Hello (soon-to-be) world devourers,

I would like to announce that Ultakia will be participating in #TurnBasedThursdayFest from March 9, 2026, to March 23, 2026! And to celebrate, there will also be a first open playtest where you can all try out the game for free. That's right, there is finally a playable version! I would like to point out that this is, of course, a version that is still full of bugs and other quirks and is not the finished product. :)

So what will this playtest involve?

First up, one of the 12 species is playable, namely the Giratakel! A Giratakel is a large, gluttonous alien snail that sets out to find the best leaves in a diverse universe. And once you've found them, why should you share them with others?

[Giratakel]

Naturally, the three (fixed) opponents see things differently, and a race for the best systems begins.

Even though the opponents and the number of systems are fixed, the playtest offers plenty of replayability thanks to the possibility of pursuing four different victory conditions, and since the universe is procedurally generated, there is also plenty to discover on this front. There are five space creatures, but only three of them play at a time, and there are more than enough ruins and anomalies to ensure variety

Once a victory has been achieved, you can continue playing indefinitely, although some endgame content, such as the largest spaceships or the best buildings, will remain unavailable in the full version.

How long will the playtest be available?

The playtest will be available for two weeks starting on March 9, 2026 (1 p.m. EDT / 6 p.m. CET), i.e. until March 23, 2026.

How long is the playtime for the playtest?

Phew, as a developer, that's really hard to say because you already know the game well, but if I, as an experienced player, can easily spend three hours on a game, then I'd say you should expect to spend six to ten hours on it.

How can I access the playtest?

Via the shop page on Steam. You can already request access to the playtest there and then play it via your library as soon as the festival starts.

How can I provide feedback?

Feedback is explicitly appreciated, so links to the relevant forms can be found in the game. Feedback can also be provided via the Steam Community Hub or by email ([email protected]).

[Bug, Suggestion, Feedback, Balancing Change]

So why should I play the Ultakia playtest?

Well, as a developer, obviously I'm going to say it's a great game, but the playtest gives you all the chance to see for yourselves what this special 4X game is all about. Experience the Giratakel, a unique faction trying to assert itself in an alien universe. In addition, there are over 60 anomalies and wreckages, five space creatures, and hundreds of technologies. In short, Ultakia awaits you! The game may not be perfect yet, but this offers the opportunity to actively influence the development of the game and help Ultakia grow by providing feedback and reporting bugs.

Thank you very much for your support. I appreciate everyone who plays the playtest!

-an excited Giratakel