Stronghold 4's updated Steam demo lets you start building now, with Skirmish scheduled to follow on October 19. Firefly released Free Build on October 8, giving castle-sim fans a chance to try construction before the December Early Access launch.

The demo adds moats, wool and weaving production chains, and a late-game unit called The Captain. Firefly calls its map the largest it has made; Game Pelt has not independently measured that claim or tested the demo.

October 19 is the announced date for adding Skirmish, not an exact opening time. Check the demo's update status that day before planning a session around the new mode. The announcement also does not promise that demo saves will transfer to the paid game.

Download the demo from the official Steam page: Stronghold 4 on Steam . Free Build is the available starting point; the full campaign is not what today's demo announcement promises.

Multiplayer is planned after the December Early Access launch

Steam lists December 7, 2026 for the paid Early Access release. Its planned content includes a 22-mission prequel campaign, Free Build, a Skirmish Trail and custom skirmishes with eight CPU opponents.

Online multiplayer, a cooperative Skirmish Trail and an economic campaign are planned for the full version. Buying the December build is not a promise of getting those later modes on day one.

Firefly estimates around six months in Early Access, but that schedule can change. It says the price may increase as content arrives; no purchase price or firm 1.0 date was verified here.

Try Free Build if constructing a castle is what interests you. If combat is the deciding factor, return on October 19 and test the Skirmish update once it arrives before making a buying decision.