Unknown Worlds has at long last revealed a date for the Alpha release of their upcoming shooter strategy title Natural Selection 2. On Monday, July 26, all special edition pre-orders will have access to the build on Steam.

The Alpha will include one of the shipping maps (Tram), smaller “test” maps, the Marine with Rifle, Pistol, SwitchAx and Grenade Launcher, and enemy Skulks, Gorges, Lerks with basic movement abilities and weapons. Additionally the Marine armory “buy” screen for purchasing new equipment, an Alien evolution menu for choosing lifeform and upgrades, and much of the final sounds, artwork and animations will come packed with the Alpha release.

While you can still get in on the action, you’re running out of time. The developer notes that they players that order NS2 after July 26th won’t be able to play in the release date alpha. More importantly perhaps, they will discontinue the Special Edition and all-black marine armor after the Alpha’s release. It won’t be available again, ever.

You can pre-order both the standard and special editions here–note that if you go with the standard you’ll only have access to the game when it reaches beta.