Starting today, all PS Plus subscribers as well as private beta participants will be able to dive into the Starhawk public beta which will eventually be made available to PSN members in February. Through a post on the official PlayStation blog, SCEA has revealed that this beta will enable them to test several aspects of the title like game balance, server traffic and general bugs.
At first, only PS Plus members will be able to join this test along with those gamers who participated in the private beta. However, if the latter players have erased their original games files, then their access will be blocked. Come January 31 and this beta will be thrown open to Uncharted 3 beta key holders who received their voucher codes inside North American copies of the title. February 7 will mark the entry of those who get their codes via GameStop and PlayStation on Facebook, whereas February 14 will see gamers from IGN’s giveaways getting access. Finally, on February 21, every PSN account holder will be able to partake in the public beta.
Harvard Bonin, Senior Producer, SCEA, stated on the blog, “We’re now happy to announce that the Starhawk Public Beta begins this Tuesday, January 17th. This is a crucial step for us as we’ll be testing all sorts of things, including game balance, server traffic, and general bugs. This is also a chance for more players to finally see what we’ve been working so hard on. As we’ve been getting so much support and encouragement from fans and press alike, we’re excited to spread the love and get more input to make the best game possible.”
Gamers who play the Starhawk public beta can give their feedback to Sony through the game’s official forums. No definite date is being cited for the end of this beta, so it’s confirmed that it will go beyond February 21. The actual game is slated to go on sale later this year, exclusively for the PS3. Though not a sequel, it is said to be a spiritual successor to 2007’s Warhawk.
PS Plus members and private beta participants can jump into the Starhawk public beta when it goes live today.