Once Human: Isles of Abyss Server Schedule & Launch Details
Isles of Abyss is live after the October 21 update. Here's where the servers open, how to join one, and what the launch gift includes.
The Once Human team has confirmed that its ocean survival scenario, Isles of Abyss, officially launches on October 21 (PT). The developers published the server opening schedule ahead of the Once Human release, and the update itself follows that day's maintenance window.
If you want to be among the first on the water, the details matter. Servers open in batches, sign-ups work differently from what you may be used to, and your current character's progress is affected if you transfer. This article covers the server schedule, the ways to join, the RaidZone servers and the launch gifts.
Isles of Abyss Server Opening Schedule
According to the official Steam announcement, the first batch of Isles of Abyss servers opens right after the October 21, 2026 version update. The number of servers depends on your region:
- North America and Europe: 4 servers, named Isles_Abyss-X0001 to Isles_Abyss-X0004, opening immediately after the update.
- South America, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, HK, MO and TW: 2 servers, named Isles_Abyss-X0001 and Isles_Abyss-X0002.
The team says it will open more servers as needed, based on how much room is left on the existing ones. There are no advance sign-ups. Once servers are open, you enter directly through the scenario sign-up interface. Each Isles of Abyss server has 12 worlds.
Two dates are worth noting. The scenario won't carry a Vision tag at launch, and the Vision World for Isles of Abyss servers opens later, alongside the S5 Vision release. The permanent server is expected to open on November 18, 2026 (PT), before the first batch of servers closes, so everyone can merge into it.
How to Join an Isles of Abyss Server
The announcement lists three ways in:
- Start fresh. Create a new character, skip the New Player Experience, then open the Scenario Selection screen and pick [Other Scenarios] and then [Isles of Abyss].
- Transfer a character. If a character's current scenario has entered the Rest Period, use [Go to Sign Up] to travel to the Isles of Abyss server. That character's level, supplies and other data go through scenario settlement and restart in the new scenario. Shared data such as Character Cosmetics, Blueprint Level and Mod Level is not settled or cleared.
- Play with friends. Agree on a server, then choose it in the [More Servers] window of Scenario Selection.
To guarantee your squad lands on the same server, form a sign-up squad on the team-up platform (Menu, Scenario, Sign Up Interface) before servers open. The squad leader signs up, and every member enters the same server. Only characters with the sign-up system enabled can join a Scenario Squad, each character can join just one squad, and characters with a permanent server merge reservation need to cancel it first.
If your friend's server is full, they can share a Special Invitation Code from the Player Info screen. On Xbox you can also invite friends through the console's friend list. The team says that feature is still in development for PS5.
Isles of Abyss: RaidZone Servers
RaidZone mode gets its own ocean map with the launch. Both regions get one server named RaidZone_Isles_Abyss-A0001, open immediately after the update and reopening on a biweekly cycle. To play it, switch the mode in the upper-left corner of the character sign-in page and choose the matching server.
Maintenance and Launch Gifts
A second post from the developers covers the maintenance. Downtime starts October 21, 2026, at 4:00 PM (PT) and is expected to last about 3 hours, though the actual server opening time may differ. The PC in-game update is about 751 MB, but the launcher download is about 26.28 GB, so check your storage first.
Until November 8 at 2:00 PM (PT), you can claim the celebration supply from your mailbox after signing in. It includes the Legendary Weapon Blueprint [SOCR - Cosmic Visitor], the Legendary Gear Blueprint [Snowline Elite Vest], Starchrom x10,000, a 30-day Meta Pass Trial Card and limited Howler weapon skins. The next update is scheduled for November 4, 2026, at 3:00 PM (PT).
For more, read our earlier look at the Isles of Abyss launch, and our guides on getting and using Cosmetic Tokens and preparing for Season 2. See you at sea!
