The key facts: Ubisoft's free March of Giants Pioneer Playtest opened on October 7, 2026, and is scheduled to run through October 18 on PC via Steam. It is for players in North America and supported European countries, not an announced worldwide release. New players request access on Steam; being able to click the request button does not guarantee an invitation. The published test-language list is English, French, German and Spanish. Simplified Chinese is not listed for this test.
How players can request access
Visit the official March of Giants Steam page, locate March of Giants Playtest, and select Request Access. Steam is supposed to notify successful applicants, after which the test can be downloaded from the Steam library. The official announcement warns that invitations can be paused while server capacity is adjusted. Those who participated in the September 2025 Closed Alpha are included; they should check the library rather than wait for another notification. A Ubisoft Connect account is also required to launch the game. These steps and exceptions are documented in the game's playtest notice.
What's being tested
This isn't a new full release date. March of Giants is a planned free-to-play 4v4 War MOBA, mixing player-controlled Giants, squads of Soldiers and tactical structures known as Battleworks. Teams win by destroying two of the opposing team's three Bastions while protecting their own. The Pioneer version revisits troop controls, battlefield structures, neutral objectives, character builds and pacing. Ubisoft describes the environment as a work in progress and warns that issues can appear during play.
Dates that matter
| Date | Confirmed event |
|---|---|
| October 7, 2026 | Pioneer Playtest began on Steam, 10 AM US Eastern daylight time |
| October 9, 2026 | Official Soldier Mechanics guide published |
| October 10, 2026 | Official Battleworks guide published |
| October 12, 2026 | Pandemos planned to become available to qualifying Pioneer participants |
| October 18, 2026 | Scheduled last day of this Pioneer Playtest; an exact shutoff time should not be inferred |
| Summer 2027 | Planned Early Access window, not a final launch date |
The official 2026–2027 roadmap also mentions more tests in late winter and spring 2027. Specific dates beyond the current test have not been confirmed here.
Do participation rewards carry over?
Ubisoft's Pioneer Program awards points for completed PvP matches: 100 for a win and 50 for a loss; it states that a qualifying one-time 20% boost may apply, but boost methods do not stack. The Pioneer threshold is 1,000 points. The documented carryover benefits include Pandemos, Pioneer status and an Early Access Pack. Other unlocked Giants and non-Pioneer content from this test are not promised for later versions. Don't interpret a temporary unlock as permanent ownership.
Where to find accurate updates
The official game updates page covers revised mechanics and announcements. The Steam store page is the relevant access entry point. For the game's distinct tactical design and current road map, see our March of Giants explainer; for the event timeline, see the living topic page.
Important limits: We haven't verified invitation issuance for a specific account or availability outside listed regions. This article is a news-level summary, not a substitute for Ubisoft support or a gameplay walkthrough. Its time-sensitive status must be refreshed around October 12 and October 18.
How the boost and points actually work
Only completed PvP matches count. Leaving before the match ends gives no Pioneer Points; PvE and Custom Games do not contribute. A win earns 100 points and a loss 50; the 20% boost changes those to 120 and 60.
The publisher offers two alternatives: watch a participating Twitch streamer for one hour while logged in, with Twitch linked to Ubisoft; or join the official Discord and follow #get-pioneer-booster-here to claim and redeem a code. Both grant the same 20% boost for the remainder of the test. They do not stack, so completing both does not produce 40%.
Pandemos is announced for October 12 at 10 AM EDT (14:00 UTC) and is unlocked through the Pioneer Program by reaching 1,000 points. The qualifying reward is described as permanent for future tests and Early Access. The other Giants unlocked during this test do not carry over. The Pioneer Medal/status and Early Access Pack are separate program benefits; a final Early Access date remains to be announced.
October's specific changes
The announced roster reaches 17 with Elaris and Pandemos, whose access is not identical. Soldiers gain redirectable charges and small scouting groups. Battleworks include Cavalry; Army Camps add Supplies, Merits, vision and shop access. Augments and expanded item choices support different Giant and Soldier builds. These are announced test features, not our judgment that balance has improved.
Send the issue to the right place
Use the March of Giants Bug Reporter for gameplay bugs, crashes or visual problems; a Ubisoft Connect sign-in is required. Use Ubisoft Support for account access, authentication or Steam/Ubisoft linking issues. Balance or design feedback belongs on the game's official Discord or subreddit linked from the official notice.
After the scheduled October 18 close, this URL remains the chronological record. Continued availability or an extension requires new official evidence; the precise shutdown hour is not known here. We will not infer playability from an old access button.