beta test Archives

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

Petit Planet, the upcoming ‘cozy galactic life sim’ from HoYoVerse, is taking signups for a new beta test happening later this month

HoYoVerse will conduct a closed beta test for its upcoming game, Petit Planet, starting on April 21. Players will assume the role of a world creator and engage in activities such as farming, fishing, cooking, relaxing, making friends, and forming galaxies. The beta test, called the Stardrift Test, will introduce new Neighbors and enhance experiences at the Galactic Bazaar. Interested players can sign up at planet.hoyoverse.com, with a selection gaining access and unlocking exclusive rewards upon the game's launch. The game is in its final stages of development, but a confirmed release date has not been announced.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

The new PC games of April 2026: Pragmata, the next Diablo 4 expansion, and Final Fantasy 14’s big month

In April 2026, the pace of new game releases has slowed compared to March. Notable releases include: - Samson (April 8) - An open-world crime game with a focused narrative. - Mouse: P.I. For Hire (April 16) - A quirky boomer shooter with a 1930s cartoon aesthetic. - Pragmata (April 16) - A Capcom title set in a dystopian future featuring an AI doomsday scenario. - Vampire Crawlers (April 21) - A card game similar to Slay the Spire 2. - Outbound (April 23) - A mobile base-building game focused on exploration and cooperative gameplay. Upcoming events include: - The Triple-I Initiative indie showcase on April 9. - The London Games Festival starting April 13. - The BAFTA Game Awards on April 17. - The Final Fantasy 14 Fan Festival on April 24. Steam sales in April are: - March 30 – April 6: House & Home Fest - April 9 – April 13: Hidden Object Fest - April 20 – April 27: Medieval Fest Early access and full releases include: - Temtem: Swarm (April 2) - Transitions to 1.0 with new features. - Road to Vostok (April 7) - A survival FPS entering early access. - Spark in the Dark (April 7) - A hardcore dungeon crawler in early access. - Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era (April 30) - Launching in early access. Major updates include: - Starfield (April 7) - Free Lanes update and new story DLC. - The Expanse: Osiris Reborn (April 22) - First closed beta test. - Final Fantasy 14 (April 28) - Patch 7.5 launching. - Marathon - Updates expected throughout the month. Additional game releases: - April 1: Breath of Fire 4 (Steam) - April 1: Resident Evil (1996) (Steam) - April 2: Darwin's Paradox (Steam) - April 15: Cleaning Up! (Steam) - April 28: He-Man: Dragon Pearl of Destruction (Steam)

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

Free-to-play multiplayer extraction action game Star Wrath announced for PC

Gaijin Entertainment, in collaboration with Targem Games, is launching a free-to-play multiplayer extraction action game called Star Wrath on PC via Steam in 2026. A closed beta test is currently underway, with invitations being distributed. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic universe where players design ships, engage in battles, gather resources, and explore the solar system. Key features include custom ship building, advanced destruction mechanics, dynamic nebula warfare, unique pilot skills, and realistic spaceflight physics.

BetaBeacon

February 19, 2026

Kakao Games’ SMiniz Launches Feb. 25 on iOS and Android, Featuring NCT, RIIZE and aespa

Kakao Games is launching the mobile game SMiniz globally on Feb. 25 for iOS and Android devices. The match-3 puzzle game features chibi versions of artists from SM Entertainment, including NCT, RIIZE, and aespa.

AppWizard

February 19, 2026

Free-to-play multiplayer extraction action game Space Wrath announced for PC

Gaijin Entertainment and Targem Games are developing a free-to-play multiplayer extraction action game titled Space Wrath, set to launch on PC via Steam in 2026. Currently, a closed beta test is ongoing, with invites being distributed in waves. The game is set in a universe where Earth has been destroyed, and players, known as Wanderers, navigate a lawless space environment. They can design their own spacecraft, engage in battles against other players, and collect resources through various encounters. Key features include customizable ship building, advanced destruction mechanics, dynamic nebula warfare, unique pilot skills, and realistic spaceflight physics.

AppWizard

December 9, 2025

Calamity Angels: Special Delivery Game’s PC Version Launches in 2026

Idea Factory International plans to release the role-playing game Calamity Angels: Special Delivery on PC via Steam in 2026. A closed beta test will run from December 22 to January 16, with applications now open. The official launch is set for February 17 in North America and Europe, with physical and digital versions available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. A Plus Edition will include a 52-page hardcover artbook, a postcard set, a slipcase, a reversible cover sleeve, and a trading card. The game features voiceovers in English and Japanese and was developed by Kei Nanameda, influenced by interviews with Japan Post. It was originally launched in Japan on June 26 for the Switch, PS5, and PS4.

AppWizard

December 1, 2025

New Manor Lords update leaves players “seriously impressed” as beloved city builder drops to lowest-ever price on Steam

Manor Lords, developed by Grzegorz Styczeń under the name Slavic Magic, has released a major update, version 0.8.046, which includes over 350 fixes and numerous quality-of-life enhancements. Key changes involve resource management, with players able to protect specific resource areas and a new maintenance system based on a durability counter. Additionally, worker behavior has been refined, and the update includes balance changes, AI improvements, and nearly 150 bug fixes. The game is currently priced at .99 / £22.74, its lowest price to date.

AppWizard

November 19, 2025

Fortnite for Xbox PC and Xbox Ally devices is currently broken for many — but a fix is on the way

A recent 50% price increase for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate has prompted Microsoft and Epic Games to integrate Fortnite Crew into the service, offering in-game benefits and monthly V-Bucks. Fortnite has also joined Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing access through the Xbox app on Windows 11, but some users are facing issues due to a delayed update causing a version mismatch. Sources indicate that the problem is with Epic Games, and a resolution is expected soon. Microsoft is working on improving the Microsoft Store's user interface and addressing ongoing technical challenges. The inclusion of popular titles like Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite suggests a positive future for Microsoft's gaming platform, although there are still hurdles to overcome for new users.

AppWizard

November 15, 2025

A stylish new action RPG is making big waves on Steam, but its ‘AI chatbot’ NPCs have players howling in the wrong ways

Where Winds Meet, a martial arts RPG, received ten million pre-registrations and launched on Steam, attracting hundreds of thousands of players. Initially released in China at the end of 2024, it features a 10th-century China setting with 20 square kilometers of terrain. The game has faced mixed reviews due to AI chatbot NPCs that some players feel disrupt immersion. Its Steam rating fell to 'mixed' at launch but improved to 'mostly positive' as players appreciated the visuals and combat. Discussions on social media highlight both enjoyment and disappointment regarding the AI interactions, with players sharing humorous experiences. The game's use of AI reflects a broader trend in the industry, raising concerns about the impact on human creativity in game design.

AppWizard

November 4, 2025

Schedule 1’s Halloween update arrived two days late because the developer thought he should ‘probably play it safe’ and test it first

Schedule 1's Halloween update was released two days late, with developer TVGS apologizing for the delay and explaining the decision to conduct a public beta test. The update includes a climbing system with new ladders, additional graffiti locations, a loading dock at the Gas-Mart, and "meth LODs." It also features mechanical tweaks and bug fixes, promising a 10%-15% improvement in framerate. TVGS identified connection issues in multiplayer mode as stemming from bandwidth limitations, with further work needed to resolve the problem.