Cryptic Studios has announced dates for an upcoming Neverwinter beta, as well as some pre-order starter packs that can provide players with some extra bonuses and guaranteed beta access. The Dungeons & Dragons based free-to-play MMORPG is slated to launch later this year, but the beta tests begin sooner than you might think.
The first beta event is scheduled to begin on Friday February 8th and will last through Sunday the 10th in North America and Europe. The next Neverwinter beta event will take place from March 8-10, and the final weekend is set for March 22-24. There could be additional beta tests announced later, and of course, these dates are all subject to change.
With the Neverwinter beta weekends announcement also comes news of some pre-order starter packs that players can purchase on the official site. There are three different tiers with different bonuses according to Kotaku, so let’s take a look at what you can get for your money.
$19.99 – Starter Pack
For a smooth 20 bucks you can get the “Adventurers Helper Pack” which contains six different in-game items, a “Small Bag of Holding” with 12 extra inventory slots, and an “Amulet of Protection” item.
It’s important to note that this price tier does NOT grant you guaranteed Neverwinter beta access.
$59.99 - Guardian of Neverwinter Pack
This tier will grant you guaranteed access to the Neverwinter beta events, as well as give you a 3-day head start when open beta kicks off in a few months. You will also get a unique “Gold Moonstone Mask Regalia” head piece, a unique armored horse mount, a unique Direowolf companion, and the title of “Founder” both in-game and on the forums.
$199.99 – Hero of the North Founder’s Pack
This is the mother of all packs, especially if you’re a fan of the Forgotten Realms in D&D lore, and more particularly a fan of a certain well-known Drow.
This pack provides guaranteed Neverwinter beta access as well as a 5-day head start into open beta, a beta weekend friend invite code, a unique armored spider mount, the in-game and forum “Founder” title, VIP game access for priority log-in, and exclusive access to a “Menzoberranzan Renegade” Drow Ranger similar to Drizzt Do’Urden, complete with unique racial abilities, tattoos, and a panther companion.
These packs should be available for purchase on the official Neverwinter site later today.
It was stated on the official forums that there will be other ways to obtain beta keys as well, including keys from game conventions such as PAX and GenCon, lifetime members of Champions Online and Star Trek Online, community beta key giveaways through Facebook and Twitter, and promotional beta keys given away on partner sites. So keep your eyes open, and we’ll let you know when some other keys start becoming available.
