DEFENDERS,
It's time. It's FINALLY time. Oh good golly gosh, it's finally time... BETA IS HERE! Today we launched the Beta, getting Dungeon Defenders: Awakened into the hands of Etheria's brave Defenders. There's so much to cover, that we're not going to cover it all. We want you to discover all the beta has to offer on your own. Let's get into it!
Beta Release
The current Beta is available to our Kickstarter Backers first. This is a promise that we made during our Kickstarter, and are going to make sure to uphold. Kickstarter Backers currently have advanced Beta access. On Friday, November 22nd, we are going to open up the Beta to everyone who has purchased the $40+ preorder packages.
Beta is currently scheduled to run for roughly three weeks! Starting on November 22nd and ending on 13th, this gives us a great window to gather feedback and be able to make necessary changes before launching in February.
Progress and data from the Beta does NOT carry over to the release of the game. Beta is used as a testing ground to make sure that the game is in the best possible state. Keeping data from Beta (ha, it rhymes) can cause major issues when updating to the release version.
If you did not receive a Beta key, and are a Kickstarter Backer, make sure you have filled out the surveys that were sent to your registered Kickstarter E-mails from "Backerkit". If that survey is not filled out, then the Beta key is not sent.
If you preordered at the $34 and $100 tiers, your additional beta keys will come on Friday (Nov. 22nd) with the rest of the preorder keys.
Streaming and Content Creation
During the Beta, you are free to stream, make videos, or whatever content you want. We want Defenders to enjoy and share as much as they want when it comes to Dungeon Defenders: Awakened!
What's Missing?
There's a lot to cover what's in a game. Patch notes usually say what's new, but with so much of the game being new, we're going to let you explore the game. Instead, we're going to outline what may not be in the Beta that we are currently polishing and iterating on to get in for release (we may be missing some things from this list as well):
Tactical Map
This is currently in a functional state. We're going to be updating the map images, and make sure it's a lot prettier come release.
Challenge Maps
We're currently wanting to make sure that balance feels good across the map in general. Challenge Maps are coming your way on release!
Maps
There are a total of 15 maps in Dungeon Defenders: Awakened. Not included in the Beta is Act II, Act III, and the Bonus Maps. Act I is the big focus for our beta test, helping us set the foundation so the rest of the maps bring the right amount of challenge.
Difficulty
Nightmare and Massacre are not going to be included in the Beta. We don't want people beating all the hardest content during testing. Gotta have something scary hard for you to master on release!
Enemies
With Nightmare not in the beta, Sharken, Djinn, Spiders, and Goblin Copter will not be spawning in a lane near you.
Weapons
All of our weapons are not in the game. We have a pool of roughly 5 different weapons per hero to simulate the amount of weapons you would see during your playthrough of Act I on release. Weapon random colorization is also not reflected in the beta build, but will be implemented for release.
HUD
We're going to be adding various improvements to the HUD. Currently we have it setup for beta to be functional. There's a ton of work that we've done not in the Beta, but expect improvements on launch.
Armor
Currently we have placeholder armor models in. The final models are currently getting a last pass and will be sparkling and shining on release.
Set Bonuses
Set bonuses are working but may not currently be showing up correctly.
Split Screen
We're testing base functionality currently, so split screen is not available during the Beta.
Social
We're wanting to make sure that getting your friends into a match is as easy as possible, give hosts control over their sessions, and showing who's in your party. These are currently not in the beta, and can be expected on release.
Hardcore
Currently not in Beta, coming on release.
Twitch Integration
Currently being developed, it will not be in the Beta.
Game Modes
In the Beta we have Campaign and Survival. Other game modes are coming on release.
Pets
There are a total of four pets that are available during the Beta. On release, there will be much more!
Elemental Weapons
Some weapon elemental affinity visuals may be disabled, as we're making sure performance comes first. Your weapons will be shooting flames and electricity during release.
[...]
