Summary
The Opening Night Live presentation forGamescomin 2024 included a variety of games hoping to attract play and network testers via beta sign-ups. Betas tend to come in all shapes and sizes, with open betas being glorified demos, often used to stress test servers and other facets of online play for upcoming games. Network tests are often the same thing, just more accurately labeled, but some closed betas are specifically looking for player feedback on gameplay, where player opinion can lead to desirable changes in a game’s full release.
Gamescom is traditionally an in-person trade show in Cologne, Germany, but has more recently become yet another hub of game announcements and trailer premiers. Geoff Keighley hosts Opening Night Live in much the same manner as its still-larger counterparts, therevelatory Summer Game Festandcelebratory Game Awards, both also hosted by Keighley.Gamescom 2024’s biggest reveals were trailersand brand-new game announcements, buta more lasting highlight for players might be the opportunity to play some upcoming games early via their betas. A handful of closed betas discussed below require signing up in advance, while a couple of games have already announced open betas ahead of their respective launches.
ARC Raiders Playtesting Starts Fall 2024
Survival Action Shooter From Embark Studios
ARC Raidersbegan as a cooperative third-person shooter, but has evolved during development into an action survival shooter. Access to upcoming playtests, which are scheduled to start in Fall 2024, can be requested via the game’sSteampage. For now,the playtest is only available to PC players, thoughARC Raidersis confirmed to be coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. The Gamescom trailer below also revealed a release window of 2025.
Players take control ofcharacters called Raiders, battling a mechanized menace known as ARC, which has taken over a ravaged Earth.The PvPvE game is expected to be similar to extraction shooters likeEscape from TarkovandHunt: Showdown, with players vying for resources scavenged from the surface to aid their subterranean colony.ARC Raidersis developed by Embark Studios, which recently saw success withThe Finals, praised for its sophisticated map destruction.
Dune: Awakening Is Accepting Beta Sign-Ups
Survival Game In Frank Herbert’s Iconic Universe
Dune: Awakeningis another title set to release for PC and current-gen consoles, though it will be coming to the former in early 2025, before the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions are ready. Beta sign-ups are open on theDune: Awakeningwebsite, though there isn’t currently any more scheduled. The survival MMO appears quite ambitious,setting players loose on an expansive vision of Arrakis, the famously hostile desert planet from Frank Herbert’sDunenovels.
Gameplay appears to largely involve setting up one’s spice trade to gain power within the Imperium. Players canbuild their own outposts and Ornithopters, and specialize their characters for certain types of combat. TheDuneseries' signature political intrigue will be woven throughout the game, with Great Houses like the Atreides and the Harkonnens represented inDune: Awakening’s in-game factions.Dune: Awakeningtakes place in an alternate timelinewhere Duke Leto survives and Paul never ascends as the Kwisatz Haderach, resulting in a prolonged war for control of the spice.
The First Berserker: Khazan Has A Closed Beta Test In October 2024
Action RPG From NEXON
The First Berserker: Khazantakes place in theDungeon & Fighter, akaDNF, universe, but is quite a departure from the series' other games.DNFhas previously focused on side-scrolling fighters, butKhazanutilizes action combat from a third-person perspective. The game’s 3D cel-shaded graphics may be a draw, butits emphasis on brutal boss battles may also attract those who enjoy soulslikes. The game will see the exiled General Khazan on a mission for revenge after being framed for treason under the Pell Los Empire.
Berserker is a playable character in the series' most recent, successfulDNF Duel, a 2.5D fighting game.
Infinity Nikki Closed Beta Sign-Ups Are Available Now
Open-World Cozy Game With Online Multiplayer
This will be the fifth game in theNikkidress-up series, where the main character has various abilities based on her outfit.It’s coming to PC, PS5, and mobile platforms, and is expected to have some form of online functionality, though details on its multiplayer are very scarce. Collecting outfits and decorating throughoutInfinity Nikki’s open world appears to be the main draw, as players take on the role of a Stylist, those who “harness the power of Whim to style and craft sketches anytime, anywhere.”
King Of Meat Has Upcoming Playtests
Co-Op Brawler & Dungeon Builder
King of Meatis a WWE-inspired co-op dungeon gamewith many distinct sides to its gameplay. Somewhat in the vein ofFall Guys,King of Meathas players competing in a survival game show for prizes, with a focus on four-player co-op. However,many levels tackled in the game are explicitly designed piecemeal by other players. Groups of four can team up to conquer a dungeon built by a fifth person.
Signing up for “future playtests” is possible on theKing of Meatwebsite, thoughthere isn’t confirmation of when the beta will take place. The game is, however, going to be available on many platforms – Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam. The hack-and-slash game also has a notable focus on customizing each player’s contender, so it would seem that rewards for doing well and other means of progression will involve earning cosmetic items.
Mecha BREAK Has A Closed Xbox Beta In August 2024
Multiplayer Mech Game
Mecha BREAKis the latest title to deliver mech-battling action, and has a keen focus on online multiplayer. Access to PC playtests (some of which have already occurred) can be requested on the game’sSteampage, but a closed beta sign-up link for the Xbox version was tweeted by the officialMecha BreakX (formerly Twitter) account.The beta runs from July 23, 2025, to August 27, so it will be a limited glimpse at the console version of the game.
The only game mode available inMecha BREAK’s closed Xbox beta is called Battlefield, a 6v6 playlist. However,the game appears to have a variety of game modes featuring squads of three and six, including a 60-player battle royale. Gameplay looks fast-paced and flashy, but team composition appears to be a major point of strategy, with a variety of ranged and melee mechs at players' disposal. The full game itself does not have a release date set yet.
Two Games Shown At Gamescom Have Open Betas This Year
CoD: Black Ops 6 & Delta Force: Hawk Ops
Similarly,Delta Force: Hawk Opswill be a part of Steam Next Fest, an annual celebration of the storefront’s upcoming offerings. Steam Next Fest is coming up in October 2024, andDelta Force: Hawk Opsis expected to have a demo available during it. Much like theBlack Ops 6open beta, it shouldn’t require a sign-up, but may only be available during Next Fest. A lot of games shown atGamescomthis year are still a way out from release, but there are plenty of betas to keep interested players busy until full releases.
Sources: Steam (1,2)ARC Raiders/YouTube,Dune: Awakening,Funcom/YouTube,The First Berserker: Khazan,The First Berserker: Khazan/YouTube,Infinity Nikki,Infinity Nikki/YouTube,PlayStation/YouTube,King of Meat,Mecha BREAK/X,Mecha BREAK/YouTube
Gamescom
https://www.gamescom.global/en
Gamescom is the world’s largest video game trade fair, held annually in Cologne, Germany. It features major gaming announcements, demos, and exhibits from top developers and publishers, attracting industry professionals and gaming enthusiasts. The event includes conferences, esports tournaments, and showcases the latest in gaming technology and trends. Gamescom 2024 takes place from Wed, Aug 21 to Sun, Aug 25.
