Driftmaster:
The first playtest for Warborne Above Ashes has concluded. After a brief respite, our team is already back to the grind — but during these short eight days, your passion for battle has ignited us all. Before we continue the march forward, let's look back on this momentous Playtest together — and, of course, address some of your burning questions!
Playtest Data Recap
Over 52,883 Driftmasters hailing from 128 regions, joined us in this first Playtest — thank you for making this playtest a true success!
You didn’t just wage war — you lit Twitch up, pushing Warborne Above Ashes past 17,000 hours of total watch time, with up to 62 simultaneous streams. Your support was far beyond what we'd dared imagine!
And just when we thought we'd seen it all.. when we noticed our Steam Wishlist soaring by nearly 2,000 at late night 3am.. there was only one thought on our minds: “OMG… this is completely beyond our wildest expectations...”
Thank you so much, Driftmasters. Your passion is the fuel that drives us forward. We'll keep pushing to make Warborne Above Ashes even better.
Of course, since we're on the topic of improvements, let's address the issues we've encountered so far:
Feedback and Key Concerns:
We've picked several questions that everyone is particularly concerned about during this Playtest—do note that we are also closely monitoring the various other issues you've raised and are actively working to address them.
- “"Faction is full, unable to create character", "Unable to deploy Driftmark" We are aware of this issue and are implementing measures to ensure that all Driftmasters will be able to join the battlefield. This is our number one priority. There will be 6 factions available this time in the upcoming Playtest in April, which provides for further options and territories to conquer! Additionally, we will closely monitor the number of players in each server and faction, and will be actively clearing out inactive accounts and AFK players to make space for those who are looking to join the fight for ATHAS! We acknowledge that there is a physical cap to a planet's capacity, but the fires of War have never been confined to just a single planet in Warborne Above Ashes —we will consider adding new servers should the need arise.
- Balance issues regarding some Drifters and weapons We've heard the feedback from the community loud and clear—"Shadowseer OP", "Healers are too weak". We've already added them into our to-do list. We will be analyzing the data we've obtained from the Playtest and will be using that to make the necessary balance adjustments. Do note that this is an ongoing process, we appreciate your patience on this matter: We believe you won't be disappointed with the final results!
- Map Queue Optimization “Abruptly kicked out mid-game?!” “I really want to join the fight on this map!” These are serious issues repeatedly raised by players during this test. We are still exploring ways to improve the Map Queue system within server capacity constraints, to ensure every player is able to experience the thrill of battle. We humbly welcome your suggestions on Discord and will be taking inspiration from your ideas to find the best possible solutions—no time to waste on the way to the frontlines!
- Harvester Hub Occupation Rules We’ve always believed that every deserving effort deserves a corresponding reward. Going forward, Harvester Hub ownership will be determined by Warband contribution. Let each interwoven hub cumulate into a symphony of iron and blood — forged by the struggles of every Warband!
Words of Encouragement
Despite the issues that surfaced during the test, the positive feedback and encouragement received from all of you is the best possible fuel for our team’s “War Engine”. Every word drives us forward!
Marobi: As a MMO player, the thing that we are looking for in this game is 24/7 small/mid/large scale battles all the time without spending to much time gathering resources to be able to max everything out.
Shadeless: I think the Faction & Warband parts are fantastic, the competitive nature of the game starts from the first kill and doesn't stop. The Social aspect is enjoyable as well, randomly finding people in Zones who assist you or vice versa.
Yes! This is Warborne — 24/7, non-stop battles that you just can’t stop!
ABigBanana：The game has high potential for growth and is easy to pick up. Its blend of MOBA, PVP, and SLG elements forges a brand-new path — bringing a unique and innovative experience!
Prexualsedator: Core mecahnics look fun. I like to flex into every role if that means I can make group content work.
Driftmasters, thank you for defining Warborne with us: land and fight — and most importantly, take charge and lead the war!
Syndic: The game is amazing and everyone in my community loves it out of it and we're super sad the playtest is over.
Shukakah: Thank you for a good gaming experience till now, i have enjoyed playing the play test alot, i do wish to see more, and hopefully this becomes a good game.
Still itching for more action? Fret not — we’ll be bringing you new maps for six factions to explore in April! Stay alert, Driftmaster — the next battle is just around the corner!
Lastly, we believe it’s time to reward your passion for battle with a glimpse of what’s to come — the next call to war!
Battle Preview: April Faction Test Incoming
Many of you may have already heard the rumors, but let's make it official — we are preparing a full-scale Six-Faction Map Test at the end of April. Expect larger, fiercer wars than ever before!
- The six factions are far more than simple copies — each is truly unique: Ashen, Sirius, Emberwild, Magnates, Ironcreed and Shroud. You’ll gain exclusive Traits from your chosen faction and enter the battlefield carrying its legacy into every fight. Here’s what you might need to know: Trust me — they’ll create far more fascinating experiences than you could ever imagine! But stay focused on your ultimate objective: no matter which faction you fight for, all will devote everything they have to the battle for supremacy over The Forgeheart!
- Full-Scale Upgrades Driftmasters, the battlefield is no longer a mere skirmish — expect larger battlefields, more allies and enemies, and deeper strategic choices. By the end of April, you’ll step onto Warborne Above Ashes’s true stage: epic wars with thousands of other players, diplomatic engagements and struggles, and a sophisticated faction ecosystem. The grand theater of the path to planetary domination is about to unfold before your very eyes!
- I think this is a common consensus among Driftmasters this past Playtest: way too short of a time to get my fill of the action. However, this time..! There'll be 30 days and nights of battle to set the planet ablaze in the war for supremacy and dominance! Still, this is merely the beginning. This one month is just the first act of this epic War Saga. With each passing cycle, new chapters will unfold, adding to the War Saga that shall echo across the Ages. Diverse content and stories await your discovery as the War Saga progresses!
- We have consistently heard your feedback for expanded language support beyond what was offered for the playtest. We feel that support for additional languages is a prerequisite for this war! Thus, for the upcoming April playtest, we will be providing additional language support, allowing even more players from all over the world to immerse themselves in this massive battlefield "meat grinder"! (Specific language support details will be announced in subsequent updates!)
We've heard your feedback regarding small-scale PvP content and new player tutorial optimization, and have added these and other issues into our dev schedule! We are also in the midst of preparing more new gameplay and content for everyone to experience. Please stay tuned for what's coming!
The March Playtest has come to a close, but this is not the end; it's not even the beginning of the end. It's merely the end of the beginning—our journey on the path of war has only taken a small step so far.
However, your praise and support mean the world to us! We sincerely thank everyone for your participation! Let's meet again on the battlefield at the end of April!
Do remember to add Warborne Above Ashes to your wishlist to ensure you don't miss out on the latest updates for this test!