A Beloved Early Access Game Launches After a Decade of Development

Hot Dogs, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades (H3VR) made its debut in Steam Early Access back in April 2016, joining the ranks of early virtual reality hits like Superhot VR and Job Simulator. With nearly 20,000 reviews on Steam, it boasts an overwhelmingly positive reception from players.

Fast forward over a decade to July 4, 2026, when H3VR finally exited early access. In a blog post, developer Anton Hand expressed his relief, noting it was a moment he often doubted would arrive. He humorously mentioned how friends would regularly check in to ask when the game would officially launch.

This milestone update, the 120th since its early access began, has given the flagship game mode, Take & Hold, a significant overhaul. Players can now enjoy a new character called the Lucky Looter and a BBQ Range scene. Additionally, the introduction of a game planner system allows players to connect objects to create devices, scenarios, gadgets, and whatever else they can dream up.

In May 2026, Hand also revealed plans for a sequel: Hot Dogs, Horseshoes, & Hand Grenades 2. This new installment builds on the original’s sandbox foundation but offers a more structured experience where players must “fight their way through an endless proc-gen megastructure,” as described in the Steam listing. It’s being positioned as both an immersive sim and an extraction shooter.

Hand, who serves as the CTO of the four-person studio Rust Limited, is teaming up with Zulubo Productions for the sequel, expanding the development team to nearly 20 members. The sequel is designed for the Meta Quest 3, as Hand previously noted that the first two versions of the headset lacked the power to run it without a PC connection via SteamVR.

On Reddit, one user praised the original H3VR for having “the best-feeling gunplay” they’ve encountered in VR, highlighting the satisfaction of interacting with the game’s firearms and other tools. Another user mentioned that H3VR is the only game that makes them miss their VR headset.

Hot Dogs, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades is currently available on Steam for $19.99, while the release date for the sequel remains unannounced.

A sandbox is a place to play, and that can feel strange when the toys are firearms.