Outward 2 News

[p]Hello adventurers,[/p][p]Early 2026 has arrived, as promised: it’s playtest time! We originally announced the next playtest to launch at the end of March, but since the first went so well, we’re feeling confident to give access to a lot more people this time, starting on January 27th.[/p][p]The goal is to stress-test our online infrastructure and take it to the limit. [/p][p][/p][p]The version of the game will be the same this time around. It is still expected that the version of Outward 2 you will be testing will contain bugs. There are lots of potential issues, mainly with the online co-op and that’s exactly why we need help from you guys! The many feedbacks we’ll receive will truly help us build the best Outward 2 we can. [/p][p] [/p][p]The playtest will run from Tuesday, January 27th at 4PM EST to Monday February 2nd 1 PM EST![/p][p]If you are selected, you will receive keys in an email from Nine Dots Studio that day. Don’t forget to check your spam folder too! [/p][p]You can still register now and have a chance to get access next week! [/p][p]Register here[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Join the community[/p][p]Join our Discord to chat with us about the upcoming playtest and share your feedback.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Guillaume will be live on Twitch for the occasion! [/p][p]Join him playing the playtest on Tuesday, January 27th at 2PM EST. [/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p] [/p][p]
[/p]

[p]Hello everyone!

We’re excited to announce that Outward 2 will be featured on the New Game+ Showcase tomorrow, on January 8th at 1PM PT / 4PM ET / 10PM CET. The showcase will also include an interview with Guillaume, CEO and Creative designer where he’ll share details about the game.

See you there!

[/p][p]Twitch: [dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]

Watch the trailer here: New Game+ Showcase 2026 Hype Trailer

[/p][p]
[/p]

[h2]Thank you![/h2][p]
The Outward 2 playtest has come to an end. We want to take the time and thank everyone that provided feedback and bug reports in our Outward Discord server. Your feedback will help us tremendously improve the game going forward.
[/p][p]We're ready to hear everything, you can send more feedback here if there is more you'd like to share with us!
[/p][h2]
What's next [/h2][p][/p][p]If you did not get in this time, know that your registration was not in vain. It will count towards the next playtests. We wanted this playtest to be open to a very small portion of players since it was our first and we needed to adjust and make sure everything went smoothly. However, the next playtest will be on a bigger scale and more players will be able to gain access. The next one will take place at the end of March 2026.[/p][p]Note: If you got a key for this playtest, rest easy, you will automatically be given access to the next one. 
[/p][p]Want access to the second playtest in late March 2026? You can register on our website: here.

Join the conversation on the Nine Dots server: here [/p][p]
[/p]

[p]The Outward 2 playtest has begun and a selected number of players were invited via an email.
Thank you everyone that registered! As a reminder, the playtest will be available from December 9th to December 15th. If you are one of the lucky ones to have received a key, we need you to stress-test the online infrastructure. That's why we sent by email 2 separate keys; one for you, and one for your co-op partner.[/p][p]In case your partner is not available when the urge to launch the Outward 2 playtest comes up, there is the G.E.P program to help you find another Good Energy Player![/p][p]
[/p][h2]What is this program?[/h2][p][/p][p]The G.E.P program is a Discord based matchmaking system. Perfect to go on an adventure as a duo! Dying solo is fun but dying together is better. Whether you’re new to Aurai and need help navigating or just want a fun time, the G.E.P program is what you need.[/p][p]
[/p][h2]Awesome! I'm in. How does it work?[/h2][p][/p]

1. [p]Join the Official Outward Discord server.[/p]
2. [p]Then, register using the /Register command in the gep-chat channel. This will create a card with your information on it. [/p][p]Example of a player card:[/p][p][/p][p][/p]
3. [p]Next, post your card in the G.E.P board using the /Beagep command. [/p]
4. [p]Another G.E.P browsing the cards in the gep-board channel will then be able to join your session by clicking on the ''Join this GEP'' button under your card.[/p]
5. [p]The bot will then match you together in a Discord thread with a unique session code and password. The GEP that created the card will be the one to start the session in Outward 2! [/p][p]Note: Please make sure both of you play on the same server region. The feature will be implemented soon on your GEP profile. [/p]
6. [p]Once your session is over, use /ThanksGep to end the session and rate each other. A good rating will earn you XP and allow you to eventually level up on the G.E.P ladder and become a trusted Good Energy Player in the community.[/p]

[p][/p][p]Disclaimer: We are not responsible for inconsiderate players stealing your backpack or any other inconvenience. We trust everyone will be respectful and fair. If you experience a negative gaming session, rate the person accordingly and notify a mod. [/p][p] [/p][h2]Become a G.E.P today[/h2][p][/p][p]Join our Discord to partake in the program and build the best gaming community with us.[/p][p]The FAQ contains a lot of important information about the playtest. [/p][p]Read the FAQ here: [/p][p] [/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p][/p][p]Be Great, Be Good, be a G.E.P[/p][p][/p][p]Find some playtest keys here and go find your G.E.P! [/p][p]
-Bianca[/p]

[p]Hello adventurers, [/p][p]Please find all the information related to the playtest. [/p][p]
If you want to learn more about it you can watch our upcoming Livestream on December 8th - 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][/p]

• [p]Instagram[/p]
• [p]Youtube[/p]
• [p]Tiktok[/p]
• [p]Twitter[/p]
• [p]Bluesky[/p]
• [p]Linkedin (yeah why not, some of you could be video game professionals :)) [/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: https://ninedotsstudio.com/playtest-registration/[/p][p]You would have received an email from Nine Dots Studio.[/p]
2. [p]You can also check if you received access here: https://ninedotsstudio.com/playtest-login/ Log in on the website with your password and mail adress. Verify if a key is available for you. (Don’t try this one, it was mine ːsteamhappyː )
   [/p]

[p] [/p][h2]BUT I REALLY WANT TO PLAY? [/h2][p]As this is a very limited playtest, we will only contact players that registered through our website. [/p][p]https://ninedotsstudio.com/playtest-registration/[/p][p] We will send a batch of  invitations starting on Tuesday, December 9th - 4PM EST. We can’t guarantee we will invite more players after that date.  [/p][p][/p][h2]WHEN IS THE PLAYTEST HAPPENING? [/h2][p]The playtest will take place between Tuesday, December 9th at 4PM EST and Monday December 15th 1 PM EST.[/p][p][/p][h2]WHAT ARE THE PLAYTEST OBJECTIVES? [/h2][p]Our top priority is testing the online system. We’d appreciate it if you can play with a friend or find someone to join you from our Discord channel.[/p][p][/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]At the launch of the first Outward, there were issues when players tried to create or join games online. We want to do better with this one, 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.[/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 behaviour 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 a bit this purpose. [/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 drop 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 are 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]Matthieu



[/p]