Terminator: Survivors is set to bring us a first-person adventure set after Judgment Day, where we will navigate the dangers of Skynet's deadly machines in an open-world setting. Originally slated to land in the latter half of 2024, it was later delayed to 2025 before being delayed again. But, despite the bumps in the road, it's still shaping up to be one of the new games to keep an eye out for.
However, with a lack of new updates and teasers in the wild, you may be confused about what is actually going on with this upcoming title. Well, that's where we come in. With more information dropping in on the making of the video game from developer Nacon Studio Milan, we've already gotten some insight into its direction, from the team's open-world approach to the atmosphere and feel they're striving to bring to life.
Other details include console confirmations and the fact that the sci-fi game has now scrapped its multiplayer features in favour of a strict solo experience. However, while we await more news, read on below to find a full recap of everything we know so far about Terminator: Survivors, from gameplay details to the setting and more.
Terminator: Survivors release date speculation
The Terminator Survivors release date has been delayed yet again and currently has no release window.
The game was previously delayed to 2025 from 2024. The first pushback was revealed by developer Nacon Studio Milan so that the development team has the time to "build a post-apocalyptic world that lives up to the franchise, and to provide an experience that fully meets the players' expectations."
Inspirations from the first two movies to the game's environments, learn more about the development of Terminator: Survivors. Terminator: Survivors, available in Steam Early Access on October 24th and coming to consoles at a later date. pic.twitter.com/oIEBZ7SA6iJune 27, 2024
The game was then delayed yet again in December 2025, and now has no new release window. So don't expect a 2026 release date, folks. While it's a bummer that we don't have a new release window after this new delay, it does seem that the decision was one made for the player's benefit, with the team writing:
"After months of internal testing, discussions with players and fans of the license, we came to the conclusion that to give you an authentic 'Terminator' experience with the best possible shooting and exploration gameplay, we would have to put aside the cooperative multiplayer."
"We know this may come as a disappointment, but we believe it is the right creative direction for an uncompromising vision of the world after Judgment Day."
We'll let you know as soon as a new release date or any updates are announced!
Terminator: Survivors platforms
Terminator Survivors will launch on PC and is also expected to launch on PS5, and Xbox Series X.
The publisher is yet to confirm when exactly the title will launch on console, but it's expected to arrive after Terminator Survivors' entrance onto Steam. The game will not be coming to PS4, Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch. It also doesn't seem likely that it will be added to our list of upcoming Switch 2 games any time soon, either. But we'll keep you posted if there is any surprising news.
Terminator: Survivors development
Terminator Survivors was first teased back in 2022, following the announcement that Nacon had opened a new development label – Nacon Studio Milan. The studio has set out to create 'state-of-the-art video games', bringing in industry veterans from all over the world to support the creation of this new survival experience. Nacon Studio Milan also includes developers from RaceWard, best known for delivering realistic simulators like Rims Racing and TT Isle of Man 3.
Terminator: Survivors trailer
The debut Terminator Survivors trailer was released on February 29, 2024, during the Nacon Connect 2024 presentation. The cinematic trailer doesn't feature any gameplay but does set the tone for this near-future survival experience where members of the resistance will attempt to survive a crumbling world and circumvent the deadly T-800. Watch the first Terminator Survivors trailer above.
Terminator: Survivors gameplay details
Terminator Survivors is an open-world survival game where you'll need to fight smartly to survive the threats of a post-apocalyptic world. While details are still light right now, Nacon Studio Milan says the Terminator Survivors gameplay experience will now be single-player only. Previously, multiplayer features were mentioned; however, the team has since decided to focus on a new avenue.
In a Terminator: Survivors - A Resistance In The Making video exploring the game's development, Ponte also sheds light on the direction of Terminator Survivors, and some of the kinds of features we can expect: "The first two movies of the Terminator saga are stories about survival, with characters being hunted down by the Terminator", Ponte says. "We really wanted to recreate this feeling of constant chase. Most of the time, you'll run until you're ready to face them."
"We also felt the Terminator timeline, the post-apocalyptic period, and especially the events after Judgment Day are a perfect fit in terms of environment to set a survival game. Even if already seen a couple of times in the films, this period has only been partially explored. So being able to flesh out that period and showcase the life of survivors during this time, there's no greater honor as fans".
Released concept art, which also appears in the Making of video, shows a focus on modular firearms for first-person combat, stealth systems, evolving bases, and the presence of key resources like food and gasoline. If all this information tracks, we may be looking at one of the best survival games here.
Terminator: Survivors setting
Terminator Survivors is set in 2009, just a few short years after Judgment Day – the day that Skynet became self-aware and launched a nuclear war against the world's superpowers. Creative director Marco Ponte says that Terminator Survivors will be confined to the events that occurred in the first two movies (aka some of the best sci-fi movies ever made), although the game will ultimately be its own thing.
"This takes place in a yet unexplored timeline of the Terminator universe. With a completely original storyline that includes famous characters and new ones, where you'll learn about the beginnings of John Connor's resistance."
During the A Resistance In The Making video, art director Mauro Ferrari also speaks on the setting, saying, "the story of the game, like the story of the movies takes place in the USA. From an artistic and narrative point of view, the worldbuilding was extremely curated. Our goal was to be as realistic and coherent as possible in describing a world that carries the conflict narrated in James Cameron's saga."
Ferrari also says James Cameron's movies were the greatest source of inspiration, with the team striving to capture the tense atmosphere of the first movie through "extensive study" of the color palette, photography, and direction. Ferrari also adds that they looked to the second movie for its dynamic action and variety of locations to inform the setting of the game.
While we wait for more information on Terminator Survivors, why not go back and watch T1 and T2: Judgment Day. They are, after all, two of the best action movies of all-time.
