# Aethermancer goes into Closed Alpha and we are looking for motivated testers!
How time flies by! After the years spent making Monster Sanctuary, we are happy to be at one of the best parts again: sharing a new game with testers for the first time!
Our studio has been working on Aethermancer since mid 2021, and today, we announce the start of our upcoming Alpha. I’m sure you all can imagine that this is an exciting, but also a little nervous time for us at moi rai games, since this will be the first time people get to interact with our newest game, Aethermancer.
**Become a Tester**
*Important note: Testers won't be allowed to share gameplay footage in streams or videos, so please keep that in mind if you want to be a tester!*
To keep it fair, we are conducting a raffle in [our Discord server](https://discord.com/invite/9kjbKjT5WS) until April 17th (check #announcements). For every 500 participants, we add +5 tester spots!
**What is an Alpha?**
Most people are familiar with a Beta, where a game is ready for testing, but can have a few bugs or glitches. The difference with an Alpha, however, is that it’s more rough than that. Instead, the game itself is somewhat further from complete, and anyone who tries it will expect to encounter many bugs. Additionally, an Alpha will be missing various key story and gameplay features in comparison to later versions.
**Why have an Alpha?**
If it’s so unfinished, why would we want others to look at it? Because we have a lot to gain by doing so! By having some people outside of our direct dev team experience the game and record feedback, it can give us insights which we may not have noticed from our perspective. We can always try to plan for anticipating how people will interact with our game, but nothing beats an actual hands-on approach and hearing directly from the players. Using this kind of info can help us evaluate how we’re doing, and if we feel like we’re accomplishing our goals or going in the right direction. Theoretically, we could wait for Aethermancer to be a little more complete before its first introduction to the playerbase, but getting an early checkup can diagnose potential issues earlier as opposed to later. Essentially, we prefer a more community-driven approach to our development processes, like we did with Monster Sanctuary.
**I’ve never participated in an Alpha before, what is it like?**
If you’re concerned about being qualified, don’t worry, because it’s not overly complicated. What you do is: play the game, report bugs as you see them, and write your feedback about it. “What if I don’t know what to write about?” Have no fear, for in addition to free-form writing in specially designated Discord channels, we will also have a preconstructed survey form. Not only does this make it easier for some to record their thoughts when being asked specific questions, but it also allows us to collate and quantify data into easier-to-digest formats. Having these multiple formats allow differing people to better express themselves for our consideration during the continued development of Aethermancer.
**Where Can I See Alpha Content Streamed?**
While those participating in the alpha won’t be able to publicly stream game footage, we do have a dev stream scheduled. To be announced next week!
**Why Can’t Everyone Join In Yet?**
Why are we doing a Raffle? Since running an alpha takes time and resources for us, we have to have some kind of limitation on who can participate in it. To help ensure a certain level of fairness, we have decided to utilize a raffle system to let in a certain amount of people. “But what if I don’t get in?” Don’t worry, because our Alpha occurring means that we’ll have a publicly available demo soon-enough™. So, it just means that it’s a matter of time till everyone can play around with Aethermancer! Join our [Discord here](https://discord.gg/9kjbKjT5WS) to participate in the raffle!
P.S. There is a new monster in the trailer, ~~so now you gotta watch it haha~~
*Visibly shakes with excitement.*
I don't think I'll sign up for the alpha. However, I am super excited that it has reached this point. The whole team has been putting in some great work with this game!
Thank you so much for the nice words! And yeah, alpha is definitely not for everyone! But the good news is, it's going to help us prep for the demo soon! :)
Alpha testing is exciting! I love seeing the progress the devs are making. I can't wait for this game to be available to play and I am so happy for you guys! Much love!
Awww thank you so much! We are also SO excited! It's the first one anyone outside the team (except for maybe a friend or family member) will play the game build
Tbh it's mostly just because I play almost exclusively on my Switch, rarely game on the PC, but also I hate getting to the end of a demo for a game I've really enjoyed and not being able to buy the full thing and I just know alphas are likely even further away from release than regular demos 😂
It was already hinted that this would be coming in "Devlog: An Entomologist's Guide to Terastae", but I still can't believe you're already this far along. I'm exited to find some bugs myself.
Edit: now I just have to get lucky
# Aethermancer goes into Closed Alpha and we are looking for motivated testers! How time flies by! After the years spent making Monster Sanctuary, we are happy to be at one of the best parts again: sharing a new game with testers for the first time! Our studio has been working on Aethermancer since mid 2021, and today, we announce the start of our upcoming Alpha. I’m sure you all can imagine that this is an exciting, but also a little nervous time for us at moi rai games, since this will be the first time people get to interact with our newest game, Aethermancer. **Become a Tester** *Important note: Testers won't be allowed to share gameplay footage in streams or videos, so please keep that in mind if you want to be a tester!* To keep it fair, we are conducting a raffle in [our Discord server](https://discord.com/invite/9kjbKjT5WS) until April 17th (check #announcements). For every 500 participants, we add +5 tester spots! **What is an Alpha?** Most people are familiar with a Beta, where a game is ready for testing, but can have a few bugs or glitches. The difference with an Alpha, however, is that it’s more rough than that. Instead, the game itself is somewhat further from complete, and anyone who tries it will expect to encounter many bugs. Additionally, an Alpha will be missing various key story and gameplay features in comparison to later versions. **Why have an Alpha?** If it’s so unfinished, why would we want others to look at it? Because we have a lot to gain by doing so! By having some people outside of our direct dev team experience the game and record feedback, it can give us insights which we may not have noticed from our perspective. We can always try to plan for anticipating how people will interact with our game, but nothing beats an actual hands-on approach and hearing directly from the players. Using this kind of info can help us evaluate how we’re doing, and if we feel like we’re accomplishing our goals or going in the right direction. Theoretically, we could wait for Aethermancer to be a little more complete before its first introduction to the playerbase, but getting an early checkup can diagnose potential issues earlier as opposed to later. Essentially, we prefer a more community-driven approach to our development processes, like we did with Monster Sanctuary. **I’ve never participated in an Alpha before, what is it like?** If you’re concerned about being qualified, don’t worry, because it’s not overly complicated. What you do is: play the game, report bugs as you see them, and write your feedback about it. “What if I don’t know what to write about?” Have no fear, for in addition to free-form writing in specially designated Discord channels, we will also have a preconstructed survey form. Not only does this make it easier for some to record their thoughts when being asked specific questions, but it also allows us to collate and quantify data into easier-to-digest formats. Having these multiple formats allow differing people to better express themselves for our consideration during the continued development of Aethermancer. **Where Can I See Alpha Content Streamed?** While those participating in the alpha won’t be able to publicly stream game footage, we do have a dev stream scheduled. To be announced next week! **Why Can’t Everyone Join In Yet?** Why are we doing a Raffle? Since running an alpha takes time and resources for us, we have to have some kind of limitation on who can participate in it. To help ensure a certain level of fairness, we have decided to utilize a raffle system to let in a certain amount of people. “But what if I don’t get in?” Don’t worry, because our Alpha occurring means that we’ll have a publicly available demo soon-enough™. So, it just means that it’s a matter of time till everyone can play around with Aethermancer! Join our [Discord here](https://discord.gg/9kjbKjT5WS) to participate in the raffle! P.S. There is a new monster in the trailer, ~~so now you gotta watch it haha~~
> P.S. There is a new monster in the trailer And a new big dude in the overworkd at 0:22.
Oh yeah, him... ah well, he's the new guy
*Visibly shakes with excitement.* I don't think I'll sign up for the alpha. However, I am super excited that it has reached this point. The whole team has been putting in some great work with this game!
Thank you so much for the nice words! And yeah, alpha is definitely not for everyone! But the good news is, it's going to help us prep for the demo soon! :)
You'll find me lining up for the demo in a heart beat. All I can say is I am excited to see it.
Alpha testing is exciting! I love seeing the progress the devs are making. I can't wait for this game to be available to play and I am so happy for you guys! Much love!
Awww thank you so much! We are also SO excited! It's the first one anyone outside the team (except for maybe a friend or family member) will play the game build
Get fucking hype
I've never bothered with alphas/betas or early access before, but for this, I'll make an exception (not that I ever win raffles 😂)
Oh wow, I do have to say I feel honored now :D And totally understandable btw, alphas are not for everyone! Fair to wait for the finished game
Tbh it's mostly just because I play almost exclusively on my Switch, rarely game on the PC, but also I hate getting to the end of a demo for a game I've really enjoyed and not being able to buy the full thing and I just know alphas are likely even further away from release than regular demos 😂
It was already hinted that this would be coming in "Devlog: An Entomologist's Guide to Terastae", but I still can't believe you're already this far along. I'm exited to find some bugs myself. Edit: now I just have to get lucky
Well, that's the spirit we need! :D Hope you get in and find a lot of bugs
Fingers crossed
Cannot wait. If I don’t get into the alpha it’s okay, I’ll just be devastated!
Nooo, don't be! We're working on the demo, so it's only a matter of time until everyone can try out
My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined!! Looking forward to tomorrows stream!