External playtesting Frequently Asked Questions
What should I know about the state of the game during Closed Beta?
We have two factions available for testing — the Human Vanguard and the Infernal Host. They are both still actively in development and missing units (specifically, Tier 3). They also still require polish and extensive balance testing.
We are playtesting 3P co-op featuring two playable Heroes on an objective-based map named Wreck Havoc. This is a highly replayable mode with a variety of difficulty setting as well as four mutators:
- Infested – When any unit dies, an enemy fiend is spawned.
- Ready to Blow – When an enemy unit dies, they drop an explosive that detonates after a short delay.
- Reconstructed – When a unit dies, it resurrects 2 seconds later in the same location with 50% health, movement speed, and attack speed.
- Infantry Assault – Every 2 minutes, an enemy barracks spawns in a random location. Enemy barracks will spawn hostile Lancers and Exos that will attack the player’s main base.
Head-to-head 1v1 PvP is available on a variety of maps, including Titan’s Causeway, Broken Crown Hinterlands, Jagged Maw, and Secluded Grove.
Players may also learn the ropes or practice Solo vs. the ‘Peaceful’ AI or the slightly more challenging ‘Murderbotjr.’
Playtesters have access to replays to review their past games during this playtest. You may share replay files with our development team on the private Stormgate Playtest Discord alongside your feedback and bug reports. Please remember to maintain confidentiality throughout the playtest.
How did I get selected for playtesting?
For Closed Beta testing, we randomly selected emails in batches from our master list of beta sign-ups. Earlier sign-ups and those that completed our registration survey received a higher invite chance, though all sign-ups were part of the randomized selection process. Some playtesters received access by pledging at a tier that includes Wave 1 Beta Access via Kickstarter.
What platforms are available for playtesting?
Stormgate will be available for closed testing via Windows PC on Steam. Stormgate is also playable using NVIDIA GeForce NOW. Attempting to run the client on other platforms or operating systems is entirely at your own risk. Please note, you will need a free Steam account to access our testing builds.
What are the system requirements to run the game?
Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system OS: Windows 10+ (64 bit) Processor: 6 Cores, 2.3 GHz Memory: 16 GB RAM Graphics: GeForce GTX 1060 DirectX: Version 11
In what regions is closed testing available?
All regions currently served by Steam.
What languages are supported?
For playtesting we are starting with English, and over time have plans to add French, German, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.
What are the start and end dates for testing?
The latest closed testing phase (our “Elephant” build) begins in February and ends March 11, 2024.
Once I am invited, am I eligible for all future testing phases as well?
You are automatically invited to our future planned closed testing phases and your Steam key will continue to work. We may briefly limit access to select players (for example, casual players, highly-experienced players, or region-specific players) to test particular features of the game. We may also hold separate testing phases in the future reserved for marketing or promotional purposes. We’ll aim to provide advance notice of these periods to our playtesters.
How do I give feedback? Is there a Discord?
Playtesting is all about feedback, both through data we see from your sessions and from your submitted thoughts and ideas. Your Steam Keys will come with a one-time use invite link to a private Stormgate playtest Discord. This is where you can match up with other playtesters, submit bug reports and feedback, and discuss the Closed Beta with other testers and members of the Frost Giant development team.
Your Steam Keys will come with a one-time use invite link to a private Stormgate playtest Discord. This is also where you can match up with other playtesters, submit bug reports and feedback, and discuss the Closed Beta with other testers and members of the Frost Giant development team.
Is there an NDA? When will it be lifted?
Yes, you must sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before receiving your Steam Key. The NDA states that you may not share any aspect of your playtesting experience with the public, including streaming the game, or sharing screenshots, video, descriptions, or feedback. We may lift the confidentiality requirement at a later date and will notify our playtesters if we do. We may also make exceptions to the NDA for marketing and promotional purposes, or for specific members of the media. Express written permission from Frost Giant Studios is required to publicly stream the Closed Beta, share screenshots, video, descriptions, or feedback.
Someone is breaking the NDA, what should I do?
If you are aware of someone violating the non-disclosure agreement, please provide us with their name, email, and/or Twitter if known, and where we can find the infringing content. Our trained assassins are on standby.
