You're likely here because you’re tired of the "stable" client and want to know exactly when the next big evolution of osu! is actually dropping. Or maybe you're a high school senior panicking about an Early Action deadline for Ohio State. It's a weird quirk of the internet that "osu ea" brings up two completely different worlds: a legendary rhythm game and a massive university in Columbus.
Let's clear the air. If you're looking for the game, we're talking about osu!lazer. If you're looking for college, we're talking about Ohio State University's Early Action results.
when does osu ea come out for players?
Honestly, the "Early Access" or "Early Action" phase of osu! isn't a single date you can circle on a calendar. It's a living project. Dean "peppy" Herbert, the mastermind behind the game, has been vocal about the fact that osu!lazer—the next-gen version of the game—is already out. You can download it right now.
✨ Don't miss: Persona 3 Reload Steam Deck: Is It Actually the Best Way to Play?
But I know what you’re actually asking: When does it become "the" game? When does it replace the old client?
As of early 2026, the transition is in its final stages. We've seen a massive shift in 2025 where "lazer" became the default for many new features. Peppy has recently noted in interviews that the goal for 2026 is to have the majority of the player base moved over. There isn't a "v1.0" launch party. It’s more of a slow takeover.
The mobile factor
Mobile is a huge part of the "EA" conversation. While the PC version is basically ready for daily use, the iOS and Android builds are still technically in a more traditional early access state. You've got to deal with TestFlight limits on Apple or sideloading APKs on Android.
- iOS: Slots for the beta open up periodically but fill up in minutes.
- Android: Much easier to grab via GitHub, though it still feels like a "beta" in terms of optimization.
The other side: Ohio State University EA results
If you aren't here for clicking circles, you're probably sweating over your Ohio State University (OSU) application. For the 2025-2026 cycle, the schedule has been pretty rigid.
Most students who hit that November 1 deadline are looking at two specific windows. If you’re an Ohio resident or a Stamps Eminence applicant, your "EA" date was December 12, 2025.
✨ Don't miss: Stardew Valley Volcano Guide: How to Survive Ginger Island’s Most Dangerous Dungeon
For everyone else—out-of-state and international students—the big day is January 23, 2026.
It’s a brutal wait. You’ve probably refreshed the Applicant Center portal a hundred times. Just keep in mind that OSU releases these in waves. If your best friend gets a notification at 4:00 PM and you don't, it doesn't mean you're rejected. It just means the server hasn't reached your name yet.
What about the "defer" trap?
A lot of people think "Early Action" means a "Yes" or "No."
Wrong.
Many applicants get deferred to the Regular Decision pool. If that happens, you won't get your final answer until March 6, 2026. It’s not a rejection, but it definitely feels like one when you've been waiting since November.
Why the confusion exists
The term "EA" is gaming shorthand for Early Access, and "OSU" is the universal acronym for the game. Because osu!lazer has been in development for nearly a decade, the joke in the community is that it's the longest Early Access in history.
Meanwhile, Ohio State is one of the largest universities in the US. Their "Early Action" is one of the most searched terms every January.
What you should do right now
If you’re a gamer, download the lazer client. Seriously. It supports almost all the features of stable now, including ranked play. The performance is better on modern hardware, and the UI is significantly cleaner. Plus, you can finally see your accuracy mid-song without squinting.
If you’re a student, check your portal. Make sure you don't have any "To-Do" items. Sometimes a missing transcript or a stray test score can hold up your decision, and you won't even know why you haven't heard back.
📖 Related: The Gamblers Book Club Las Vegas: Why This Off-Strip Legend Still Matters
The release of "osu ea" is happening right now, whether it's a game update or an admission letter hitting an inbox.
Next steps for you:
- Gamers: Head to the official osu! GitHub to grab the latest 2026 build.
- Students: Log into the OSU Applicant Center to verify your status before the January 23 wave.