What are Closed Tests?
Closed Tests are short and experimental tests created to help Redhill assess new game features and changes before implementing them into the final game. These are not Beta, Alpha 2.0 or even Alpha++. Players joining the Closed Tests will get a front seat view into game development, early-stage features, and be able to influence the future of Nine to Five.
Why are we doing this?
The Closed Tests will run in three definitive stages. We start with changes and additions closely tied to second-to-second gameplay like movement, armor, and items.
The second stage of the Closed Tests will focus on gunplay. It is a large component and is closely tied to the core gameplay and the metagame. Therefore, it can only be tested after the rest of the second-to-second aspects have been locked down.
In the final stage, we will test the metagame and in-game progression, which will be heavily influenced by the results of the previous tests.
The builds used in the Closed Tests will be modified to reflect the needs of a particular experiment, so they can include accelerated or altered progression, or locked or unlocked features. We will also wipe player progression after every test. Testing will happen in both the EU and US regions with servers in both. Each test will be announced separately a few days before they happen with information about features, testing times, downloading and more.
The tests will be done under a Non-Disclosure Agreement similar to the one in Alpha, so capturing and sharing screenshots or any video material will not be allowed. However, you are more than welcome to share your opinions in text or speech form on the internet. We encourage you to engage in discussions on our Discord, give your opinions on the tested features and give us a piece of your mind!
What and how do we test?
We are planning the Closed Tests in three clear phases which build on top of each other based on the feedback and data we gathered from Alpha, as well as our original roadmap for new features and gameplay elements. We start the tests with changes and additions closely tied to second-to-second gameplay like movement, items and armor.
Gunplay is a large component of the game that is heavily connected to both core gameplay and metagame, so it should be tested only after the rest of the second-to-second aspects have been locked down. Lastly, we want to test the metagame which naturally builds on top of all the results of the other two tests.
The builds used in the Closed Tests will be partial Nine to Five experiences. This means the builds can include sped up, boosted or altered progression, or locked or unlocked features depending on each test’s goals. We will also wipe player progression after every test. Testing will happen on both EU and US times and we’ll have servers on both regions. Each test will be announced separately a few days before they happen with info about features, testing times, downloading etc.
The tests will be done under a Non-Disclosure Agreement similar to Alpha, so capturing and sharing screenshots or any video material will not be allowed. But, like in Alpha, you are more than welcome to share your opinions in text or speech form on the internet. We encourage you to engage in discussions on our Discord, give your opinion on the tested features and let us know exactly what you think!
Signing up
If you feel comfortable with playing experimental development builds that have gone through only minimal testing, go ahead and sign up.
If, however, you want a clean gaming experience, and hate it when a game is unbalanced and includes some unusual bugs, we highly suggest you wait for the next bigger test instead. For these you can sign up here.
To sign up for the Closed Tests, please fill in this form (we’re not begging):
Nine to Five Closed Tests Sign Up Form
Thank you for reading and we hope to see you in the Closed Tests! In the meanwhile, you can join our community in Discord to chat with the devs or other like-minded people. Thank you!
With love,
Redhill Games
