Sinking Eternity Early Access Date and Playtest Guide
Sinking Eternity hit 10k wishlists. The Sept 15 EA date was pushed for a Steam Playtest first. Here is how to get in now: wishlist, demo, playtest request, and where to track the real EA countdown.
Sinking Eternity
Early Access
Playtest
Steam
Core problem: Players want a firm Early Access date and a way to play beyond the short demo right now. The solo dev (ZeroByte) delayed EA multiple times for polish. After reaching 10k wishlists, the announced Sept 15 date was pushed so a free Steam Playtest could run first (mid-September). EA will follow the playtest; the dev will only start a public 14-day countdown once the date is locked in Steam.
1Immediate Steps (Do These in Order)
- 1Open the Steam store page for Sinking Eternity (app 3715810) and click Wishlist if you have not already. This is the main signal the solo dev tracks and the way you get notified of playtest/EA.
- 2Download and play the current free demo from the same page. It is a short slice (roughly 20-25 minutes) of the starting islands, shallow water, basic crafting, and first quests. Use it to learn controls, air/pressure basics, and whether the tone clicks for you. Latest demo builds include performance fixes, accessibility options (unlimited air, disable hunger/food, disable swim wobble), and quality-of-life changes.
- 3Look for the Playtest request button on the same Steam store page (Steam Playtest feature). Request access now. The dev stated it would start around mid-September and let you explore further than the demo. Steam emails you when access is granted; check the store page status as well.
- 4Follow the official Steam news/announcements and the r/SinkingEternity subreddit. The developer posts weekly changelogs there. That is where the exact playtest start date and later EA countdown will appear. Do not rely on older trackers that still list April or Q2 dates.
- 5Leave specific feedback in Steam discussions or the subreddit (bugs, unclear tutorial steps, creature behavior, performance on your hardware). The developer reads it and has already implemented many community suggestions (respawn keeping gear, better fish behavior, storage crates, etc.).
Key Decisions
| Decision | What to do |
|---|---|
| Play demo first vs wait for playtest? | Play the demo immediately if you want to decide whether the Subnautica-like exploration + crafting + mystery loop works for you. The playtest will go deeper but is not guaranteed open to everyone at once. |
| Wishlist now vs later? | Wishlist now. Price is expected to rise after EA as content is added. |
| Buy at EA launch vs wait? | EA is planned for 6-12 months with free updates afterward. The first EA build already includes several hours of content, 2500m+ depths, shelter upgrades, companions, and the start of a story spanning tens of thousands of years. Full version later adds vehicles, currents, more biomes, and story. |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming the old Sept 15 date is still locked. It was announced then immediately adjusted for the playtest.
- Treating the demo as the full game. It is deliberately cut short; many points of interest and the robotic signal are locked behind EA/playtest.
- Ignoring accessibility options in the demo menu if air management or hunger feels punishing on first play.
- Expecting weapons or combat-focused gameplay. The game is about hiding from/outsmarting creatures, crafting survival gear, and exploration.
- Checking only third-party date sites. They lag behind the weekly Steam/Reddit posts.