Release date — when DarkSwarm launches

The verified dates so far

1. November 3, 2026 — next Closed Alpha begins (announced September 29, 2026)
2. Before Early Access — an open beta phase is on the calendar; no date yet
3. Early 2027 — Early Access launch target: “We expect to launch in Early Access in 2027” (Steam Early Access FAQ)
4. After Early Access — the full release; EA is expected to last about 3–6 months

What the studio has said about the window

The September 29, 2026 announcement post (“The Swarm Has Arrived!”) put it plainly: the exact Early Access date will be revealed later, but DarkSwarm is expected to launch into Early Access in early 2027. The Steam page's Early Access section adds two useful commitments: the team expects EA to run about 3–6 months, and EA will be priced “significantly lower than the final price” — with any price increase at full release not finally decided.

For the record: an earlier plan targeted Early Access in Q1 2026. That window passed without a launch and is superseded by the early-2027 target; parts of the official press kit still show the old text, so treat any “Q1 2026” claim as outdated.

Why the date moved

Three Closed Alpha tests ran between September 2025 and February 2026, each adding real systems (world, social features, comms). The swarm technology revealed on September 29, 2026 — thousands of enemies on screen at once — is the newest layer, and the November alpha is its first public test. The early-2027 window reflects that build order.

How new dates get announced

The studio commits to announcing tests at least one month in advance, through the Steam news hub and the game's official social channels. Exact wording from the Steam page: “We have both a closed alpha and open beta phase online on the calendar before we release as Early Access.” This wiki re-checks those channels and logs every confirmed date on the updates page.

What to do while you wait

• Wishlist DarkSwarm on Steam — it feeds the visibility that decides playtest scale.
• Request access to the playtest — sign-ups for the November 3 Closed Alpha are open now.
• Follow the Steam news hub or this wiki's updates page; new dates land at least a month before each test.