DEFENDERS,

It’s time. It’s FINALLY time. Oh good golly gosh, it’s finally time… BETA IS HERE! Today we launched the Beta, getting Dungeon Defenders: Awakened into the hands of Etheria’s brave Defenders. There’s so much to cover, that we’re not going to cover it all. We want you to discover all the beta has to offer on your own. Let’s get into it!



Beta Release

The current Beta is available to our Kickstarter Backers first. This is a promise that we made during our Kickstarter, and are going to make sure to uphold. Kickstarter Backers currently have advanced Beta access. On Friday, November 22nd, we are going to open up the Beta to everyone who has purchased the $40+ preorder packages.

Beta is currently scheduled to run for roughly three weeks! Starting on November 22nd and ending on 13th, this gives us a great window to gather feedback and be able to make necessary changes before launching in February.

Progress and data from the Beta does NOT carry over to the release of the game. Beta is used as a testing ground to make sure that the game is in the best possible state. Keeping data from Beta (ha, it rhymes) can cause major issues when updating to the release version.

If you did not receive a Beta key, and are a Kickstarter Backer, make sure you have filled out the surveys that were sent to your registered Kickstarter E-mails from "Backerkit". If that survey is not filled out, then the Beta key is not sent.

All pre-order and Kickstarter Backer keys have been sent out. If you are missing keys, please write to preorder@chromatic.games, using the e-mail you used for Kickstarter and/or BackerKit.

Remaining pre-orders will be handled through our new store located here. If you run into any issues getting a key ordering from this store, contact support the new support here (suppot@xsolla.com) or using the link on the receipt of your purchase.

Streaming and Content Creation

During the Beta, you are free to stream, make videos, or whatever content you want. We want Defenders to enjoy and share as much as they want when it comes to Dungeon Defenders: Awakened!



What’s Missing?

There’s a lot to cover what’s in a game. Patch notes usually say what’s new, but with so much of the game being new, we’re going to let you explore the game. Instead, we're going to outline what may not be in the Beta that we are currently polishing and iterating on to get in for release (we may be missing some things from this list as well):

Tactical Map

This is currently in a functional state. We’re going to be updating the map images, and make sure it’s a lot prettier come release.

Challenge Maps

We’re currently wanting to make sure that balance feels good across the map in general. Challenge Maps are coming your way on release!

Maps

There are a total of 15 maps in Dungeon Defenders: Awakened. Not included in the Beta is Act II, Act III, and the Bonus Maps. Act I is the big focus for our beta test, helping us set the foundation so the rest of the maps bring the right amount of challenge.

Difficulty

Nightmare and Massacre are not going to be included in the Beta. We don’t want people beating all the hardest content during testing. Gotta have something scary hard for you to master on release!

Enemies

With Nightmare not in the beta, Sharken, Djinn, Spiders, and Goblin Copter will not be spawning in a lane near you.

Weapons

All of our weapons are not in the game. We have a pool of roughly 5 different weapons per hero to simulate the amount of weapons you would see during your playthrough of Act I on release. Weapon random colorization is also not reflected in the beta build, but will be implemented for release.

HUD

We’re going to be adding various improvements to the HUD. Currently we have it setup for beta to be functional. There’s a ton of work that we’ve done not in the Beta, but expect improvements on launch.

Armor

Currently we have placeholder armor models in. The final models are currently getting a last pass and will be sparkling and shining on release.

Set Bonuses

Set bonuses are working but may not currently be showing up correctly.

Split Screen

We’re testing base functionality currently, so split screen is not available during the Beta.

Spawn Immunity

Enemies are immune up until a certain point in spawn doors. Indicators are not included in Beta, but will be here on release.

Social

We’re wanting to make sure that getting your friends into a match is as easy as possible, give hosts control over their sessions, and showing who’s in your party. These are currently not in the beta, and can be expected on release.

Hardcore

Currently not in Beta, coming on release.

Twitch Integration

Currently being developed, it will not be in the Beta.

Game Modes

In the Beta we have Campaign and Survival. Other game modes are coming on release.



Pets

There are a total of four pets that are available during the Beta. On release, there will be much more!



Elemental Weapons

Some weapon elemental affinity visuals may be disabled, as we’re making sure performance comes first. Your weapons will be shooting flames and electricity during release.

Kickstarter Rewards

Kickstarter rewards, such as exclusive skins and portraits, are not available during the beta.



Currency

Mana from the original Dungeon Defenders is being split into three different categories. Currently in the game is ability and defense mana. Ability mana regenertaes over time, and Defense mana is gained from defeating enemies and completing waves. Currency in the form of gold is what will persist outside of maps, being used for trading between players and upgrading items.



Trading

Trading is currently not enabled during the Beta.



Upgrading

With currency not in the Beta version, you are unable to upgrade items.



Boss Fights

Boss fights are coming with release. These are big epic moments that we want to make sure are special for release.



Cross Saves

The beta is only available on PC, so Cross Save functionality is not part of the beta.



Tavern

Currently you are unable to build defenses in the Tavern. As such, there are not any training dummies for you to beat up.



Defender Forge

We’re testing for functionality currently with our Inventory and Hero Deck systems. The Defender Forge makes its glorious arrival on launch.

New User Experience

This is something we’ve spent quite a bit of time on, and are going to refine. It is important for new Defenders to understand how to protect the world of Etheria, but it will be available on release.



Tower Inspection

A step up from what was offered in Dungeon Defenders II, tower inspection shows you the most pertinent information for your currently placed tower. This is currently disabled, and will be available at release.



Tower View

Another feature brought over from Dungeon Defenders II, where you are able to hold a button/key and see what the range of your defenses are. This is currently disabled, and will be available at release.



Gamepad Support

This is disabled for the Beta currently. We’re actively polishing the gamepad experience and did not want to provide it in an unpolished state.



Hero Customization

During the beta, the heroes will not be able to be customized in regards to color changing and costumes.



Auto Equip

This is a feature we are providing for Defenders who don’t understand the item system right away. This will come during release.



Level Requirements

During beta, there are no level requirements for gear. What you get is what you can use. Since we’re not having trading, we wanted to make sure getting gear was as fun as possible for testing.

Mana Chests

Mana chests are gone-gone-gone. Keep an eye out for end-of-wave loot chests.

Options Menu

The options menu is currently in a beta state and does not reflect every option that will be available upon full release.

Cinematics

The in-game cinematics are not part of the Beta.

Known Issues

A lot. It's beta, so there's a ton we're still working on. Music not playing correctly, audio playing from different parts of the map instead of where you are, UIs not working properly. There's a ton, but we're knocking them out super quick. Be sure to leave feedback in the DD:A Beta Discussion Forum.

Next Steps

We’re going to be monitoring gameplay and feedback that all of you provide. While polishing and finishing remaining systems for our February launch, we’re also going to be scouring feedback to make sure that we get the game into the best state possible. Nothing in the Beta is guaranteed to be final, and is going to be scrutinized heavily.

From now until release, we’re going to keep churning away to make sure DD:A is the best it can be!

Social Defenders

To get reliable updates on what’s to come, be sure to check out our social platforms for the latest juiciest beans to be spilled:

The entire team cannot wait to see you tear apart the Beta. We’re excited for release in February and thank you for joining us on this journey!

For Etheria!

Chromatic Games