Stormgate, the RTS inspired by Warcraft and developed by Frost Giant Studios, is officially leaving Steam Early Access this August, even though some core features are still under active development. This decision has stirred some confusion among players about the game’s readiness, but Frost Giant is confident that the campaign and 1v1 experience are solid enough for a wider audience.
Initially, Frost Giant said that this milestone as version “0.6,” which led to speculation the game was still incomplete. The studio has since apologized for the confusion and decided to drop version numbers altogether in favor of a codename system named after RTS units, such as the current “Necrolyte” release and the upcoming “Ornithopter” update this autumn.
What the Launch Includes
The campaign, titled Ashes of Earth, will launch with 12 missions and tells a complete story. Frost Giant plans to add more free missions later on. Alongside the campaign, players will get a strong 1v1 competitive mode. However, cooperative gameplay and the terrain editor remain in an alpha or developmental state, accessible through an in-game “test kitchen” called Sigma Labs, where these features will continue to evolve based on community feedback.
Why Leave Early Access Now?
Frost Giant emphasizes that the campaign and 1v1 modes are ready for broader player engagement, which is why they want to move out of early access. The studio also cites limited resources, suggesting that a full launch is necessary to sustain ongoing development efforts and attract new players.
While this approach might feel a bit messy, especially with some foundational pillars still incomplete, it’s worth remembering that “launch” means different things nowadays. What really counts is whether the game is enjoyable. Given Stormgate’s rougher state last year, having a complete campaign and a polished multiplayer mode should be a meaningful step forward. We’ll see how it all plays out on August 5.
Watch the official gameplay trailer:
I’d love to hear your thoughts on Stormgate’s early access exit and what you expect from the campaign and multiplayer modes. Feel free to discuss in the comments below!
