The first closed beta test for Platinum Game's Babylon's Fall will begin in different times for each available server. Japan will launch on July 29, 2021 from 2:00-6:00 PDT, NA will launch on August 5, 2021 from 18:00-22:00 PDT, and EU will launch on August 12, 2021 from 10:00 - 14:00 PDT. This might seem like a short test for Phase 1. Square Enix agrees:
The scope of the Closed Beta Test will expand as it progresses into Phases 2 and 3. Additional participants will be notified by email at a later date. Anyone who participated in Phase 1 will continue to be able to participate in Phase 2 and 3.
That's because there isn't much that will be done for Phase 1. Essentially, what you are going to be doing is downloading and installing the Steam version client, registering and authenticating your account on the Steam version, and operational tests on the server and network. Actual gameplay, or in this case "tests involving game elements" will apparently "be kept to a minimum."
So for the first phase of this closed beta test, players will acting more like QA than beta testers, which will probably turn off a lot of people. Who wants to download a game and register their account and little else? Very few, I'd imagine.
As what you would expect, character data from the closed beta test will be deleted and not make it into the launch version of the game. During the closed beta test you're also not allowed to share information such as images or video clips.
If you'd like to know more before you head into the beta, there's a guide how to start the game on Steam, a guide on controls, a guide on the base camp functionality, one for equipment and items, one for quests, and one for battle actions.
For more information on Babylon's Fall, stay tuned to TechRaptor for more details.
