a recent YouTube video, Richard Huenink, co-founder of The Fun Pimps, confirmed that the full stable 1.0 release of 7 Days to Die is on the horizon, expected to hit PCs in June. All previously promised updates will continue as free content additions, with a roadmap outlined until Q4 2025. As the game transitions to a complete release, its price will see an increase. However, starting April 22, a last-chance sale offering a 76% discount will run until April 29, granting players a final opportunity to snag the game at a lower cost. Additionally, 7 Days to Die will exit Xbox Game Pass on April 30, making this sale period the ideal time to make a purchase.

Exciting Developments for 7 Days to Die

The announcement also brings some good news for console enthusiasts. While the substantial 1.0 update is too demanding for the abandoned PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions, the eagerly awaited PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S editions are slated for a July 2024 debut, promising feature parity with the PC version. Players on the new consoles will finally have access to one of the finest post-apocalyptic base-building games on the market. However, there's a small catch – owners of the older console versions of 7 Days to Die will need to repurchase the game for the upgrade, although efforts are being made to secure discounts for these loyal players.

With the future of 7 Days to Die now set for the coming years, the community eagerly anticipates upcoming updates. The game's roadmap hints at significant enhancements, such as the introduction of bandits, a story mode, a revamp of the trading system, and cross-platform play. The dedication to enhancing 7 Days to Die into one of the premier survival experiences is commendable, and the prospect of its imminent improvements is indeed thrilling.