HANDS OVER launches into Steam Early Access on November 13, 2026. It is not a 1.0 release. ArtDock describes the launch build as a work in progress with the core match loop, multiplayer systems and card interactions in place, and plans to expand the game with player feedback.
This page separates the confirmed Early Access content from the studio’s plans and from the details that still have no public answer.
The short answer
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Early Access launch | November 13, 2026, on Steam |
| Expected duration | Roughly 6–12 months |
| 1.0 date | Not announced |
| Launch content | Up to five players, table challenges, influence cards, core online loop |
| Planned additions | More challenges and modes, expanded cards, progression, characters, customization, unlockables |
| Price at 1.0 | ArtDock currently does not plan to change it |
| Launch discount | Confirmed; amount unknown |
| Console versions | Announced, no dates |
| Roadmap with dated milestones | Not published |
What ships on day one
The Early Access FAQ on Steam is the most specific official description of the launch build. It says the current version supports multiplayer matches with up to five players. Players can take part in dangerous table-based challenges, use influence cards to change the odds, protect themselves or sabotage others, and try to stay in the match longer than everyone else.
The same FAQ says the launch version includes:
- The core match loop.
- Multiplayer systems.
- Card-based interactions.
It does not give a challenge count, a card count, a character count or a number of maps. It also does not promise a story mode, a solo mode or local play. Those omissions are not proof that the features are absent; they simply mean they are not part of the confirmed launch description.
What ArtDock plans to add
The Early Access FAQ lists broad development intentions. These are plans, not dated commitments:
- More challenges and modes. The table format is designed to support additional mini-games and match variants.
- An expanded influence card system. More cards and more interactions are planned.
- Progression. Additional characters, customization options and unlockable content are on the roadmap.
- Match variety and balance. The studio wants to improve pacing, variety and presentation.
- Online stability. Multiplayer stability is explicitly part of the Early Access work.
ArtDock has also said it will use player feedback, gameplay data, bug reports and suggestions to prioritize fixes. The official feedback routes are the Steam Community Hub, the ArtDock Discord and in-game feedback tools.
What is not on the roadmap
There is no public answer yet for:
- The exact number of challenges or modes at 1.0.
- The full card list, deck size or unlock economy.
- A 1.0 release date.
- Console release dates or crossplay.
- Whether the price will change after 1.0 beyond the current “no current plan” statement.
- Whether the game will add a solo mode or local co-op.
Those questions come up often, and the honest answer is that ArtDock has not published enough to answer them. This page will be updated when it does.
Should you buy at Early Access launch?
There is no review score here, and this site has not played a final build. The decision comes down to what you want from the game.
Buy at launch if:
- You have a group of up to five players who enjoy social deduction and party horror.
- You are comfortable with balance and content changing.
- You want to give feedback while the game is being built.
- You are primarily on PC and do not need the console versions.
Wait if:
- You want a content-complete game with a finished progression system.
- You need solo play, local co-op or split-screen.
- You need crossplay with console friends.
- You are sensitive to stylized hand injury and blood.
The demo is the better first purchase decision tool than a roadmap. It shows the social loop; the roadmap only shows intent.
Price policy
ArtDock says it does not currently plan to change the price when HANDS OVER leaves Early Access. That is a statement of current intent, not a permanent guarantee. The launch discount is a separate promotion and does not tell us the base price.
No price is listed on Steam as of November 3, 2026. The store page is the only place to check the actual price when it appears.
How long will Early Access last?
ArtDock estimates roughly 6 to 12 months. The studio explicitly says the estimate may change depending on development progress and player feedback. There is no dated 1.0 target.
A useful way to read that estimate: it describes the studio’s current plan, not a promise. Early Access durations regularly move. If a 1.0 date matters to you, wait for an official announcement rather than counting months from launch.
What to watch after launch
- The first balance patch and its notes.
- The first content update, especially new challenges or cards.
- Any official statement on console dates or crossplay.
- The first detailed look at progression and customization.
- Whether the demo remains available or is replaced by a free trial.
The news timeline records dated announcements and links to the original source. It will add post-launch patches when they exist, not before.
