Icarus: DayZ Creator's Survival Game Coming to PS5 and Xbox in 2026
The unforgiving alien wilderness of Icarus is officially heading to consoles. Developer RocketWerkz has announced that its session-based PvE survival game is in development for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with a planned release window of 2026. The news confirms long-held hopes from the console community eager to drop onto the treacherous, terraformed planet.
Icarus, the ambitious project from Dean Hall, the visionary mind behind the genre-defining mod and standalone game DayZ, will bring its unique take on survival to a brand new audience. The announcement was accompanied by a new trailer showcasing the beautiful yet brutal world that has captivated PC players since its initial launch. This move marks a significant expansion for the title, promising to translate its deep crafting, exploration, and high-stakes gameplay to console hardware.
What is Icarus?
For those unfamiliar with the title, Icarus is not your typical open-world survival game. Instead of a single persistent world, players take on the role of prospectors who drop from an orbital space station onto the planet for limited-time missions, known as "prospects." The core gameplay loop revolves around a session-based timer: you must complete your objectives and return to your dropship for extraction before the clock runs out. Failure to do so means the permanent loss of your character and their progress.
This high-stakes system creates a palpable sense of tension and urgency. Every expedition to the surface is a calculated risk, forcing players to balance exploration and resource gathering with the ever-present threat of the environment and the ticking clock.
Key features of the Icarus experience include:
- Session-Based Survival: Drop onto the planet for timed missions with specific objectives. Succeed and extract with valuable resources, or fail and lose everything.
- Hostile Alien World: Face off against a savage ecosystem. The native wildlife and extreme weather events, from toxic rain to world-altering storms, are a constant threat.
- Deep Tech Tree: Players advance by crafting tools, building shelters, and unlocking new technologies. Progress is persistent, allowing you to tackle more dangerous and rewarding prospects over time.
- Co-op Gameplay: While playable solo, Icarus is designed with cooperative play in mind, supporting up to eight players in a single session. Teamwork is crucial for tackling the planet's toughest challenges.
A New Frontier for Console Players
The upcoming console version is being developed to take full advantage of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S hardware. While specific technical details are still under wraps, players can expect the visually stunning world, built using the Unreal Engine, to shine on modern consoles. The port aims to deliver the complete Icarus experience that has evolved significantly since its PC debut.
Developer RocketWerkz has consistently supported the PC version with a steady stream of updates, bug fixes, and major content expansions, including the "New Frontiers" and "Hypatia" updates. These expansions added new maps, biomes, creatures, and gameplay mechanics. It is anticipated that the console release in 2026 will be a comprehensive package, incorporating the years of content and refinements the game has received, ensuring new players get the most polished version of the game from day one.
The Road to 2026
While the 2026 release window may seem distant, it signals a commitment from RocketWerkz to deliver a high-quality, stable, and feature-complete experience for console players. Porting a complex game like Icarus, with its detailed simulation and networking requirements, is a major undertaking. The development team will likely spend the intervening time optimizing the game's performance, adapting the user interface for controllers, and ensuring a smooth launch.
The announcement brings a new wave of excitement for the survival genre on consoles. Icarus's unique blend of PvE action, mission-based structure, and unforgiving mechanics offers a different flavor of survival that stands apart from its peers. As the development progresses, more information regarding console-specific features and potential cross-platform capabilities is expected to be released.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the release date for Icarus on console?Icarus is scheduled to be released for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S sometime in 2026. A more specific date has not yet been announced.
What platforms will Icarus be released on?The console version of Icarus is confirmed for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Will Icarus on console have cross-play with PC?The developer has not yet confirmed whether cross-platform play between consoles and PC will be available at launch. More details are expected closer to the release date.
Who is the developer of Icarus?Icarus is developed by RocketWerkz, a studio founded by Dean Hall, who is best known as the creator of the popular survival game DayZ.