Wow, Guerrilla’s really not messing around with this one: the first closed beta test for the divisive Horizon Hunters Gathering will get underway this weekend.
Yes, you read that correctly – it means selected fans will be playing the game in just a few short days, as confirmed in an email from PlayStation.
Those who are part of the PlayStation Beta Program will be eligible for selection, although it looks like this particular test will be limited to Europe and North America only.
The closed beta test will get underway from 27th February and run until 1st March.
The servers will be online during the following hours:
- Europe
- 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM CET
- North America
- 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM PST
You’ll be able to play as three different characters: Axle, Rem, and Sun. Modes will include Machine Incursion and Cauldron Descent on the previously announced Colorado Springs map.
In addition to the aforementioned, you’ll also be able to test out Gathering, which is a kind of shared social space where you can customise your camp site.
It’s interesting that Sony’s deciding to host this at the same time as the Marathon Server Slam, but with this being a closed beta test we suspect Guerrilla is just trying to pool some opinions while it continues to work on the game.
It’ll be under NDA, so don’t expect an enormous amount of new gameplay – although we’re sure some will still find its way online. It always does.
One of the main lessons the platform holder learned from Concord was to get players involved as early as possible, so it’s positive to see a playtest for Horizon Hunters Gathering confirmed so soon after the game’s official announcement.
Hopefully it’s a successful first phase for Guerrilla, and we’re eager to give it a try ourselves – assuming we get invited.
Remember, if you’ve not signed up for the PlayStation Beta Program, you can do so through here.