Steam Next Fest - October 2026, here's the most-played demos so far

26 Oct 2026 at 8:51 am UTC | Last updated: 26 Oct 2026 at 6:20 pm UTC
By Liam Squires-Hand

Valve sent word via email as Steam Next Fest - October 2026 begins to wind down about what has been the most popular during this event. With thousands of demos, and plenty of them pretty clear slop, it's interesting to see what was actually pulling players in.

Before the event ends don't forget to check our previous round-ups for 15 demos to try, Native Linux demos to try and another 15 to check out.

Listed below are what Valve mentioned were the most popular, with no sorting order mentioned to us. The event ends today at 5PM UTC.

Worst Class Ever

A 1–6-player asymmetric classroom party game. Five students hide among NPC classmates and secretly break the rules while one teacher tries to catch them.

Probably Stolen - Cyberpunk Shopkeeper Sim

Run a shop on a dystopian space station. Craft and smuggle questionable goods, navigate rival factions and fight a rogue AI while keeping up with rising rent.

ArcheAge Chronicles

Explore the sprawling fantasy world of Auroria in a lore-rich action adventure, whether you are new to ArcheAge or already know its setting.

AI Generated Content Disclosure: The developers state that AI tools were used as a starting point for some item icons, UI images, parts of the world map, background decorations and early development of certain character weapon models. The assets were subsequently edited or remodelled by the art team; no AI-generated content is created during gameplay.

Find The Needle

Dig through a haystack containing millions of strands to find a single needle. Sell the hay and invest in machinery to automate the search.

Fart Together

In this 2–4-player physics-based co-op game, propel and steer a shared raft using fart power as you tackle obstacle courses together.

Character House -Desktop Companion-

Build a customizable desktop companion to keep you company while you work. Collect and craft accessories, earn idle rewards and connect with friends.

Frostrail

Survive a frozen, corrupted wasteland in a solo or co-op first-person shooter. Scavenge, craft and fight while running and upgrading your steam-powered train.

Loftia

Build a more sustainable future in a cosy online world where you can farm, craft, decorate, explore and collaborate with friends.

just volleyball

Play volleyball online or offline with straightforward controls and room for skillful play, from 1v1 and 2v2 matches to full 6v6 team games.

Abyssal Lapidary

In a gothic, Victorian-inspired underground city, appraise ores, cut gemstones and create jewellery for unusual customers. Some gems hide unsettling secrets.

Mortuus

Fight endless zombie waves alone or with up to three friends in a round-based FPS with procedurally generated brutalist maps, weapon upgrades and a hidden ritual.

Dumpster Gang

Team up as mischievous raccoons in a 1–4-player co-op sandbox. Steal whatever you can carry, complete ridiculous missions and evade a relentless Exterminator.

HANDS OVER

A five-player co-op horror experience where harmless-looking challenges become tests of luck, deception and nerve. Bluff, sabotage friends and stay at the table longest.

Haunted Paws

Two puppies enter a haunted mansion to rescue their owner in this cosy, spooky co-op adventure. Customise your dogs, solve puzzles and battle creatures together.

Emberville

Explore a dangerous underground realm where death is no longer permanent. Fight monsters, rescue survivors and rebuild Emberville while investigating the mystery of your lost memories.

No Body No Problem!

One player is a cop while the others scramble to hide a body and destroy evidence. Work together before the officer arrives and discovers what happened.

Deadzone Rogue 2

Battle hostile machines on a ruined Earth in this FPS roguelite. Mix weapons, elemental effects and upgrades to create stronger builds, solo or with friends.

Wyldheart

Set off on compact co-op action RPG campaigns across a rustic fantasy kingdom. Shape your character, investigate rumours, explore ruins and face growing threats.

Grr Grr Gnomes

Sail between islands as tiny gnomes on a perilous ocean voyage. Scavenge supplies, battle strange creatures, survive disasters and find a route home.

Never Be Alone

Survive a post-apocalyptic open world ten years after a zombie outbreak, alone or with friends. Protect a vulnerable settlement and uncover your forgotten past.

AI Generated Content Disclosure: The developers disclose the use of generative AI for some ambient background music and a limited number of environmental textures. They say the story, missions, characters, gameplay and code were made by the team, with human voice acting.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com. Tags: Demo, Event, Listicle, Misc, Round-up, Steam 5 Likes Some you may have missed, popular articles from the last month:Steam Survey for September 2026 shows a drop in Linux with Simplified Chinese risingHere comes the algorithm - Valve updating Steam to show different games for discounts and eventsSteam Autumn Sale 2026 is live now with lots of discountsSteamOS 0.4.5 Beta for Steam Frame and Steam Client Update For Frame released All posts need to follow our rules. Please hit the Report Flag icon on any post that breaks the rules or contains illegal / harmful content. Readers can also email us for any issues or concerns.