The dogs are out. GRAVHOUNDS, the debut co-op action-builder from Seattle indie studio Octopus Panic, has launched today in Game Preview on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox PC, and it’s in Game Pass from day one. If you’ve ever wanted to be a disposable space labrador with a tractor beam, your shift starts now.
Game Preview is Xbox’s early access programme, so this is very much a work in progress. The Microsoft Store listing is upfront about it: buy it only if you’re happy with the game in its unfinished state.
Is GRAVHOUNDS on Game Pass?
Yes. The Microsoft Store lists GRAVHOUNDS as included with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. It isn’t listed for Game Pass Premium or Essential. If you’d rather own it, it’s £15.74 ($19.99 in the US) on the Microsoft Store, and it supports Xbox Play Anywhere, so one purchase covers your Xbox and your Windows PC.
What is GRAVHOUNDS?
One to four players take control of bio-engineered canine workers sent to hostile alien worlds. You drop in, gather resources, build defences and try to survive the alien assaults long enough to get out with your haul. The store sums up your job description as “Loyal. Obedient. Expendable.” So, a fairly typical day at the office.
Your main toy is the Grav Beam, which lets you grab and throw objects and enemies around the battlefield. You can also boost and hover to get around quickly, and lay pipelines across the terrain to carry power and resources to your base.
What’s in Game Preview?
According to Octopus Panic’s launch press release, the Game Preview build includes:
- 5 Gravhounds to play as
- 7 solar systems with 25 planets
- 21 defensive systems and turrets, including the MLRS, Electrocoil, Cryo Rockets and Ballistic Shield
- 60 unlockable mods, 12 of them ‘Showstopper’ mods, plus the Mod Deck
- A new boss, the Juggernaut
Who is Octopus Panic?
Octopus Panic is an independent developer and publisher founded by veterans of 343 Industries and DICE. Development is led by co-founder Josh Holmes, who was Creative Director on Halo 4 and later head of Halo Studios. Holmes first revealed GRAVHOUNDS on Xbox Wire during gamescom in August.
“Reaching Early Access is a huge milestone for our team, but we see it as the beginning of the next chapter,” said Holmes. “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who’s played, shared feedback, or helped spread the word about GRAVHOUNDS. We’re excited to get the game into more players’ hands, hear what they think, and keep making it better together.”
Development updates and details on how to send feedback are on the official GRAVHOUNDS site.
GRAVHOUNDS Game Preview launch trailer
For the full rundown on the game, head to our GRAVHOUNDS hub, and see what else is arriving this month in our Xbox Game Pass November 2026 line-up.
