Early Access Is Live
July 22, 2026 — what shipped on Steam and how to start smart.
Dirty Business Early Access Launch — July 22, 2026
Dirty Business entered Steam Early Access on July 22, 2026, turning years of underground-hangar prototypes into a paid, persistently updated crime simulation from Plan Dirty Games. If you followed the free demo’s fourteen levels or tracked 13,000+ wishlists pre-launch, this page is your launch-night reference: what the full game adds, how it differs from demo scope, and where to go next on dirtybusiness.wiki.
This is a fan wiki summary — confirm prices, system requirements, and patch notes on the Steam store page and official Discord.
Launch snapshot
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Release date | July 22, 2026 |
| Platform | Steam (PC) |
| Mode | Solo + online co-op (up to 4) |
| Demo | Still free, separate saves |
| EA duration (planned) | ~12 months |
| Developer | Plan Dirty Games |
Early Access is a work-in-progress label. Plan Dirty intends to expand open-world districts, deeper production, and new criminal activities like hacking during the EA year — see roadmap for directional plans, not promises.
What Early Access adds over the demo
The demo taught machine routing, elevator orders, and evidence basics across fourteen levels. Early Access unlocks the full criminal toolkit:
Production breadth
- Weed: 6 strains (demo: 4) — weed strains guide
- Weapons: 3+ types (demo: 1) — weapons production
- LSD: 3 types (not in demo) — LSD overview
- Counterfeiting: 3 currencies (not in demo) — counterfeit guide
- Evidence disposal: Expanded melt options for guns, axes, hammers — disposal guide
Use the production hub and tier list to prioritize margins after launch week balance passes.
Distribution and cover
- Elevator delivery for small and medium surface orders
- Two covert front companies with vehicle shipments for larger loads — front companies guide
- Street dealers for city-wide sales — dealers page
- Cartel airstrip smuggling for high-volume contracts — airstrip guide
The distribution hub ties these channels together.
Workforce and co-op
Hire employees for every production line and dealers for outbound sales. Online co-op supports up to four players — role splits in the co-op guide matter on launch week when everyone rushes weed simultaneously.
Base and progression
Persistent saves, full upgrade trees, side production rooms, and underground garage expansion replace demo’s scripted caps. Start structured with Early Access start walkthrough rather than random tablet shopping.
Launch-week player checklist
- Decide demo vs buy using demo vs EA — saves do not transfer
- Read beginner guide and store tablet guide
- Bind F8 unstuck from patch v0.1.1 if you hit collision bugs
- Run one solo weed loop before accepting multi-product contracts
- Bookmark updates hub for hotfix summaries
Post-launch patches
Launch day is not the final build. Expect hotfixes for economy exploits, co-op edge cases, and UI friction — many rooted in demo fixes documented in patch v0.1.1. We index major Steam news posts here without replacing official patch notes.
Open world and future scope
Plan Dirty has publicly teased open-world sections and district control arriving during Early Access, moving beyond the single hangar fantasy. Hacking and non-production crimes are also on the long-term radar per press materials. Until those ship, optimize what exists today via walkthrough hub and tools.
Buying advice
Early Access rewards players who enjoy feedback loops and patch cadence. Wait for sales or 1.0 if you need a finished sandbox — review page covers Schedule I comparisons and value framing.
Wiki maintenance
We update this launch recap when major EA milestones land (new districts, new product lines, co-op changes). Cross-link from release date and roadmap stays synchronized.
Start playing: Beginner guide · EA start walkthrough · Production hub · Patch notes
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions.
When exactly did Early Access launch?
**July 22, 2026** on Steam. Details on release date and this launch recap.
Does the free demo still exist after EA?
Yes — demo remains free with separate saves. Compare scope on demo vs EA.
How many players in co-op at launch?
Up to **four** online. Hosting tips in co-op guide.
What is the biggest EA-only system?
Many players cite **multi-product production + distribution** (airstrip, front companies, dealers). See distribution hub.
Where is the best post-launch starting guide?
Early Access start walkthrough after skimming this page.