The Mommy Mechs of The Forever Winter Are Stomping Into Early Access Next Month

If you’ve been eagerly waiting to get stomped by a giant mech, your time is almost here. The Forever Winter, the grim co-op extraction shooter set in a dystopian future, is launching into early access on September 24th. For those who missed its initial announcement in May, The Forever Winter is all about surviving in a hyper-industrial wasteland where an endless war rages on, and the odds are stacked against you.

Since the game's reveal, developers Fun Dog Studios have been teasing us with bite-sized clips from the battlefield—think frantic firefights and brutal, patriotic executions. But now, they've dropped a longer video with some juicy details, including that early access release date. And it’s coming up fast.

What to Expect in Early Access:

At launch, The Forever Winter will feature four distinct maps, a variety of weapons, and five "broken down characters"—each with their own unique playstyles and emotional baggage. And yes, that baggage might be literal, as one of the game’s more intriguing mechanics involves strapping on a modular backpack, or “rig,” before heading into the killzone. Think of it like the courier backpack from Death Stranding, but with a militarized twist. You could be kitted out with jump jets or deployable turrets instead of just cold pizzas.

The game is described as a "PvEvE" looter shooter, where you’re a vulnerable human caught in the crossfire of warring machine factions. Sometimes, it’s smarter to stay out of sight and let the mechs battle it out while you scavenge for loot. Recently, a YouTuber named "Riloe" released a hype-inducing video that explains the game’s core mechanics and inspirations. It’s definitely worth a watch if you’re curious about what this world has to offer. It was this video that led me down the rabbit hole of The Forever Winter’s Discord community, where, to my amusement, players have developed an odd affection for a particularly intimidating mech they’ve dubbed "Harvester Mommy."

The Road Ahead:

In the latest video, creative director Miles Williams gives us a glimpse into what the early access period will look like. He’s quick to address some of the usual gamer concerns, emphasizing that there won’t be any "pay-to-win" nonsense. The game is priced at $30, and Williams makes it clear that this buy-in covers all future characters, maps, guns, quests, and bosses.

"You will never be charged for a new character because that's the way it should be when you buy a game," Williams asserts. "You will not be charged for maps, guns, additional quests, new bosses, and more. That nickel and dime shit is for the birds."

However, The Forever Winter isn’t entirely old-school in its approach. The game will offer cosmetics and skin packs for those who want to splash a little extra cash. Williams acknowledges that while he longs for the days when buying a game meant getting everything included, The Forever Winter is still a product of 2024. So, selling some face paint is how they plan to keep things running.

The road map includes plans for new enemy bosses, additional levels, and even a “grey box” map that players can help test. This unfinished map is inspired by another extraction shooter, Ready Or Not, where the developers bravely released work-in-progress maps for player feedback. It’s a bold move, but one that could pay off in shaping the game’s future content.

Final Thoughts:

As someone who’s been keeping an eye on The Forever Winter for the past few months, I’m excited to see what it brings to the table. There’s something captivating about giant robots wreaking havoc in a war-torn world, and it definitely scratches that Animatrix-influenced itch in my brain. I’ll have more to say about The Forever Winter’s loot-filled battlegrounds soon, but until then, I’ll be here, quietly obsessing over the “Harvester Mommy” and the chaos she’s sure to bring.