All articles tagged with #playtest
From Software's Switch 2-exclusive The Duskbloods drew more playtest sign-ups than Elden Ring Nightreign, surprising developers given Switch 2's smaller audience; early server issues marred the test, but interest remains high as a release is planned for later this year.
Metashift Labs’ Dominus Automa markets itself as an MMO for busy adults by letting your avatar keep grinding 24/7 via a combat matrix, handling the boring bits while you’re offline; online play still delivers classic MMO staples like dungeons, guilds, and a persistent progression. The two-week multiplayer playtest runs Aug 7–23 on Steam, adds a new Paladin class, and features 25 levels, 24 skills, 10 locations, 20 enemy types, and 3 bosses, with thousands already signed up.
FromSoftware's The Duskbloods will host a closed network playtest on Nintendo Switch 2 from August 21–24, with a tight application window (July 22–28) and results on August 7; access requires a Switch 2 console and an active Switch Online membership, and the test will run in online PvPvE matches for up to eight players across specific time slots, signaling a cautious, potentially late 2026 or 2027 release window.
Bungie released a digest of Marathon server-slam feedback, flagging PC performance issues (high CPU use, FPS ceilings, stuttering), ongoing UI feedback iterations, and concerns over med and ammo economy, plus investigations into “Weasel” network errors; players are encouraged to share system details and clips to aid fixes.
A beta Neopets TTRPG playtest released by Geekify was pulled after backlash over inappropriate themes (drunk bandits, torture options, misogynistic and homophobic lines) and content not aligned with Neopets’ brand. Neopets said the document wasn’t approved or reviewed by their team and has been removed; the company will work with Geekify to address concerns while continuing development with stricter adherence to brand standards.
Battlebit Remastered, a popular low-poly FPS game, recently held an overwhelmed playtest for its upcoming Operation Overhaul update, which promises significant gameplay and visual improvements. Despite technical issues and limited testing time, the update has generated excitement among players, highlighting its role as an accessible alternative to modern multiplayer shooters. Further playtests are planned to refine the game before its full release.
Arc Raiders' design director views the Marathon playtest as a valuable A/B test, providing insights into player responses to different genre approaches, despite Marathon's current struggles. The upcoming release of Arc Raiders and Marathon's next test are highly anticipated in the extraction shooter genre.
Embark Studios' game Arc Raiders benefited from a coincidental playtest overlap with Bungie's Marathon, providing valuable insights into player preferences and game design differences, with Arc Raiders experiencing a highly successful server slam and Marathon facing challenges.
Arc Raiders' weekend playtest has quickly attracted nearly 100,000 concurrent players within two hours, indicating strong interest ahead of its full release on October 30th. The game is being tested across multiple platforms, and its popularity is being compared to recent open betas of other major titles, suggesting it could be a significant release in the extraction shooter genre.
Arc Raiders is hosting a weekend-long open Server Slam playtest from October 17 to October 19, 2025, across multiple regions, offering players a final chance to try the game for free before its full release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Bungie has opened sign-ups for a limited, invite-only Closed Technical Test of its upcoming extraction shooter Marathon, available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam, running from October 22-28, with applications closing October 16. The test aims to gather feedback on early gameplay features, including maps, runner shells, voice chat, and combat pacing, under NDA, with participants in North America and Europe.
A leaked report from Bungie's recent closed playtest of Marathon reveals new content including a new runner named Icon with unique abilities, multiple ship maps with puzzle elements, a UI overhaul, and removal of previous cosmetics, though details are unconfirmed and subject to change.
Bungie is conducting a 30-day remote playtest for its upcoming game Marathon, offering select testers $500 if they play daily for an hour and complete surveys. The test coincides with the game's delayed launch, which is now expected before March 2026, following a poor initial reveal and delays. Participation is limited to previous testers, and the test aims to gather feedback before a broader release.
Bungie is conducting a 30-day, invite-only playtest for its game Marathon, offering participants a $500 gift card for playing at least one hour daily, making it a lucrative opportunity for fans despite the game's rocky start and delays.
Bungie is conducting its longest playtest yet for its upcoming extraction shooter Marathon, inviting select players to participate in a 30-day remote study with daily gameplay and surveys, offering a $500 gift card as a reward, as part of ongoing development and feedback collection ahead of its expected 2026 release.