CRUNCHFEST and GROLAF today announced that CODEX MORTIS, the necromantic survival bullet hell that made headlines as the world’s first 100% AI-developed game, will launch into Early Access on Steam on March 26, 2026.
A recent study found that gamers are overwhelmingly negative about generative AI in video games. CODEX MORTIS became ground zero for that debate when its free demo launched in December 2025 and ignited a firestorm. Dozens of media outlets across eight languages covered the game – from PC Gamer and Eurogamer to Kotaku, TweakTown, and Japan’s GIGAZINE. Twitch megastar Asmongold streamed it for nearly an hour and called it “pretty good” – predicting AI-developed games would “inevitably do well.” Meanwhile, the comment sections burned.
But while the internet argued about what AI games should be, 10,500 players were already discovering what one is. They stayed for an average of 71 minutes – over four times the industry average for indie demos. They were staying for the builds and dopamine rush in CODEX MORTIS.
CODEX MORTIS isn’t a procedurally generated tech demo or an AI gimmick stapled to a store page. It’s a deep, systems-driven bullet hell where every run demands a different strategy. The Early Access launch on March 26 delivers eight distinct levels, each built around a unique objective that demands its own build and approach. Detonate corpses, command undead armies, drain life from enemies, and sacrifice blood for apocalyptic chain reactions. Play solo or bring a friend in local co-op.
Love it or hate it – it’s here. And it plays.
Early Access Features:
- Eight unique levels – Each with a distinct objective requiring a completely different build strategy.
- Five schools of dark magic – Necromancy, Summoning, Blood Magic, Soul Magic, and Curses with dozens of skills to combine.
- Deep build-crafting – Plan your squad before each run, theory-craft synergies, and watch your strategy explode into beautiful chaos.
- Local co-op – Bring a friend into the necromantic mayhem.
- 100% AI-developed – Every line of code, every sprite, every note of music created through AI-driven development.
- Steam Deck – Full controller support and handheld-ready.
About CODEX MORTIS
CODEX MORTIS is a necromantic survival bullet hell where death is your greatest weapon. Mix five schools of dark magic, unleash devastating spell synergies, and raise undead armies across eight unique levels – each demanding a different strategy. Plan your build, assemble your squad, and watch carefully crafted chaos unfold solo or in local co-op. The game is developed entirely through AI-driven development by GROLAF.
