Sign-ups are now open for the upcoming PC closed alpha test ofThe Finals. That may not be the name of a game many are familiar with yet, but it could be soon.The Finalsis an upcoming competitive multiplayer shooter forPC, where teams of players battle each other in what’s described as “escalating tournaments.” Obviously, there’s a lot left for developer Embark Studios to share aboutThe Finals, but that’s hopefully an area where the closed alpha test can help.
Accompanying the announcement ofThe Finalsalpha tests, Embark shared a trailer showcasing some gameplay highlights. To say the clips were anything less than exhilarating would be an understatement. 3-player squads are shown in intense firefights, throwing explosive items through the air, using dynamic foam bombs to trip up opponents, and causing environmental destruction that leads to buildings falling to pieces. How that translates into a full match remains to be seen.
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The closed alpha test itself will officially start on September 29, much sooner than anyone likely expected. As would be expected of a closed playtest, it’s an invite-only test. In order to get access, players will need to request access through the game’sSteampage. There’s a button onThe Finals' profile just below “Add to your wishlist” that says “Request Access.” If invited, the Steam user will be given an official notification.
There’s no word at the moment regarding how long the playtest will last, how many players will be invited, or much else. What is confirmed is that the playtest will be highly restrictive. Players won’t be allowed to stream or take screen captures during the test. That’s because this is an early build ofThe Finals, which Embark says has “lots of experimental mechanics and systems.” Those that do get into the test could see a lot of bugs and balance issues, but that’s just the nature of an alpha test.
When Embark does start allowing gameplay footage to be shared ofThe Finals, it wants to put its best foot forward. That doesn’t just mean delivering a polished experience, but a game that actually presents the gameplay as the developers see as a final product. Alpha testers will hopefully respect that.Free-to-play gamesneed every advantage they can get.
The Finalsis a very interesting game, not a battle royale, but certainly trying to convey the same kind of chaotic action. It’s also from a very interesting developer, as Embark is also hard at work onco-op multiplayer gameArc Raiders. There’s potential there, but it’s also still difficult to tell exactly whatThe Finalsis. More information is likely to come soon.
