Highly Anticipated New Game Accidentally Released Early (And They Decided to Roll With It)

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As a gamer, I can’t help but share my excitement about the unexpected early access I got for “Tempest Rising,” a strategy game reminiscent of classics like “Rise of Nations” and “Age of Empires.” Due to an unforeseen Steam Early Unlock mishap, the game was accidentally released to all those who pre-ordered, regardless of their chosen version. Instead of being bummed, the developers have seized this opportunity and decided to make the game available to everyone a full week earlier than initially planned! This is definitely a win for us early adopters!

During February’s Steam Next Fest, Tempest Rising was one of the most well-received demos. It was originally scheduled for a release on April 24th. Previously, it was planned to be accessible early to players who pre-ordered the Deluxe Edition, with the early access period starting from April 17th and ending at the game’s full launch. However, unexpectedly, the game was made available to all those who had pre-ordered, resulting in a larger number of players experiencing the game earlier than anticipated. On Steam yesterday, Slipgate Ironworks announced an update, stating that they have chosen to release the game early for everyone due to unspecified reasons.

Starting today, enthusiasts of “Tempest Rising” no longer need to hold off until April 24th to engage in gameplay. The game has been released on Steam, making it accessible to everyone, regardless if you pre-ordered or not. You can purchase the Standard Edition for $39.99, or opt for the Deluxe Edition at $49.99. However, there are some points to consider regarding how this early release might affect the initial plans for rewards and gameplay mechanics.

How the Early Release Will Impact Tempest Rising Bonuses & Gameplay

You’ll receive the Commander Pack pre-order bonus with your purchases, as long as you buy before 10 AM ET on the game’s launch date of April 24th. This extra content features a unique backdrop, special avatars, and additional perks, making it worthwhile to play the game early since it’s now available.

For those who bought the Deluxe Edition, it’s clear that the early access period of one week no longer applies. However, the developers of Tempest Rising are currently brainstorming some special in-game benefits as compensation for not receiving the early access perk when buying the Deluxe Edition. More details about these in-game rewards will be revealed at a later time.

With some adjustments to the Deluxe Edition bonuses, Tempest Rising will initially lack certain features as it’s being released early. Features like ranked matchmaking and leaderboards won’t be accessible until the game’s official launch on April 24th. Despite the game being playable now for everyone, these elements will remain unavailable until a few days from now. So, if you’re curious about where to find matchmaking and leaderboards, rest assured that they will become available soon.

To date, the early launch of Tempest Rising has been running quite well. Already, several thousand gamers are immersed in playing this game, and on Steam, reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, even with some features still under development. If you’re a fan of real-time strategy games, Tempest Rising is definitely worth giving it a try, as you no longer need to wait until next week to start your adventure.

Tempest Rising is available for PC via Steam as of April 18th.

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2025-04-19 17:39