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Want to play some of the biggest video games weeks or even months before they come out? Not everyone is aware of this, but you can download and play limited versions of many highly anticipated games, completely for free. That’s because game developers often run beta tests to work out the kinks before a game officially launches. You can learn about video game betas here, but the big question is which games have betas coming up. Read on to find out.
1. Nioh
Platforms: PlayStation 4
Type: Open
Duration: August 23 – September 6
The makers of the Dark Souls-like game Nioh already ran an open alpha test of the game back in April, which was followed up by a questionnaire that let fans offer their insights into how the game was shaping up. The developers have apparently taken the feedback to heart and are ready to give it another shot with a second downloadable demo that will go live on the PlayStation Store on August 23.
You can read our impressions of the alpha demo here.
2. Battlefield 1
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC
Type: Open
Duration: August 31 – TBA
We’ve participated in digital versions of so many of history’s wars, but it’s not often we get on the ground (or in the air) during World War I, the war when the old ways of killing people butted right up against the new ways. That’s why you have men on horseback riding into battle against tanks, while airplanes soar overhead. It looks hectic.
If that brand of hectic sounds like your kind of thing, look for the open beta to download on or near August 31 on the digital store of your choice. If you’d like a head start on the competition, you can sign up to become a Battlefield Insider, which lets you access the beta before the rest of the world. Note: to get early access, you have to sign up before August 21.
3. Overwatch
Platforms: PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
Type: Open
Duration: September 9 – 12
While it’s not technically a beta, since the game is already out, this free trial weekend is open to anyone who hasn’t purchased the team shooter Overwatch yet. Starting at 2 p.m. Eastern on Friday, September 9, players can try the game out as much as they want until 7 p.m. on Monday, September 12.
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While PlayStation 4 owners will be able to participate regardless of whether they have a PlayStation Plus subscription, Xbox One owners will need an Xbox Live Gold subscription to get in on the action.
To play, all you have to do is search for Overwatch on your console’s store, and download Overwatch Free Weekend. Should you choose to buy the full game after the trial weekend, all of your progress will carry over into your copy of the game.
4. Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
Platform: PlayStation 4
Type: Closed
Duration: October 14 – 17 (possibly longer)
Want to see what warfare will be like in the far future, be sure to check out the beta for Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, this year’s installment of the fast-action shooter. The catch is that, to participate, you have to preorder the game. That will get you a code you can enter here to enroll in the beta.
While the beta won’t be available for PC gamers, Xbox One owners should keep an ear to the ground, as the Xbox One beta will be announced later.
5. Gwent: The Witcher Card Game
Platforms: Xbox One and PC
Type: Closed
Duration: October 25 – TBA
Gwent is a card game in the world of The Witcher 3, played not only by witchers like Geralt, but also by the game’s shopkeepers and merchants. Like Hearthstone or Magic: The Gathering, the idea is to assemble a deck and defeat your opponents. This stand-alone version of the card game has no release date yet, but the beta is coming up. It kicks off on Xbox One and PC, but will also appear on PS4 at some point in the future. For a chance to participate, register here.
6. The Elder Scrolls: Legends
Platform: Windows PC
Type: Closed beta
Duration: Ongoing, no end date listed
Thanks to games like Magic Duels and Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, card games have gone digital in a big way in recent years. Hoping to snag some of that action, Bethesda is turning its popular Elder Scrolls series of role-playing games into a collectible card game. To test things out during development, the game is in an open-ended closed beta right now. That means you can get in on the action if you’re lucky.
To download the beta, just go to the game’s website and click “Download Beta.” That’s easy.
7. For Honor
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC
Type: Closed
Duration: September 15 – 18
For Honor is a game of brutal medieval warfare that pits knights against vikings against samurai. You can play as any of the factions as you hack and slash your way through enemies using what sure looks a like heavy-hitting melee combat system.
To sign up for a chance at the alpha and beta tests, you can register here.
8. Steep
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Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC
Type: Closed
Duration: TBA
Extreme sports is the name of the game in Steep, an open-world game that puts you at the top of the Alps and has you ski, snowboard, wing-suit, or paraglide your way down. There’s no word on when the beta might drop, but the game is scheduled to launch in December, so you probably won’t have to wait too long.
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You can register for a chance to participate in the beta here.
Free Sign Up Games Online
9. LawBreakers
Platform: Windows PC
Type: Closed alpha
Duration: TBA
Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski has moved on from that franchise to create a new arena shooter called LawBreakers. It’s a colorful, fast-paced game that gives players a number of unique heroes to choose from. Watch the trailer above to see what to expect. Developer Boss Key hasn’t announced the dates for the alpha test yet, but you can sign up here.
10. Forza Motorsport 6: Apex
Platform: Windows 10
Type: Open beta
Duration: Ongoing, no end date listed
Microsoft’s premier racing game series is breaking free of its Xbox cage and coming to Windows 10 as a free-to-play game. It will feature 63 cars, 20 track configurations, gorgeous graphics, and some seriously killer speeds. If you want to see how serious the Forza game makers are about racing, check out our interview with the makers of Forza 6.
You can download the open beta here right now.
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