- Anvil Empires release date: No official launch date confirmed; the game remains in pre-alpha testing.
- How to play now: Join the official Anvil Empires Discord to participate in scheduled pre-alpha playtests.
- Developer: Siege Camp, the studio behind Foxhole, is building this massive medieval war MMO.
- Latest changes: Silver is now earned through a bounty system instead of treasure gathering.
- Key caveat: Everything in tests can change before any official release.
Anvil Empires Release Date: What We Know
Anvil Empires is a large-scale medieval warfare MMO developed by Siege Camp, the team behind Foxhole. As of September 2026, there is no confirmed Anvil Empires release date. The game is still in pre-alpha, meaning Siege Camp is running periodic public tests rather than offering a stable, always-on build. Anyone promising a firm launch day is speculating.
The developers have been open about this stage. During recent tests, developer Markfoot stated that new content like bandit camps is incomplete and "heavily a work in progress," designed primarily to give players more to do when front lines are inactive. This is a clear signal that a full release is still a long way off.
Video Highlights:
- First look at the new bounty system replacing silver gathering
- Bandit camps are the first human NPCs in a Siege Camp game
- Mystery quest hunts a deer-like "windo" creature for 300 silver
- Major quality of life changes including terrain smoothing and combat updates
- Confirmation that Anvil Empires is still in pre-alpha
Some sites and videos circulate invented launch dates for Anvil Empires. Trust only official Siege Camp channels: the Anvil Empires website and the official Discord, where playtest announcements are posted first.
Development Stage Explained
Understanding where Anvil Empires sits in its development cycle helps set realistic expectations. The game has moved through iterative test phases, each introducing and revising core systems.
| Development Phase | Status | What It Means for Players |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-alpha testing | Current stage | Periodic playtests via Discord, systems change frequently |
| Alpha | Not yet announced | More stable systems, broader testing pool |
| Beta | Not yet announced | Near-final content, progression may carry over |
| Full release | No date confirmed | Steam launch expected, but unannounced |
A good example of how fluid things remain: just months before the bounty system launched, Markfoot said he never wanted human NPCs in the game. The addition of bandit camps reversed that stance, showing Siege Camp is willing to overhaul systems mid-testing.
Everything you see in current tests — silver rewards, bandit camps, combat mechanics — could be redesigned or removed before release. Do not treat any current balance as final.
How to Join the Pre-Alpha Playtests
While the Anvil Empires release date remains unannounced, you can play the game today through scheduled tests. Siege Camp opens pre-alpha sessions to the public on a recurring basis.
Join the Official Discord
The Anvil Empires Discord is the primary hub for test announcements, developer chat, and patch notes. Test windows and download links are posted there first.
Watch for Test Announcements
Siege Camp announces each playtest window in advance. Tests are time-limited events, not a persistent server, so plan your sessions around the schedule.
Download and Play
Once a test opens, follow the pinned instructions in Discord to download the build and log in. Progress typically resets between tests.
Give Feedback
Developers actively read Discord feedback. Reporting bugs and balance issues directly shapes what the game looks like at release.
Participating in Anvil Empires pre-alpha tests costs nothing. Access is granted through the official Discord rather than any purchase.
Latest Systems: Bounty System and Bandit Camps
The most significant recent update replaced how players earn silver. Previously, silver was gathered like wood or stone from treasure spots on the map. Now a bounty system serves as the only way to obtain silver.
Animal Bounties
- Hunt deer and other wildlife
- Turn in quest items like deer antlers at the tavern
- Roughly 8 silver per simple bounty
Bandit Camp Raids
- Group content with melee and archer NPCs
- Bandits drop banners redeemed for silver
- Around 40 silver per camp quest
Mystery Hunt
- Elite quest to slay the windo
- Spawns only between 9-11 PM in-game
- Rewards a massive 300 silver
Additional mechanics worth knowing before you jump into a test:
| Mechanic | Details |
|---|---|
| Quest cooldowns | Completed bounties go on cooldown; no spamming |
| Trophy durability | Quest items expire, preventing stockpiling for cooldown resets |
| Shared loot | Drops are not instanced; anyone nearby can grab them |
| Bandit respawns | Camps repopulate quickly, sometimes within 10 minutes |
| Tavern buffs | Eating with others grants a stamina buff for raids |
| Avatar recovery | Incapacitated avatars can be carried back to heal |
Markfoot has described the bandits as "glorified animals" at this stage. Expect clunky AI and incomplete systems during pre-alpha tests.
Playtest Readiness Checklist
Before your next Anvil Empires test session, make sure you are set up to make the most of it.
Playtest Preparation:
- Join the official Anvil Empires Discord
- Verify the scheduled test window before logging in
- Learn the new bounty and silver system
- Practice the block-and-charge combat technique
- Team up with a raid group for bandit camps
Bandit camps are tough with starter gear. Running them solo in basic equipment frequently ends in a wipe — group up, or upgrade your gear first.
FAQ
Q: When is the Anvil Empires release date?
There is no confirmed Anvil Empires release date as of September 2026. The game is still in pre-alpha, and Siege Camp has not announced alpha, beta, or launch windows. Watch the official Discord for announcements.
Q: Can I play Anvil Empires right now?
Yes, through periodic pre-alpha playtests. Join the official Anvil Empires Discord, where Siege Camp posts test schedules and download instructions. Tests are free to join.
Q: How do you earn silver in current tests?
Silver now comes exclusively from the bounty system. Complete bounties like hunting animals for quest items, raiding bandit camps for banners, or slaying the windo for 300 silver, then turn items in at the tavern.
Q: Will pre-alpha progress carry over to release?
Nothing has been confirmed about progression carrying over. Given the pre-alpha status and frequent system overhauls, expect progress to reset between tests and again at launch.