Upcoming Dedicated Server Games and Updates (Late 2026 to 2027)

The biggest upcoming dedicated server games and updates, as of 3 October 2026, are Hytale Chapter 1 (12 October), Enshrouded 1.0 and DayZ Badlands (both 15 October), ARK: Survival Ascended on Unreal Engine 5.8 (28 October), Stormforge early access (10 November) and Dragonwilds Luminance (December). Every date below links its official or press source.

We only list dates a developer has announced. Where a studio has only given a season or no date at all, we say so. Planned dates can still move, so the "what to do" notes tell you how to get a server ready without betting on the exact day.

Upcoming dedicated server releases at a glance

When does Hytale Chapter 1 come out?

Hytale Chapter 1 is planned for Monday 12 October 2026. Hypixel Studios founder Simon Collins-Laflamme announced the date on X, as MMOHuts reported on 25 September 2026. It adds the first handcrafted goblin dungeon, Goblin Breaches, rocket boots, a hookshot and rune abilities.

For server owners, every Hytale update so far has needed servers to update on the same day, or players on the new version cannot join. Our Hytale Chapter 1 guide covers the server side, and how to update a Hytale server has the steps.

When is Enshrouded 1.0 released?

Enshrouded 1.0 releases on 15 October 2026 on PC and PlayStation 5, with Xbox Series X|S planned for spring 2027, as Gematsu reported from Keen Games' June announcement. Keen said Xbox needed "additional time" to reach the quality and performance it expects.

For dedicated servers, back up your world before launch day and update the server as soon as the 1.0 build is out. See the Enshrouded 1.0 release guide for what changes.

When does DayZ Badlands release?

DayZ Badlands is planned for 15 October 2026, Shacknews reported on 27 August 2026. It adds Nasdara, a new desert map, and arrives alongside update 1.30.

Expansion maps change what a server needs: a new map file, new mission folder and, often, updated mods. If you run a modded DayZ server, wait for your key mods to update before switching. Our Badlands and 1.30 guide has the details.

When is the ARK Survival Ascended Unreal Engine 5.8 update?

The ARK: Survival Ascended Unreal Engine 5.8 update is planned for 28 October 2026 on all platforms, with a Public Test Realm on Steam from 5 October, Studio Wildcard said in Community Crunch 525 on 26 September 2026. It was moved from 30 September, though the Cerberax, Gargantar and Therizinosaurus content still shipped on that date.

Mods are rebuilt for the new engine, so a modded ARK server should expect some mods to be missing or broken on launch day. Read our UE 5.8 guide before you update.

Further out, Game Informer reported in December 2025 that ARK 2 is "now planned to launch in 2028", with an ASA expansion called Legacy of Santiago "in late 2027" to try out ARK 2 mechanics first.

When does Stormforge come out?

Stormforge enters Steam early access on Tuesday 10 November 2026, Roboto Games announced in a Steam news post on 17 September 2026, and MassivelyOP confirmed on 2 October. It is an open world survival crafting game for 1 to 8 players, and the studio expects early access to last about a year.

We list Stormforge as coming soon. See Stormforge dedicated servers for what is known about hosting it.

What is coming for RuneScape: Dragonwilds?

Jagex's roadmap, published on the official Dragonwilds news page on 3 October 2026, puts the free Luminance update with the Prayer skill in December 2026. Song of Rebellion follows in the first half of 2027 with the Hunter skill, official mod support, secure servers and leaderboards, and Crown of Night later in 2027.

Secure servers and mods are the two items to watch, because they could change how dedicated servers are set up. Our Dragonwilds roadmap article breaks down each update.

Announced but not dated

Some big server games have announced updates with no date yet. We will add dates once the developers give them.

• Satisfactory Core Values. Coffee Stain announced its first paid expansion on 29 September 2026. It takes factories underground into cave biomes, and the Steam page lists it as coming soon. More in our Core Values guide.
• Factorio 2.1 stable. 2.1 has been on the experimental branch since 23 June 2026, and Wube has not set a stable date. See Factorio 2.1.
• Subnautica 2 dedicated servers. Subnautica 2 entered early access on 14 May 2026 with co-op for up to four players, per its Steam page. It has no official dedicated server today, so be wary of anyone selling one.

What this means for your server

Update days are where most server problems happen. A few habits make every launch on this list painless:

1. Back up the day before. A clean backup lets you roll back if the update breaks a save or a mod.
2. Turn off auto updating mods on modded servers until the mod authors confirm they support the new version.
3. Update the server first, then tell players to update. A server on an old build is the most common reason nobody can join after a patch.
4. Read the patch notes for new server settings. New options often ship off by default.
5. Keep the old world. Big releases sometimes recommend a fresh world, but your old one is worth keeping as a backup.

Our game server backup guide covers backups for any game. On GamezServers, the panel's Backup button saves a copy in one click, and games that pull the newest release on install get an Update game button that backs up first and then reinstalls. Browse every game we host.

FAQ

What new games with dedicated servers are coming out in 2026?

Stormforge is the main new release, entering early access on 10 November 2026. The other big dates are major updates to games that already have servers: Hytale, Enshrouded, DayZ, ARK and Dragonwilds.

Is Enshrouded 1.0 coming to Xbox?

Yes, but later. Keen Games plans the Xbox Series X|S release for spring 2027, after the 15 October 2026 launch on PC and PlayStation 5.

When is ARK 2 coming out?

Studio Wildcard is targeting 2028 for ARK 2, according to Game Informer. The Steam page still has no release date.

Does Subnautica 2 have dedicated servers?

Not yet. Subnautica 2 is in early access with player hosted co-op for up to four players, and there is no official dedicated server download.

Should I update my server on release day?

Yes for unmodded servers, since players update automatically and cannot join an older server. On modded servers, back up first and wait until your important mods support the new version.