Squad Coming to PS5 and Xbox, Free Alpha Starts Today

Publisher Secret Mode and developer Offworld Industries have announced that Squad is coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2027. Even better for console players, a free PS5 alpha preview of the tactical shooter starts today, October 16, 2026, and runs until October 25.

The Squad PS5 alpha is open to all players through the official Squad alpha signup page, giving PlayStation owners an early chance to experience the 50v50 combined-arms warfare that has made Squad a long-running PC hit. Secret Mode says over 10 million soldiers have served on the PC version since its 2015 debut, and the console version promises the same large-scale battles rebuilt for controllers.

Squad PS5 console version key art showing 50v50 tactical warfare with infantry and armored vehicles


Squad PS5 and Xbox Console Release

Squad PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions are officially on the way, with a 2027 release window announced on October 15, 2026. The console edition is a purpose-built version of the tactical FPS, not a straight port.

The game features 100-player, 50v50 combined-arms battles where teamwork and communication matter far more than reflexes alone. Optional crossplay will let PS5 and Xbox Series X|S players join the same battles, and the console version ships with a handpicked map rotation selected for console play.

Free PS5 Alpha: Dates and How to Join

The free PS5 alpha preview runs from October 16 to October 25, 2026. Registration is open to all players through the Squad alpha signup page, so anyone with a PS5 can request access during the alpha window.

Because the alpha is a preview of the in-development console build, expect it to represent an earlier slice of the experience than the final 2027 release. It is still the best way to try Squad's console gameplay months before launch and to give the developers feedback on the controller experience.

Squad console gameplay on PS5 showing a soldier using the radial command wheel in a woodland firefight


Console Gameplay: Rebuilt for Controllers

Offworld Industries says the controller experience has been rebuilt from the ground up. A radial command wheel puts squad orders within quick reach, and smart pings make it easier to mark targets, objectives, and movement paths without a keyboard.

The announcement also promises "bespoke polish for flawless performance," suggesting the console edition has been optimized rather than simply scaled down from the PC version. Combined with the handpicked console map rotation, the goal is clearly to make Squad feel native on gamepads.

Squad's PC Legacy and Free Recon Team Pack

Squad began life on Steam Early Access on December 15, 2015, and launched fully on September 23, 2020. In the decade since, Secret Mode says more than 10 million soldiers have served, making Squad one of the most enduring large-scale tactical shooters on PC.

PC players get a bonus this month too. Steam players can claim a free Recon Team Pack containing five woodland USMC skin sets through the Steam store until October 25, the same day the PS5 alpha ends.

Squad tactical FPS battlefield on Xbox Series X showing 100-player combined arms combat with helicopter support


FAQ

When is Squad coming to PS5 and Xbox?

Squad is scheduled to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2027. No exact release date has been announced yet.

How do I join the free Squad PS5 alpha?

The free PS5 alpha runs October 16–25, 2026 and is open to all players. Sign up through the official Squad alpha signup page to request access.

Does Squad on consoles support crossplay?

Yes. The console version features optional crossplay between PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, so you can play together or turn it off if you prefer platform-only matches.

How many players can fight in one Squad match?

Squad supports 100-player matches in a 50v50 format, combining infantry, armored vehicles, and close air support in tactical combined-arms warfare.

How do I get the free Recon Team Pack on Steam?

Steam players can claim the Recon Team Pack, which includes five woodland USMC skin sets, free through the Steam store until October 25, 2026.

Related reading

Sources: Gematsu, Console PC Gaming, Pixel Herald

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