Hello adventurers,
Please find all the information related to the playtest below.
If you want to learn more about it, you can join Guillaume in our upcoming Livestream TODAY - 2PM EST or catch it on replay.
CAN I RECORD, STREAM AND SHARE THE PLAYTEST CONTENT?
Yes, absolutely, there is no NDA (Non Disclosure agreement) for the playtest content.
We’d love to be tagged in the content you share online on every platform:
Linkedin (yeah why not, some of you could be video game professionals :))
Make sure you also follow us on Steam!
HOW TO PLAY?
Open the Steam client: Launch the Steam application on your computer.
Go to the "Games" menu: Click on "Games" at the top-left of the client window.
Select "Activate a Product on Steam...": Choose this option from the drop-down menu.
Follow the on-screen instructions: Click "Next" to proceed to the next step.
Enter your product code: Type in the product code you received.
YEAH, you're in! Check your library, click on Outward 2 Playtest and download.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS SELECTED?
Check the spam folder of the email address you used to register on our website:
https://ninedotsstudio.com/playtest-registration/
You would have received an email from Nine Dots Studio.
2. You can also check if you received access here:
https://ninedotsstudio.com/playtest-login/
3. Log in on the website with your password and email adress. Verify if a key is available for you. (Don’t try this one, it was mine steamhappy )
WHEN IS THE PLAYTEST HAPPENING?
The playtest will take place between Tuesday, January 27th to Monday February 2nd 1 PM EST.
WHAT ARE THE PLAYTEST OBJECTIVES?
Our top priority is testing the online system.
We’d love to hear your feedback on the game’s current state on Discord, Steam or via this form.
If you encounter any bugs or issues please let us know too.
We’re likely to push updates and patch notes during the week, we’ll inform you on Discord and Steam.
WHAT IS THE ONLINE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT’S BEING TESTED?
When Outward first launched, there were issues when players tried to create or join games online. We want to do better with Outward 2, and use this playtest to encounter similar issues before we get to a more public playtest or release. We also want to test different hardware for performance, crashes or other issues.
FIND PLAYERS TO PLAY WITH YOU :
Since we really need to test the online system, it would greatly help if you can start an online session.
If you don’t have friends to play with, our Discord is the best place to find Great Energy Players via our brand new G.E.P program.
We’re counting on players to be fun, smart, and respectful adults.
However, playing online means someone could steal your backpack, make you spawn into an ambush, or bring you into an area that’s too hard for you.
We recommend discussing your session with your future co-op partner.
Nine Dots will not be responsible for any bad behavior between players.
WHAT ABOUT SPLIT-SCREEN?
Split-Screen is key to Outward experience and will be available at Early Access launch but not in the playtest version. We really want to test the game online system so Split-Screen would defeat this purpose.
HOW DO I INVITE A FRIEND?
If you registered on Steam, find the Outward 2 playtest page in your Steam library, and you will find the blue button ''Invite friends''.
Prerequisite: Users can only invite friends they have been friends with for at least 30 days.
HOW DO I REPORT A BUG?
The best way to report a bug is through our Discord Channel.
Steam is fine too. Please follow this template.
Title: Explain your issue in a single sentence.
Ex: The Iron Sword inflicts no damage
Description : Add some information just so we have an idea how it happened
EX: I was fighting a bird-like creature and noticed I was not doing any damage.
Repro steps: Add the last few things you did that you remember and think are relevant)
I found the sword in a store.
Engaged in combat with the bird in Bellowgale near Haboob.
I noticed I wasn’t doing any damage to the bird.
If you have Screenshots or a video to share it is super valuable to us. <3
By the way, Birb’s name is Pearl, Pearlbird.
WHAT WILL I EXPERIENCE DURING THE PLAYTEST?
This online playtest represents a very work-in-progress version of Outward 2. You should expect many bugs — to the point where the game may not even launch for some players.
In this limited playtest, you will be able to experience the beginning of Haboob – Call to Adventure, one of three Calls to Adventure that will be available at release. It includes early-game gear and basic survival elements.
WIP Character creator
Online Coop
Bellowgale Region and Haboob Town
Bellowgale Call to Adventure Quest :
The Call to Adventure Quest is not the beginning of a storyline. It’s your starting quest in one region.
While home of the Symposium and the starting location of the story quest linked to them in the full version of the game you will be able to do any call to adventure with any storyline.
2 Trainers to unlock skills from
Seer of Light and Darkness
War Dancer
5 dungeons
30 enemies
Early game gear
Survival elements (thirst, hunger, sleep)
BELLOWGALE MAP BY ANGELA AND MORENO
HABOOB MAP BY ANGELA AND MORENO 
KNOWN ISSUES
Performance issues. You may experience FPS drops and/or crashes. If you start crashing too often (Ex: on load), try deleting your save and starting a new one.
Stuck Spot/Collision issues
When playing Online the Client may not see the same thing as the host and vice versa.
Assets and visuals in the Character Creator are still Work in Progress.
Returning to Main Menu and reloading a save/creating a new one may break a few things. It may be wiser to reboot if you want to change character.
Balancing. Some weapons or enemies may feel OP and/or too weak.
Enemies may not have the intended behavior and act in a "weird way"
Most menus have placeholder visuals.
Sound Effects may be missing or not properly adjusted yet.
Some Areas Have been blocked off so it is possible to find a house/cave/door that feels like it can be entered but is not.
The cost of items is work in progress. Some Items may be worth too much or too less.
Skills and attacks may not always work as intended.
LANGUAGES
The private online playtest will be in English only.
PC SPECS
Minimum:
Intel Core i5-6400
16 gb RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 1060 6gb
20 gb available space
Recommended:
AMD Ryzen 5 3600
32 gb RAM
AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT
20 gb available space
PROGRESSION
As this is a early playtest version of the game, progression will not be saved through the full game.
Congrats if you read until the end and thanks for your support and participation in the playtest!