PTR servers are coming to New World, giving players the chance to test out upcoming features before they're added to the main game. The servers roll out today, and Amazon is looking for player feedback in multiple areas.
To start playing, you'll need a fresh character, and enough space to download the separate client. Once you're set up, you can try out new PvP faction modes, main story missions, and enemy types when the servers are rolled out at 12 PM PT today.
Players are warned to expect "bugs, crashes, missing text, or other issues" as they test out the new features, as they are still far from their final form. To make up for the drawbacks, you will be able to choose what level your new character is - within reason - and you will automatically be kitted out with "appropriate gear and items".
Among the new content to test out, there's the Void Gauntlet. This weapon is a magical DPS and support hybrid that will scale on Intelligence and Focus. There's also a new enemy type to try it out on with the Varangian Raiders, levelled between 16 to 20.
Combat aside, players will also notice that main quests play out a little differently. They've been modified in the PTR servers to add more variety, with further improvements said to be on the way.
Anyone with a copy of the game can try these new features out for themselves. You'll have to make a separate download, as the server is not connected to the main game. But once you've freed up the hard drive space, you should find that the servers are playable by the end of the day. They will be very limited, however, with just one available in the US and another in Central Europe.
While fancy new weapons will be welcomed by fans, there are some issues that won't be fixed with new content. As we have previously reported, players have long complained about the state of the in-game economy, as item duping and steep taxes has made gold a useless currency for some. To combat this, players are calling on Amazon to remove duped items from player inventories, and to dish out longer bans for duping in the first place.