QC Games Talks Breach Alpha/Beta And Splitting From EA/BioWare

Breach is heading into testing, and QC Games wants you to be a part of it -- at some point, at least. The technical alpha test starts later this month, with a limited pool of about 300 players, while QC tests out the back-end systems and infrastructure during hours-long tests. As the month goes on, more players will be invited and the game will eventually ramp up to 24-hour-a-day service. The beta starts in October, with plans to launch fully in early 2019.

How do you participate? If you were lucky enough to secure an alpha code at PAX West, you're all set. Otherwise, you'll probably want to create an account on playbreach.com to get your shot at the beta. Worth noting is that the blog post that lays all this out doesn't make a distinction between beta (which is usually limited) and early access (which is usually open to all comers, as long as they're willing to pay for it). It's possible they mean the same thing.

While you're waiting, you can check out the GamesIndustry.biz's interview with QC Games' head honchos Dallas Dickinson and Gabe Amatangelo. The pair talk about their split from EA and BioWare -- due largely to the cancellation of Shadow Realms, from which Breach was spawned -- and desire to create a new company that Dickinson describes as "old-school Blizzard."

As someone working in games media, another interesting thing I took from the article was Dickinson's desire to make sure the game is covered properly:

"We're interested to hear how people in the press talk about Breach, and how the community starts talking about the game, once the alpha is available in September. That way we can spot things that are being misunderstood, perhaps it's the interface or the way we are introducing that aspect of the game or how we're communicating it. That's the feedback that we can take straight into it."

Dallas, if you can hear me, the game looks pretty neat so far, but I think you're trying a little too hard to be edgy, especially in that intro video. Gameplay-wise, how different of an experience is it to play solo as opposed to in a group? That'll do for now, but maybe we can set up an interview later? Have my people call your people.