As part of Microsoft’s wide-ranging Xbox cuts earlier this Summer, the console maker parted ways with a number of its studios. One such studio was Undead Labs – who were sold off to an undisclosed company. Fortunately, this does not seem to be impacting the upcoming State of Decay 3, with the team officially announcing a closed beta test for later this year.

Taking to the Xbox Wire blog to make the announcement, Bruce Dugan – the Community Manager at Undead Labs – wrote:

“Survivors, start stocking up on supplies because you’re going to want to be ready. Closed beta playtests for State of Decay 3 are on the way before the end of 2026, giving the community its biggest hands-on look yet at the next chapter of the zombie survival series ahead of its 2027 launch.”

This isn’t the first time a select group of players will have checked out the game early, with State of Decay 3 having already hosted alpha playtests earlier in the year. According to the team, some of the improvements made as part of these tests include: combat; lighting; SFX; weather; character animations and overall visuals.

While we have not gotten a concrete date for the beta, those interested in trying State of Decay 3 out ahead of time can sign up HERE for a chance to get in. If you aren’t selected for the initial run, you may have other opportunities, with Undead Labs promising to expand the beta “to more players over time.”

KitGuru says: Are you going to register for the beta? What are your hopes for State of Decay 3? Let us know down below.

The post State of Decay 3 closed beta test to go live “before the end of 2026” first appeared on KitGuru.

Typically, when a Call of Duty beta lands, players are only given access to a limited number of multiplayer maps and modes, with no testing for the campaign or Warzone. That won't be the case this year, with Modern Warfare 4 set to have the most expansive beta test in the franchise's history.

In an announcement today, Activision confirmed that “for the first time ever”, players will be able to try the campaign, multiplayer and Warzone modes during the beta testing period.

During the early access period, players will be able to try a campaign mission titled Entrenched, alongside five new 6v6 multiplayer maps and a wide range of modes, including staples like Team Deathmatch, Domination and Hardpoint, as well as newer additions like Inflation and Kill Block. The beta will also feature 10v10 and 3v3 variants of Kill Block, plus a Mobility Course mode designed to showcase the game’s updated movement system.

The open beta expands things further with access to Zodiac, a new Warzone Resurgence map, additional multiplayer maps and the return of Ground War with two large‑scale locations. Warzone modes, more traditional multiplayer playlists and the same campaign mission will all be available across the testing window, making this the most content‑rich Call of Duty beta to date.

KitGuru Says: Will you be trying out the beta for this year's Call of Duty?

The post Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta will include campaign, multiplayer and Warzone first appeared on KitGuru.

Bulkhead and Team17 have announced that tactical 100-player FPS Wardogs will enter Steam Early Access on September 10th. Pre-orders are available now and grant access to an upcoming closed beta weekend running from August 21st to August 23rd.

The game splits 100 players across three competing teams fighting for control and cash. Players earn currency to purchase gear, weapons, and vehicles, with account balances fluctuating based on in-game purchases and deaths. At launch, Early Access will feature three maps with three variations each, combining infantry and vehicle combat alongside proximity voice chat spanning all three teams.

Early Access will launch without in-game monetisation, though an optional Supporters Edition offering cosmetic items will be available. This includes weapon and vehicle camos, a supported icon for the scoreboard, and bobbleheads.

Bulkhead confirmed the £36.99/$39.99/€39.99 entry price will increase in stages as development progresses, moving to $49.99 during the early access period and $59.99 on full release. The plan for the early access phase is to last around 2 years.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you already tried Wardogs? Are you buying the early access to play the closed beta, or will you wait for its development to see how it turns out?

The post Wardogs set for Early Access launch this September with upcoming closed beta first appeared on KitGuru.

Just yesterday The Coalition made its plans for the Gears of War: E-Day multiplayer beta official, outlining two beta weekends, one for pre-order customers containing the new Horde mode, followed by an open beta focused on PvP multiplayer modes. Now, the developers have made one crucial change to appease pre-order customers.

Some fans were quick to note that their pre-order beta weekend only contained half of the total multiplayer content. Initially, the pre-order beta weekend was only going to contain access to the co-op horde mode, with no access to PvP Versus modes. Now, The Coalition is quickly changing course on that.

Pre-order customers and Game Pass Ultimate / PC Game Pass subscribers will now have access to both Versus multiplayer and Horde mode during the first beta weekend (this weekend). Those jumping in for the open beta will only get access to Versus multiplayer, which is a collection of small-team PvP modes.

Gears of War E-Day gets its beta testing weekends over the next two weeks. After that, The Coalition will work on locking in any balance changes and bug fixes for launch day, which lands on October 6th.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on trying out Gears E-Day during either of the beta weekends?

The post The Coalition announces change to Gears of War: E-Day multiplayer beta first appeared on KitGuru.

Gears of War: E‑Day is getting a multiplayer Open Beta ahead of launch, giving players an early chance to test Horde Siege and PvP while providing feedback before the full release on the 6th of October.

Early Access runs from the 6th to the 10th of August for players who have pre‑ordered the game on Xbox Series X/S, Steam or Windows Store, as well as Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members. The second beta testing weekend, from the 13th to the 17th of August, is open to everyone, including those who haven't pre-ordered the full game. However, the content differs on each weekend. During the Early Access weekend, players will get to try out the new and improved co-op Horde mode. Then, the open beta weekend focuses on PvP “Versus” modes.

The beta offers a limited slice of E‑Day’s multiplayer content. Horde Siege includes one map, four classes capped at level 10 and two invasion bosses. PvP / Versus features two modes and two maps, with player progression capped at level 50 and five medals available. At launch, the game expands to three Horde Siege maps, four invasion bosses, four PvP modes, six PvP maps, over 80 medals, full seasonal customisation and progression up to level 100 with four prestige resets (‘re‑ups’).

Players can also unlock exclusive rewards during the beta, including the Epic Blast Damage Mags character skin, the Rare Crush the Bug weapon skin set and several cosmetic items tied to headshots, revives and Prototype Lancer executions. All rewards earned will carry over to launch.

KitGuru Says: It is disappointing to see that Horde won't be part of the open beta weekend after all. Will you be taking part in the open beta?

The post Gears of War E-Day multiplayer beta dates revealed first appeared on KitGuru.

With Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 set to launch globally later this year in October, the teams at Infinity Ward / Activision have started to ramp up their marketing. Following its presence at the recent Fanatics Fest event, we’ve now gotten full details on when the general public will be able to get a taste of MW4 – with the early access (and open) beta set to go live in just under a month’s time.

Taking to the Call of Duty blog, Infinity Ward shared a roadmap detailing all of the various dates in which fans will be able to try out Modern Warfare 4 ahead of its full release on the 23rd of October.

Being the first Call of Duty entry in many years to be coming to a Nintendo console, the multiplayer beta this time round will operate slightly differently to prior titles. That said, there will still be two rounds of betas: an Early Access and an Open Beta – the details of which are as follows:

Early Access Beta

• 21st – 25th August
• Requires you to have pre-ordered MW4
• Available on PS5, Series X/S and PC

Open Beta

• 28th August – 1st September
• No pre-order necessary
• Available on PS5, Series X/S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2

While we did not get a complete breakdown of all the content being made available for the beta, it appears as though players will have plenty to try out, with the team confirming access to:

• 19 Weapons
• 3v3 skirmishes
• “Massive tactical battles featuring tanks and more”
• Search & Destroy mode
• New Kill Block game mode
• Training Mobility Course
• And more

For many, the most interesting part of the beta will be having the opportunity to try out MW4’s new gameplay changes/additions, including their new movement mechanics; FOV and depth-of-field innovations; lack of hipfire bloom among other refinements. Full details on the Modern Warfare 4 beta (including a first look at some new pre-order bonuses) can be found HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you excited for MW4? Which change are you most curious to try out yourself? Will you bother pre-ordering? Let us know down below.

The post Modern Warfare 4 Beta dates officially announced first appeared on KitGuru.

Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls is one of PlayStation’s more interesting upcoming releases. Developed by Arc System Works in direct collaboration with PlayStation, the console exclusive fighting game is set to launch in under a months’ time on the 6th of August. Ahead of this however, all those interested in checking the game out will be able to do so for free, with an open-beta set to go live next week.

Taking to the PlayStation Blog, Sony detailed the upcoming open-beta for Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, writing: “The wait is almost over. The MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls Open Beta is nearly here, and we can’t wait for players to jump into the action.”

Available across PlayStation 5, Steam and the Epic Games Store, the open beta is set to officially go live on the 24th of July at 8AM UK Time, and will remain playable until the 27th – also ending at 8AM.

All those interested will be able to pre-download the game two hours prior to it going live, giving you as much time as possible to play.

Being a beta, Tokon’s full suite of content will of course be locked. That said, users will still have plenty to check out and enjoy, with all of the following being accessible:

• 15 playable characters
• 6 playable stages
• Online Casual and Ranked matches
• Local Versus mode
• Explorable ‘open lobby’ hub world
• Training mode
• 3 Chapters of Tokon’s Episode (campaign) mode

This is far from the first time that Sony has allowed fans to try out Tokon ahead of launch, with various closed tests having taken place since its official announcement.

That said, the game has seen plenty of changes and improvements since, and so it will be interesting to get a clearer understanding of exactly how Marvel Tokon will feel like when the game fully launches next month.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Marvel Tokon so far? Have you been involved in any of the previous playtests? What’s your favourite Arc System Works game? Let us know down below.

The post Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls open-beta goes live next week first appeared on KitGuru.

Last month, we learned that Outward 2 would be launching in early access on July 7, 2026, and today, as part of the PC Gaming Show during Summer Game Fest 2026, we got another look at the game and the reveal that an open beta is now live for players to jump into ahead of launch. Several players already looking forward to Outward 2 are in the currently running closed beta, but now anyone who didn't make it into the closed beta, or anyone who simply likes the look of Outward 2 can give it a shot on Steam to […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/outward-2-open-beta-reveal-release-date-summer-game-fest-2026/

Team17 and Expression Games have finally nailed down a release date for Hell Let Loose: Vietnam. The game will become available this Summer, for PC, PS5 and Xbox, offering six large-scale maps and massive 50v50 battles. 

The tactical shooter transitions from its World War II setting to the jungles of Vietnam, offering six large-scale maps at launch. Players can expect authentic 50v50 combat where teamwork and strategy remain the priority. New era-specific mechanics include the ability to build tunnels as NVA forces, pilot US helicopters, and engage in riverine combat using heavily armed patrol boats. The game aims to deliver high levels of authenticity through recreations of real-world locations and historically accurate weaponry.

A free-to-play Open Beta weekend is scheduled from May 29th to June 1st on the Thanh Hóa Bridge map. This beta is exclusive to PC via Steam and requires registration through the FirstLook platform. The trial period begins at 10 AM BST on May 29th and concludes at the same time on June 1st.

Pre-orders are currently live, featuring a Standard Edition for £34.99/$39.99/€39.99 and a Deluxe Edition for £54.99/$59.99/€59.99, the latter of which includes a “2026 Field Supplies” pass for seasonal uniform packs. Both editions include the US Army Boat Crew Uniform as a pre-order bonus.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you a fan of the original Hell Let Loose? Will you try the beta before deciding whether to pre-order the game?

The post Team17 announces Hell Let Loose: Vietnam release date first appeared on KitGuru.

If you are looking forward to the next One UI update, then there is some good news. You can get your hands on it early starting today through the Samsung Beta program on Galaxy S26 series devices.

One UI 9 is built on Android 17 and some features won't debut until the next generation Galaxy devices hit the market later this year. However, in the meantime, there are plenty of new features for Galaxy S26 owners to try out before the full public release.

The One UI 9 beta introduces several updates across key areas of the mobile experience. Samsung Notes gains a wider variety of pen line styles, while the Contacts app now links with Creative Studio, allowing you to create personalised contact cards without switching apps. The new version also contains security enhancements to further protect against suspicious apps and threats.

The updated Quick Panel gives users greater control over its layout. Brightness, sound and media player are each independently adjustable, with more size options to suit individual preferences. Accessibility is also improved by an adjustable Mouse Key speed that enables smoother cursor control and a combined TalkBack package that brings together features previously offered separately by Google and Samsung. Text Spotlight can also be used to magnify highlighted text to make reading easier.

The One UI 9 beta program is available to sign up to now via the Samsung Members app for anyone with a Galaxy S26 series device, just as long as you are in one of the supported markets. The UK is part of the beta programme.

KitGuru Says: Do you own a Galaxy S26? Are you planning on trying the One UI 9 beta?

The post Samsung rolls out One UI 9 (Android 17) beta in UK first appeared on KitGuru.

Owlcat's rather unusual tradition of holding Closed Beta tests for its single player roleplaying games continues with The Expanse: Osiris Reborn. Starting today, customers who have purchased the Miller's Pack (at €79.99) or the Collector's Edition (at €289) from the official website will be able to get a taste of the game via the Closed Beta, available across all platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S and X. Owlcat kindly provided Wccftech with advanced access to the Closed Beta build, giving me the chance to preview this highly anticipated action RPG. The section of the game included in the […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/the-expanse-osiris-reborn-beta-hands-on/

Intel recently added a driver-level shader compilation setting for Arc GPUs. Now, Nvidia is rolling out something similar with the beta form of Auto Shader Compilation. 

Historically, every driver update or game patch invalidated your existing shader cache, forcing your CPU to recompile thousands of files the next time you launched a game. This resulted in either a long loading bar at the start or annoying “stutters” during the first hour or so of gameplay.

Nvidia's new ASC tool moves this process to the background. When your system is idle, the Nvidia App identifies your installed DirectX 12 games and pre-compiles their shaders using your CPU's spare cycles. This feature is opt-in and can be found under Graphics Tab > Global Settings > Shader Cache. Users can choose to “Compile Now” for an immediate fix or let the system handle it automatically over time. Note that it requires the GeForce Game Ready Driver 595.97 WHQL or newer to function, and users should be prepared to allocate additional disc space for these pre-built shader folders.

Nvidia's approach currently differs from its competitors. While Intel relies on a cloud-based system that gathers and distributes pre-compiled shaders from its own servers, Nvidia's ASC is currently a local-only solution. This means your own hardware does the heavy lifting while you aren't using the PC. However, this is likely a transitional phase. Nvidia is reportedly working with Microsoft to integrate the Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) protocol into the Agility SDK later this year.

KitGuru says: Will you be trying out Auto Shader Compilation? 

The post Nvidia App update adds beta version of Auto Shader Compilation first appeared on KitGuru.

Microsoft's annual Xbox Developer Directs have all featured a surprise or two, this year’s being the announcement for KILN – a multiplayer pottery game from Double Fine. Initially stated to be arriving some time in Spring of 2026, the team have now shared an official release date, beta details and more.

KILN is an experimental multiplayer game in which players design and then battle their clay creations across a multitude of game modes. Said to be one of Double Fine’s smaller projects, the team have now officially confirmed that the title will launch on 23rd of April for the relatively cheap price of $19.99 (though a special ‘Fired Up Edition’ is also available for $10 extra).

Those curious to try out this rather unique take on online multiplayer can do so early as Double Fine are currently hosting a number of closed betas (the sign-ups for which can be found HERE). Beyond this, KILN is also set to receive an open beta ahead of launch, meaning everyone will be able to give it a shot prior to purchasing. The Open Beta will go live on Steam from the 9th to the 11th of April.

The team also teased the game’s potential post-launch plans, stating that “we’re taking this open beta as an opportunity to not only test out our servers, but to see what resonates with players and what the Kiln team should be prioritizing next. We have a lot of possibilities with a game like Kiln—more customization, more maps, more modes—and, as much as we want to add everything we can to the game, we want to see what you, the players want the most.”

Launching a brand new multiplayer game – especially one as different as KILN – can be quite the uphill battle, and so it will be interesting to see whether the game manages to resonate with players during the beta period and eventually upon its official launch.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of KILN? Could it have staying power? Are multiplayer games too homogenised nowadays? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Double Fine Productions’ KILN officially launches next month first appeared on KitGuru.

While sentiment surrounding PlayStation right now is far from its peak, thanks in part to the recent closure of BluePoint Games Studio, the console maker is continuing on with its live-service efforts. Alongside the upcoming Marathon playtest, Sony has now confirmed that the recently-announced Horizon Hunters Gathering is getting its first closed playtest this weekend.

Making the announcement via the game’s Steam page, the team at Guerrilla Games confirmed that the first closed playtest for their upcoming live-service project ‘Horizon Hunters Gathering’ is set to go live this weekend.

Available to those who are signed up to PlayStation’s beta program, the playtest will kick off on the 27th of February and will conclude on the 1st of March. Unfortunately, this first session is limited to those in North America and Europe – though both PS5 and Steam users can get in on the action at the very least.

Of course, the playtest will feature just a slice of the full experience, with Guerrilla confirming the following will be present and playable:

• Three characters to choose from
  • Axle
  • Rem
  • Sun
• Two game modes
  • Machine Incursion (Normal / Hard)
  • Cauldron Descent (Normal)
• 1 region to explore (Colorado Springs)
• Access to the ‘Gathering’ (social hub)

As mentioned, those interested in checking out the game ahead of time will need to sign up to PlayStation’s beta program. While this won’t guarantee you access, make sure to check out your emails over the coming days in case you are selected to join.

Considering the fact that Sony’s track record when it comes to live-service titles has been a bit spotty, it is encouraging to see that the console maker is hosting multiple playtests in order to ensure the final product is one which players actually want to engage with and return to on a regular basis. It will be interesting to see what fans think of Hunters Gathering when it goes live this weekend.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Horizon Hunters Gathering? Are you planning to sign up? Let us know down below.

The post Horizon Hunters Gathering Playtest goes live this weekend first appeared on KitGuru.

Several updates are introduced in iOS 26.4, including an AI-powered playlist-generation feature in Apple Music, support for video content in the Podcasts app, end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages, and more.