Launch logistics
Online: 404 Release Date: October 16, 2026
Online: 404 enters Steam Early Access on October 16, 2026 — 2 days from today. The date is on the Steam listing; no unlock hour has ever been published.
Platform availability at launch
| Platform | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|
| PC (Steam) | Confirmed — Early Access | October 16, 2026 |
| Xbox Series X/S | Not announced | — |
| PlayStation 5 | Not announced | — |
| Steam Deck | Compatibility rated Unknown by Valve | — |
| macOS / Linux | Not listed on Steam | — |
PC via Steam is the only confirmed way to play. The platforms page breaks down every platform question, including system requirements.
Is there an exact unlock time?
No. Cornfield Games has only ever published the calendar date. No hour, no preload window and no regional rollout plan has been stated anywhere official, so any specific unlock time you see on another site is an estimate, not a schedule.
What Early Access means here
The developers explain the choice on the Steam page: the game is made by two people, and Early Access lets them keep improving it, fixing issues and adding content based on player feedback. Bug reports go through a dedicated form in the pause menu.
Planned duration: 6–12 months. The goal is to reach the final version within that window.
What the EA build includes at launch: all core gameplay mechanics shown in the trailer — the first third of the story, co-op, resource gathering, building, crafting, hunting, farming, electricity, vehicle driving, zombies and base raids, and the in-game smartphone with its own internet. The developers warn that bugs are expected at this scale and ask players to report them.
What the full version is planned to add: new locations, several new survival mechanics, more ways to interact with zombies and animals, full professional voice acting, and an expanded set of mini-games on the in-game phone.
Price: TBA, but cheaper during Early Access
No price figure has been published — it is TBA / not yet announced. What is confirmed is the pricing policy from the Steam Early Access FAQ:
- The game is offered at a reduced price during Early Access, as a thank-you to early players.
- After version 1.0 leaves Early Access, the developers plan to review the price based on how much new content was added.
This site does not guess at numbers. The Steam store page is the only place a real price will appear.
The release date already moved twice
| Announcement | Date of post | What it said |
|---|---|---|
| Project reveal | April 29, 2026 | Demo in June, Early Access at the end of July |
| "Will you meet us in September?" | June 28, 2026 | Demo closes end of June; Early Access set for September 25, 2026 |
| Release Date Update | August 26, 2026 | Postponed three weeks for polish: October 16, 2026 |
The August post is explicit about the reason: the team could have hit the September date, but didn't want the deadline pressure and preferred extra time for polish and unexpected issues. The Steam listing now matches: "Planned Release Date: Oct 16, 2026."
What happened to the demo?
A free demo ran from June 14, 2026 until the end of June, and more than 60,000 players tried it in its first two weeks. The developers then removed it from public access, as announced, to focus on the full version. Demo bug hunters were rewarded with free game keys. There is no demo available now, and none has been announced for launch.
Roadmap: what we know and don't
The only roadmap-like statement is the Early Access FAQ itself: new locations, new survival mechanics, deeper zombie and animal interactions, professional voice acting and more phone mini-games over a 6–12 month window. No dated roadmap, no patch schedule and no 1.0 date have been published. This section will track actual updates once Early Access begins.
Where these facts come from
- Online: 404 on Steam (app 4094350) — planned release date, Early Access FAQ (duration, content, pricing, community involvement), platform list.
- Steam Community hub — official news — the April 29 reveal, the June 28 September-date announcement with the 60,000-player demo figure, and the August 26 postponement to October 16.