We cannot wave farewell to EverQuest Next in this column because it’s never actually been in testing. We will be able to wave farewell to Landmark when it finally launches this spring at the price of $10, but that’s kind of different. It’s kind of a sad day, that’s the point.
We can also bid farewell to The Division as it has launched, complete with the usual server issues that come with any online game’s launch. Such is life.
Other beta news happened, of course; here’s a quick slice:
- An extra closed beta is taking place for Soul Worker Online without any IP blocks on the game itself, although there are still blocks on the game’s official website. It’s an extra part of closed beta, not a beta which is more closed than usual.
- Paladins is tweaking its card setup and champion setup from “not at all like SMITE” to “very much like SMITE.” That’s the comparison the developers made. It’s a shift.
- The testing for EVE: Valkyrie comes to a close on the 12th, with a planned launch on March 28th. That probably doesn’t mean a whole lot if you don’t already have an Oculus Rift on order.
- Overwatch has had a launch date announced: May 24th. The game is also going to have an open beta starting on May 3rd for pre-order players. It’s definitely happening.
- Last but not least, Sea of Thieves is a thing, and it’s offering fans (or non-fans who became fans at the sight of the offer) the chance to win a spot playing the game before anyone else. That sounds like the sort of thing that leads to a beta, yes?
Depressing news Friday or no, there’s still a full docket of games below which are currently in testing, and just like always we ask for your help in chasing down any titles listed therein which have crept into another test phase without our notice. Some things never change, and cash shops in open betas that might as well be launches apparently don’t go out of style.
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: Closed beta
Ascent: The Space Game: Steam early access
Asta: Open beta
Beasts of Prey:Â Early access alpha
Boundless: Donor alpha
Camelot Unchained:Â Backer alpha, development in crunch for beta
Chronicles: Runescape Legends: Closed beta
Crowfall: Backer pre-alpha
Das Tal: Alpha expected in April
DayZ: Early access
Divergence Online:Â Alpha
Dungeon Fighter Online: Open testing
Eleven:Â Closed alpha
Eternal Crusade: Early access play on Steam
EVE: Valkyrie: Testing ends on March 12th, launch on March 28th
Ever, Jane: Closed beta
Gloria Victis: Donor pre-alpha
H1Z1:Â Paid early access, split into two games, launch expected in March
HEX:Â Unofficial open beta
Landmark: Paid closed beta, cash shop active, launching in spring
Life is Feudal: Early access beta
Line of Defense: Early access
MyDream: Closed testing open to donors
Nosgoth: Open beta
Origins of Malu:Â Combat module in early access
Otherland: Early access
Overwatch: Closed beta, launching May 24th
Paragon: Closed beta, early access starts March 18th
Pathfinder Online: Subscription “early enrollment”
Project Genom: Closed alpha
Project Gorgon: Free, open testing
Shards Online: Pre-alpha
Shroud of the Avatar: Steam early access, backer testing
SkySaga: Ongoing NA and UK alpha events
Star Citizen: Backer alpha
Stash: Backer alpha
The Repopulation: Alpha offline, moving to the Unreal engine, survival spinoff planned
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), currently on development hiatus due to Hero Engine issues
