The Infected

The Infected

Early access since Aug 2020

The Infected is a sandbox, first-person, open-world survival game. Build bases, craft, farm, hunt, and survive changing seasons. Choose whether to face the hybrid “Vambies” or turn them off for a pure survival experience.

84% positive · 7,028 reviews
Not yet
In early access, content still planned
High confidence
Content Planned
Not yet
In early access, content still planned
High confidence
Content Planned

Where to buy

Steam $15.99 IndieGala Steam key $15.99
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Evaluation

The Infected is still in Steam Early Access, and no 1.0 release date has been announced. The most recent developer post, dated October 9, 2026, says publisher Headup has joined to provide more development support, with the aim of bringing more polished updates as the team works toward 1.0, and states that the team's vision for the game is unchanged. That post also says the quiet stretch before it was tied to this work. The latest major content update, V24, shipped on May 8, 2026, adding a Clay Mixer, Trader Jobs, lore notes, and new points of interest. Earlier major updates shipped on October 7, 2024, December 17, 2024, February 28, 2025, and May 14, 2025. The May 14, 2025 update introduced story mode selection, which the developer noted was not yet active, and a November 3, 2025 progress report said story mode work was underway while the team tested whether moving to Unreal Engine 5 was workable. The store page still describes the game as in active Early Access development, with features still being added and the world's backstory still being written.
Evidence
Headup joins as publishing partner; developer says the added support aims to bring more polished updates as the team works toward 1.0, and that the recent quiet period was tied to this work with the vision unchanged
news post · Oct 9, 2026 source content planned
high
V24 major update shipped with Clay Mixer, Melon Crates, Trader Jobs for tech points, lore notes, and new points of interest
news post · May 8, 2026 source content shipped
medium

Media

Details

Developer
Publisher
Headup
Achievements
—
Platform
Windows
Controller
full support
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player

About this game

The Infected is a sandbox, first-person, open-world survival crafting game. Build and expand your base, farm crops, raise animals, and manage power and resources through dynamic seasons and weather conditions. Hunt wildlife, mine ores, and craft advanced items. Choose whether to face the hybrid “Vambies” or turn them off entirely for a pure survival-building experience.

Current Features:

  • Singleplayer sandbox experience

  • Deep base building with power and water systems

  • Farming, hunting, and animal husbandry

  • Crafting, cooking, and food preservation

  • Mining and refining of ores

  • Dynamic seasons, weather, and day/night cycle

  • Player needs: hunger, thirst, body temperature, health

  • Wildlife encounters and combat

  • Optional AI enemies (“Vambies”)

  • Vehicles

Lore: 

The world’s collapse and the origins of the Infected are still being developed. For now, the focus is on survival systems and giving players freedom in how they play.

Disclaimer (Early Access):

The Infected is in active Early Access development. Some features are still being added and balanced, and you may encounter bugs or performance issues. We’re a small team building this game with the help of community feedback. If you’re looking for a complete experience, you may wish to wait. However, if you want to help shape the development, we welcome you now!

Goals: 

The aim is to deliver a feature-rich survival crafting game with more systems and player choice than most of the genre. Survival can mean farming, base-building, or facing hostile AI — the choice is yours.

Last evaluated Oct 12, 2026
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