Steam users can jump into the cockpit immediately—the Wildgate Free Weekend is officially live. From November 20 through November 24, 2025, the entire game is open access, giving curious pilots a risk-free chance to test the waters of this shooter-racing hybrid.
What's Included in the Free Access?
This isn't a stripped-down demo. You are getting full access to the recently released Wildgate: Emergence update content. This is massive for new players because it means you aren't stepping into an old version of the meta; you're experiencing the game in its current state.
You can immediately experiment with:
- New Modes: Treasure Hunt and Fleet Battle are available, offering more variety beyond the standard extraction loop.
- New Roster Additions: Test out Prospector Charlie and the heavy-hitting Outlaw ship to see if their playstyles click with you.
- Custom Lobbies: If you want to practice flying without the pressure of ranked extraction, you can now set up private matches.
Does progress carry over after the Free Weekend?
Yes. If you manage to secure some high-tier loot or unlock upgrades during the free period, everything stays on your account. If you decide to buy the game later, you pick up exactly where you left off.
Speaking of buying, the developers have paired this event with a 50% discount on Steam. While the free trial ends on November 24, the sale runs a bit longer, ending on December 4, 2025. That gives you a buffer week to decide if you want to commit.
Quality of Life Updates
Alongside the content drop, the team has pushed a significant patch addressing UI, UX, and performance. Perhaps most interesting for the long-term health of the game is the shop update. The store has shifted to an "evergreen" model, moving away from aggressive FOMO rotation timers.
The servers are open now, so if you've been on the fence about Wildgate's mix of tactical dogfighting and FPS combat, this is your window to find out if you have what it takes to escape with the Artifact.