The Red Planet Yields - Surviving Mars: Pioneer Exits Early Access September 4

 On the Red Planet, survival is only the first step toward discovery. Tomorrow, Surviving Mars: Pioneer officially leaves Early Access and launches into full 1.0 release on Steam VR and Meta Quest devices, with support for Meta Quest 2 headsets now included. 

The PlayStation VR2 version will arrive on September 12, 2025.

Priced at $24.99 USD, Pioneer introduces a wealth of new features, enhancements, and content that bring the game’s survival systems and Martian frontier to their most refined form yet. 
 

 

Life and Death on the Red Planet

This is not an adaptation of the original Surviving Mars, nor is it a city-building game reimagined for virtual reality. Pioneer is a standalone first-person VR survival sim, where every step across the Martian surface carries weight. Every moment is tactile and immediate. The dust stings your visor, oxygen ticks down with every breath, and survival depends on your ability to quickly adapt.

You’ll weld structures into place to keep your base alive, link power lines through the canyons, and discover moments of stillness as stars blaze overhead. Contracts from rival factions drive your progression, offering rewards in the form of blueprints, tech, and resources, but every choice carries danger. On Mars, mistakes are final, and life is earned one decision at a time. 

A Martian Frontier Reforged

Version 1.0 delivers the most significant update yet for Surviving Mars: Pioneer. The building system has been overhauled, giving players more freedom and control over their colonies than ever before. Structures now connect seamlessly, snapping into place intuitively with expanded roof and ground options, new connector types, and fresh additions like Roof Platforms, Stairs, Railings, and a Vertical Airlock. The all-new Viewpod structure allows pioneers to take in the Martian horizon from the safety of their base, while full interior color customization adds a personal touch to survival.

The world itself has expanded as well. New caves open up beneath the surface, hiding resources and dangers. A narrative ending provides closure for those who endure the harshest challenges. Achievements have been added across all platforms, giving explorers new milestones to reach for as they master life on Mars.

On top of these headline additions, the launch build includes improved visual quality on Steam VR (and PS VR2), along with a mountain of bug fixes and optimizations. 

 

What’s New in 1.0

• Overhauled building system with new connectors, snapping, and customization

• New structures: Viewpod, Roof Platforms, Stairs, Railings, Vertical Airlock

• Interior color customization options

• New caves and environments to explore

• Added narrative ending

• Achievements on all platforms

• Improved visual quality on Steam VR and PS VR2

• Extensive bug fixes and optimizations  

• Support for Meta Quest 2 and PlayStation VR2 devices
   

PS VR2 Enhancements

On PlayStation VR2, Surviving Mars: Pioneer reaches its most fully realized form. The system’s advanced hardware deepens immersion in every moment of survival. Subtle headset rumble conveys the tremors of a collapsing tunnel. Controller haptics deliver the crunch of laying down power cables or the crack of a Martian landslide. Eye tracking with dynamic foveated rendering keeps every detail sharp and responsive, while native 90Hz performance ensures movement across the Martian surface feels fluid and lifelike. These features combine to create the most complete and richly detailed version of Pioneer, capturing the harsh reality of Mars with unmatched presence.
 

The Journey Ahead

Developed by Bolverk Games and published by Impact Inked in association with Paradox Interactive, Surviving Mars: Pioneer was built from the ground up as a VR-native survival sim. Leaving Early Access is not the end of the mission but the start of a new chapter; one where the community’s feedback has helped shape a richer, more tactile, and more dangerous Mars.
 

Surviving Mars: Pioneer 1.0 launches on September 4, 2025 for Steam VR and Meta Quest (now including Quest 2). The PlayStation VR2 version will follow on September 12, 2025. Players can wishlist or purchase the game now on all platforms.