Dragonkin: The Banished Sets Dates for Multiplayer Update and Full 1.0 Launch

The roadmap for Dragonkin: The Banished has officially been solidified. After months of Early Access development and a series of deep-dive blogs detailing combat overhauls and endgame systems, EKO Software has announced the final release schedule.

Players can mark two critical dates on their calendars: February 25, 2026, for the Multiplayer Update, and March 16, 2026, for the official V1.0 Full Release.

Phase 1: The Multiplayer Update (February 25)

The first major milestone arrives in just two weeks. This update is expected to be the most significant technical shift for the game since its inception.

• Online Co-Op: For the first time, the "Banished" will not have to hunt alone. The update introduces 4-player online cooperative play, allowing parties to tackle the campaign and the Hunting Board together.

• The City Hub: This update likely brings the "City" infrastructure online—a social hub capable of hosting up to 50 players per instance, where players can group up, trade items via the shared chest system (as previously outlined), and contribute to a shared city progression level.

• Combat Overhaul Implementation: Players can expect the recently revealed "Spender-Only" combat system and the new Skill Rank mechanics to be fully integrated, allowing for testing of new builds in a group setting.

Phase 2: The Full Release (March 16)

Less than three weeks after the multiplayer servers go live, Dragonkin: The Banished will officially exit Early Access. The Version 1.0 launch signals the game is "feature complete," bringing several highly anticipated additions that were reserved for launch:

• Couch Co-Op: While online play arrives in February, local "Couch Co-Op" (up to 2 players on one screen) is slated for the full release. This feature aims to capture the classic ARPG living-room experience.

• Console Launch: The 1.0 release typically coincides with the game's debut on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, bringing the title to a wider audience.

• Endgame Systems: The recently detailed "Post-Endgame Progression" (Ancestral Grid) will be fully unlocked, allowing players who hit the level cap (Level 50) to begin the infinite grind for stat boosts and passive perks.

A Rapid Rollout

The tight window between the Multiplayer Update and the Full Release—just 19 days—suggests that EKO Software is using the February update as a final massive stress test for their servers before the influx of launch-day players.

For Early Access veterans, this means a busy month ahead: adapting to the new combat meta, establishing City hubs with friends, and preparing their characters for the infinite climb of the Ancestral Grid when the full game drops in March. You can read the original blogpost here.