Loading...
Loading...
Playtests and Closed Beta - Version 1 vs Version 2
Oct 20, 2026, 08:04 PM
Created article on Playtests and Closed Beta (2026-10-20)
Oct 26, 2026, 07:44 PM
Updated the Next Fest demo entry after the festival ended and added the reported demo player count
11Before its Early Access launch, Frostrail has gone through three access-limited tests and one public Demo. In its April 2025 FAQ, FakeFish said it planned multiple closed test sessions before Early Access and, if the schedule allowed, a larger public test. The tests have grown at each step, from a handful of players in November 2025 to more than 70,000 in the closed beta of August and September 2026.22Overview44TestDatesAccessReported turnoutLimited playtestNovember 2025A handful of playersNot statedClosed playtestApril 16 to May 4, 2026Request on the Steam store page, then friend invitesOver 100,000 applicationsClosed betaAugust 31 to September 7, 2026Registration, plus up to 3 friend invites eachMore than 70,000 playersSteam Next Fest DemoOctober 19 to October 26, 2026Free to everyone on SteamOngoing5+TestDatesAccessReported turnoutLimited playtestNovember 2025A handful of playersNot statedClosed playtestApril 16 to May 4, 2026Request on the Steam store page, then friend invitesOver 100,000 applicationsClosed betaAugust 31 to September 7, 2026Registration, plus up to 3 friend invites eachMore than 70,000 playersSteam Next Fest DemoOctober 19 to October 26, 2026Free to everyone on Steam110,000 unique players (reported October 23, 2026)66November 2025 limited playtest77The first playtest was a small one, held in November 2025 and described in the December 2025 winter update as the first time the game had been shown to players. The studio listed its main lessons:99The core concept of train driving, exploration and crafting worked, and testers seemed to enjoy it.The general visual direction was well received.Onboarding and tutorials only covered the very basics and would be expanded.Enemy AI still needed work in the 3D environment.Usability and accessibility would get more attention.General performance would keep being monitored and improved.1111In response, the team planned to expand the tutorial into the start of the game's story and made keybindings more flexible for the next test.1313April 2026 closed playtest1515The closed playtest was announced on April 9, 2026 and ran from April 16 to April 27. Players requested access through a button on the Steam store page and received invites by Steam notification or email. Each accepted player could invite one Steam friend through Steam's Friend Invite feature, and that friend could invite another, and so on. The test focused on feedback about the early game loop and what the studio called the game's Fun Factor.1717An official infographic listed the playtest content:1919Playtest contentRelated pageYour first steps into the coldSurvivalExplore the tutorial and 2 more areas of the gameExploration and DungeonsFuel up and conduct your trainThe TrainScavenge, recycle and craft early game equipmentCrafting and ScavengingFight Revenants and raid early game dungeonsRevenants2121On April 28, 2026, after the game reached 400,000 wishlists, the studio extended the playtest until May 4 and sent out a new wave of invites. The May 13 spring update reported over 100,000 applications, although not everyone could be let in. Players sent in bug reports ranging from small issues to significant problems, and dozens had already been fixed. The studio said much of the feedback matched features its developers had already planned.2222Closed beta (August to September 2026)2424Registrations opened on July 20, 2026, as Steam Train Fest was about to begin. Players who had registered in an earlier sign-up period were automatically considered. The beta launched on August 31, 2026, during Steam's PvE Survival Crafting Fest, and ended on September 7.2626Rules and invites2828There was no NDA, so players could record and stream the game freely.Each player could invite up to 3 friends, and each of those could invite up to 3 more. Invites were found on the Steam game page.Earlier playtesters could also play and invite friends.3030Feedback channels3232The beta build had an in-game bug report button and a feedback survey. Testers also had dedicated forums: the Discussion section of the Frostrail Playtest entry in their Steam library, and a testing corps role on the official Discord server, unlocked through a Discord button inside the playtest.3434Result3636The studio reported on September 8, 2026 that more than 70,000 players had joined the beta, and announced 500,000 wishlists in the same post. It described the beta as the first step toward improving the game further. The October 2026 demo then added combat changes based on that feedback, including improved melee hit feedback and adjusted stamina consumption.3838Steam Next Fest demo4040The free demo runs from October 19 to October 26, 2026, and is open to everyone on Steam without signing up or needing an invite. Players are asked to fill out a survey after finishing it.41+The free demo was released for Steam Next Fest, which ran from October 19 to October 26, 2026, and it was open to everyone on Steam without signing up or needing an invite. Players are asked to fill out a survey after finishing it.4242On October 23, 2026, the studio reported 110,000 unique players, a peak of almost 9,000 concurrent players and 570,000 wishlists, and said the game had reached the top 5 demos of the festival. As of October 26, 2026, after the festival had ended, the store page still offered the demo for download.44+Further tests4446As of October 2026, no further playtest has been announced in the game's official news posts beyond the Next Fest demo. The developers have said the demo will help them fine-tune the game ahead of the Early Access release. Their full history is on Development History.