HANDS OVER Demo: Free Steam Trial, Dates and Access

The HANDS OVER demo is a free, playable sample of ArtDock's five-player co-op horror game. It went live on Steam on 15 October 2026, several days before Steam Next Fest (19–26 October 2026), and ahead of the full game's Early Access release on 30 October 2026. You get it through Steam; the developer's 15 October announcement says the demo is officially available and includes a “Play the HANDS OVER Demo” link.

What the demo is

The demo is the pre-release version of HANDS OVER, not a separate game mode. The HANDS OVER Steam page describes the game as a five-player co-op horror experience in which harmless challenges become tests of luck, nerve and trust. Players bluff, sabotage friends and try to stay at the table longer than everyone else.

The demo announcement frames it as an early chance to see whether a group's teamwork holds up under that pressure. The developer also points players without a full group to the official ArtDock Discord. The announcements do not list a separate demo-only map, mode or content checklist, so treat it as a sample of the game's table-based co-op rather than a promised tutorial for every full-game mechanic.

Dates and availability

• 15 October 2026: the demo launched on Steam.
• 19–26 October 2026: Steam Next Fest; the 19 October post says the demo is live during the festival.
• 30 October 2026: HANDS OVER enters Early Access.

The 12 October and 15 October Steam announcements do not give an end date for the demo. The 19 October post says it is live during Next Fest; it does not say what happens to the demo after 26 October. Check the demo option on the Steam page for current availability rather than treating the festival dates as a removal date.

How to get in

1. Sign in to Steam and open the HANDS OVER store page, or use the demo link in the 15 October announcement.
2. Choose the demo or free-trial option offered there and install it.
3. Launch the demo and invite friends, or use the official ArtDock Discord to find other players.

The developer's posts describe gathering a crew and using Discord when you do not have enough friends. Access is through Steam, and the 15 October announcement's direct demo link is the clearest route the developer provides.

The HANDS OVER Steam page lists Windows as the platform; the same page does not list macOS or Linux. Check that your setup matches the page's listed Windows requirements before installing.

Demo vs the earlier playtest

The demo is not the same as the earlier playtest. The developer announced the playtest closed on 1 September 2026. The free demo arrived later, on 15 October, as a separate Steam release. If you are looking for the current public trial, start with the demo rather than the closed playtest.

FAQ

Is the HANDS OVER demo free on Steam?

Yes. The 15 October 2026 announcement calls it a free demo on Steam, and the demo listing shown in that post is labeled as a free trial.

When did the demo come out?

15 October 2026. Steam Next Fest followed on 19–26 October 2026.

How many players does it support?

HANDS OVER is announced as a co-op horror game for up to five players, and the demo is the free sample of that game. The developer recommends bringing friends or finding a crew through the official Discord.

Can I play it after Steam Next Fest?

The 19 October 2026 post says the demo is live during the festival. The 12 and 15 October announcements do not state an end date, so check the Steam page for current availability after 26 October.