Q&A on the Rogue Core Closed Alpha playtest

[h2]Hello Reclaimers,[/h2]

We've just premiered our new Closed Alpha gameplay trailer, and made the big announcement that signups for the Closed Alpha playtests are open now.

Lots of you have already requested access, and we figured you’ve probably got some questions while you’re waiting. That’s what this post is about!

Below is a 20-minute Q&A video interview we did as a follow-up to the Closed Alpha trailer, where we talk more about the playtests and what to expect. It’s got a lot more details, plus some additional gameplay footage that we couldn’t fit in the trailer.

Give it a watch if you like – or, if you’re in a hurry, you can breeze through the FAQ below it.

-- FAQ last updated May 1st 2025 --

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[h3]When is the Closed Alpha actually launching?[/h3]
Our aim is to launch it within a month from now.

We’re not avoiding saying a specific date to be cagey and mysterious, we just need to do a bit more stress testing to make sure the game won’t fall apart and stuff first. That’ll take us a month at most. Once we’re confident all the technical considerations are in place, we’ll announce the exact start date.

[h3]Why do a Closed Alpha at all?[/h3]
We’re doing a Closed Alpha to collect preliminary feedback from players. It helps us see how people approach and play the game, identify issues we might be blind to, and get a feel for what people like and don’t like about Rogue Core. This is how we know what’s most important to work on as we push for the Early Access release, and thereby steer the direction of the game’s development.

Our hope is that playtesters understand that they’re not heading into a polished perfect game experience. This isn’t about what we’ve made, but what we’re making. It’ll be rough around the edges, with stuff that crashes and doesn’t work. But that’s sort of the point. We’d like to catch these things sooner rather than later.

[h3]How do I apply for the Closed Alpha?[/h3]
Head over to the Steam store page and click the big green ‘Request Access’ button.

[h3]What are my odds of getting in?[/h3]
That depends on how many people request access. We’d be thrilled if a lot of people sign up, but of course that means your individual odds of getting picked go down, because it's a random selection process.

If you end up not getting in, please don’t take it personally. We’re flattered and delighted by your interest, and we promise there will be more opportunities to play Rogue Core in the future.

[h3]How are you going to run the whole thing?[/h3]
We’ll run the Closed Alpha playtests over multiple short sessions throughout the course of Q2 and Q3. We still don’t know how many, or exactly how long they’ll last. Probably about a week each.

[h3]How do I know if I get allowed into the playtest?[/h3]
Steam will send you a notification to whichever email address you have linked to your account. If you want to be extra certain you’re updated with all Rogue Core news, playtest and otherwise, go and click the ‘Follow’ button on the store page.

[h3]If you get let into one playtest session, do you get into all the other ones too?[/h3]
Yes. The thing is, Steam doesn’t tell you when the consecutive playtests go live. So you’ll only get pinged that very first time. It’s tricky. Our best advice is to ‘Follow’ the Rogue Core store page, to maximize notifications about subsequent playtests.

[h3]Can I stream the Closed Alpha or make videos from my gameplay?[/h3]
You sure can. We just ask that you make it clear that this is Closed Alpha gameplay, and not the finished, polished product. We'll probably add some little 'Closed Alpha' watermark in the HUD, but we'd be glad if you mention it too.

[h3]I have 3,200 hours in Deep Rock Galactic and have been playing since 2018. Shouldn’t I have priority for getting into the playtest?[/h3]
No, sorry. Of course it’s great to get feedback from people who know DRG really well, but it’s equally important to hear how the game is for people who are relatively inexperienced, or perhaps new to the franchise altogether. We’ve got to make sure the game is fun and interesting for greenbeards and graybeards alike.

[h3]My friend got into the playtest and I didn’t. Did you guys do this on purpose to torment me?[/h3]
Yes.

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Hope this helps! If you've got any other burning questions, drop 'em in the comments below. And as always, you can also ping us on Discord or chat with us directly during our weekly streams on Twitch and Youtube. We do those on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 13:00 CEST.

Thanks to all of you for your enthusiasm so far -- we've been thrilled with your response to the playtest announcement, and we can't wait for the months to come. Gonna be fun.

Rock and Stone, Reclaimers!

With love,
-The Ghost Ship Crew