How We Playtest Enginefall

[p]First off, thank you.[/p][p][/p][p]After the December playtest, the amount of excitement, feedback, and questions we received honestly meant a lot to the team. One question keeps coming up more than any other:[/p][p][/p][p]“How do Enginefall playtests actually work?”[/p][p][/p][p]Rather than one always-on test, we run a few different types of playtests. Each one exists for a specific reason, and each one plays a different role in shaping the game. [/p][p]
[/p][p][/p][p]Here’s how they work.[/p][p][/p][p]What this feels like: This is Enginefall’s front door, open to all [/p][p]Open playtests are when we invite everyone who’s requested access on Steam to jump in and experience the game with friends.
[/p][h3]Why we run them:[/h3]

• [p]To give new players their first Enginefall experience & importantly study first time player feedback[/p]
• [p]To see how the game feels at scale[/p]
• [p]To learn what works, what doesn’t, and what might still be confusing[/p]

[p]These builds are the most polished versions we can make at that point in development. They’re not perfect, but they’re the versions we feel comfortable introducing to new players.[/p][p][/p][h3]Who can join:[/h3]

• [p]Anyone who has requested playtest access on Steam[/p]
• [p]No Discord requirements[/p]
• [p]Ideal for first-time players and groups of friends[/p][p][/p]

[h3]Next Open Playtest: [/h3][p]To be announced soon so make sure you have wishlisted and followed us on Steam to get notified.[/p][p][/p][p]What this feels like: A step behind the curtain.[/p][p]Closed weekend playtests are smaller tests for players who already have access. These are where we start pushing changes before they’re fully smoothed out.[/p][p][/p][h3]Why we run them:[/h3]

• [p]To test new systems early[/p]
• [p]To get feedback even when things are rough[/p]
• [p]To let returning players compare changes between builds[/p]

[p]These versions can be buggy, unbalanced, or incomplete and that’s part of the deal. They help us move faster without surprising new players with half-finished ideas.[/p][p][/p][h3]Who can join:[/h3]

• [p]Players who already have Enginefall playtest access[/p]
• [p]Dates are usually shared through Discord[/p]
• [p]They happen roughly every few weeks, depending on what we’re working on Next Closed Playtest: Friday, January 30th 11:00 UTC - Monday, February 2nd 07:00 UTC[/p]

[p][/p][p]What this feels like: Early. Messy. Experimental.[/p][p]These are our most raw testing environments, including:[/p]

• [p]Friday morning (GMT) dev playtests[/p]
• [p] Always-on Playground servers[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Why we run them:[/h3]

• [p]To try out ideas that are very early[/p]
• [p]To experiment without safety nets[/p]
• [p]To get fast feedback from players who know the game well[/p]

[p]Things will break here. Sometimes badly. These tests exist so problems show up early, not later.[/p][p][/p][h3]Who can join:[/h3][p]Available to dedicated Discord members who:[/p]

• [p]Reach Level 15 in the Enginefall Discord or have played 25hrs of Enginefall (super-testers)[/p]
• [p]Link their Steam account and accept our bot DM[/p]
• [p]Join one of the Super-Tester “Cults”[/p]

[p]This is for players who already love Enginefall and want to help shape it at the roughest stages.[/p][p][/p][p]All of these playtests matter. [/p][p]Together, they let us build Enginefall with the community, not just in front of it.[/p][p][/p][h2]Want to know more? [/h2][p]We talk more about why we don’t leave playtests open all the time, and what we’re trying to protect by testing this way in our Discussions 'Dive Deeper’ post , make sure to check it out![/p][p][/p][p]See you on the train![/p]