Is Permafrost on Xbox?

Current Xbox status

There is no Xbox store page and no official Xbox announcement for Permafrost. The publisher's press release lists only PC storefronts for the October 9 launch. The Steam page lists Windows as the only platform.

Independent coverage agrees. Gamebrief wrote that no PlayStation, Xbox or Switch release is confirmed by its sources. Its guide also listed console plans as one of the open questions before launch.

No Game Pass listing exists either. Searches for Xbox gameplay only bring up official PC trailers and PC playthroughs. If you see a Game Pass claim, check the official channels before trusting it.

Consoles are planned for later

The clearest official statement came on the Steam forum. Asked about crossplay, the official account said it is in development for PC between Steam and Epic. It added that consoles will not come during Early Access and are more likely for the 1.0 release.

Early Access is planned to run for at least 12 months, according to the Steam FAQ. During that time the team is adding biomes, quests, NPCs, enemies, equipment and vehicles. A console version would follow that work rather than arrive in the middle of it.

The PC launch itself was delayed so the team could fine-tune the game. Toplitz COO Sebastian Fleer said in the July 2026 press release that quality is key, from performance to content. The roadmap's four updates and ongoing crash fixes all happen on PC before any console version is planned in detail.

Signs that Xbox could follow

A few signals suggest an Xbox Series X|S version is plausible later. Gematsu's page for SpaceRocket Games tags Permafrost with PC, PS5 and Xbox Series. The studio also presents itself as a PC and console developer.

The publisher has done this before. Toplitz released Medieval Dynasty on PC first and later announced console dates for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. A PlayStation Store page for Permafrost already exists, with its release date still to be determined.

None of these is an announcement, so an Xbox release remains unconfirmed. We will update this page when Toplitz or SpaceRocket Games shares news. For the PlayStation side, see Is Permafrost on PS5?.

What Permafrost is

Permafrost is a story-driven survival sandbox set on a frozen Earth in 2035. After the moon shattered and its ring blocked the sun, the world fell into endless winter, and you play as Rook, an engineer following a radio signal from a lost friend. The cold, not combat, is the main threat in every area.

You explore a frozen open world, scavenge ruins, craft gear and build shelters to push deeper. A dog companion scouts, warns of danger and carries supplies. The game is developed by SpaceRocket Games in Poland and published by Toplitz Productions in Germany.

Using an Xbox controller on PC

If you want to play from the couch, an Xbox controller works with the PC version. Steam lists partial controller support for Early Access. One player who finished the two-hour preview said it played surprisingly well with an Xbox controller.

That player found building, cooking and hunting all worked well on a gamepad. Another player said they used an Xbox controller just fine after creating a layout through Steam Input, and the first player bought the game after the preview. Steam's controller settings are worth a look if a button feels wrong.

There was one known problem in the preview. A tester could move through crafting menus but could not select, change quantity or confirm crafting with the controller. The official account said the team knew about it and was working on a fix.

Full controller support is coming

A developer addressed controller support directly on the Steam forum. They said full controller support will be provided in the full game. At that point about half of the work was done, with the inventory being one of the harder parts.

The developer Q&A also mentioned custom key bindings and other quality-of-life features. Some keys could not be rebound in the playtest. Expect controller and input options to improve during Early Access.

Until then, keep a keyboard and mouse nearby as a fallback. The crafting menu was the main place where players had to switch during the preview. Everything else, from building to hunting, worked well on a pad for most testers.

PC requirements if you switch from Xbox

Playing now means playing on a Windows PC. The Steam page lists the following official requirements for the Early Access build. There is no macOS or Linux version.

These specs apply to gaming laptops too. Integrated graphics and older cards like the GTX 1650 fall below the minimum, according to player reports. Upscaling such as DLSS or FSR helps on mid-range hardware.

Crossplay and co-op

Co-op supports up to four players on PC. Crossplay between Steam and Epic is in development, but there is no console crossplay because there is no console version. If your friends are on Xbox, they will need a PC copy to join you for now.

Pick the same PC store as your group until crossplay arrives. The multiplayer guide covers hosting and joining. The price page explains the launch discount.

What Xbox players can do now

Follow Toplitz Productions news and the official Discord for any console news. A 1.0 release is the most likely moment for a console announcement. Until then, the PC version is the only way to play.

If you have a gaming PC or laptop, check whether it meets the requirements first. Our laptop and requirements guide compares the official specs with real player reports. The best settings guide helps you get smooth performance.