Cozy survival game Under Canopies will launch in Steam Early Access for PC on October 23, 2026, offering a combat-free experience built around crafting, farming, exploration and wildlife photography.
Independent developer Novemtails and publisher Assemble Entertainment announced the release date after several months of development work that expanded the game’s progression, tutorial, building mechanics, farming systems and animal behavior.
Under Canopies Offers a Gentler Approach to Survival Games
Rather than asking players to battle enemies or overcome constant threats, Under Canopies focuses on establishing a peaceful life in the wilderness.
Players explore forests, gather resources and discover materials that can be used to build a home. The building system allows players to create their own retreat before furnishing it with crafted furniture, decorations and practical items.
The developers have expanded this system since the game’s original announcement, adding more resources to discover and additional objects to craft.
Combat has also been removed entirely in favor of what the developers describe as a slower and more reflective adventure.
Farming and Cooking Expand Life in the Forest
Farming is another major component of the Early Access version. Players can plant and harvest crops while gathering natural ingredients from their surroundings.
Those resources can then be used for cooking, with more than 30 recipes available to experiment with.
The combination of gathering, farming, cooking and construction gives players several ways to develop their woodland home while encouraging continued exploration of the environment.
Instead of conquering the wilderness, the game’s central idea is to gradually become part of it.
Wildlife Photography Plays a Central Role
Photography is closely tied to exploration in Under Canopies. Players can observe wildlife, photograph different species and document their discoveries in a wildlife album.
The mechanic encourages players to pay attention to their surroundings and search for creatures throughout the sanctuary rather than simply moving quickly between objectives.
Animal relationships can also develop over time. Players can feed and care for creatures, earn their trust and form bonds with the wildlife inhabiting the forest.
Players Can Care for Chickens, Sheep and Bees
The game’s animal systems extend beyond observing wildlife.
Players can care for chickens and sheep, keep bees and interact with other animals as part of their everyday life in the forest. Improvements to animal behavior are among the changes made during recent development.
Together, these systems are designed to make wildlife feel like an active part of the player’s surroundings rather than simply decorative elements of the environment.
Exploration Rewards Curiosity and Observation
The forest contains hidden materials and resources that players can uncover while exploring. These discoveries feed into other gameplay systems by providing ingredients for crafting, construction and cooking.
Exploration also creates opportunities to discover new wildlife species and expand the player’s photography collection.
The absence of combat changes the traditional survival-game formula. Progress instead revolves around learning about the environment, gathering what is needed to survive and steadily improving a home within the forest.
Players are encouraged to cook, build, explore, plant crops, harvest resources and understand the animals around them while becoming increasingly self-sufficient.
Solo Developer Novemtails Leads Under Canopies Development
Under Canopies is being developed by Novemtails, the independent development label of Mexico-based programmer Roberto Ortiz.
Ortiz is the solo developer behind the project and has previously worked with teams including Estación Pi, Amber Studio, 1SimpleGame, Macula Interactive and Jettelly. He also served as a technical reviewer for Visualizing Equations Vol. 2.
The developer is additionally behind “Game Publishers,” a reference site that catalogs video game publishers for developers and other industry professionals.
With its October 23 Steam Early Access launch, Under Canopies will give PC players an alternative take on survival gameplay centered on building, farming, cooking, animal care and photography. Its combat-free design places the emphasis on exploration and creating a sustainable life alongside the natural world.
Nicholas Sparks is an award-winning American writer whose bestselling novels have captivated readers for decades. Renowned for his emotional storytelling and timeless themes of love and hope, he remains one of the most influential authors in modern romance literature.
