---
title: "How to play Ace of Spades in 2026"
description: "Ace of Spades: Battle Builder is playable online again. What you need, how to get the Beta 0.1 client, where the servers are and how to join your first match."
canonical: "https://www.aosplay.net/play-ace-of-spades"
markdown: "https://www.aosplay.net/docs/play-ace-of-spades.md"
last_updated: "2026-09-28"
section: "Play Ace of Spades"
keywords: ["play Ace of Spades","Ace of Spades 2026","Ace of Spades game","Ace of Spades online","Ace of Spades Battle Builder","Ace of Spades revival"]
---

# How to play Ace of Spades in 2026

> Ace of Spades: Battle Builder is playable online again. What you need, how to get the Beta 0.1 client, where the servers are and how to join your first match.

Ace of Spades: Battle Builder, the voxel shooter where you dig, build and blow up the map mid-fight, is playable online again. The community revival rebuilt the servers, the online services and a new client. This page is the short route from "is it still alive?" to your first match.

## Can you still play Ace of Spades?

Yes. **Beta 0.1** of the community revival came out on 21 September 2026. It has three parts: the [BattleSpades dedicated server](https://www.aosplay.net/dedicated-server), a new [revival client](https://www.aosplay.net/revival-client) for Windows, and the AoSPlay online services (accounts, the server list, lobbies, friends and leaderboards) that connect them.

- **Official servers** run in Europe and the USA around the clock. Bots fill empty slots and step aside when players join.
- **The original game works too.** The unmodified Steam game and the old non-Steam client both join BattleSpades servers, next to players on the new client.
- **All ten retail modes** are in: Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Classic CTF, Zombie, VIP, Multi-Hill, Territory Control, Diamond Mine, Demolition and Occupation. See [game modes](https://www.aosplay.net/ace-of-spades-game-modes).
- **It is a community project.** Ace of Spades Revival is independent and not affiliated with the original publisher.

## What you need

| You need | Why |
| --- | --- |
| **A Windows 10 or 11 PC (64-bit)** | The Beta 0.1 client is a portable Windows x64 build. Linux and macOS client builds are on the [roadmap](https://www.aosplay.net/beta). |
| **Your own copy of Ace of Spades: Battle Builder** | The new client never ships the original art, sound or maps. On first launch it imports them from your Steam install or any folder with a Windows copy of the game. |
| **An AoSPlay account (optional)** | Register in the game to keep your level, friends and cosmetics, sign in through Steam, or just play as a guest. |

> **Note: Already have the game on Steam?.** Then you can play today, either with the new client or with the Steam game you already have. [Ace of Spades on Steam](https://www.aosplay.net/ace-of-spades-steam) explains both routes.

## Get into a match in five steps

1. **Get the Beta 0.1 client.** The [download page](https://www.aosplay.net/ace-of-spades-download) explains what to download and what stays on your PC. The [Beta 0.1 page](https://www.aosplay.net/beta) lists the current version and known issues.
2. **Extract it and run it.** Extract the ZIP to a normal folder, open `bin` and start `BattleSpadesClient.exe`. Full walkthrough: [Getting started](https://www.aosplay.net/guides/getting-started#install).
3. **Import your game files.** On first launch the asset installer finds your Steam copy of Ace of Spades, or asks for the folder. You only do this once.
4. **Sign in.** Register an AoSPlay account, sign in through Steam, or press **PLAY AS GUEST**.
5. **Join a server.** **Join Match → Quick Play** picks a server for you, or open the **Server Browser**. The [server list](https://www.aosplay.net/ace-of-spades-servers) explains official and community servers.

## Learn the game

- [Game modes](https://www.aosplay.net/ace-of-spades-game-modes): All ten modes, their goals, match lengths and map pools.
- [Classes and weapons](https://www.aosplay.net/ace-of-spades-classes-and-weapons): Commando, Marksman, Engineer, Miner, Specialist and Medic, with every loadout.
- [Maps](https://www.aosplay.net/ace-of-spades-maps): The 26 stock maps from Mayan Jungle to Tokyo Neon, and which modes use them.
- [Controls and settings](https://www.aosplay.net/guides/controls-and-settings): Default keys, graphics presets and audio.

## Host, build and follow the revival

- Want your own server? The [hosting quick start](https://www.aosplay.net/host-a-server) and the [server hosting guides](https://www.aosplay.net/guides/server) cover the free, open-source BattleSpades server.
- Classic 0.75 player? See [Battle Builder vs OpenSpades and BetterSpades](https://www.aosplay.net/ace-of-spades-vs-openspades) for how the two games differ.
- Follow changes on [What's new](https://www.aosplay.net/whats-new) and the row-by-row [implementation status](https://www.aosplay.net/status).
- Bug reports, match calls and help happen in the [community Discord](https://discord.gg/aosbb).

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Ace of Spades still playable in 2026?

Yes. The community revival released Beta 0.1 on 21 September 2026 with official servers in Europe and the USA, a new Windows client and online accounts. The original Steam game can join the same servers.

### Is it free?

The revival client, the BattleSpades server and the online services are free community projects. You need your own copy of Ace of Spades: Battle Builder, because the client imports the original game files from it.

### Can I play against bots?

Yes. Official servers fill empty slots with bots, and **Create Match** in the client lets you set a bot count and difficulty for a local or online match.

### Is this the classic 0.75 Ace of Spades?

No. The revival targets the later Battle Builder 1.x game (classes, modes, Map Creator). The free classic 0.75 game is played with OpenSpades or BetterSpades; see [the comparison](https://www.aosplay.net/ace-of-spades-vs-openspades).

---

Source: [How to play Ace of Spades in 2026](https://www.aosplay.net/play-ace-of-spades)  
Ace of Spades Revival is an independent community project, not affiliated with the original publisher. Community Discord: https://discord.gg/aosbb