Scrap Mechanic finally hits 1.0 on July 24 after more than a decade in early access

Axolot Games has announced that Scrap Mechanic — the robotic survival sandbox where you build machines out of whatever you can scavenge — launches version 1.0 on July 24, 2026. That's over ten years after the game first entered early access, with the 10th anniversary having passed back in January.

The full release brings a big graphical upgrade alongside new survival content, though Axolot is keeping most of the specifics close to its chest for now. The release date trailer does give a few things away: there's a massive machine with a menacing red spotlight you'll want to avoid, drones that drop loot, and what looks like a new drilling-themed update — the trailer is subtitled Drilling Thunder.

Scrap Mechanic has been a fixture of the Steam sandbox scene since 2016, letting players build vehicles, contraptions, and elaborate bases using a physics-driven construction system. The survival mode, which pits players against waves of hostile farming robots, was added years into early access and became the game's main draw alongside the creative mode. A decade-long early access run is unusual even by Steam standards, but the game has maintained a dedicated community throughout.

With three weeks to go until launch, players are waiting to see exactly what the full 1.0 package looks like beyond the confirmed graphical overhaul and new survival content. The Drilling Thunder subtitle suggests a substantial new mechanic or biome is on the way — but Axolot is clearly saving the full reveal for closer to release.