What if the moon were to shatter and the Earth were transformed into a world of extreme cold…? *Permafrost* is an open-world survival game where you strive to survive in such a harsh world.
Developed by SpaceRocket Games and published by Toplitz Productions, this new title is scheduled to enter Early Access for PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG.com) on October 9, 2026.In addition to solo play, the game supports online co-op for up to four players and includes Japanese language support.
We recently had the opportunity to watch a demonstration by a representative from Toplitz Productions at “gamescom 2026” in Germany. In this game, where the cold itself is your greatest enemy, what kind of survival challenges await?
-29 degrees Celsius is still warm!? Preparation is key to surviving this frigid world
The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where the entire Earth has frozen over due to the moon’s collapse. As one of the survivors, players aim to survive in this harsh environment by gathering resources and crafting tools and gear.
At the start of the game, you can choose your background—such as Survivor, Smuggler, or Hunter. This not only changes your starting gear but also affects your initial skills based on the specialization you select, such as Tracker or Scavenger.
The most important aspect of this game is protecting yourself from the cold. During the demonstration, there was a scene where the temperature dropped to minus 29 degrees Celsius. While this would be a terrifyingly low temperature in the real world, according to the developer, the equipment’s cold resistance extends down to minus 30 degrees Celsius, so players can move around without issue at this temperature.
However, temperatures drop significantly at night, and in more dangerous areas, even harsher cold awaits. In the frigid region we visited during the demo, the wind chill reached as low as minus 41 degrees.
In such areas, even spending a long time outdoors can be life-threatening, but that also means there’s a chance to obtain valuable items. You’ll need to gear up and carefully consider how far to venture into the wilderness.
Furthermore, food isn’t just for satisfying hunger. By cooking meat obtained from hunting or combining various ingredients, you can create dishes with different effects. For example, tea is said to increase resistance to the cold, while energy drinks help restore stamina.
In addition to managing health, hunger, energy, and stamina, sleep is also essential in this game. Preparing gear and food based on the temperature of your destination and securing a base where you can stay warm seem to be the fundamentals of survival.
Your reliable partner is a dog! Not only does it alert you to approaching enemies, but it also helps carry items.
One of the game’s major features is the presence of a dog companion.
At the start of the game, you can choose a dog from several breeds to accompany you on your adventure. The staff member who demonstrated the game even said, “The dog is the best part of this game,” and it seems to be a major highlight.
Of course, the dog doesn’t just follow behind the player. It barks to warn you of danger when hostile survivors or wild animals approach, and it also serves as storage space for items.
In this game, where you must explore a vast world and bring back various resources, having a companion to carry your items is a huge practical benefit.
Plus, you can even pet the dog! The petting mechanic was already implemented in the demo, and according to the developer, they plan to refine it further in the future.
However, the cold isn’t the only thing players need to watch out for. While there are friendly survivors in the world, there are also hostile survivors who will attack the player. In the demo, there were even scenes where enemies armed with guns appeared.
Furthermore, wildlife poses a threat as well. During the demo, there was a scene where a hostile survivor was attacked by a moose. Later, the player was chased by a moose and had to flee to take refuge among friendly NPCs.
Hunting is a vital means of obtaining valuable food and crafting materials, but animals are not merely targets to be hunted.
By butchering an animal you’ve killed with a knife, you can obtain meat, fat, fur, bones, and more. Fur, in particular, is a crucial material for crafting superior cold-weather gear.
Moon Shards Are Valuable Crafting Materials! Explore and Level Up to Tackle Even Harsher Regions
Resources obtained through exploration are used to craft equipment, tools, and build bases. While simple crafting can be done on the spot, using a workbench allows you to craft a wider variety of items.
The demo also showcased a base pre-built by the development team, allowing players to see the buildings and facilities they can construct themselves. Building a base to store resources and withstand the cold is a crucial element when traveling through this dangerous world.
Furthermore, exploration isn’t limited to the surface. In caves, you can mine resources like flint, iron, and copper, which can be used to craft more advanced gear.
Of particular note are the shards of the shattered moon—the very cause of the extreme cold that has transformed the game’s world.The moon fragments that fell to Earth are a valuable material called “Moonstone,” which appears as a blue-glowing substance. According to the developers, while Moonstone is an exceptionally high-quality material, it cannot be mined right from the start of the game.
Even if you discover it while exploring, you won’t be able to mine it without the proper tools, so you’ll first need to gather other resources and upgrade your equipment.
The progression system is also tied to the player’s actions. Using a bow improves your archery skills, and building structures increases your construction speed. Running reduces stamina consumption—in short, your everyday actions directly contribute to your character’s growth.
Furthermore, leveling up unlocks blueprints for new buildings and equipment, and you can also obtain new recipes by discovering them inside buildings or by completing quests.
Craft better gear and venture into dangerous areas that were previously off-limits. This cycle of exploration and growth appears to be the core of the game’s gameplay.
A post-apocalyptic survival game for up to four players. Official release is slated for 2027.
While this game can be enjoyed solo, it also supports cooperative play for up to four players.
According to the developer, multiple playtests have been conducted so far, and the cooperative play aspect in particular was well-received by participants. By sharing resources with teammates and building a base while exploring, players can enjoy a survival experience distinct from solo play.
During this demonstration, we saw players exploring the frigid world with a dog, encountering dangerous wildlife and other survivors, and returning to their base to warm up.
In a world where temperatures drop to dozens of degrees below freezing, what should you bring with you on your explorations? How far should you venture out, and when should you head back to a safe place? As a survival game where coping with the cold is just as important as defeating enemies, expectations are running high.
*Permafrost* is scheduled to enter Early Access for PC (Steam/ Epic Games Store /GOG.com) on October 9, 2026. Regarding the official release, staff members involved in this demo mentioned that they are targeting 2027, though a specific date has not yet been determined.
