Steam Demo vs Early Access Comparison, Release Date & Console Roadmap
Track the complete development and release timeline of HANDS OVER—from its May 2026 reveal and August closed playtest (App ID 4787260) to the chart-topping October 15 free Steam Demo (#13 in Steam Next Fest Top 50 Demos, App ID 5224010), the November 13, 2026 Early Access launch (App ID 4661070), and planned PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch console editions.
Official Release Date Reveal Trailer artwork showcasing the five captives and the Butcher
Nov 13, 2026
Steam Early Access Launch Date (App ID 4661070)
#13 Next Fest
Top 50 Most-Played Demo Rank (App ID 5224010)
100,000+
Verified Steam Wishlists Prior to Next Fest
PS / Xbox / Switch
Planned Console Port Targets Alongside PC
All 8 Verified HANDS OVER Milestones (May 2026 – November 13, 2026)
SEC-01 · CHRONOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT & RELEASE MILESTONE LEDGER
Use the phase filter controls below to inspect specific milestones across Pre-Release Reveal, Closed Testing, Public Demo, Schedule Updates, and the November 13, 2026 Early Access launch.
Filter Timeline Milestones by Build Phase:
2026-05-22ms-reveal-may-2026
Official Steam Reveal & 25,000 Wishlists
Milestone Date2026-05-22
Build PhasePre-Playtest Reveal
Steam App ID / Target4661070
Player Access StatusStore Page & Announcement Trailer Public
Verified Outcome & EvidenceSurpassed 25,000 Steam wishlists within weeks of reveal, climbing to 40,000 on June 9 and 70,000 on July 1, 2026.
2026-08-12ms-playtest-aug-2026
Closed Steam Playtest Launch (App ID 4787260)
Milestone Date2026-08-12
Build PhaseClosed Playtest (playtest-aug-2026)
Steam App ID / Target4787260
Player Access StatusInvite-Only Steam Playtest (15,000+ Registrations)
Verified Outcome & EvidenceFirst external multiplayer stress test of the 5-player barn table loop and Mechanical Jaws contraption.
2026-08-19ms-mix-console-aug-2026
The MIX Summer Game Showcase & Console Reveal
Milestone Date2026-08-19
Build PhaseClosed Playtest Window
Steam App ID / Target4661070
Player Access StatusPublic Broadcast & Console Announcement Trailer
Verified Outcome & EvidenceFeatured in The MIX Summer Game Showcase 2026 and confirmed upcoming console editions for PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
2026-09-01ms-100k-wishlists-sep-2026
100,000 Steam Wishlists & Playtest Closure
Milestone Date2026-09-01
Build PhasePlaytest Wrap-Up
Steam App ID / Target4787260
Player Access StatusPlaytest Servers Closed for Pre-Demo Rework
Verified Outcome & EvidenceCrossed 100,000 Steam wishlists as ArtDock closed the August Playtest to integrate player balance feedback.
2026-10-15ms-demo-launch-oct-2026
Public Playable Demo Launch (App ID 5224010)
Milestone Date2026-10-15
Build PhaseLive Public Demo (demo-oct-2026)
Steam App ID / Target5224010
Player Access StatusFree Public Download on Steam (Up to 5 Players Online)
Verified Outcome & EvidenceOpened free 5-player online PvP/Co-op access with 12-language localization ahead of Steam Next Fest.
2026-10-28ms-next-fest-top13-oct-2026
Steam Next Fest #13 Top 50 Most-Played Demo
Milestone Date2026-10-28
Build PhaseLive Public Demo (demo-oct-2026)
Steam App ID / Target5224010
Player Access StatusPublic Demo Active Through Next Fest & Scream Fest
Verified Outcome & EvidenceRanked #13 overall in Valve official Top 50 Most-Played Demos chart during October 2026 Steam Next Fest and joined Steam Scream Fest.
2026-10-29ms-delay-announcement-oct-2026
Two-Week Polish Delay Announcement (Oct 30 to Nov 13)
Milestone Date2026-10-29
Build PhasePre-Early Access Polish Sprint
Steam App ID / Target4661070
Player Access StatusDemo Remains Playable While Early Access Polishes
Verified Outcome & EvidenceMoved Early Access release from October 30 to November 13, 2026 to polish matchmaking, animations, and balance after Next Fest.
Player Access StatusCommercial Early Access Release with Launch Discount
Verified Outcome & EvidenceLaunches into a planned 6–12 month Early Access cycle with expanded tabletop challenges, new Influence Cards, and lower introductory pricing.
SEC-02 · EDITION COMPARISON: PLAYTEST vs PUBLIC DEMO vs EARLY ACCESS
Because HANDS OVER utilizes three separate Steam application IDs across its testing and launch lifecycle, players should verify which edition they are installing before creating a 5-player lobby.
Edition Attribute
Closed Playtest (App ID 4787260)
Public Free Demo (App ID 5224010)
Early Access Full Release (App ID 4661070)
Current Availability Status
Concluded (Ran August 14 – September 2026)
Live & Free to Download on Steam Now
Launches November 13, 2026 (With Launch Discount)
Core 5-Player Barn Table & Contraptions
Early prototype table loop and initial bug discovery
Full contraption rotation (Jaws, Revolver Roulette, Organ Grinder), expanded card polish & progression
Ultrawide 32:9 (5120×1440) Support
Initial aspect-ratio report logged by community testers
Patched and verified 32:9 (5120×1440) ultrawide display support
Native multi-aspect support included out of the box
Pricing & Commercial Model
Free invite-only test build
100% Free standalone demo client
Paid commercial release on Steam with a temporary launch discount window
October 29 Polish Update and Planned PlayStation, Xbox & Switch Editions
SEC-03 · WHY ARTDOCK SHIFTED LAUNCH BY TWO WEEKS & CONSOLE ROADMAP
On October 29, 2026—just one day before the previously slated October 30 release date—developer ArtDock published an official Steam announcement shifting the Early Access launch by exactly two weeks to November 13, 2026. Following the massive surge of traffic during the October 2026 Steam Next Fest (where HANDS OVER ranked #13 among the Top 50 Most-Played Demos on the entire platform), the studio chose to keep the public Demo (App ID 5224010) live while dedicating fourteen extra days to fixing player-reported bugs and refining multiplayer stability.
Beyond the Windows PC Steam release, ArtDock's official studio catalog and August 28, 2026 MIX Fall Showcase presentation confirm that HANDS OVER is also planned for PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch console platforms following the PC Early Access rollout.
Official October 29, 2026 announcement confirming the two-week polish shift to November 13, 2026Official September 12, 2026 community celebration marking 100,000+ Steam wishlists
