The February 2026 Steam Next Fest demo let you play the United Earth Forces or Post-Human Coalition in AI skirmishes and online multiplayer. It had three map sizes and supported up to eight players on the largest map. The September multiplayer playtest was a separate event, so check which build a guide is describing before relying on it.
What you could play in February
The Next Fest announcement listed UEF and PHC, AI skirmish, multiplayer with optional AI backfill, and saving and loading. It also listed Arctic and Desert environments and both day and night scenes. Substrate was outside the demo's announced faction selection.
| Demo map size | Announced player range |
|---|---|
| Small | 2–4 |
| Medium | 2–6 |
| Large | 2–8 |
What changed for the September playtest
Stardock's September announcement described a test of multiplayer performance, balance, and stability, running September 8–14, 2026. UEF and PHC were again the two playable factions. The September announcement highlighted head-to-head and team matches. February's skirmish, map-size, and save features describe the February demo only.
Check Steam for the build you can play
Start at the official Ashes of the Singularity II Steam page and check the current listing for a demo, a playtest, or the full game. An old announcement with instructions to join a test describes the access that was available during that event.
FAQ
Could I play the February demo against AI?
Yes. The official Next Fest announcement listed AI skirmishes and optional AI slots in multiplayer.
Did every February map support eight players?
No. Eight was the upper limit for the large map. The small and medium maps topped out at four and six, respectively.
Which factions were in both preview events?
The United Earth Forces and the Post-Human Coalition were announced for both events.