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Outward 2 News

Outward 2 is participating in the IGN Fan Fest 2026

[h3]Hello everyone! [/h3][p][/p][h3]We’re excited to announce Outward 2 is featured in the IGN Fan Fest! [/h3][p][/p][p]Tomorrow, on February 25th, we’re deep diving into combat mechanics. [/p][p]Aurai is more than ever filled with powerful and evil monsters. How will you fight back? How will you tackle the challenges you will stumble into along your journey? There’s many paths available to you, and no wrong answer. [/p][p]
[/p][h3]We hope you will join us! [/h3][p]IGN Fan Fest 2026 will be streaming live on the following platforms:[/p][p][/p][h3]Join the conversation!
[/h3][p]Come chat or ask your questions to the devs here: https://discord.gg/tcP9XzZ2fp[/p]

We’re participating in Quebec games celebration

[h3]Hello everyone! [/h3][p] [/p][p]We’re excited to announce we will participate in the Quebec games celebration showcase this Thursday, February 19th at 6PM EST! You can watch the show on Youtube or on Twitch.[/p][p][/p][p]Did you know you can eat poutine in Outward? It raises the cold weather defense because it’s such a warm and comforting meal. At Nine Dots studio, some of us made it a thing to go out every Wednesday and get a poutine for lunch. When we look out the office windows, we're confronted to Quebec's freezing temperatures and we find ourselves daydreaming of eating a good ol’ poutine. It just makes sense that poutine would be back in Outward 2.[/p][p] [/p][p]There’s a poutine emoji we particularly love using in our Discord server. If you’re reading this, send the poutine emoji in our discord to celebrate![/p][p]Send a poutine emoji here![/p][p][/p][p]Do you want to make the perfect Poutine? Here's an easy to follow recipe to make poutine. [/p][p][/p][p] 1-Fry your straight-cut fries until they are golden then add some to a bowl.[/p][p]2-Make some brown gravy or BBQ gravy (St-Hubert gravy is top tier) and had it to the fries.[/p][p]3-Generously add cheese curds.[/p][p]4-Add more fries on top. [/p][p]5-Repeat step 2 and 3.[/p][p][/p][p]All done! Enjoy. [/p]

The playtest is coming to an end

[h3]Hello adventurers,[/h3][p]
[/p][p]The playtest has ended. All good things come to an end but don’t worry, we’ll be back soon.
If you’re playing right now, the access will go away after you close the application. [/p][p][/p][p]We want to warmly thank each and every one of you who took part in the playtest…Over 100 000 of you!!! That’s incredible and once again, you delivered. We received a lot of feedback and bug reports and they will be invaluable for our development going forward. [/p][p] [/p][h3]Still have feedback to share?[/h3][p][/p][p]We’re still open to any feedback you may want to share with us! Tell us everything and spill the tea!  [/p][p]Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1OKKF-NqlMXdJ8b9qIfpJiPrgjSp257AAKoKV-j5tTmE/edit[/p][p][/p][h3]Join the community [/h3][p]Join the conversation on the Nine Dots server: https://discord.gg/tcP9XzZ2fp[/p][p][/p][p]
[/p]

READ THE PLAYTEST FAQ

[p]Hello adventurers, [/p][p]Please find all the information related to the playtest below. [/p][p]If you want to learn more about it, you can join Guillaume in our upcoming Livestream TODAY - 2PM EST or catch it on replay.[/p][p] [/p][h2]CAN I RECORD, STREAM AND SHARE THE PLAYTEST CONTENT? [/h2][p]Yes, absolutely, there is no NDA (Non Disclosure agreement) for the playtest content. [/p][p]We’d love to be tagged in the content you share online on every platform:[/p][p]Make sure you also follow us on Steam![/p][p] [/p][h2]HOW TO PLAY? [/h2]
  1. [p]Open the Steam client: Launch the Steam application on your computer.[/p]
  2. [p]Go to the "Games" menu: Click on "Games" at the top-left of the client window.[/p]
  3. [p]Select "Activate a Product on Steam...": Choose this option from the drop-down menu. [/p]
  4. [p]Follow the on-screen instructions: Click "Next" to proceed to the next step.[/p]
  5. [p]Enter your product code: Type in the product code you received. [/p]
  6. [p]YEAH, you're in! Check your library, click on Outward 2 Playtest and download.[/p]
[p][/p][p] [/p][h2]HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS SELECTED? [/h2]
  1. [p]Check the spam folder of the email address you used to register on our website: [/p]
[p]https://ninedotsstudio.com/playtest-registration/[/p][p]You would have received an email from Nine Dots Studio.[/p][p] 2. You can also check if you received access here: [/p][p]https://ninedotsstudio.com/playtest-login/[/p][p][/p][p]3. Log in on the website with your password and email adress. Verify if a key is available for you. (Don’t try this one, it was mine steamhappy ) [/p][p] [/p][p][/p][h2]WHEN IS THE PLAYTEST HAPPENING? [/h2][p]The playtest will take place between Tuesday, January 27th to Monday February 2nd 1 PM EST.[/p][p][/p][h2]WHAT ARE THE PLAYTEST OBJECTIVES? [/h2][p] Our top priority is testing the online system. [/p][p] We’d love to hear your feedback on the game’s current state on Discord, Steam or via this form.[/p][p] If you encounter any bugs or issues please let us know too.[/p][p] We’re likely to push updates and patch notes during the week, we’ll inform you on Discord and Steam. [/p][p] [/p][h2]WHAT IS THE ONLINE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT’S BEING TESTED? [/h2][p]When Outward first launched, there were issues when players tried to create or join games online. We want to do better with Outward 2, and use this playtest to encounter similar issues before we get to a more public playtest or release. We also want to test different hardware for performance, crashes or other issues.[/p][p]
[/p][h2]FIND PLAYERS TO PLAY WITH YOU :[/h2][p] Since we really need to test the online system, it would greatly help if you can start an online session.[/p][p] If you don’t have friends to play with, our Discord is the best place to find Great Energy Players via our brand new G.E.P program.[/p][p] We’re counting on players to be fun, smart, and respectful adults.[/p][p] However, playing online means someone could steal your backpack, make you spawn into an ambush, or bring you into an area that’s too hard for you.[/p][p] We recommend discussing your session with your future co-op partner.[/p][p]Nine Dots will not be responsible for any bad behavior between players. [/p][p] [/p][h2]WHAT ABOUT SPLIT-SCREEN? [/h2][p]Split-Screen is key to Outward experience and will be available at Early Access launch but not in the playtest version. We really want to test the game online system so Split-Screen would defeat this purpose. [/p][h2]
HOW DO I INVITE A FRIEND?
[/h2][p]If you registered on Steam, find the Outward 2 playtest page in your Steam library, and you will find the blue button ''Invite friends''.[/p][p] Prerequisite: Users can only invite friends they have been friends with for at least 30 days. [/p][p][/p][h2]HOW DO I REPORT A BUG?[/h2][p]The best way to report a bug is through our Discord Channel.[/p][p]Steam is fine too. Please follow this template.[/p][p][/p][p]Title: Explain your issue in a single sentence. [/p][p]Ex: The Iron Sword inflicts no damage[/p][p]Description : Add some information just so we have an idea how it happened [/p][p] EX: I was fighting a bird-like creature and noticed I was not doing any damage. [/p][p] [/p][p]Repro steps: Add the last few things you did that you remember and think are relevant)[/p]
  • [p]I found the sword in a store.[/p]
  • [p]Engaged in combat with the bird in Bellowgale near Haboob.[/p]
  • [p]I noticed I wasn’t doing any damage to the bird.[/p]
[p]If you have Screenshots or a video to share it is super valuable to us. By the way, Birb’s name is Pearl, Pearlbird.[/p][p] [/p][h2]WHAT WILL I EXPERIENCE DURING THE PLAYTEST? [/h2][p] This online playtest represents a very work-in-progress version of Outward 2. You should expect many bugs — to the point where the game may not even launch for some players.[/p][p]In this limited playtest, you will be able to experience the beginning of Haboob – Call to Adventure, one of three Calls to Adventure that will be available at release. It includes early-game gear and basic survival elements.[/p]
  • [p]WIP Character creator [/p]
  • [p]Online Coop [/p]
  • [p]Bellowgale Region and Haboob Town[/p]
  • [p]Bellowgale Call to Adventure Quest : [/p]
    • [p]The Call to Adventure Quest is not the beginning of a storyline. It’s your starting quest in one region. [/p]
    • [p]While home of the Symposium and the starting location of the story quest linked to them in the full version of the game you will be able to do any call to adventure with any storyline. [/p]
  • [p]2 Trainers to unlock skills from[/p]
    • [p]Seer of Light and Darkness[/p]
    • [p]War Dancer [/p]
  • [p]5 dungeons [/p]
  • [p]30 enemies[/p]
  • [p]Early game gear[/p]
  • [p]Survival elements (thirst, hunger, sleep)[/p]
[p]BELLOWGALE MAP BY ANGELA AND MORENO [/p][p][/p][p]HABOOB MAP BY ANGELA AND MORENO [/p][p][/p][h2]KNOWN ISSUES [/h2]
  • [p]Performance issues. You may experience FPS drops and/or crashes. If you start crashing too often (Ex: on load), try deleting your save and starting a new one.[/p]
  • [p]Stuck Spot/Collision issues[/p]
  • [p]When playing Online the Client may not see the same thing as the host and vice versa.[/p]
  • [p]Assets and visuals in the Character Creator are still Work in Progress.[/p]
  • [p]Returning to Main Menu and reloading a save/creating a new one may break a few things. It may be wiser to reboot if you want to change character.[/p]
  • [p]Balancing. Some weapons or enemies may feel OP and/or too weak.[/p]
  • [p]Enemies may not have the intended behavior and act in a "weird way"[/p]
  • [p]Most menus have placeholder visuals.[/p]
  • [p]Sound Effects may be missing or not properly adjusted yet.[/p]
  • [p]Some Areas Have been blocked off so it is possible to find a house/cave/door that feels like it can be entered but is not.[/p]
  • [p]The cost of items is work in progress. Some Items may be worth too much or too less.[/p]
  • [p]Skills and attacks may not always work as intended.[/p]
[h2][/h2][h2]LANGUAGES[/h2][p]The private online playtest will be in English only.[/p][p] [/p][h2]PC SPECS[/h2][p]Minimum: [/p]
  • [p]Intel Core i5-6400 [/p]
  • [p]16 gb RAM [/p]
  • [p]NVIDIA GeForce 1060 6gb [/p]
  • [p]20 gb available space [/p]
[p] Recommended: [/p]
  • [p]AMD Ryzen 5 3600 [/p]
  • [p]32 gb RAM [/p]
  • [p]AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT [/p]
  • [p]20 gb available space[/p]
[h2] PROGRESSION[/h2][p]As this is a early playtest version of the game, progression will not be saved through the full game.[/p][p] Congrats if you read until the end and thanks for your support and participation in the playtest![/p][p][/p][p][/p]

Playtest Livestream with Guillaume

[p]Hello adventurers![/p][p][/p][p]Today is the last day registrations will be opened for this playtest. Head over to the Outward 2 Steam page to register to playtest if you haven’t already! You can also register on our website. [/p][p][/p][p]Access will however come quicker from the website registrations, on January 27th. [/p][p]Access from the Steam registrations will be sent on January 28th. [/p][p][/p][p]If selected from a Steam registration, you’ll be able to use a new feature that allows players to invite friends to the playtest directly from Steam. These friends will then also be able to invite their friends, and so on. That’s pretty cool, right? When invited, a player receives a notification letting them know they have been invited by a friend to join the playtest.[/p][p] [/p][p]There's more! Join Guillaume live on Twitch tomorrow, January 27th at 2PM EST to chat about everything Outward and watch his playtest gameplay. Come show your support and maybe you’ll get lucky and get keys! [/p][p][/p][p]-Bianca[/p][p]
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