Permafrost: Everything We Know So Far

Permafrost is one of the most anticipated survival games heading into late 2026. This is our living summary of everything confirmed and reported so far, updated as new details land. Anything not yet officially nailed down is marked as expected.

The pitch

Permafrost is a story-driven open-world survival sandbox set on a frozen, post-apocalyptic Earth. It is developed by SpaceRocket Games and published by Toplitz Productions, and it launches into PC Early Access on August 21, 2026 across Steam, GOG and the Epic Games Store.

The setting: after the Shattering

The world ended in an event called the Shattering, a chain of catastrophes that culminated in the breaking of the Moon. The result is an endless winter: extreme cold spread across the planet, burying cities and forests under ice and snow, and humanity now survives only in scattered groups.

You play Rook, an engineer with the skills to rebuild but little wilderness experience, drawn out into the cold by a radio signal from a friend long believed lost. That signal is the thread that pulls you through an otherwise open, sandbox world.

How it plays

The core loop is classic survival craft with a heavy emphasis on the cold:

• Survive the cold. Frostbite, storms and a creeping chill are the central threat, and warmth is the resource everything depends on.
• Scavenge and craft. Explore the ruins of the old world, gather materials, and craft gear that matters.
• Build shelter networks. A free building system lets you raise and fortify shelters and outposts to push into colder regions.
• Explore on foot or by vehicle across a wide map of frozen biomes with dynamic weather and a day-night cycle.

Your dog companion

One of Permafrost’s signature features is your dog companion, a rescued dog that scouts ahead, warns you of danger with its keen senses, helps you spot loot and carries supplies. The developers have stressed it is a genuine gameplay helper, not just a cosmetic pet.

Solo or co-op

You can face the world alone or in online co-op for up to four players. Co-op does not make the world easier, it lets a group divide the work of survival and build larger shelter networks together.

Biomes and weather

Permafrost spans a variety of frozen biomes, from open tundra to buried cities and ice forests, each with its own hazards. A dynamic weather system and day-night cycle mean conditions shift in real time, and storms can turn a routine trip deadly.

Early Access plans

The developer expects Early Access to run for at least 12 months, adding biomes, quests and mechanics and optimizing performance on the way to a full 1.0 release. The price is expected to rise as content is added.

For the launch specifics, see our release date guide. New players should start with the beginner’s survival guide.