Betawatch: Overwatch opens up, Black Desert pinpoints release (October 16th, 2015)

It’s a big news duel in the beta sphere this week. Overwatch announced that it will be entering beta on October 27th with a limited testing pool and periodic open events. Black Desert, meanwhile, is launching on this side of the pond in early 2016 with a buy-to-play business model; while it’s not yet in beta here, that’s still of sharp interest to those who have been waiting for, well, exactly that announcement.

And was there more stuff? Oh, yes indeed there was.

• The Eastern version of Asta is gone, but the localization is pushing forward for North America, complete with a beta event taking place on November 3rd.
• Those of you who eagerly await the opportunity to breed dinosaurs in ARK: Survival Evolved can take heart in the fact that you can do exactly that now.
• Another closed beta for Tree of Savior is firing up on October 27th. You will have a busy day if you’re a fan of that game and Overwatch, apparently.
• Last but not least, Devilian will be entering its closed beta phase on October 22nd.

Oh, and we do have our usual list just down below. Something slipped our notice? Well, then, let us know about that in the comments!

As always, we consider an MMO to be in open testing if it features free, public signups and will server wipe prior to launch. An MMO is marked in closed testing if it’s running a private test phase that cannot freely be accessed by the general public; it’s usually under NDA as well. Early access and crowdfunded MMOs whose tests we deem legitimate will be included. So-called “open beta” soft-launch MMOs with cash shops, no sign of launch in the west, or limited interest for our readers will not be listed; we also do not list expansions.

Albion Online: Summer alpha over, closed beta en route
Ascent: The Space Game: Steam early access
Auto Club Revolution: Closed beta
Beasts of Prey: Early access alpha
Black Desert: Korean and Japanese open beta, North American release early 2016
Camelot Unchained: Backer alpha
Crowfall: Backer pre-alpha
Das Tal: Alpha expected in 2015
DayZ: Early access
Devilian: Alpha testing, closed beta on 10/22
Divergence Online: Alpha
Dungeon Fighter Online: Open testing
Earthrise: First Impact: Alpha testing; no recent updates on development
Eleven: Closed alpha
Eternal Crusade: First wave of closed alpha
EVE: Valkyrie: Pre-alpha registration for EVE and DUST players
Ever, Jane: In testing; 2016 anticipated release
Gloria Victis: Donor pre-alpha
H1Z1: Paid early access
HEX: Unofficial open beta
Kingdom Online: Closed beta
Landmark: Paid closed beta, cash shop active
Life is Feudal: Early access beta
Line of Defense: Early access
MyDream: Closed testing open to donors
Nosgoth: Open beta
Oort Online: Donor alpha
Origins of Malu: Combat module in early access
Otherland: Early access
Overwatch: Closed beta 10/27
Pathfinder Online: Subscription “early enrollment”
Project Genom: Closed alpha
Project Gorgon: Free, open testing
Shadowrun Chronicles: Steam early access; launching in April
Shards Online: Pre-alpha
Shroud of the Avatar: Steam early access, backer testing
SkySaga: Ongoing NA and UK alpha events
Star Citizen: Backer pre-alpha
Starriser: Taking beta signups
Stash: Backer alpha
The Repopulation: Early access/backer alpha, launching Q4 2015
Tree of Life: Paid early access
Tree of Savior: English beta testing events
Tribal Wars 2: Open testing
TUG: Steam early access alpha
Valiance Online: Pre-alpha testing
Venus Rising: Closed beta (adult/NSFW)