Play as a prisoner, guard, or warden. Scheme, trade, and betray, or lock everything down. In this multiplayer social game of control and escape. The prison is yours to use… or break out of.

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Coming Soon To Early Access

The developers of this game intend to release as a work in progress, developing with the feedback of players.

Note: Games in Early Access are not complete and may or may not change further. If you are not excited to play this game in its current state, then you should wait to see if the game progresses further in development. Learn more

What the developers have to say:

Why Early Access?

“We’re releasing Beyond the Bars into Early Access so we can develop the game with our community. Prison escape and multiplayer chaos games live or die by player feedback — especially when it comes to role balance (Prisoner vs Guard vs Warden), job systems, skill progression, and the social sandbox feel.
By launching in Early Access we can:

- Continuously balance the three roles based on real player data
- Expand and refine jobs, skills, escape methods, and prison systems with community input
- Add more interesting and fun maps
- Add more ways to scheme, cooperate, and troll with friends
- Fix issues and improve the multiplayer experience as more people play
- Shape the final version of the game around what players actually enjoy most”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“Our goal is to leave Early Access within one year.
This timeline will give us the option to gain valuable player feedback, and continue the development of core systems (roles, jobs, skills, and escape gameplay). Once we feel the game has reached the quality and content depth we want, We will release 1.0 of the game. We’ll keep the community regularly updated on our progress and remaining goals.”

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

“The full 1.0 release of Beyond the Bars will build on everything we learn during Early Access. Planned differences include:

- Expanded content: more jobs, skills, escape methods, prison areas, and tools for both prisoners and staff
Deeper role systems for Prisoners, Guards, and the Warden, with better balance and more unique abilities
- Improved progression and economy systems
- More ways to cooperate, scheme, and goof around with friends
- Greater variety in multiplayer sessions and chaotic moments
- Overall polish, stability, and quality-of-life improvements based on community feedback

Early Access is focused on refining the core loop and gathering player input so the full version feels complete, balanced, and packed with the content players want most.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“Everything in the "ABOUT THIS GAME" section of our store page is currently implemented within the Early Access Build of the game. Please refer to this section for more details on what is currently implemented. ”

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

“We're not planning on changing the price when we leave early access. Pricing will be based on a localized pricing model. ”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

“We believe the best version of Beyond the Bars will come from building it alongside the players. We will be involving the community heavily for ongoing balancing of features amongst the roles you can play within the prison.”
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This game is not yet available on Steam

Planned Release Date: 2027

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About This Game

Bringing back the feel of classic Halo's Cops and Robbers and CS Jailbreak, Beyond the Bars drops you and your friends into a sandbox where you can scheme quietly enough, enforce the law, or just cause pure mayhem as Prisoners, Guards, or the Warden. It takes that custom-game nostalgia and gives the prison skill progression, job hustle, gambling, and escape routes, so you have something to work towards.
 

A labor of love for every model. Handmade content, no AI involved. 🤖

  • 50+ Unique Items - From commissary eats to tools or weapons, everything is a lifeline. Just make sure you hide it well... either from the guards or others looking to steal from you. It's a dog-eat-dog world.

  • 20 Rooms - From when you wake up to when you lay your head down, you'll eat, work out, labor away, or spend time in a cell where you'll plot what you're doing next. Crafting contraband makes for great downtime~.

  • 6 Ways to Escape - No two playthroughs are the same. There's multiple steps and many roles to take on. At any point, betrayal or getting caught can get you beaten and thrown in solitary or your cell. Success also depends on your skills. Don't skip leg day! -or sewing day.

  • Character Customization - Stand out from the crowd with your character's race, gender, and hairstyle. Everyone is represented, with more to come!

  • 30+ Collectible Cosmetics - Show off your style with loyal pets, dashing hats, and expressive emotes. None of which you'll need to pay for. They're earned by achievements!
     

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Meet the Warden

As the warden, you'll have the joy of running and overseeing the whole facility. Contrary to heaps of papers to sign and social graces with politicians and lawmakers, you'll pass your time upgrading the prison, maintaining it, and even firing guards when they step outside your just... or maniacal rule. The cameras might help with that much. Just make sure that you're using the intercom system responsibly; you are to set the standard for those under you. 
 
 

Meet the Guard

As the guard, you'll walk the fine line of duty and... meh, probable cause. -at least if the Warden isn't looking over your shoulder. Your job mainly entails preventing the prisoners from controlling the prison. Whether that's breaking out the billy club when there are fights, checking cells for contraband, or sending them to solitary when they become too much of a problem. There's one small catch... you might have to plunge a toilet now and again, but there are many prisoners to take that much out on when you're feeling resentful.

 
 

Meet the Prisoner

As the Prisoner, you'll be having quite the rough stay here. -and very much like the Hotel California, you'll be checked in... but unable to leave. Fortunately, you'll have many, many ways to pass the time. Doing prison work for commissary, crafting weapons and contraband, gambling, like liar's dice, poker, checkers, chess. -and when the guards aren't looking, sabotaging the cameras and computers. Likewise, if you're resourceful enough to get this far, escape just might be possible. 

Mature Content Description

The developers describe the content like this:

This game includes cartoon violence towards other players and gambling with NPC's and other players (no real money)

System Requirements

Windows
SteamOS + Linux
    Minimum:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    • OS: Windows 10 version 22H2
    • Processor: Intel i3 - 8100, Ryxen 3 3100
    • Memory: 8 GB RAM
    • Graphics: Intel® UHD Graphics 630
    • DirectX: Version 11
    • Network: Broadband Internet connection
    • Storage: 5 GB available space
    Recommended:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    • OS: Windows 11 version 25H2
    • Processor: Intel Core i5-12400, AMD Ryzen 3600
    • Memory: 16 GB RAM
    • Graphics: GeForce GTX 1050, AMD Radeon RX 580
    • DirectX: Version 12
    • Network: Broadband Internet connection
    • Storage: 5 GB available space
    Minimum:
    • OS: Debian 13
    • Processor: Intel i3 - 8100, Ryxen 3 3100
    • Memory: 8 GB RAM
    • Graphics: Intel® UHD Graphics 630
    • Additional Notes: Disk Space: TBA
    Recommended:
    • OS: Debian 13
    • Processor: Intel Core i5-12400, AMD Ryzen 3600
    • Memory: 8 GB RAM
    • Graphics: GeForce GTX 1050, AMD Radeon RX 580
    • Additional Notes: Disk Space: TBA
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