Starry Studio is the developer of Once Human, the free-to-play open-world survival game, working with NetEase Games. The console versions came to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on August 25, 2026, and the studio has detailed the October ocean update Isles of Abyss.
Starry Studio is the developer behind Once Human, the free-to-play open-world survival game it runs with NetEase Games. The studio's recent work centers on two moves: widening the game's audience and expanding the game world.
The first move came on August 25, 2026, when Once Human launched on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The console version carries over 300 hours of content, adds a first-person view, and supports crossplay and cross-progression with enhanced controller features. Pre-order packs went up on both stores at announcement, which begins monetization for the free-to-play title on consoles.
The second move is the October ocean update, Isles of Abyss, described as the largest update since launch. Head of Operations Derek Qiu told Game Spark the sea is designed as a single gigantic life form, populated with ghost ships and strange lighthouses, with ship building that forces trade-offs. Qiu said the sea was planned from the start of development.
Across both stories the studio's direction is consistent: keep the survival audience on a wider set of platforms while pushing the map itself to act as the threat. What is settled is the console launch window and the update's design intent. What remains open is how either lands with players.
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NetEase Games and Starry Studio's survival game Once Human is getting its largest update since launch in October, the ocean update Isles of Abyss. Head of Operations Derek Qiu told Game Spark the sea is designed as a single gigantic life form, with ghost ships, strange lighthouses, and ship building that forces trade-offs, and said the sea was planned from the start of development.
NetEase Games and Starry Studio have announced that the free-to-play open-world survival game Once Human will launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on August 25, 2026. The console version includes over 300 hours of content, a new first-person view, crossplay and cross-progression support, and enhanced controller features. Pre-order packs are now available on both stores.