Ashes of Creation is hitting Steam tomorrow. Intrepid Studios is moving Alpha Two into Steam Early Access on December 11, and I can confirm the build is v0.18 Harbinger with a full realm reset. The studio is also cutting the price to meet the moment. The next phase of this MMO’s long road now opens to the biggest PC storefront in the world.
What launches tomorrow
Alpha Two will be sold on Steam for 49.99 dollars. There is a 15 percent launch discount from December 11 to December 25, which brings it to 42.49 dollars. Your purchase grants access to Alpha Two today, entry into future beta tests, one month of game time after full launch, and a bundle of cosmetic and legacy tester rewards.
Steam Early Access for Alpha Two goes live December 11, with a launch discount through December 25.
Intrepid is shifting all Alpha Two testing to Steam. Existing accounts will need to link to a Steam profile. The Harbinger update will reset the current realms, Lotharia and Shol, and may bring new ones online as needed. The PTR stays open through December 10 for last checks, then everything moves.
What you get on day one
- Access to Alpha Two through Early Access
- Entry to Beta One and Beta Two later
- One month of game time after full launch
- Cosmetic and legacy tester rewards
Why this move matters
MMORPGs live or die by population. Steam lowers the wall to entry, then the price cut lowers it again. Intrepid needs more players in the loop, more feedback, and a stable flow of fresh characters. This is how you test systems that depend on other humans, not bots. The realm reset is not a stunt, it is the clean slate needed to watch nodes, economies, and sieges run at scale.
At the same time, Early Access on Steam is not a warm bath. It is a spotlight. The game has to hold attention beyond the first few sessions. The early hours have to onboard cleanly, and the midgame has to reward time spent. Intrepid is betting that Harbinger has enough friction and fun to keep parties forming and cities growing.
Link your Intrepid account to Steam before launch day to avoid login delays.
The state of play
I have run with guilds through the newest Alpha Two phases. The core loops feel present. Gathering, crafting, caravans, and node growth already push players into conflict and cooperation. The world looks sharper, and the weapon variety has opened up combat choices. You can feel the MMO fabric forming, especially when a town election pulls a crowd, or a caravan line draws ambushes.
Content depth still lags behind the systems. PvP sieges are in and evolving, but long term PvE arcs remain thin. The team has been clear about this, and it shows. That is not a deal breaker for a test, but it will shape retention. There are balance gaps between fresh characters and veterans, which makes early PvP rough for new players. The Steam influx should help smooth matchmaking, if the players stick.
All Alpha Two progress on Lotharia and Shol will be reset when Harbinger goes live on Steam.
Community pulse and the risks
The community is split, and the reasons are real. Many players are thrilled to finally get a clean, easy path in. Guild leaders are planning fresh starts, new trade routes, and faster node pushes. Builders see the price drop as an open door for friends who sat out.
Others are worried about long term hooks. Some testers want stronger stat progression and better gear catch up for late arrivals. Some fear that monetization will creep as Early Access stretches on. A few creators have walked away after run-ins with exploits and bad actors. Intrepid will need fast patches, clear rules, and visible bans to hold trust. The studio cannot let the population dip, because this game is designed around people.
What to watch next
Intrepid has Early Access as a runway into Beta One and Beta Two next year, pending progress. The key markers will be stability, bug turnaround time, and whether players form habits. If caravans roll nightly, if towns hit milestones, if siege nights become calendar events, the game will breathe. If queues vanish, nodes stall, and new players bounce, it will not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does Alpha Two cost on Steam?
A: It costs 49.99 dollars, with a 15 percent discount to 42.49 dollars from December 11 to December 25.
Q: Do I need Steam to keep testing?
A: Yes, all Alpha Two testing is moving to Steam. Link your existing Intrepid account to your Steam account.
Q: Will my current Alpha Two progress carry over?
A: No. The Harbinger update resets the Alpha Two realms, including Lotharia and Shol.
Q: What do I get if I buy in now?
A: You get Alpha Two access, future betas, one month of game time after full launch, and cosmetic or legacy rewards.
Q: How much content is in right now?
A: Core systems are in and growing. Content is still early, with limited endgame, which is why more testers matter.
The bottom line, this is the biggest test Ashes of Creation has faced. Steam opens the gates, and the price invite is clear. If Intrepid can turn the surge into steady play, the game’s bold systems finally get the audience they were built for. If not, the reset tomorrow becomes just another wipe. The next few weeks will tell the story.
