Key facts at a glance
- Start: Monday, October 19, 2026, at 10:00 AM PDT – the demo unlocks at the same moment worldwide.
- End: Monday, October 26, 2026, at 10:00 AM PDT, one week later.
- Access: free on the game's Steam page, with no sign-up or application.
- Servers: North America (East and West), Europe (Central) and Asia (East and South), with no regional restrictions.
- Languages: English, Korean, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese.
Demo start times by region
The ArcheAge Chronicles demo goes live on Monday, October 19, 2026, at 10:00 AM PDT, which is 1:00 PM EDT and 6:00 PM BST. XLGAMES shared an official world map with local start times on October 17; in Asia and Australia the demo opens early on Tuesday, October 20.
| City | Date | Local time |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Mon, Oct 19 | 10:00 AM PDT |
| Mexico City | Mon, Oct 19 | 11:00 AM CST |
| New York, Montreal | Mon, Oct 19 | 1:00 PM EDT |
| São Paulo | Mon, Oct 19 | 2:00 PM BRT |
| London | Mon, Oct 19 | 6:00 PM BST |
| Berlin, Paris | Mon, Oct 19 | 7:00 PM CEST |
| Dubai | Mon, Oct 19 | 9:00 PM GST |
| Beijing | Tue, Oct 20 | 1:00 AM CST |
| Seoul, Tokyo | Tue, Oct 20 | 2:00 AM KST/JST |
| Sydney | Tue, Oct 20 | 4:00 AM AEDT |
When does the demo end?
The demo closes on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 10:00 AM PDT. Because the UK and most of Europe leave summer time on October 25, the end falls at 5:00 PM GMT in London and 6:00 PM CET in Berlin – one hour earlier on the local clock than the start. Progress and save data from the demo do not carry over to Early Access.
How to play the demo
Any Steam user can play for free: open the ArcheAge Chronicles store page and click "Download Demo" – no registration is required. According to Executive Producer Ham, the demo offers roughly two to three hours of quests around Diamond Shores, the high-level Throne of Hinnon dungeon with a hidden key, and a PvP channel that opens at the Nui Statue right after the first town. Housing and trade are not included.
Everything that changed since the network test – voice-over, facial animation, party play and plans for more gender options – is covered in our news on the Next Fest demo with EU servers. For the road to Early Access, see Release & Demo.
FAQ
What time does the ArcheAge Chronicles demo start?
The demo starts on Monday, October 19, 2026, at 10:00 AM PDT. That is 1:00 PM EDT, 6:00 PM BST and 2:00 AM KST on October 20.
How long is the ArcheAge Chronicles demo available?
The demo runs for one week, until Monday, October 26, 2026, at 10:00 AM PDT.
Is the ArcheAge Chronicles demo free?
Yes. The demo is free for all Steam users and needs no registration or application; just click "Download Demo" on the Steam store page.
Which languages does the demo support?
The demo supports English, Korean, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese.
Does demo progress carry over to Early Access?
No. Progress and save data from the demo will not carry over to the Early Access version.
Sources: ArcheAge Chronicles on X: Global Demo Release Times (October 17, 2026), Steam Next Fest demo announcement (October 1, 2026), Letter from Producer Ham (October 18, 2026). As of October 18, 2026.
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