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Who Could Participate in Early Testing?
In general, testing was divided into several waves, with access depending on the level of support and previous involvement:
Alpha-1 testers: These were the earliest participants, often the most dedicated backers. They had exclusive access to the first testing phases and to specific content like the Alpha-1 version of the game. Usually, these testers provided early feedback that shaped balance, performance, and bug fixes.
Alpha-2 testers: Invited after Alpha-1, starting October 19, 2018, Alpha-2 players joined subsequent phases like the battle royale mode. They were allowed to test new features as they were implemented.
Other backers: This group included Alpha-0, Beta-1, and Beta-2 backers, invited gradually over the weeks following Alpha-2 tests.
All registered users: Eventually, testing opened to all registered users, giving a larger player base the chance to experience the game and provide feedback.
Most players joining later waves could still access everything earned previously in the Adventurer’s path, although progress was usually reset for each testing session.
Testing Structure and Schedules
Ashes of Creation Apocalypse used structured testing schedules to collect meaningful data. In general:
Battle Royale Mode: Alpha-1 testers were given the first month, followed by Alpha-2, and then all backers. Finally, it opened to all registered users. Solo and squad modes were available on multiple servers including North American, European, and Asian regions. Players could queue together even if they were in different regions.
Castle Sieges and Horde Modes: These were tested in a similar order. Alpha-1 testers would test alone initially, with Alpha-2 and later groups invited gradually. This allowed developers to observe early bugs and gameplay issues before opening it to a wider audience.
Limited Testing Sessions: Some tests were short, like the August 20, 2019 battle royale session, which ran from 11 AM to 11 PM PDT. During these, patches were made available on the official website, and a Steam client was required for play. Intermittent maintenance periods were normal during testing.
From personal experience, most players found that sticking to the testing schedule and paying attention to patch notes was crucial, as changes could be implemented quickly and affect gameplay significantly.
Participation Numbers and Community Feedback
During early testing phases, participation numbers were informative of player interest:
First wave: September 7, 2018, included around 250 testers.
Second wave: September 13–14, 2018, had approximately 1,250 participants.
Third wave: Around 3,000 additional testers were invited by September 19, 2018.
Alpha-1 full stress test: All 10,000 Alpha-1 backers were invited, representing the largest single wave of participation.
In general, most players contributed to feedback through forums, surveys, and direct bug reporting. This feedback often led to adjustments in gameplay, server stability, and quality-of-life features before the game moved into broader access.
What Players Could Expect in Tests
Most players in Ashes of Creation Apocalypse testing experienced a few common patterns:
Progress Resets: While players could access earned XP and items from previous tests, overall progress was usually reset to keep balance consistent.
Test Compendium: Early testing used a placeholder compendium containing only XP-related rewards, so players could try different Adventurer and Legendary paths without unbalancing the main economy.
Server Stress Tests: During larger waves, players often experienced high server loads. These sessions were intentionally designed to test capacity and stability under pressure.
Early Access Limitations: Certain features, like the Alpha-1 exclusive areas or specific game modes, were not open to all participants. Being aware of these limitations helped manage expectations.
From a practical standpoint, joining early testing meant adapting to frequent patches and changes. Most players recommended keeping an open mindset and reporting issues rather than expecting a finished game experience.
Tips for Players Interested in Testing or Early Access
If you’re planning to participate in future Ashes of Creation testing or similar MMO-aligned events:
Check your account eligibility: Intrepid accounts were required for Steam launch, and only registered users received invites.
Stay informed: Follow official forums for patch notes, invites, and schedule updates.
Play with friends cautiously: While cross-region queuing was supported, server lag could impact performance.
Experiment with different paths: Since the test compendium allowed for XP-only rewards, trying multiple classes or paths gave a better understanding of game mechanics.
Consider the economy carefully: Some players chose to buy Ashes of Creation gold during tests to quickly test progression, but most relied on in-game XP systems for evaluation.
In general, these tips reflect how experienced testers navigated the early stages without getting frustrated by temporary limitations.
Ashes of Creation Apocalypse testing was extensive, multi-phased, and heavily reliant on community feedback. Most players who participated reported that the structured testing waves, clear schedules, and incremental access helped them understand game mechanics and contribute meaningfully to improvements. If you’re interested in Ashes of Creation or its Apocalypse spinoff, understanding the testing structure is essential for preparing for early access or future updates.
In general, testing was divided into several waves, with access depending on the level of support and previous involvement:
Alpha-1 testers: These were the earliest participants, often the most dedicated backers. They had exclusive access to the first testing phases and to specific content like the Alpha-1 version of the game. Usually, these testers provided early feedback that shaped balance, performance, and bug fixes.
Alpha-2 testers: Invited after Alpha-1, starting October 19, 2018, Alpha-2 players joined subsequent phases like the battle royale mode. They were allowed to test new features as they were implemented.
Other backers: This group included Alpha-0, Beta-1, and Beta-2 backers, invited gradually over the weeks following Alpha-2 tests.
All registered users: Eventually, testing opened to all registered users, giving a larger player base the chance to experience the game and provide feedback.
Most players joining later waves could still access everything earned previously in the Adventurer’s path, although progress was usually reset for each testing session.
Testing Structure and Schedules
Ashes of Creation Apocalypse used structured testing schedules to collect meaningful data. In general:
Battle Royale Mode: Alpha-1 testers were given the first month, followed by Alpha-2, and then all backers. Finally, it opened to all registered users. Solo and squad modes were available on multiple servers including North American, European, and Asian regions. Players could queue together even if they were in different regions.
Castle Sieges and Horde Modes: These were tested in a similar order. Alpha-1 testers would test alone initially, with Alpha-2 and later groups invited gradually. This allowed developers to observe early bugs and gameplay issues before opening it to a wider audience.
Limited Testing Sessions: Some tests were short, like the August 20, 2019 battle royale session, which ran from 11 AM to 11 PM PDT. During these, patches were made available on the official website, and a Steam client was required for play. Intermittent maintenance periods were normal during testing.
From personal experience, most players found that sticking to the testing schedule and paying attention to patch notes was crucial, as changes could be implemented quickly and affect gameplay significantly.
Participation Numbers and Community Feedback
During early testing phases, participation numbers were informative of player interest:
First wave: September 7, 2018, included around 250 testers.
Second wave: September 13–14, 2018, had approximately 1,250 participants.
Third wave: Around 3,000 additional testers were invited by September 19, 2018.
Alpha-1 full stress test: All 10,000 Alpha-1 backers were invited, representing the largest single wave of participation.
In general, most players contributed to feedback through forums, surveys, and direct bug reporting. This feedback often led to adjustments in gameplay, server stability, and quality-of-life features before the game moved into broader access.
What Players Could Expect in Tests
Most players in Ashes of Creation Apocalypse testing experienced a few common patterns:
Progress Resets: While players could access earned XP and items from previous tests, overall progress was usually reset to keep balance consistent.
Test Compendium: Early testing used a placeholder compendium containing only XP-related rewards, so players could try different Adventurer and Legendary paths without unbalancing the main economy.
Server Stress Tests: During larger waves, players often experienced high server loads. These sessions were intentionally designed to test capacity and stability under pressure.
Early Access Limitations: Certain features, like the Alpha-1 exclusive areas or specific game modes, were not open to all participants. Being aware of these limitations helped manage expectations.
From a practical standpoint, joining early testing meant adapting to frequent patches and changes. Most players recommended keeping an open mindset and reporting issues rather than expecting a finished game experience.
Tips for Players Interested in Testing or Early Access
If you’re planning to participate in future Ashes of Creation testing or similar MMO-aligned events:
Check your account eligibility: Intrepid accounts were required for Steam launch, and only registered users received invites.
Stay informed: Follow official forums for patch notes, invites, and schedule updates.
Play with friends cautiously: While cross-region queuing was supported, server lag could impact performance.
Experiment with different paths: Since the test compendium allowed for XP-only rewards, trying multiple classes or paths gave a better understanding of game mechanics.
Consider the economy carefully: Some players chose to buy Ashes of Creation gold during tests to quickly test progression, but most relied on in-game XP systems for evaluation.
In general, these tips reflect how experienced testers navigated the early stages without getting frustrated by temporary limitations.
Ashes of Creation Apocalypse testing was extensive, multi-phased, and heavily reliant on community feedback. Most players who participated reported that the structured testing waves, clear schedules, and incremental access helped them understand game mechanics and contribute meaningfully to improvements. If you’re interested in Ashes of Creation or its Apocalypse spinoff, understanding the testing structure is essential for preparing for early access or future updates.