Survival battle royale 'Darwin Project' commences PC open beta with Mixer features

The open beta will run from Friday, January 19 at 3 PM EST to Monday, January 22 at 12 AM EST. There have been closed tests in the past but this is the first time that everyone can experience the game. Joining couldn't be easier because you only have to go to the game's Steam pre-load page and download the open beta client.

Scavengers Studio will be on Mixer during the afternoon to host a number of special guests. The team will also host a series of matches on the platform as they test Live Spectator Interactions. Live Spectator Interactions allow viewers to bet on the competitors they think will reign supreme and help the Show Director choose targets.

One player during each match will have the chance to monitor the battle from the skies and dispense punishment or support any combatants they want. For example, the Show Director can reveal one particular player's location on the map who then becomes an instant target. There are many more abilities like this to play around with if you're given the opportunity.

Battle royale games are becoming increasingly popular and with the success of games like PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, the genre is thriving. One such title that was announced during Microsoft's E3 2017 press conference was Darwin Project. The experience is similar to The Hunger Games but takes place in Canada.

As civilization prepares for an upcoming ice age, a twisted new project emerges, half science experiment and half live entertainment. Darwin Project challenges participants to survive the cold and fight to the death in a treacherous arena. According to the developer, the game offers a competitive multiplayer third-person experience with an emphasis on survival. There's a strong focus on crafting and setting traps. You have to track opponents and even negotiate temporary alliances to be the last one standing when the sun goes up.

Darwin Project is expected to enter early access on Xbox One and PC in Q1 2018, with a Spring 2018 launch.

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Asher Madan

Asher Madan handles gaming news for Windows Central. Before joining Windows Central in 2017, Asher worked for a number of different gaming outlets. He has a background in medical science and is passionate about all forms of entertainment, cooking, and antiquing.