Squid Hunt 1923 launches in December 2026 as a full release — skipping the Early Access detour we'd planned.

We went back and forth on this for a long time: an Early Access release feels like a playtest that players have to pay for. Whoever plays doesn't just test — they directly shape balance, feel, and content. On top of that, we gather plenty of data and feedback. Hardware and bug testing are essential too, to build an experience that actually works. That's true for a playtest just as much as for an Early Access release.

When someone sits down, takes a chance on something half-baked, and then puts real effort in — as a developer you should just be grateful, not ask them to pay for the privilege first. At least that's how we see it, and it's the ideal we want to live by.

Instead of selling a half-finished game and then hiding behind "well, it's Early Access," we're keeping the test phase open right up until the end, hoping for your curiosity and your engagement — so we can bring the idea we have for Squid Hunt into the world as well as we possibly can. Between now and December, we've got enough time to chase that idea.

For many developers, Early Access is a perfectly valid path. We've decided to take a different one, and we'd love for you to come along for part of the ride.

Cheers,
ABSTURZ