Steam Next Fest October 2026 is underway, with free demos of upcoming PC games available during the October 19–26 event. The festival ends October 26 at 10 a.m. Pacific / 1 p.m. Eastern. Check each game’s current Steam page for demo availability and supported modes before downloading.
Valve confirms these dates in its October festival schedule.
Official Steam Next Fest page (opens in new tab)
Pick your kind of demo
These three games have announced October festival participation. This is a discovery shortlist based on official descriptions, not a ranking from hands-on testing. Check each demo’s notes for its included modes and content.
Original isGamer editorial illustration, not footage from participating games.
Drunkonauts
Jetpacks, weapons, and environmental hazards turn staying on the map into part of the fight. The main game lists local and online multiplayer. Check which modes the current demo includes before inviting friends.
Start here if you want to investigate competitive party action. Use the demo to judge how movement and recovery feel once jetpacks enter the fight.
View Drunkonauts demo on Steam (opens in new tab)Aqua Factory Simulator
Harvest aquatic resources, process them, and build production chains that supply your store. Developer Bewolba Studios has announced festival participation and a free demo available ahead of the event.
For automation fans, the useful question is how clearly the demo connects resource supply with finished products. Check its notes for limits on progression and cooperative play.
View Aqua Factory Simulator demo on Steam (opens in new tab)Backrooms 99
Explore unsettling environments, solve puzzles, and face threatening entities. Its Steam page lists a demo, while the developer’s festival announcement confirms October 19–26 participation.
Use the trial to assess its atmosphere and puzzle pacing. The main game advertises solo and cooperative play; confirm the demo’s supported modes and player count separately.
View Backrooms 99 demo on Steam (opens in new tab)How to start playing
- Open a game’s Steam page and check the demo’s requirements.
- Select its demo download option and install through Steam.
- Read the developer’s notes for content limits and multiplayer availability.
Valve allows developers to release demos before the festival, so finding one already available doesn’t mean the event has started.
Before you fill your download queue
Will the demos stay after October 26?
That depends on the developer. Valve encourages teams to keep demos online after Next Fest, but continued access is not guaranteed. Check announcements for any removal deadline.
Does a demo include every feature of the full game?
Don’t assume it does. Check demo-specific information for supported modes, progression limits, and controls. Treat performance and content as representative of that build.
For Valve’s rules on early availability and demo removal, see the official Next Fest FAQ.
Keep exploring upcoming PC releases on isGamer.
Sources and verification
Sources: Drunkonauts developer updates · Aqua Factory Simulator developer updates · Backrooms 99 developer updates. Information checked October 17, 2026.
