Wargaming’s Steel Hunters Enters Early Access Today

The wait is over. Steel Hunters, Wargaming’s free-to-play mech hero shooter, has officially entered Early Access. Combining Battle Royale and Extraction mechanics, the game delivers an intense mech power fantasy where players control formidable mechanical giants – Hunters. Starting today, players worldwide can dive into intense duo PvPvE battles, complete match objectives to level up, acquire powerful gear, and dominate the battlefield.

As Steel Hunters enters Early Access, the development team will focus on gathering player feedback, fine-tuning gameplay mechanics, and enhancing overall polish. This phase is crucial for refining the experience, balancing combat, and ensuring the game reaches its full potential before the official launch. In addition to performance and stability improvements, the team will introduce new content and features, shaping the game with direct input from the community.

“We’re incredibly excited to bring Steel Hunters to our players today,” said Mike McDonald, Product Director. “This phase is all about working alongside our community, refining the game, and ensuring its long-term success. Guided by player-first philosophy, we’re starting the first season of Steel Hunters Early Access without monetization, allowing all players to fully immerse themselves in the core gameplay experience.”

The Early Access will include the following:

• Hunters: Players can control and customize seven Hunters, each with unique abilities: Razorside, Heartbreaker, Fenris, Ursus, Trenchwalker, Prophet, and Weaver. A new Hunter will enter the fray during the Early Access.
• Dynamic Battlegrounds: Jump into action across three maps featuring destructible environments — Crimson Ridge, Maryland Heights, and Stonecutter Keep.
• Game mode & Progression: The Last Stand mode has been added instead of Starfall Harvest as the main game mode, and a completely revamped System Tree replaces the old four-path progression — now streamlined into a single, powerful skill tree with progressive upgrades.
• No progress reset: As of April 2, game servers will remain permanently live, meaning no more progress wipes. Players will retain all in-game items and progress they have earned from Early Access and previous tests, giving them a head start with the full game launch.
• Battle Pass: Steel Hunters’ first-ever Battle Pass launches with Early Access, running through April 29, 2025. This free Battle Pass allows players to level up their Hunters, unlock exclusive skins, and earn various rewards, boosters, and credits.