Devolver Digital and Croteam have officially announced Serious Sam: The Third Encounter, a new first-person shooter that continues the story of Serious Sam: The Second Encounter. Revealed on October 21, 2026, the game is currently in early development and is planned for release on PC via Steam. No release date or launch window has been announced.
Unlike previous installments that explored different points in the franchise’s timeline, The Third Encounter will pick up directly after the events of The Second Encounter. The story follows Sam “Serious” Stone as he takes the fight to Mental’s forces, targeting the alien army at its source and moving toward a confrontation with the series’ central antagonist.
Croteam confirmed the narrative direction through the game’s official Steam listing, describing The Third Encounter as a direct continuation rather than a prequel or standalone adventure. The announcement establishes a new chapter following the storyline introduced in the original Serious Sam games.
The Third Encounter will retain the franchise’s signature arcade-style first-person combat, built around large enemy hordes, powerful weapons and constant movement. Players will battle thousands of enemies across increasingly intense encounters, ranging from defensive last stands to large-scale assaults against Mental’s army.
The developers are also introducing new environments, moving the action across alien planets, hostile landscapes and fortified enemy strongholds. These locations will feature a refreshed visual style while maintaining the exaggerated combat and large-scale encounters associated with earlier Serious Sam titles.
Weapons will include returning favorites from Sam’s established arsenal alongside new additions. Croteam has not yet revealed a complete weapon roster or detailed the new equipment, but the game’s description confirms that both familiar and previously unseen firearms will be available.
Cooperative multiplayer is another confirmed feature. Players will be able to tackle the campaign alone or alongside friends, with Steam listing both online cooperative play and shared/split-screen support. The exact number of supported cooperative players has not been specified.
The announcement also marks Croteam’s return to developing a traditional Serious Sam shooter. The studio created the original Serious Sam: The First Encounter and The Second Encounter, establishing the series’ fast-paced combat and emphasis on fighting overwhelming numbers of enemies.
The Third Encounter follows other recent activity within the franchise, including Serious Sam: Shatterverse, a cooperative roguelite shooter developed by Behaviour Interactive and released in August 2026. While Shatterverse introduced a different structure built around replayability and progression, The Third Encounter is being positioned as a direct continuation of the original storyline.
The game’s Steam page is already live and includes an official teaser trailer, initial screenshots and preliminary PC system requirements. The listing also confirms single-player gameplay, online co-op and split-screen functionality.
Croteam has emphasized that Serious Sam: The Third Encounter remains in early development. Although its setting, story direction and core gameplay features have been outlined, the developer has not announced a release window, pricing or versions for consoles. The PC release is currently the only confirmed platform, and players can add the game to their Steam wishlists.
