Ashes of Creation Makes Historic Steam Early Access Debut

Introduction: A Major Milestone for MMORPG Development

The highly anticipated MMORPG Ashes of Creation has reached a significant turning point in its development journey. On December 11, 2025 around 10:00 AM Pacific, Ashes of Creation officially moved to Steam with the launch of its Early Access, marking what developers describe as a major milestone for one of the most anticipated MMORPGs in years. This transition represents a pivotal moment for the game’s community-driven development approach and signals increased accessibility for players worldwide.

Steam Launch Details and Access Options

Starting December 11, 2025, the Early Access Bundle is available for $49.99 USD on both Steam and the Ashes of Creation Shop. This includes access to Alpha Two, Beta One, Beta Two, one month of game time, access to the (NDA) PTR, and a non-exclusive cosmetic cloak. Additionally, from December 11-25, the bundle is 15% off at $42.49, providing an attractive entry point for new testers. Anyone who has purchased an Alpha One, Alpha Two, Beta One, or Beta Two will be able to participate in Early Access.

The Harbinger Update and New Content

Accompanying the Steam launch, the update to version 0.18 introduces a massive open-world event called The Harbinger Invasion, along with fishing, new summons, and fresh cosmetics. The Summoner Archetype makes its much-anticipated debut, allowing testers to command powerful vessels that can tank, deal damage, and support their allies, bringing an entirely new way to experience Ashes of Creation. The Harbinger System brings Ancient corruption crashing into a zone, challenging players to fight through escalating phases of danger.

Active Testing Phase: What Players Should Expect

Ashes of Creation is currently in active alpha testing, meaning testers should expect unstable builds, incomplete content, placeholder elements, and regular balance adjustments, with realm wipes occurring when necessary. Early Access allows developers to bring testers directly into Verra during key stages of system building – whether settlement progression, economy loops, combat balance, or world events. Early Access begins on December 11, 2025, and will continue until the game reaches the expected level of quality, stability, and content breadth for launch, with no fixed end date.

Conclusion: Community-Driven Development Approach

Community testing is a core part of the development philosophy, as Early Access brings testers directly into Verra during key stages of system building, allowing developers to gather critical feedback, identify issues faster, and refine systems in real time. For MMORPG enthusiasts and gaming communities, this launch represents an opportunity to actively shape a game designed around player-driven systems and dynamic world-building. The Steam transition expands accessibility whilst maintaining the developers’ commitment to creating what they describe as a reactive world that evolves based on player activity.