id Software will begin a closed alpha test for DOOM in a few days. This test lets players try out a portion of the long-delayed reboot.
The closed alpha will run from December 3rd at 10 pm Eastern until December 6th at 11:59pm Eastern. The schedule on the alpha test's FAQ mentions a burst test starting on December 5th at 4pm Eastern, at which point I guess they'll invite extra players to stress-test the servers.
To be eligible for the closed alpha, you need to have to redeemed beta vouchers included with early copies of Wolfenstein: The New Order. Players who bought the game digitally through May 26, 2014 also have a chance to play the test. Not all eligible players will get an invite, though. If you're invited to this alpha, you'll be able to play later alphas as well.
Chosen players will get access to the alpha on the platform they redeemed their The New Order beta voucher for. PC testers will be notified via Steam and PS4 testers via PSN. You should also see the test as an available download. Xbox One owners should look out for an email.
The alpha test features the 6v6 Team Deathmatch mode on one map, Revenant. Players can try out seven different weapons from the full version: the Rocket Launcher, Plasma Rifle, Super Shotgun, Repeater, Vortex Rifle, Static Cannon and Gauss Cannon. The available equipment includes Frag Grenades and Personal Teleporters. Players will also have a chance to turn into one demon, the Revenant, by grabbing a power-up.
Here's what you need in order to run the test at minimum and recommended settings:
Minimum Spec (720p)
- 64-bit Windows 7/Windows 8.1
- Intel Core i5 @ 3.3 GHz or better / AMD FX-8350 @ 4.0 GHz or better
- 8 GB RAM
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 (2GB VRAM) / AMD Radeon HD 7870 (2GB VRAM)
- 6GB HDD space
- Steam account
- High speed internet connection
*Please note that the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti, 680m and 860m models are below min spec for the DOOM Closed Alpha
Recommended Spec (1080p)
- 64-bit Windows 7/Windows 8.1
- Intel Core i7 @ 3.4GHz or better / AMD FX-8350 @ 4.0GHz or better
- 8GB RAM
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 (3GB or more VRAM) / AMD Radeon R9 280 (3GB or more VRAM)
- 6GB HDD space
- Steam account
- High speed internet connection
Don't expect to see much gameplay footage from the alpha on YouTube or Twitch. As is tradition for Bethesda-published games, testers will be sworn to secrecy:
All participants will be required to agree to a legally binding non-disclosure agreement (NDA), which expressly prohibits posting or sharing comments and/or content from the Closed Alpha. The Closed Alpha builds will contain watermarks that identify each participant. Those who violate the NDA will be banned from all future tests, including the Beta, and may be subject to further legal action.
id Software plans to hold a wider beta test for DOOM as well. The game will officially launch in Spring 2016.
