Soulframe will open its free public alpha to every PC player on November 6, 2026, developer Digital Extremes has announced. The cooperative fantasy action RPG is dropping its invitation requirement with Soulframe Open Preludes, so anyone can create an account on the official Soulframe Open Preludes announcement page and download the standalone launcher to join the test. The news was shared during the monthly Soulframe devstream alongside details of the next major update.
Quick facts: Title: Soulframe. Developer: Digital Extremes. Test: Soulframe Open Preludes free alpha. Start date: November 6, 2026. Platforms: Windows PC through the standalone launcher from the official website. Price: free. Content at entry: 16 Preludes chapters plus story driven Fables quests. Next update: Preludes 17 Verse of the Veilands later in November with the Omen Wolf mount system, an environmental world progression system and new fishing features.
Open Preludes removes the invitation wall
Until now Soulframe has been limited to invited testers since the closed phase began in 2023, with access also sold through a paid Founders program. Open Preludes ends that gatekeeping entirely. Players only need to register on the official site and install the proprietary launcher, and the Digital Extremes press release on the October devstream confirms the test is open to PC players worldwide at no cost. The Founders program remains active for supporters who want bonus Pacts and equipment, but buying in is no longer needed to play.
Newcomers have plenty to catch up on even though the game is still early alpha. The existing 16 Preludes chapters cover the lore, the characters and how the core systems work, while story driven quests called Fables carry the narrative forward. Players mend a corrupted open world by mastering combat styles and forging Pacts with Omen Beasts that channel ancestral abilities. Completing quests, finding World Trees and freeing captive animals unlocks social systems such as co-op multiplayer alongside crafting, customization and weapon progression. Creative director Geoff Crookes has described the current build as the functional bones of the final game, with new features arriving regularly shaped by community feedback.
Verse of the Veilands brings wolf mounts and world progression
The next milestone is Preludes 17, titled Verse of the Veilands, which arrives later in November with no exact date set. Its headline feature is the long requested Omen Wolf mount system, which lets players raise wolf pups into full rideable companions. A new environmental world progression system changes how players purify the growing Ode corruption across the map, and fresh fishing features round out the patch. Lead designer Scott McGregor called it one of the biggest structural changes the team has made in a long while, which makes the open alpha an ideal entry point for players who want to learn the ropes before the update lands.
The update also expands the melee focused combat that defines Soulframe, with new weapons, new Pacts, new bosses and wider customizable skill paths. Because progress systems are still being tuned during alpha, early adopters should expect balance shifts and resets typical of live development rather than a finished release.
Standalone launcher first, Steam and consoles later
Although Soulframe has an official Soulframe page on Steam, the store listing remains marked as coming soon and the Open Preludes client will be distributed exclusively through the standalone launcher on the main website for the initial public test. That means Steam Deck and Linux players will need to configure the standalone executable manually instead of installing through Steam. Digital Extremes has given no date for a full release and no timeline for console versions, so PC through the official launcher is the only way in for now. Players who want a reminder can create a Soulframe account on the official sign in page ahead of the November 6 opening.
Is Soulframe Open Preludes really free to play
Yes. Open Preludes is a free alpha playtest with no invitation and no purchase required. Players register on the official website and download the standalone launcher for Windows PC. The optional Founders program still sells bonus Pacts and equipment, but it is no longer the only way into the test.
How do I join the Soulframe open alpha on PC
Create an account on the official Soulframe website, download the proprietary launcher and install the Open Preludes client starting November 6, 2026. New players should work through the 16 existing Preludes chapters and the Fables story quests to unlock co-op multiplayer, crafting, customization and weapon progression.
When does Verse of the Veilands launch and what does it add
Verse of the Veilands, also known as Preludes 17, arrives later in November 2026 with no exact date announced. It adds the Omen Wolf mount system with rideable wolves raised from pups, a new environmental world progression system, fresh fishing features, new weapons, new Pacts, new bosses and expanded skill paths.
Please note that when you make a purchase through our links at GameHaunt, we might earn a small commission. This helps us keep bringing you the free journalism you love on our site! And don't worry, our editorial content remains totally unbiased. If you'd like to show some support, you can do so here.
