XLGAMES has announced a network test for Steam users in the United States and Canada: 12 September 2026 at 19:00 to 13 September at 01:00 EDT. You can request access on Steam, but participants will be selected at random and a request does not guarantee a place.
The September network test is limited to Steam players in the US and Canada. Dates, random selection, pre-download and how to request access.
01Who can apply, and when the test runs
The official Steam announcement of 3 September limits this network test to users located in the United States and Canada. Its published schedule is Saturday 12 September, 19:00, to Sunday 13 September, 01:00, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Use the stated time zone when planning; the session crosses midnight.
This announcement does not open the test worldwide or include PlayStation and Xbox players. It describes a server-load and network-stability test using an early development build, rather than a launch or a general-access weekend.
02How to request access
Open the official ArcheAge Chronicles Steam page, app 3218230, and choose Request Access in the Playtest section. Steam asks you to sign in. The developer says participants will be selected randomly from applicants, so applying early, wishlisting or joining Discord does not establish a guaranteed place.
The announcement says the test build will be available to pre-download before the session and recommends doing so. It does not publish the pre-download opening time or a selection-notification deadline. Wait for admission and the official download instructions rather than assuming the client is available to every applicant.
03What the session includes
The test offers a limited selection of content, mainly the early areas. The complete game will not be available, and the studio warns that the development build may have limited features, bugs or unexpected problems. The announcement does not list every playable class, area or activity.
The studio asks participants to avoid live streaming where possible. It also says that anyone who does stream should clearly explain that the session is a network test intended to assess server stability. This is the wording of this announcement, not evidence of a blanket streaming ban or a general content-creator licence.
We've already had a few small focus groups play early builds (under NDA for now), and the feedback has been incredibly helpful and encouraging. We'll be expanding those tests soon, so stay tuned if you want in as we'll be putting out feelers for more players.
These documentary notes remain in the language in which they were collected; they are not necessarily verbatim quotations.
04What tests have happened
In his Steam letter of 31 July 2025, executive producer Ham Yongjin described small focus groups testing early builds and said the studio planned to expand testing. The September 2026 announcement now gives concrete participation conditions for a separate network session.
One such test ran in June 2026. The studio published its results on 3 July 2026: 165 testers, 2,006 hours of play, level 16 reached. That is the largest test the studio has described publicly.
05A Playtest is separate from early access
Press coverage of the August 2026 investor call described Steam early access in Q4 2026. That is reported wording, separate from the Playtest offer now visible on Steam. The store still gives no release date and displays no early-access label; the invitation does not confirm a price or a purchase requirement.
Sources
Checked through . How we establish what we publish →
- steamcommunity.com ↗ — . ConfirmedSource note — wording preserved
We've already had a few small focus groups play early builds (under NDA for now), and the feedback has been incredibly helpful and encouraging. We'll be expanding those tests soon, so stay tuned if you want in as we'll be putting out feelers for more players.
These documentary notes remain in the language in which they were collected; they are not necessarily verbatim quotations.
- x.com ↗ — . ConfirmedSource note — wording preserved
Our June Focus Group Test has successfully wrapped up! A huge thank you to everyone who joined us.
These documentary notes remain in the language in which they were collected; they are not necessarily verbatim quotations.
- steamcommunity.com ↗ — . ConfirmedSource note — wording preserved
We are pleased to announce that the official ArcheAge Chronicles Discord server is now OPEN! Join us to discuss the game, connect with fellow players, and stay up to date on official announcements and upcoming events.
These documentary notes remain in the language in which they were collected; they are not necessarily verbatim quotations.
- store.steampowered.com ↗ — . ConfirmedSource note — wording preserved
Offre ArcheAge Chronicles Playtest : Request Access. La page indique une notification lorsque le développeur est prêt pour davantage de participants ; admission non vérifiée.
These documentary notes remain in the language in which they were collected; they are not necessarily verbatim quotations.
- steamcommunity.com ↗ — . ConfirmedSource note — wording preserved
Participants will be randomly selected from those who request access.
These documentary notes remain in the language in which they were collected; they are not necessarily verbatim quotations.