It's also a good time to be a shooter fan. Defiance has started its first bit of testing complete with a new FAQ, DUST 514 is opening the beta gates on January 22nd, and Warface is in closed testing as of now. There's also a new trailer to ramp up excitement for Path of Exile's open beta coming on the 23rd.
Need more potential games to test? Jump on past the break to see the full list, and let us know if there's anything we missed (or a game that sneakily added a cash shop) in the comments!
Massively considers a game to be in open testing if it has open, public signups and plans for a server wipe before its official launch. Self-described "open beta" MMOs that have soft-launched with functioning real-money cash shops will not be listed.
Broken Realm (R2Games): Announcement, Signup
Ragnarok Online 2 (Asiasoft Online): Announcement (region limited)
SmashMuck Champions (Kis Studios): Announcement, Signup, /r/
Soul Captor (Gamania): Announcement, Signup
Taikodom (Gamersfirst): Announcement, Signup
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Online (CyberTime Systems): Announcement, Signup, /r/ (Russian-only)
We consider an MMO to be in closed testing if it features either future test signups or an ongoing semi-private beta/alpha that cannot immediately and freely be accessed by the general public. Some are restricted by NDAs.
Age of Wulin (gPotato): Announcement, Signup (Asia, EU)
ArcheAge (XL GAMES): Announcement, /r/ (CBT5; Korean-only)
Black Prophecy Tactics: Nexus Conflict (Gamigo): Announcement, Signup
Born to Fire (Aeria): Announcement, Signup
Bounty Hounds Online (Wicked Interactive): Announcement, Signup
City of Steam (Mechanist): Announcement, Signup, /r/ (running periodic beta events)
Dawntide (Working as Intended): Announcement, Signup, /r/ (development on hiatus)
Darkfall Unholy Wars (Aventurine): Announcement (only accessible to purchasers)
Defiance (Trion Worlds): Signup
Dota 2 (Valve): Announcement, Signup, /r/
DK Online (Aeria): Announcement, Signup
Dragon Born (KoramGame): Announcement, Signup
Dragon Crusade (Aeria): Announcement, Signup
Dragon Knights (Aeria): Announcement, Signup
DUST 514 (CCP Games): Announcement, Signup, /r/ (open beta on 1/22/13)
Earthrise: First Impact (SilentFuture): Announcement, Signup (testing starts "soon")
End of Nations (Trion): Announcement, Signup, /r/ (beta on hold)
Firefall (Red 5 Studios): Announcement, Signup, /r/
Grecca (Banbox): Announcement, Signup (in "open" alpha)
Grimlands (gamigo): Announcement, Signup
Ingress (Google): Announcement, Signup
Lime Odyssey (Aeria Games): Announcement, Signup
Line of Defense (3000AD): Announcement, Signup
Living After War (Alaplaya): Announcement, Signup
Maestia (Gravity Interactive): Announcement, Signup
Marvel Heroes (Gazillion): Announcement, Signup
Origins of Malu (Burning Dog): Announcement
Otherland (gamigo): Announcement, Signup, /r/ (intermittent OB weekends)
Path of Exile (Grinding Gear Games): Announcement, Signup, /r/ (open beta on 1/24/13)
Renaissance Heroes (ChangYou): Announcement, Signup, /r/
Salem (Paradox Interactive): Announcement, Signup, /r/
SMITE (Hi-Rez): Announcement, Signup, /r/
Star Conflict (Star Gem): Announcement, Signup, /r/
Starlight Story (Aeria): Announcement, Signup
Starlite (Project Whitecard): Announcement, Signup (fka Astronaut: Moon, Mars, and Beyond)
Tamer Saga (PopAce): Announcement, Signup
The Missing Ink (RedBedlam): Announcement, Signup
The Mummy Online (Bigpoint): Announcement, Signup
The Repopulation (Above and Beyond): Announcement, Signup, /r/
The War Z (Hammerpoint): Announcement, Signup
Traveller AR (Ingz): Announcement, Signup (beta on hold)
UFO Online (gamigo): Announcement, Signup
Universal Monsters Online (Bigpoint): Announcement, Signup
Venus Rising (FoxySoft): Announcement (fka Orgia Romanus; adult MMO, possibly NSFW)
Waren Story (Aeria): Announcement, Signup
World Alpha (World Alpha): Announcement, Signup
Warface (Crytek/Trion Worlds): Announcement, Signup
War Thunder (Gaijin): Announcement, Signup, /r/ (fka World of Planes)
World of Warplanes (Wargaming.net): Announcement, Signup, /r/
Xulu Universe (Xulu): Announcement, Signup (testing on hiatus)
Subreddit links helpfully provided by Steven Eyerman!
Betawatch is Massively's weekly report on the latest MMO alphas, betas, and other games still meandering toward an official launch. From ArcheAge to World of Warplanes, it's covered here, complete with sign-up links so that you too can perform the unpaid quality-control work otherwise known as game testing. Drop us a comment if we've missed one!
