playtest Archives

AppWizard

May 8, 2026

New PUBG game, inspired by Escape from Tarkov, gets free playtest

The gaming genre of extraction shooters is gaining popularity, with titles like Arc Raiders and Escape From Tarkov leading the way. Krafton, the developer of PUBG, has introduced a new game called Black Budget, which incorporates a supernatural element while maintaining realistic gameplay. Players in Black Budget must infiltrate dangerous locations, collect valuable items, and escape within a 30-minute time limit, facing threats from both other players and AI creatures. The game is set on a tropical island with a shrinking playable area, forcing players to make strategic decisions. An upcoming playtest for Black Budget is available for interested players, following a successful initial Alpha test with nearly 10,000 participants.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

New Kaiju Game Beastlink for PC and Console Announced

Beastlink is a multiplayer game where players can embody both monster hunters and kaiju in expansive sandbox environments using Grove Street's SuperDestruction physics system. The game features four kaiju: Horned Lizard, Bull Shark, Vampire Bat, and Mandrill, each with unique abilities. Players engage in vehicular combat and navigate urban landscapes with 250,000 destructible objects, aiming to gather resources to Link with dormant kaiju. Early access begins this summer on console and PC, with closed beta weekends starting on May 8. Grove Street Games, established in 2007, is the developer behind Beastlink, known for titles like the Ark series and Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

New dark fantasy tactical RPG Prelude Dark Pain is scratching my Mewgenics itch in all the right ways

A father sends his daughter into an escape tunnel for safety as enemy forces approach, while he prepares to confront a commander. In the game "Prelude: Dark Pain," players engage in tactical turn-based RPG combat, controlling Soren, a blacksmith whose wife has been abducted. Players traverse an overworld map, engaging in grid-based battles with a squad of four characters, each with unique abilities. The game features various mechanics, including character-specific skills and strategic positioning for enhanced damage. It is set to launch on Steam Early Access in the third quarter of 2026, offering approximately 15 hours of gameplay and introducing nine heroes with 63 skills. The final version will include all acts of the story, over 20 heroes, 20 factions, 70 enemy types, and a crafting system.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Hell Let Loose: Vietnam PC playtest signups are now open

Team17 announced on April 16, 2026, that playtest signups for Hell Let Loose: Vietnam are now open for PC users. The game features six expansive maps, 50 vs 50 battles, and emphasizes teamwork and strategy. Players will have access to historically accurate weapons, vehicles, and tactical options, including US aerial units with helicopters, NVA forces with tunnel networks, and patrol boats for river navigation. A new trailer showcasing intense combat scenes was released during the Galaxies Showcase. Team17 Digital, founded in 1990, is a prominent developer and video games label, while Expression Games, established in 2022, is leading the development of the Hell Let Loose franchise.

AppWizard

April 7, 2026

‘There wasn’t really a game or team’ when Undead Labs made the now-5-year-old State of Decay 3 reveal trailer: ‘The game was in a Word document’

Philip Holt of Undead Labs discussed the early development of State of Decay 3, revealing that the project was initially just a concept documented in a Word file when the trailer featuring a zombified deer was created. The announcement was not planned, as the studio was still determining the game's direction, influenced by Microsoft's strategy to promote the Xbox Series X/S. After six years of silence, Undead Labs has opened sign-ups for an alpha playtest. The game will feature four-player co-op gameplay, innovative base-building mechanics, enhanced resource management strategies, and intense combat scenarios.

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

Ahead of its full remaster, the most relaxing building game ever is yours for free on Steam, but be quick

House Flipper is offering players a chance to download the game for free on Steam as it approaches its eighth anniversary. The player base has exceeded ten million, and a House Flipper Remastered Collection is set to launch later this year. The remastered version will be priced at .99 and will include all downloadable content (DLC). Discounts will be available for players who already own the original game, based on the content in their libraries. Players can claim their free copy until April 6, 2026, and the remastered collection is expected to be released in the second quarter of 2026. A playtest is currently underway until April 6, allowing players to explore two jobs and one purchasable house, with feedback being actively sought by the developer.

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

State of Decay 3 springs back to life to announce alpha tests in May

State of Decay 3, a zombie survival shooter from Undead Labs, is inviting players to participate in alpha playtests scheduled for May. The game will feature four-player co-op, new base-building and resource strategies, and combat elements. Players can register for the playtests at playtest.stateofdecay.com, and selected participants will receive further instructions via email. Those not selected will have their names retained for future opportunities throughout the year.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

A State of Decay 3 playtest is finally happening, after almost two years of radio silence

Undead Labs has announced a technical alpha playtest for State of Decay 3, set to begin in May. This marks the first step toward the game's full release, following its initial unveiling in 2020. The playtest will feature four-player co-op gameplay, base-building mechanics, resource management, and combat scenarios. Players can sign up on the official website, but slots are limited, and participants must connect their email and Discord accounts and complete a questionnaire to qualify. The playtest will have multiple testing windows, allowing additional chances for players to join if not selected initially.

AppWizard

March 30, 2026

I love Teamfight Tactics Set 17’s Hades vibes, but I’m going to find it hard to say goodbye to Lore and Legends

Riot Games has announced the next installment of Teamfight Tactics, named Space Gods, which draws inspiration from Hades 2. The previous set, Lore and Legends, is noted for its well-crafted design and strategic depth, making it a favorite among players. The new set will replace the carousel mechanic with selectable god boons and introduce new gameplay mechanics, including Fiora’s guaranteed victories in 1v1 encounters. TFT Set 17 will be available on the PBE on March 31 and launch with Patch 17.1 on April 15, 2026.

AppWizard

March 30, 2026

If you’re sick of waiting for Ubisoft to make a new Splinter Cell, this newly announced indie stealth game might fill the Sam Fisher-shaped hole in your life

The Splinter Cell franchise has been silent for nearly thirteen years, with a remake of the original game reportedly in development, though it has faced significant changes, including the departure of its original director. Meanwhile, an indie stealth game called Lizard State has been announced, featuring unique gameplay elements such as "mimic cameras" that transform into spider-like devices and another gadget that can incapacitate guards. The game aims to provide a compelling stealth experience, with initial impressions raising some concerns about tactile engagement. A thrilling moment in the trailer showcases the protagonist executing a judo throw combined with a rifle maneuver. Details about the release date are not available, but players can request access to an upcoming playtest on the game's Steam page.