Alien Horizon (Preview Alpha)

Alien Horizon launched on January 30, 2024 as a free "Preview Alpha" — a fully playable prototype with no time or content limits, but explicitly described in the store as a precursor to a proper game still in development: "The proper game is still in development and will be released later." The solo developer (Purple Nebula) has been building a comprehensive ground-up rewrite and documenting it through a consistent series of monthly devlogs. As of September 4, 2026, Rewrite Devlog #19 was published, bringing the total to 19 devlogs since the rewrite effort began. The July 4, 2025 update to the preview alpha was explicitly labeled the last major update for the alpha, with the developer shifting full focus to the rewrite. Since then, monthly devlogs have continued to showcase new and significantly upgraded systems: weather (rain, snow, flooding), UI overhaul, colonist behavior, healthcare, research, public transport, and more. In February 2026, the developer disclosed a hospitalization for sudden hearing loss, which pushed the original April 2026 release target back to summer 2026. Despite this setback, monthly devlogs continued without interruption through March, April, May, June, July (announcement), and September 2026. In the September 4, 2026 devlog, the developer confirmed that the playtest (which opened August 7, 2026) is ongoing and open until release, and explicitly stated the rewrite will not launch in 2026, as releasing close to the holiday sales period is inadvisable. The developer noted that most features are now implemented and future devlogs will focus on progress toward release rather than new features. Monthly devlogs are expected to continue. This is a solo developer project with consistent, transparent communication. The rewrite remains unshipped but is clearly in late-stage development, with an active playtest running and a release expected in 2027.