Sandustry Demo vs Early Access
What the free Steam demo still teaches, and what you only get in the paid Early Access build.
The free Steam demo (app 3490390) and the Early Access product (app 2764460 plus GOG / Microsoft Store / PC Game Pass) share the same factory fantasy: every pixel is a resource. They are not the same install. After August 13, 2026, new players should treat the demo as a tutorial island and the paid build as the campaign. This page compares scope, saves, mods, and movement so you do not copy the wrong folder or expect demo caps in EA.
Side-by-side
| Topic | Steam demo | Early Access |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Paid / Game Pass; 35% launch discount through 2026-08-27 |
| App ID | 3490390 | 2764460 (Steam) |
| Core loop | Dig → wet → shake → research | Same loop, full tree |
| Research | Often truncated before late drones / deep tools | Full tree described on the store page |
| Workshop | Community loaders / maps | Steam Workshop + existing Fluxloader scene |
| Achievements | Demo-limited | 16 Steam achievements at EA start |
| Cloud | Demo saves | Steam Cloud / store-specific cloud |
| OS | Windows-focused demo listing | Windows, macOS 12+, Linux on the main listing |
Platform and spec tables: Release Date and Platforms. Launch commercial facts: EA Launch.
Why the demo still exists
Lantto used the demo as a public QA lab through Hotfix 8 and earlier patches (Demo Patches). It remains the cheapest way to answer: Do I enjoy diagonal shakers and slag physics? If the answer is no, skip the paid build. If the answer is yes, buy EA rather than grinding a truncated tech tree for weeks.
The demo also documents Ctrl replace, Lock Hotbar, Hydro Sponge Grabber (above ground only), and flower algorithm changes that still apply when you rebuild farms in EA (Flowers and Planters).
Movement and simulation (why EA feels different)
After the demo wave, Lantto posted that the simulation was rewritten and movement was rebuilt: you travel faster and can traverse pixels automatically, with a more fluid hover/jump. That work did not fully backport to the old demo. Expect the paid build to feel snappier in tunnels even when the gold recipe is identical. Do not use 2025 demo footage as a performance benchmark for 2026 EA.
Saves, clouds, and Game Pass
Do not assume a demo world opens in EA. Paths differ between Steam demo, Steam paid, GOG, and Microsoft Store / Game Pass. Start a new EA world on day one, then rebuild one proven shaker row from Getting Started. Back up before switching storefronts.
Game Pass installs use Microsoft’s pipeline. Fluxloader readme paths that mention Steam steamapps will be wrong on Game Pass — confirm the loader docs for your store (Mods).
Mods and Workshop
Demo modding grew around Fluxloader and Custom Map Loader. EA adds Steam Workshop as an official distribution channel. Until authors tag EA-compatible builds, treat Workshop maps as untrusted experiments: vanilla backup slot, no mixing with your main gold line. Custom terrain still obeys sand physics — shakers still want Wet Sand, presses still want Burnt Slag dropped from height (Kinetic Slag Press).
Content you should learn in the demo (if you have not bought yet)
- Diagonal Shakers and ~20–25% gold proc (How to Get Gold).
- Logistics 1 conveyors and launchers (Automation Basics).
- Water without drowning pickups (Water Management).
- Keyboard defaults S / R / X / Shift (Keyboard Shortcuts).
Stop before you hit a demo wall. Paying for EA is how you continue Refining 2, drones, lava logistics, and Fluxite upgrades without a cap.
Content that is EA-first for most players
- Full research execution and drone scaling (Drones).
- Lava → Scoria → Cinder → Lava relocation (Lava, Scoria, and Cinder).
- Spore byproduct from the press feeding planters (Spores and Seeds).
- Fluxite upgrade shop (scanner, capacity, hover, drone mods) (Fluxite Upgrades).
- Achievements and Workshop browsing.
- Mac and Linux official listings.
Who should stay on the demo
Stay on the demo if you are CPU-limited on the minimum 4 GB spec and only want to test physics, or if you are waiting for a sale after August 27. Move to EA if you already automated a shaker row and feel the missing press/drone/upgrade ceiling.
Related
- EA Launch — Price and storefronts.
- Demo Review — Whether the loop is fun.
- Early Access Preview — Buyer stance after launch week.
- Updates Hub — All news pages.
The demo taught the genre. Early Access is the product you build factories in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common Sandustry questions.
Can I continue my demo save in Early Access?
Do not assume yes. Demo, Steam paid, GOG, and Game Pass use different install paths. Start a new EA world and rebuild from Getting Started.
Is the Early Access loop the same as the demo?
The gold loop is the same. EA adds the full tree, Workshop, achievements, and the post-demo movement/simulation work. See the table above.
Should I still download the demo?
Yes if you have never shaken Wet Sand. Skip it if you already bought EA or subscribe on Game Pass.
Do demo mods work in EA?
Maybe after authors update. Keep a vanilla backup. Read Fluxloader Install and Workshop descriptions.
Does EA include Mac and Linux?
The main Steam listing includes **Windows, macOS, and Linux**. Confirm the demo listing separately — it was historically Windows-first.