Battlefield Labs playtests for Battlefield 6 have reopened, offering players a chance to test larger maps with more vehicles and focus on combined arms warfare before the game's launch on October 10. Sign-ups are open for those who want to participate in testing features like player-hosted servers and the Battlefield Portal server browser, with a focus on gameplay balance and stability across different map sizes. The upcoming tests aim to refine the game based on feedback from previous beta sessions.
CD Projekt Red is expanding its playtest program to North America, allowing more fans to play The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2 before their official releases. This opportunity is open to those over sixteen who are not employed in the video game industry, enabling participants to provide feedback on game mechanics, storytelling, and character development. Playtesters will also receive exclusive loot as they help shape these highly anticipated games.
A playtester named Graig reassured fans on Discord that Hollow Knight: Silksong is not in development hell, despite the lack of updates from developer Team Cherry for nearly two years. However, Graig's comments are met with skepticism due to his unofficial status and past interactions with the community. The highly-anticipated sequel has seen sporadic updates since its announcement in 2019, with recent listings and ratings fueling fan anticipation.
Electronic Arts (EA) is laying off 50 employees at its BioWare studio in Edmonton, Canada, as part of a restructuring effort to make the studio more agile and focused. The layoffs come as the development of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is in its late stages. Additionally, EA has cut ties with a unionized playtesting group from Keywords, a game services firm, as the two companies were unable to agree on contract terms. The layoffs and contract termination are part of EA's broader workforce reduction plan announced earlier this year. Despite the changes, BioWare remains committed to the development of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf and the next Mass Effect game.
Developer Ironmace has turned to torrents for playtesting of its upcoming RPG Dark and Darker after being delisted from Steam due to theft allegations from publisher Nexon. The team has posted instructions on the game's Discord and subreddit for interested players to download the client through torrents. Ironmace warns players of torrenting Dark and Darker through any other source, as it may contain files harmful to someone’s computer. The team also plans to release updates through this method, for the time being. The Dark and Darker alpha test will end on April 19.
The Resident Evil 4 remake has marked destructible crates with a painted yellow "X" to indicate that players should smash them for possible goodies, which has sparked a debate about signposting in game design. Some developers argue that it's necessary to make things obvious for players, while others believe that it can detract from the experience. Playtesting has shown that players can miss important clues without overt signposting, but some games like Elden Ring have sold well despite minimal guidance. As accessibility and customization settings improve, players may have the option to toggle environmental clues on or off based on personal preference.
