ICARUS Q&A: Dean Hall Discusses DayZ Console Edition, Game Support, and the Evolution of the Survival Genre

ICARUS: Console Edition Set for Release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S|X

RocketWerkz, together with GRIP Studios, has revealed that the science fiction co-operative survival game, ICARUS, will be making its way to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S|X in the first quarter of 2026. This announcement builds excitement as players on consoles are set to experience a refined version of the game, including the much-anticipated New Frontiers expansion that introduces new terrain and features.

Originally launched on Steam in late 2021, ICARUS faced a rocky start but gradually cultivated a loyal community, thanks in large part to ongoing improvements from the development team. The New Frontiers expansion enhances the game significantly by incorporating the alien region of Prometheus, which adds 64 square kilometers of new territory to explore, in addition to the base game’s area. Players can now encounter three new biomes, face mutated predators, utilize over 30 new workshop items, craft more than a hundred additional items, and engage in six narrative-driven missions.

Insights from Developer Dean Hall

As part of this announcement, I had a chance to speak with Dean ‘Rocket’ Hall, the lead creator of ICARUS, to discuss the transition to consoles, the development journey since its PC release, and the evolution of the survival genre. Hall emphasized the community’s vital role in shaping the game’s trajectory and shared insights on enhancing gameplay.

Can you walk us through today’s news?

“Certainly! ICARUS is coming to consoles—this is something our community has frequently inquired about. We recognized the limitations of our team regarding controller support, prompting us to collaborate with GRIP Studios. Their expertise was crucial in ensuring a smooth gaming experience on console platforms, ” Hall shared.

Will there be a significant difference between the PC and console versions?

“Yes, while many core gameplay elements remain, we’ve restructured the controls for console users. This has necessitated some modifications in the user interface due to the controller setup, which impacts how players navigate menus—something ICARUS has plenty of.” Hall added that despite these adjustments, players can still enjoy the immersive experience on the couch.

Future Content and Community Engagement

On crossplay capabilities, Hall explained that while they initially aimed for cross-platform play, the distinct versions would make implementation challenging.“We recognized early on that consistent weekly updates on PC would overwhelm our partner studio, GRIP. Thus, crossplay isn’t feasible at this moment, ” he noted.

What has been the community’s impact on game development?

Reflecting on the game’s journey, Hall discussed how community feedback has been paramount. Upon launch, ICARUS encountered several challenges, including localization issues.“We focused intensely on trust-building through weekly updates, ensuring we addressed player concerns, ”Hall explained, highlighting that the input from dedicated players influenced critical game design decisions, such as introducing an open-world setup.

Commercial Success and Future Aspirations

Despite the game’s challenges post-launch, Hall reports considerable commercial success, particularly in regions like Germany, which recently became a top market following strategic marketing efforts.“What’s exciting is that despite being nearly four years old, the game continues to attract players and generate sales, reflecting our commitment to ongoing development and engagement with the community, ” he stated.

Expansions and New Map Development

Looking towards future content, Hall mentioned the upcoming map called Elysium, aimed for release in early 2024.“We’re currently refining map design and introducing new features through consistent community interaction. Our priority is ensuring that every addition significantly enhances the player experience, ” he remarked.

Finally, Hall affirmed RocketWerkz’s long-term commitment to keeping ICARUS alive and evolving.“We want to support this game for years to come, continually enriching its world while honoring our player base’s input and suggestions, ” he concluded.

For further updates on ICARUS, you can watch the full interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luKC7WUOKOg.

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