It’s much later than you expected
Update: Looks like the beta went live earlier than expected. I can confirm that I am playing the PC version of Marvel’s Avengers right now.
While the PlayStation 4 has already enjoyed a weekend of Marvel’s Avengers fun, the PC and Xbox One were left out in the cold.
Thankfully, both platforms will see a closed beta this weekend, August 14-16, as long as you’ve pre-ordered the game that is. If you did, then you Square Enix should have sent you a code already that you can redeem over at Marvel’s Avengers code redeem website. Once you redeem the code, you’ll be given one for either the PC (Steam) or Xbox.
If you’re playing on PlayStation 4, you’re also able to play in the open beta as well. If you’re already played in the closed beta, then there’s nothing for you to do. If you weren’t, then head on over to the PlayStation Network and search for it. It will show up as a beta, ready for you to download.
When can you preload the Marvel’s Avengers beta?
PC & Xbox One: As long as you’re actually in the beta, then you can start pre-loading right now.
PlayStation 4: You can partake in the open beta and can preload the game right now.
When does the beta start?
The kicker here is that the beta for all platforms won’t be available to play until 9 PM in your local time zone. Which means some of us will be waiting longer than others.
PC (Steam): 9 PM EDT/CDT/MDT/PDT
Xbox One: 9 PM EDT/CDT/MDT/PDT
PlayStation 4: 9 PM EDT/CDT/MDT/PDT
What’s available in the beta?
Quite a bit. Square Enix was generous with this beta and it is meaty, with the opening mission that you’ve likely seen a few times. You know, the one that takes place on the Golden Gate Bridge. Along with some story-driven missions, that involve the Black Widow, Hulk, Iron Man, and Kamal Khan/Ms. Marvel. Sadly, both Thor and Captain America, who are available in the opening story mission, will be playable after that.
Once you’ve completed the story missions, the War Zones, Drop Zones, and H.A.R.M (Holographic Augmented Reality Machine) will become accessible. The War Zones are large co-op areas that can be played with three other human players or AI. They’re quite long and are this games’ version of dungeons of FireStrike (Destiny 2). The Drop Zones are smaller and quicker areas that are specific quests, such as defending a point. There are a few of these included in this beta. Finally, there are the H.A.R.M (Holographic Augmented Reality Machine) Rooms, which serve as training rooms that let you figure out all sorts of strange and interesting moves/combos with the included characters. There are also several challenges, that if you can complete them all you’ll be rewarded.
Will anything from the beta carry over to the full game?
While the beta does provide several things for you to play with, including some in-game currency to purchase skins and nameplates, it and the stuff you purchase will not carry over. However, there will be two nameplates that you can earn in the beta that will carry over.
- Beta participation nameplate: You’ll earn this by just logging in during the beta
- HARM Challenge Rooms nameplate: If you manage to complete all three challenges, you’ll earn this nameplate
Marvel’s Avengers is scheduled to release this September 4 for the PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Google Stadia. PlayStation 5 and Xbox One versions will be released at a later date and will include free upgrades for existing owners of the game. And if you’re looking to play as a certain Wall-crawling Webhead, you’ll have to pick up the PlayStation 4/5 versions, as he’s exclusive to that platform.
