Everyone remembers the first time they saw a spider the size of a minivan in the original Grounded. It was terrifying. It was awesome. Now, with Obsidian Entertainment officially moving forward with the sequel, the chatter about how to access the pre release build for Grounded 2 has reached a fever pitch. You've probably seen the "leaks" on Reddit or the sketchy Discord invites promising a download link.
Don't click those. Seriously.
Getting into a pre-release for an Obsidian game isn't about finding a secret back door. It’s about being in the right lane when the gates open. Obsidian has a very specific way of doing things—look at how they handled the "Public Test" builds for the first game or the early access for Avowed. They like controlled chaos. They want feedback, but they want it from people who aren't going to just complain about a placeholder texture on a blade of grass.
Where the Grounded 2 Pre-Release Build Actually Lives
If you’re looking for a Steam page that says "Download Beta Here," you're going to be waiting a long time. That’s just not how it works anymore. Most of the early-stage testing for Microsoft-published titles happens through the Xbox Insider Hub.
It's a bit of a clunky app, honestly. But it’s the golden ticket.
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To even stand a chance at how to access the pre release build for Grounded 2, you need to have that app installed on your PC or Xbox console. Once you're in, you navigate to the "Previews" tab. If Obsidian is running a closed technical test, it shows up there. Sometimes it’s open to everyone; sometimes it’s restricted to people who have a certain "Insider Level," which you get by doing surveys and testing other random Windows features. It’s a grind, but it’s the only legitimate way.
The Steam Branch Method
Steam users have it a little differently. If you remember the first game, you could right-click the title in your library, hit "Properties," and then "Betas."
There was usually a dropdown for the "Public Test" branch.
For Grounded 2, Obsidian will likely follow this exact same blueprint. However, there’s a catch. Often, these builds are password-protected during the "friends and family" phase. You’ll see the branch exist on SteamDB—that’s a site that tracks every tiny update to the Steam database—long before you can actually play it. If you see a branch named "evergreen" or "testing_alpha" pop up on SteamDB for a New App ID associated with Obsidian, that’s your signal that the pre-release is live behind closed doors.
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Why You Might Not Want In (Yet)
Let’s be real for a second. Pre-release builds are often broken.
Like, "your save file just got deleted because you looked at a ladybug sideways" broken.
When you’re trying to figure out how to access the pre release build for Grounded 2, you have to ask yourself if you’re okay with 15 frames per second. Early builds are unoptimized. They’re basically skeletons of the final game. In the first Grounded, early testers dealt with bugs where the grass wouldn't render, or the hunger meter would deplete in three seconds. It’s work. You’re essentially an unpaid QA tester. If you just want to play the game and have fun, wait for the "Game Preview" label on Game Pass. That’s usually the "stable" version of the early build.
The Role of Game Pass
Microsoft loves Game Pass. It's their whole identity now.
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It is almost a guarantee that Grounded 2 will launch into a "Game Preview" state directly on Game Pass. This is technically a pre-release build, but it's the most public version. If you have an active subscription, you don't need a special code or an invite. You just hit download. But—and this is a big but—the true pre-release, the alpha stuff? That stays in the Insider Hub.
Spotting the Scams
There are a lot of people out there trying to steal your Discord token or your Steam login by promising Grounded 2 keys.
Obsidian does not send out random "Beta Keys" via Twitter DMs.
If you see a website asking you to "verify your account" to get access to the Grounded 2 technical alpha, close the tab. The only places you should ever see official news are the Obsidian Twitter (X) account, the official Grounded Discord, or the Xbox Wire blog. Anyone else is likely just farming for clicks or trying to install a keylogger on your rig.
Moving Forward: Your Action Plan
If you're serious about being one of the first people back in the backyard, you need to do three things right now. First, download the Xbox Insider Hub app on your primary gaming device and opt-in to the PC or Xbox Gaming previews. This puts you on the shortlist. Second, join the official Grounded Discord and keep an eye on the "Announcements" channel; they often ping everyone when a new test branch is available. Finally, bookmark the Grounded 2 page on SteamDB to watch for "Last Record Update" changes, which usually precede a public announcement by a few days.
Don't expect a polished experience. Expect bugs, expect crashes, and expect to give a lot of feedback through the official channels. That's the price of admission for getting an early look at the next chapter of the backyard.