Steam Next Fest is here and we're thrilled to have you join us to play the first-ever public demo of Stormgate! The Steam Next Fest demo includes full access to the current closed beta phase, codenamed "Elephant." (Each Stormgate playtest build is named after a classic RTS unit, in alphabetical order.) Here are some key insights into the current game state and what you can look forward to during the playtest. [b]How to Play With Friends[/b] While our party system is still under construction, you can easily play with friends by creating custom games, either public or private, and sharing the Lobby ID. Crush that smack-talkin' Major Galt together in our 3P co-op map, WRECK HAVOC! [b]How Do I Get Gud?[/b] If you are new, you may want to start by playing 3P co-op first or creating custom games against the AI to practice. PeacefulBot will leave you alone so that you can learn the tech trees and try out all the units. Then you can upgrade to MurderBot for a little challenge. In addition, we recommend these great video resources if you are new to RTS or are looking for a refresher:

• [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl4myN8q_KM]Real-time Strategy is incredible and you should play it[/url] - CloudCuckooCountry
• [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2jM_EWVw6g]3 Tips to Dominate Stormgate[/url] - BeoMulf
• [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hiA4vXS76s]How to play Stormgate’s Vanguard Faction (for beginners)[/url] - PiG
• [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo5_SUffGPY]Stormgate Gameplay - Tips, Tricks & Guide for Open Beta![/url] - Wintergaming

You should also find many content creators streaming and teaching the game on [url=https://www.twitch.tv/directory/category/stormgate]Twitch.tv[/url] during Steam Next Fest. [b]Performance and Gameplay[/b] As Stormgate is still in beta, here are a few things you might notice during play: [b]Occasional Server Restarts:[/b] We may need to bring the servers down occasionally during Steam Next Fest. Our plan is to bring the game back online shortly after any of these restarts. Please check the official [url=https://discord.gg/stormgate]Discord[/url] for status updates and more information. [b]Unoptimized Performance:[/b] High unit counts may impact FPS, especially on lower-end systems, and server stability might vary due to new player influx. These are areas we're actively working on improving as the game has not undergone complete optimization at this early stage of development. [b]Faction Balance:[/b] Our focus is on crafting a fun, engaging experience. Balance is being refined, so you may encounter some bugs, exploits, or strategies that seem overpowered. Remember, this stage is for us to identify and address these issues together. [b]Settings: [/b]Some customization options and settings you might want are still in development. Hotkey customization is still in development and modifier keys are currently unable to be customized. We appreciate your patience as we work to include these in a future update. [b]Still a Work-in-Progress:[/b] This is an early preview of a game that is in active development. The two currently playable factions will have tier 3 units in a future update. A third faction will be revealed in the the coming months. You will also find placeholder art as well as missing sounds, animation, lighting, FX, etc. Additional content such as Campaign (available at Early Access), 3v3, and our Editor will also be playable further along in development. We are excited to share final designs and a more polished overall experience when the game officially launches. (Early Access slated for mid-2024. Official launch date is still TBD.) [b]GeForce Now Support:[/b] The Stormgate Steam Next Fest Demo is playable using GeForce Now. Let us know how it feels if you decide to play in the cloud! Please join the official Stormgate [url=https://discord.gg/stormgate]Discord[/url] and introduce yourself. We'd love to meet you! GL HF and see you in-game, -Your friends on the Frost Giant team P.S. Check out the Vanguard and Infernal Tech trees here: