Overview
- Nine Dots Studio made the Open Beta available on Steam on June 7, 2026 during the PC Gaming Show so more players can play for free before launch.
- The studio says the public test will collect player feedback and pressure-test systems to help fix bugs and tune progression, combat, and storytelling ahead of Early Access.
- A social contest running June 7–25 invites players to share beta screenshots or videos with #ExploreAurai for a chance to win two Early Access keys.
- Outward 2 preserves the series' punishing survival rules—hunger, thirst, inventory limits and an optional Hardcore mode—and supports single-player, split-screen co-op, and online co-op play.
- Early Access is scheduled for July 7, 2026 on Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG, and Nine Dots frames the stage as another development phase where community input will shape the final game.