This weekend, from October 26th to 27th, between 2 PM and 10 PM UTC, Cathedral Studios is excited to present a Halloween playtest for the closed alpha version of their free-to-play action horror FPS, The Bornless.
How to Join The Bornless Closed Alpha Playtest
If you’re eager to experience this Lovecraftian game ahead of its official release, here’s how you can participate in this weekend’s eerie playtest:
- Request access by visiting the game’s official Steam store page. If accepted, you will receive an email notification.
- Adding the game to your wishlist on Steam may increase your chances of gaining access.
- Join partnered factions to check for available access keys. A list of these partners can be found on the game’s official Discord server or on this page.
- Keep an eye out for giveaways hosted by Mythos Creators, partnered content creators for the game.
- Complete this access request form for a chance to receive a key for both this test and future ones.
- A last-minute giveaway is happening on Twitter; you can participate by commenting on this X post.
If you don’t secure access this time, don’t worry! You can use the same strategies for the next playtest, which will make you eligible for all upcoming sessions.
The exact number of participants in this round is limited, as stated by the community manager on Discord. This restriction is due to the extensive development and renovation of the game over the past year, aiming to include dedicated players who can offer valuable feedback for enhancement.
Regardless if you’re able to play this session, you might consider tuning into Twitch streams for a chance to win limited-time exclusive drops.
King of the Test Tournament
Players participating in the weekend playtest can join the King of the Test Tournament hosted by a group of content creators known as the Antediluvians. Scheduled from October 27th, 2 PM to 6 PM UTC, participants will earn points—one for each extraction while playing as a three-sigil demon. The top players will have a chance to win:
- 1st Place: 4 Enigma Boxes (2 for each player)
- 2nd Place: 2 Enigma Boxes (1 for each player)
- 3rd Place: 2 Enigma Boxes (1 for each player)
Additionally, 4 random participants will receive a bonus Enigma Box. These boxes will be distributed when the game launches in Early Access, anticipated for early 2025. Enigma Boxes can also be found in-game, offering cosmetic rewards upon opening. For more information on joining, check the #events channel on the game’s Discord server.
What Is The Bornless?
The Bornless is a free-to-play survival horror extraction FPS set in a terrifying Lovecraftian landscape. Players engage in intense PvPvE battles against demons, cultists, and other players as they navigate the eerie Farmouth Island off the coast of Massachusetts in pairs, gathering resources and completing objectives to survive and escape.
Gameplay Overview
The game emphasizes its main Ritual Mode, featuring a three-phase gameplay structure: Loot and Explore, The Ritual, and Hunt or Be Hunted.
During the first phase, players start in a cabin with their loadouts, exploring the treacherous wilderness filled with abandoned locales, where they must fend off cultists and demons for essential items and Sigils. In the second phase, players utilize incense at ancient ritual sites to summon rare Sigils needed for the final phase. Here, increased PvP interaction is anticipated, as successful rituals attract attention from other survivors.
In the concluding phase, players will complete the final ritual using Sigils, allowing them to embody a demon in a bid to hunt down other players aiming to escape with their gathered resources.
As the game evolves, players will have opportunities to upgrade their characters with unique weapons and abilities while transforming their starting cabin into a fortified base. Upon release, players can expect seasonal progression, unlocking new skins, forming factions, and participating in tournaments and global campaigns.
The anticipated Early Access launch for The Bornless on Steam and the Epic Games Store is expected sometime in early 2025.
Are There Web3 Features?
The official FAQ regarding blockchain integration confirms that while The Bornless is not directly powered by blockchain technology, any web3-related features are entirely optional. In the future, players may trade in-game cosmetics as NFTs via the game’s official website. However, the plan is to potentially develop a separate blockchain-based version of the game that would be compatible with platforms like Steam, aiming to establish a standard for blockchain gaming.
“We aim to develop a form of blockchain gaming that is also recognized by platforms like Steam as a legitimate and worthwhile use of the technology (but until then we fully respect and encourage the restrictions against it).”
The Bornless studio has launched its Genesis NFT Collection as part of a crowdfunding effort to develop a high-quality horror FPS while exploring feasible blockchain experiences. Currently listed on OpenSea, the Genesis Collection sits at a floor price of 0.23 ETH. The utility and purpose of these NFTs remain somewhat unclear as the game continues its development journey, which has seen significant changes leading to a more accessible experience for both traditional gamers and cryptocurrency enthusiasts.