Live During the PC Gaming Show! Nine Dots Asks… Which Friends Do You Trust With Your Life?

The Quebec-based team has also opened up a community contest where winners can get two Early Access keys ahead of launch by showing off their successes or mishaps in Aurai.

„Nine Dots Studio dodge-rolled into the PC Gaming Show 2026 today to reveal that the Closed Beta for their long-awaited adventure simulator, Outward 2, is officially turning into an Open Beta effective immediately on Steam! Hot off revealing the July 7th, 2026, Early Access release date—via a delicious potato trailer!—Nine Dots Studio is calling all daring adventurers to come sample the dangerous and exciting world of Aurai. And, as the brand-new gameplay trailer below shows… Some of you may want to bring a friend along. Outward 2 will be available in early access on Windows PC via Steam, the Epic Games Store, and GOG on July 7th.

 
The Outward 2 team is also kicking off their #ExploreAurai community contest. Starting today and running until June 25th, adventurers will have a chance to win TWO Early Access keys by showing off their best (or worst) moments while journeying across Aurai. Outward 2 features two-player split-screen and online co-op, allowing players to collaborate on tackling the numerous challenges presented by the game’s unforgiving world. Keys will be distributed three days ahead of the Early Access launch.

Visit the contest page in Nine Dots official website for more information and full terms and conditions.

Outward 2 is an RPG unlike any other, casting players into the humble shoes of an adventurer who will only achieve glory through careful planning, observation, critical thinking, and preparation in the unforgiving world of Aurai. This formula, where there’s no destiny through which success is pre-written, propelled the original Outward to reach over 3 million players. Nine Dots has pulled from their wealth of experience, along with community feedback, to craft a sequel that builds on nearly every aspect of the game, delivering smoother combat, revamped character creation and progression, better storytelling, and a world that feels more alive while maintaining and sharpening the charm and challenge that made the original Outward the hit that it was.“