alpha test Archives

AppWizard

January 2, 2026

Development of a Counter-Strike 1.6 remake has been “frozen” as Valve silence leaves its future in doubt

CS: Legacy, an unofficial remake of Counter-Strike 1.6 developed by a team of veteran modders, has faced significant challenges since its announcement. The project aimed to use Valve's 2013 Source Engine but received a warning from a Valve employee regarding the use of the Counter-Strike intellectual property, leading to uncertainty about its future. Communication with Valve has been minimal, prompting the developers to freeze the project and seek one last attempt to engage with Valve while shifting their focus to a new multiplayer game in the Godot engine. The team has refunded Patreon backers and halted development, expressing frustration over the lack of response from Valve. They have made progress on their new game, which features elements reminiscent of classic Valve shooters.

AppWizard

December 30, 2025

Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader developer announces its own launcher, but players are already “opting out”

Owlcat Games is developing its own game launcher to serve as a central hub for players, aiming to improve cross-promotion of its titles. Market research indicated that many Pathfinder 2 players were unaware of Rogue Trader. The decision has received mixed reactions, with concerns about the crowded landscape of game launchers and their functionality. Owlcat plans to roll out the launcher gradually, ensuring no mandatory registration or data collection from users. Players in the alpha test for Warhammer 40k Dark Heresy will be the first to use the launcher, which will provide access to all of Owlcat's games and links to social media and announcements. The launcher will allow users to buy, install, or launch games regardless of the original distribution method, but players can bypass it if accessing games through Steam.

AppWizard

December 29, 2025

I’ve played the Warhammer 40k Dark Heresy alpha and it’s basically grimdark Disco Elysium

Owlcat Games is releasing downloadable content for Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader and has announced a new RPG inspired by The Expanse novels. They have launched a publishing division producing titles like Rue Valley, with contributions from Disco Elysium writer Robert Kurvitz. The alpha test for Warhammer 40k Dark Heresy is available to players who pre-ordered specific editions, lasting approximately eight hours and allowing exploration of different narrative outcomes. The game features a detective system and an Inquisitorial Journal for gathering clues. Dark Heresy emphasizes investigation over combat, which is currently seen as the weakest aspect of the demo. The game includes a character named Ra'ahkti, who may have a role similar to Kim Kitsuragi from Disco Elysium, and there are hints of potential romantic interactions.

AppWizard

December 22, 2025

This new RTS game’s latest playtest showed me that medieval dinosaur warfare is more than just a meme

Dinolords is a time-traveling RTS game developed by Northplay, featuring gameplay that combines medieval warfare with dinosaurs. Set during Sweyn Forkbeard's invasion of England, players can ride dinosaurs like velociraptors and ankylosauruses into battle against Vikings. The game includes city-building elements where players must manage resources and maintain structures. Despite its whimsical premise, Dinolords offers balanced gameplay that requires tactical thinking. The game is currently in alpha testing and may not launch in early access by its original goal of 2025.

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

The PUBG extraction shooter spinoff springs back to life with a closed alpha test set for December, and its focus on exploration over pure combat sounds a lot like my favorite part of Arc Raiders

In 2023, Project Black Budget, a spinoff of the PUBG franchise designed as an extraction shooter, was announced with a closed alpha testing phase scheduled for December 2025. The testing will take place from December 12-14 and December 19-21, accessible to players in North America, Europe, and Asia. Interested players can request access via the game's Steam page, but entry is not guaranteed. There is no non-disclosure agreement for the alpha phase, allowing players to stream and share their gameplay. Access keys will also be available through Twitch Drops during the testing period. PUBG Studios has acknowledged potential technical issues during the alpha and aims to refine gameplay systems through community feedback.

AppWizard

November 15, 2025

One of the most ambitious MMORPGs is finally coming to Steam soon with a big price cut, but it’s still far from finished

Ashes of Creation, an MMORPG from Intrepid Studios, will debut on Steam on December 11 at a price of .99, with a 15% discount available for purchases made within the first two weeks. The game is currently in the Alpha Two phase, with plans to move to Beta One and Beta Two before full launch. The 'Alpha Two Third Wave Bundle' is available for , including access to both beta tests, a month of game time, and in-game currency. Existing playtesters will not receive a Steam key and must purchase the game on Steam or continue using the standalone client, which will be cross-compatible. Players who participated in testing before the Steam launch will receive two unique titles that alter their cloak's appearance.

AppWizard

October 24, 2025

You can play the new Warhammer CRPG this year, if you open your wallet wide enough

The alpha test for Warhammer 40k Dark Heresy is set to launch on December 16, with access requiring a pre-order of either the Developer's Digital Pack for approximately £59 or the Collector's Edition for around £217. This pricing strategy has raised concerns among players, particularly due to past experiences with pre-ordering and the potential for the game to require significant post-launch fixes. Many in the gaming community feel that limiting alpha test access to those willing to pay a premium is misaligned with their sentiments, especially given the trend of disappointment associated with pre-orders.

AppWizard

October 21, 2025

Arc Raiders dev says Marathon alpha was “good A/B test”

Virgil Watkins, design director at Embark Studios, discussed the similarities between their upcoming game Arc Raiders and Bungie's Marathon during a conversation with PC Gamer. Both games are in the extraction shooter genre and had coinciding alpha tests, which allowed Embark Studios to conduct an informal A/B test comparing design choices. Arc Raiders is set to launch on October 30th, while Marathon's release has been delayed from its initial September schedule. Embark Studios was founded by Patrick Soderlund, a veteran from DICE and Electronic Arts, and is also known for the free-to-play team shooter, The Finals.

AppWizard

October 15, 2025

Tarkov’s brutal FPS action collides with Dead by Daylight’s horror crossovers in this new extraction shooter

Grey State Studio, a Tencent Games subsidiary, is developing a Lovecraftian extraction shooter titled "Rules of Engagement: The Grey State." The game combines elements from titles like Escape From Tarkov and Hunt: Showdown, incorporating a Dead by Daylight-style approach to horror. Players will take on the role of a Strider, an elite operative, navigating a military secret location filled with grotesque creatures and alien artifacts in PvPvE matches. The game features a 'horrorverse' populated by beings inspired by horror films, literature, and internet creepypasta. An alpha test will showcase four classes: Pyro, Phantom, Sledge, and a secret class. The game is set for a free release in 2026 and is available for wishlisting on Steam.

AppWizard

October 8, 2025

I never knew I needed a medieval RTS game with dinosaurs, until now

Dinolords is a video game where players follow Eric the Red as he discovers and hatches frozen dinosaur eggs, leading to a journey of domestication. The game features a dinosaur-led invasion of England, requiring nations to unite. It combines real-time strategy (RTS) elements with hack-and-slash gameplay, making it a unique 'hack and strat' experience. Dinolords will have its closed alpha playtest starting on October 31, with an early access release planned for 2026. Players can register on Steam to participate.