Beta announcements for 3 games: Blizzard’s ‘Overwatch,’ PS4’s ‘SMITE’ and ‘Fable Legends’ developments

Beta runs for games are becoming a common practice before launch. For the most part, it is a way for developers to test the servers and make sure that launch will go as smoothly as possible. For gamers, it is a way to not only get a feel of the game, but also aid in the actual development through feedback.

Recently, a lot of betas, both open to public and closed to exclusive access, are coming out. To date, some of the upcoming confirmed betas include three titles: “Overwatch” from Blizzard” and “SMITE” for the PS4, while Lionhead Studios gives an announcement on the future of “Fable Legends.”

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“Overwatch” open beta coming in May

“Overwatch” may be launching on May 24, but Blizzard is giving players a chance to jump into the game before its official launch. The developer has announced via its official website the open beta for the PS4, Xbox One and PC a few weeks before the launch date.

Preordering “Overwatch” on any platform will allow early access to the open beta by two days, as well as the Noir Widowmaker skin. Access for one prepurchase will be available for two people from May 3 to 4, while the scheduled open access for everyone is sometime between May 5 to 9.

The prepurchase should be done anytime between now and April 29, and should be purchased in any of the three ways. Players can go to Battle.net Shop to buy either the digital version or the Origins Edition, prepurchase at any participating retailer as listed in the link here, or via the PS Store and Xbox Store respectively, once the option goes live.

March 22 open beta date announced for “SMITE”

The PS4’s multiplayer online battle arena title will go live for open beta come March 22. This was the announcement via the “SMITE” official website.

Technically, the open beta is a free-to-play game for PS4 players, but the developer gave a bonus of allowing a beta code grab via the SMITE social media. By clicking on the link here and choosing to follow and like SMITE via Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or Twitter, players can get up to four “SMITE” beta codes for the PS4.

The open beta marks the second birthday celebration for the PS4 title. In addition to opening the game to the public, Hi-Rez Studios also announced that it will roll out daily events, sale and more as part of the celebration.

“Fable Legends” studio to shut down

Not everything goes well when it comes to beta, however. Such is the case with “Fable Legends” from Lionhead Studios. Just recently, the studio has announced that it will be ceasing the development of the title. This is compounded by the fact that Lionhead Studio will be shut down due to the different focus that Microsoft has.

According to the studio’s official website, the closed beta for “Fable Legends” will stop on April 13. Players who have been accessing it since last year can still play the game until the closure. However, any gold purchases made in the game’s bank will be disabled. No other players can join the closed beta.

For players who have already purchased in-game gold will get a refund. Those who are eligible for this should await for more information via email.