Order of the Sinking Star Release Time, Price & Platforms

Quick answer: Order of the Sinking Star launches on October 8, 2026 for PC via Steam, Steam Deck, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2. The official global schedule points to a simultaneous unlock at 5:00 PM UTC — 10:00 AM PDT, 1:00 PM EDT, and 6:00 PM BST. The standard price is $29.99. Thekla says the game contains more than 1,000 interconnected hand-crafted puzzles and can stretch beyond 500 hours for dedicated completionists.

This guide focuses on the details people actually need before launch: the verified unlock time, platforms, price, Steam Deck status, demo carry-over, bundle details, and what makes Jonathan Blow’s latest puzzle game unusually large. Where a detail is not officially confirmed, it is marked as such rather than guessed.

Order of the Sinking Star release time

The developer’s October 5 launch post publishes a global release schedule for Thursday, October 8, with Friday, October 9 dates in some eastern time zones. The schedule resolves to a simultaneous 5:00 PM UTC unlock.

The most important change from older pre-launch pages is that the unlock hour is no longer unknown. The official site now has a release-time announcement, so older articles that still say “time TBA” are stale.

Price, platforms, and Steam Deck support

Order of the Sinking Star costs $29.99 for the standard game. It launches on:

• Windows PC through Steam
• Steam Deck
• PlayStation 5
• Nintendo Switch 2

There is no announced Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation 4, original Nintendo Switch, or Epic Games Store version at launch. The official game site lists Steam, Nintendo Switch 2, and PS5 as the supported platforms.

The game is also Steam Deck Verified. Thekla’s September 15 update says the handheld version has full compatibility, optimized UI and controls, and requires no special tweaks to run.

What do you get for $29.99?

The scale is the main reason this release is attracting attention. The official site describes more than 1,000 interconnected, hand-crafted puzzles across four distinct worlds. It also says more than 500 hours of gameplay await the most dedicated puzzle solvers.

That does not mean every player needs 500 hours to reach a meaningful ending. It is better read as an indication of the depth available to completionists. The game is deliberately built so its separate puzzle systems eventually interact, creating more complex combinations as you progress.

The four puzzle foundations

Thekla explains that the full game grows from four puzzle-game foundations:

• Skipping Stones to Lonely Homes by Alan Hazelden, built around creating paths by throwing stones.
• Mirror Isles by Alan Hazelden, centered on swapping positions with reflections.
• Promesst 1-3 by Sean Barrett, an abstract grid puzzle about exploring beams of light.
• Heroes of Sokoban by Jonah Ostroff, which uses distinct fantasy hero classes with unique movement and pushing rules.

Rather than presenting these as isolated minigames, the full release is designed around their eventual collision. That is the key content gap in many short release-date articles: the game is not simply “1,000 Sokoban levels.” Its structure is about combining rule sets and characters into increasingly complicated puzzle spaces.

Does the demo save carry over?

Yes. The publisher’s August release-date announcement states that the PC demo is available and that demo save data carries over to the full release. That makes the demo useful for more than testing performance: progress is not wasted when the full game unlocks.

If you plan to start on Steam, playing the demo before launch is the safest way to learn the movement and puzzle language without repeating the opening material later.

Are there launch bundles?

The official September pricing announcement confirmed a $29.99 base price and special bundles involving Mewgenics, Animal Well, and the soundtrack. Bundle discounts are store-dependent, so the live storefront should be treated as the final source for the amount you actually pay in your region.

Players who only want the game do not need a bundle. The standard edition is a complete release, not an early-access package.

What is the game actually about?

The official premise is intentionally broad. You are transported to a realm of magic, dangerous contraptions, and monsters. You explore four worlds, each with its own characters, stories, and mechanics, before those worlds begin to intersect.

Jonathan Blow, the director of Braid and The Witness, describes the project as a kind of “game design supercollider”: puzzle ideas from multiple designers are brought together so one system can alter how another is understood. The project has been in development for nearly a decade since The Witness.

What should you do before the unlock?

1. Use the demo on PC if you are undecided. Save carry-over is confirmed.
2. Check the exact store page for your platform. Regional prices and download availability can differ.
3. Do not rely on older “time TBA” guides. The developer has now posted a global release schedule.
4. Steam Deck owners can install confidently. The game is officially Verified.
5. Avoid puzzle spoilers. The developer specifically highlighted spoiler sensitivity around reviews, and discovery is a major part of the design.

Order of the Sinking Star FAQ

When does Order of the Sinking Star release?

October 8, 2026 in most regions, with the simultaneous global unlock falling on October 9 in some Asian and Oceanian time zones.

What time does it unlock on Steam?

The official global schedule resolves to 5:00 PM UTC on October 8, equivalent to 10:00 AM PDT and 1:00 PM EDT.

How much does Order of the Sinking Star cost?

The standard price is $29.99, with regional storefront pricing potentially varying.

Is it on Xbox or Game Pass?

No Xbox or Game Pass version has been announced for launch. The confirmed platforms are PC/Steam, Steam Deck, PS5, and Nintendo Switch 2.

Is the game Steam Deck Verified?

Yes. Thekla confirmed Steam Deck Verified status on September 15, 2026.

Does demo progress carry over?

Yes. The publisher’s release-date announcement says PC demo save data carries into the full game.

How many puzzles are there?

The developer says the game contains more than 1,000 interconnected hand-crafted puzzles across four worlds.

Sources

• Order of the Sinking Star — official global release times
• Order of the Sinking Star — official site and FAQ
• Thekla — Steam Deck Verified announcement
• Steam — official store listing

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