DMZ: Nuclear Survival — Everything We Know

A new open-world survival crafting game was announced at the Indie Live Expo 2025 — and it’s already turning heads. DMZ: Nuclear Survival, developed by the two-person indie studio Wild Dog Inc., promises a brutal, immersive experience in a world ravaged by nuclear war. But this isn’t your typical post-apocalyptic survival sim.

So, what makes DMZ stand out? Is it the vast, procedurally generated continent of Pangaea? Or perhaps the option to build and command your own military force in a dynamic multiplayer world? These features and more hint at a survival experience with depth and variety.

Here’s everything we know so far about DMZ: Nuclear Survival — from gameplay and development to release info and platform details.

What is DMZ: Nuclear Survival?

DMZ: Nuclear Survival is an upcoming multiplayer open-world survival crafting game developed by Wild Dog, a small but ambitious two-person studio based in Japan. Set in a post-nuclear war wasteland, the game combines base-building, resource management, and squad-based combat in a vast, procedurally generated world.

The game’s core loop revolves around survival, exploration, crafting, and base-building, but that’s just scratching the surface. Players can also form Private Military Companies (PMCs), train soldiers, excavate ancient ruins, genetically engineer warriors, and take part in both PvE and PvP combat.

DMZ: Nuclear Survival Story

DMZ: Nuclear Survival will drop players into “Pangea,” a brand-new supercontinent formed after nuclear war triggered massive earthquakes and shifted Earth’s tectonic plates. It’s a harsh, unforgiving world filled with ruins like ancient pyramids, Roman temples, and the iconic terracotta warriors. Players will explore these ruins, uncover relics, craft essential gear, and maybe even bring back ancient warriors by reviving them using ancient gene — all while struggling to rebuild civilization.

Pangea itself is procedurally generated and filled with diverse environments, from grassy plains and dense forests to deserts and icy snowfields. Players can freely reshape this terrain, constructing defenses and shelters, or blasting through layers of earth to find valuable minerals and resources hidden below.

DMZ: Nuclear Survival Gameplay

While the game is still in development, we already have a solid picture of what the gameplay of DMZ: Nuclear Survival will entail. Players will be dropped into a massive, procedurally generated map full of varied biomes. This will inclue forests, deserts, grasslands, snowfields, and wastelands. Exploration and excavation are at the heart of survival. You’ll dig into the earth using tools like shovels, dynamite, and even nuclear explosives to uncover rare minerals, ancient artifacts, and hidden ruins.

Moreover, combat is intense and strategic, involving both NPC enemies and real players in PvE and PvP battles. Players can build squads with up to three AI soldiers they’ve personally trained. These soldiers can follow commands and fight alongside you, providing tactical depth as you combine their various skills and perks to form a versatile and powerful unit. Expect plenty of battles across diverse terrains.

Base-building will be a central feature, allowing players to create both surface and underground strongholds. These bases will function as military outposts and production hubs. You can assign captured NPCs and animals to work in facilities, turning them into soldiers, scientists, or farmers. Over time, your base evolves into a fully operational military and economic empire.

The game also features a dynamic economy system, where everything from items to buildings has an asset value. Players can accumulate wealth through crafting, trading, raiding, or underground dealings, to compete in a ranked economy leaderboard. Multiplayer supports over 100 players simultaneously, meanwhile, offline players aren’t left out, as a complete solo experience is available. All in all, DMZ promises to deliver a rich blend of exploration, survival, strategy, and multiplayer dynamics, creating an immersive post-apocalyptic adventure.

Development

DMZ: Nuclear Survival is being developed by Wild Dog Inc., a two-person indie studio based in Saitama, Japan. The developers have made it clear that community involvement is at the heart of their approach. To support this, the game will first launch in Early Access on Steam. The Early Access phase is expected to last for approximately one year, though this timeline could shift depending on player feedback and development progress. The current Early Access build already includes the core features – exploration, excavation, base-building, combat, and multiplayer.

Looking ahead, Wild Dog Inc. plans to expand the game significantly during Early Access. Their roadmap includes adding new biomes and locations, improving PvE and PvP systems, expanding soldier and NPC development, and much more. Importantly, the developers confirmed that while the game’s price will increase over time, those who buy during Early Access will receive all future updates at no additional cost. Wild Dog Inc. aims to create a survival game that grows with its community, both in scale and in quality.

Trailer

The trailer for DMZ: Nuclear Survival was revealed during the Indie Live Expo 2025. Though it doesn’t showcase gameplay footage, the trailer sets the tone perfectly. Watch the official teaser to catch a glimpse of Pangaea and the survival chaos that awaits.

DMZ: Nuclear Survival – Release Date, Platforms, and Editions

Right now, DMZ: Nuclear Survival doesn’t have an official release date. The game will first launch in Early Access on PC through Steam, and the developers plan to keep it in Early Access for about a year. This timeline might change based on player feedback and how development goes.

Wild Dog Inc. hasn’t said if the game will come to PlayStation or Xbox in the future. For now, they’re focusing only on the PC version. There’s also no news yet about different editions or pricing tiers, but the developers mentioned that the price will go up as they add more content during development.