HAWKER is our shopkeeper roguelite, built at Tyrian Games in Melbourne and heading into Steam Early Access in September 2026. This is the piece we've written for players asking the specific launch questions we've been getting in our Discord, on Steam, and in email: when does it launch, what does Early Access actually mean for HAWKER, what's in the first version, and what are we planning to add. We've tried to keep it straight and specific rather than dress it up as a press release.
TL;DR
- HAWKER enters Steam Early Access in September 2026. Final date will be announced four weeks before release.
- The demo is live and contains the first seven in-game days, including combat, shop, and the journey to Keridann.
- Early Access launch content covers the first full act with multiple runs' worth of content and two of three planned biomes.
- Full 1.0 release is targeted for mid-to-late 2027 with major content drops every quarter during Early Access.
- Early Access pricing will be announced closer to launch and will reflect the scope of the EA build, not the final 1.0 scope.
The specific launch details
HAWKER's Early Access window opens in September 2026. We're holding the exact day for the standard four-weeks-out announcement pattern because we want to align with the Steam sales calendar and avoid clashing with a couple of larger adjacent releases. Our Steam page is the single source of truth. If a date leaks elsewhere that isn't on Steam, assume it's wrong.
Early Access is the appropriate shape for HAWKER. Our combat feel, our shop economy, and our narrative pacing all benefit from playtest at scale. A closed beta of fifty people cannot catch what ten thousand players will catch. We've been open about this reasoning on our dev notebook piece, but the short version is that the game becomes a better game with player feedback incorporated during the EA window.
We're expecting to stay in Early Access for roughly twelve months. This is longer than some EA periods and shorter than others. The target is mid-to-late 2027 for 1.0. We'd rather miss that window by two months than ship a version we're not proud of.
What's in the Early Access launch build
The September 2026 build will include the first full act of HAWKER, which is substantially larger than the demo. Specifically: the complete Gwiravon biome, the full shop-management system including mask loadouts and stall customisation, the thirty-day deadline loop with multiple run variants, roughly twenty NPCs with full dialogue arcs, and the first major boss encounter at Keridann.
What isn't in the launch build: the second biome (planned for the first major EA content drop), several late-game mask variants, the full ending sequence, certain post-demo narrative beats, and the achievement system. All of these will be added over the EA period.
We've tried to be honest about this on the Steam page and in our communications. The Early Access build is a real game, not a tech demo, but it isn't the finished game. Players who want to wait for 1.0 will have a legitimate version to buy in 2027. Players who want to be part of the development and are comfortable with the EA experience will get roughly thirty hours of content at launch with regular expansions through the EA period.
The demo and Steam Next Fest
The HAWKER demo is available now on Steam and covers the first seven in-game days. It includes the full shop loop, combat in the Gwiravon biome, and the journey to Keridann that sets up the main game. Demo save data does not carry over to the Early Access version (we made this call to keep the launch experience clean for new players).
Steam Next Fest dates in 2026 align with the pre-launch window. We'll be participating and running developer streams on the platform. Our previous Steam Next Fest showings gave us the best single week of wishlist conversion in our history, which is the commercial reason to participate and the reason we think other small studios should too. Dates will be posted on Valve's Steam Next Fest page closer to the event.
Pricing expectations
We haven't announced Early Access pricing yet. The pattern we're considering sits in the typical Australian and international indie EA bracket. Pricing will reflect the scope of the Early Access build rather than the final 1.0 scope. We'll likely increase the price at 1.0 to reflect the additional content, which is standard practice and the pattern we've seen work well at studios whose decisions we respect (Supergiant, Moon Studios, Subset Games).
Early Access buyers will not be charged again when 1.0 releases. The Steam pattern is that your purchase unlocks access to all future updates including the 1.0 build.
Regional pricing will apply through Steam's usual regional currency system. We've worked to make the pricing fair in markets where the US dollar benchmark doesn't reflect local purchasing power, including Brazil, Turkey, India, Southeast Asia, and parts of South America.
Platform plans
At Early Access launch in September 2026 HAWKER will be Steam-only on PC and Mac. We've built and tested on Steam Deck throughout development and we're aiming for Steam Deck Verified status at EA launch. Our preliminary Steam Deck testing shows the game running at 60 FPS on default settings, with battery life around four hours per charge. See our Steam Deck performance piece for specifics.
Console versions (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and Nintendo Switch 2) are planned for 1.0 or shortly after. We've had initial conversations with platform holders and expect to announce specifics during the Early Access period. The game's design works well on controller and we've been QA-testing with controllers alongside keyboard and mouse throughout development.
Linux native support is being evaluated. Steam Play (Proton) compatibility should work well for Linux users at EA launch and we'll be testing this specifically.
A first-hand Hawker design note
One specific thing we've learned from watching other Early Access launches is that the first week sets the community tone for the entire EA period. Moon Studios' No Rest for the Wicked, Larian's Baldur's Gate 3 EA, and Supergiant's Hades EA all had strong first weeks that shaped how the community viewed the rest of development. A weak first week creates a negative spiral that's hard to recover from.
We've planned our first week accordingly. The build going into EA is the one we've tested most thoroughly, not the one with the newest features. Our community management team (a small but dedicated group) will be active daily on our Discord and the Steam forums for the first month. We've pre-prepared our first three patches so we can ship the first hotfix within 72 hours if serious issues emerge.
This isn't about looking prepared. It's about actually being prepared. Players who buy in at launch are taking a risk on our studio's execution. The least we can do is run the launch as professionally as we can.
The content roadmap during Early Access
Rough shape of what we're planning to ship during the EA period, subject to adjustment based on player feedback.
The first major content drop, targeted for late 2026 or early 2027, will add the second biome and several post-demo narrative beats. This is the drop we've done the most pre-work on. Testing suggests it adds roughly eight to ten hours of content for players who've completed the base game.
The middle EA period will focus on mask expansions, additional NPCs, and refinement of existing systems based on playtest feedback. We're not planning a single "content drop" here because we want flexibility to respond to what players actually ask for.
The final EA content drop, before the 1.0 push, will add the third biome and the full ending sequence. This is what brings the game to 1.0 scope.
These dates and scopes will shift. That's the honest Early Access reality. Studios that commit to rigid roadmaps during EA tend to ship lower-quality content to hit dates. Studios that stay flexible tend to produce better games and more satisfied communities. We're choosing flexibility.
How to prepare for launch
For players who want to be ready for September 2026, the highest-value action is to wishlist on Steam. This is not just marketing theatre. Steam's algorithm treats wishlists as a primary signal when deciding how heavily to feature new releases. Games with strong wishlist numbers get front-page placement, curator attention, and discount algorithm favourability. Games without them do not.
If you like what you've seen of HAWKER, wishlisting costs you nothing and significantly increases our launch visibility. This is the single most useful thing our community can do for us pre-launch.
Beyond wishlisting: play the demo if you haven't, follow our Steam page for update notifications, join the HAWKER Discord if you want direct channel access to development, and sign up for our email list if you prefer email.
Signed-up players get one email per major milestone, not a promotional firehose. We've kept the email cadence deliberately low across development and we're not planning to change that in the run-up to launch.
FAQ
When does HAWKER release?
Early Access launch is September 2026 on Steam. Exact date will be announced four weeks before release. Full 1.0 is targeted for mid-to-late 2027.
Where can I play HAWKER?
Steam is the launch platform for Early Access. A demo is available now. Console versions are planned for 1.0 or shortly after.
How much will HAWKER cost?
Pricing will be announced closer to launch and will fall in the typical indie EA range. Early Access buyers get all future updates at no additional cost.
What's in the demo?
The first seven in-game days including the shop system, combat, the journey to Keridann, and character introductions. Demo save data does not carry to the full game.
Will HAWKER support Steam Deck?
Yes, with Steam Deck Verified status targeted at Early Access launch. Preliminary testing shows 60 FPS on default settings with around four hours of battery life per charge.
How long will Early Access last?
Roughly twelve months, targeting mid-to-late 2027 for 1.0. This is subject to adjustment based on playtest feedback and content readiness.
Spoiler wall
Everything above keeps to the demo-line framing. The full narrative arc, late-game content, the second and third biomes, the Keridann boss fight, and the sci-fi reveal all sit behind the spoiler wall and will not be in our pre-launch communications.
Closing
HAWKER launches into Steam Early Access in September 2026. The build going in is substantial, the roadmap is real, and the team is ready. If you've been following HAWKER through demo and dev updates, the launch will be the culmination of what we've been building toward for three years. If you're new here, the demo is the best place to start.
Wishlist HAWKER's September 2026 launch.
Next read: HAWKER demo guide, or HAWKER system requirements and Steam Deck performance.