The Cenozoic Era

Early access since Jan 2023

The Cenozoic Era is a realistic animal survival game taking place during the rise of mammals, take control of a variety of animals and fight to survive among other players to reach the top of the food chain. Death, Destruction, Survival, Scavenge, Nature, Thrive, Conquer, Hunt. The Cenozoic Era

56% positive · 990 reviews

Not yet

In early access, ongoing live service game

High confidence

Live Service

Not yet

In early access, ongoing live service game

High confidence

Live Service

Where to get it

Free on Steam

Steam Free

Evaluation

The Cenozoic Era is an online multiplayer animal survival game currently in Early Access on Steam. It launched on January 20, 2023, and has been receiving updates consistently since then. The game is structured as an ongoing live multiplayer experience. The store description highlights seasonal events (including holiday events and breeding competitions), rotating rare skin unlocks, leaderboard rewards, and extensive cosmetic customization — all hallmarks of a game designed to keep players engaged indefinitely. Nine DLC items have been released, primarily cosmetic color and eye packs, the most recent batch dropping on February 24, 2025. On January 30, 2025, the developer posted a "Final Version Update" announcement outlining major upcoming features — including an Animal Hub, an Event Server, and animal transfer between servers — targeting a February 10–15 release. This update shipped on February 24, 2025 (NEWS-1), with the developer noting that not all features were live yet and would roll out over time. A bug fix patch followed on March 3, 2025, the most recent developer communication on record. Prior to this, the game received a steady stream of feature patches and updates throughout 2023, including new animals, a full recode, new maps, a mutation system, and a token/quest system. Three major content drops have been identified across the game's history, with the most recent in February 2025. The game remains in Early Access, is actively purchasable, and is built around continuous online multiplayer with seasonal and event-based content. The developer has not made any statement about concluding Early Access or ending development.

Evidence

Major update released; developer notes not all features are live yet and will be rolled out over time, indicating continued active development.

news post · Feb 24, 2025 source development ongoing

high

Developer announced a 'Final Version Update' with new features including Animal Hub, Event Server, and animal transfers, targeting a February 10–15 release — confirming ongoing content work.

news post · Jan 30, 2025 source content planned

high

Content

9 of 9 released · no outstanding content

Released

Blue Color Pack

Feb 2025

Released

Pink Color Pack

Feb 2025

Media

Details

Developer

Opendix [Studios]

Publisher

Opendix [Studios]

Achievements

—

Platform

Windows

Controller

—

Steam Deck

Playable

Players

Multiplayer · Co-op · PvP

Simulation Action Adventure Life Sim Action-Adventure Walking Simulator Choose Your Own Adventure Exploration Immersive Sim 3D Realistic Third Person Cinematic Dinosaurs Atmospheric

About this game

The Cenozoic Era: Survive, Adapt, Conquer

Step into a breathtaking open world where survival is your only goal. In The Cenozoic Era, control a creature from the past, fight for your life, and uncover the secrets of an untamed, ever-changing world. Whether you're a predator or prey, your journey will be uniquely yours.

Explore vast landscapes—from rocky mountains to serene lakes and the endless sky. Customize your creature’s appearance, shape your survival story, and face the brutal realities of nature. With every decision, your survival is at risk—death means starting over or choosing a new animal to control.

Online Survival, Brutal Challenges
Join players in an intense multiplayer survival experience. As a predator, master the hunt and learn to outwit other players, or scavenge from the remains of fallen animals—but beware, danger is everywhere. Trust no one; every encounter could be your last.

Dynamic Seasons and Temperature
Prepare for seasonal challenges: survive freezing winters, scorch under summer heatwaves, and manage your creature’s body temperature to avoid hypothermia or exhaustion. Strategic planning is key to thriving in this ever-changing environment.

Game Modes

Sandbox: Practice, fight, and explore without the fear of permanent death. Perfect for learning the ropes and meeting other players.
Survival: Dive into the true test of endurance—grow from a young animal to a formidable survivor. Forge your own story, hunt, and face other players as you fight for dominance.

Play Styles

We offer a range of play styles, from realism immersion all the way to pink cougars, we have all play styles covered and customizable. Servers can be fully customized to fit any play style they wish and you the player have the choice on what you want! Check the servers configuration and make sure it fits the play style you want before joining.

Character Features