7 Days to Die Has Gotten A 1.0 Release Window

Beware, time is short, EPA! EPA! EPA! Well, at least it seems to be the end times as one of the longest-standing early access titles since its beginning on Steam is set to release. “The Fun Pimps are happy to announce 7 Days is leaving Early Access! With the launch of the next update, we’re moving officially to 1.0 for 7 Days to Die,” as the press release/blog post noted on Saturday. In a five-minute-long video, Fun Pimps co-founder Richard Huenink goes into detail on the launch and planned post-launch details.

The majority of the post is a Q&A detailing what it means for Alpha 22 (the latest release) if you’ll be able to access previous builds still, and when this release window will be. There is no specific date given, but in the opening of the video, Huenink details that the team (seemingly) always wanted Alpha 22 to be the 1.0 release of 7 Days to Die. I guess the meaning of Alpha and Beta have gone out of the window in recent years. Beta is where performance is finalized and comes before the full release.

However, it is not all great news for wannabe zombie survivalists, as the console players who have already bought 7 Days to Die will have to do so again. The experimental release is said to be coming in late May with the full proper 1.0 release coming sometime in June, though console players will need to (seemingly) wait until July. On launch for consoles, there will not be crossplay, though this is expected ahead of the update 1 patch is expected sometime in Q4 2024.

What is interesting about the console launch is that those who picked up 7 Days to Die on PS4 and Xbox One will have to put their hands in their pockets for more money. The post notes: “Due to the significant technical differences between old and current console hardware, we will not be upgrading the legacy version. Legacy owners will have to buy the new title. However, we are working closely with Sony and Microsoft to provide a discount to digital legacy owners on their purchase of the new console edition.” The legacy edition will also be delisted from storefronts upon the 1.0 console release.

With the launch of the stable 1.0 release the price of 7 Days to Die will increase to $44.99 on all platforms and storefronts. That price is already on the horizon for those looking to purchase on Steam. The post notes that: “We are offering a major Last Chance weeklong deal sale on Steam from April 22 to April 29, 2024, so that people will have one last chance to get the game before the price increases.” Suggesting the price increase will happen on Steam next Tuesday, the 30th of April.

It is noted that all the stretch goals from 7 Days to Die‘s Kickstarter and other promises are still coming, and the road map showcases post-launch intentions. As I’ve said, the first major update is scheduled to arrive around Q4 2024, bringing an overhaul to the weather system, crossplay, and wardrobe system. Q2 of 2025 is set to see “A New Threat” with an event system, UI/Menu overhauls, Bandits, and a new quest type. With Q4 2025 the release of “The Road Ahead,” featuring Steam Workshop support, a new quest type, trader overhauls, and finally after 12 years, a story mode.

I might have several gripes with the genre of survival-crafting, though I think there is something to be said about 7 Days to Die and its longevity to even get to this point. First released into early access in December of 2013, it seems odd that it has taken this long to happen and release a 1.0 patch. It will be moderately interesting to see what the next chapter is for 7 Days to Die and for The Fun Pimps.