PLAYTEST SCHEDULE
Five playtests. Five circles of Hell. One path to launch.
Test 1: First Blood (Completed)
The Death of Hope
Experience Lady Death's origin story. Witness Hope's transformation as she rises from the Corpse Pits with vengeance in her heart.
Test 2: First Blood (Co-op Edition)
Return to the Pits | May 15 (12:00 PM UTC) – May 22 (12:00 PM UTC), 2026
This round features a stack of improvements to combat, enemy AI, and of course lots of other goodies that were taken from the feedback after round 1. Pick up right where you left off, grab a friend, and brutalise the demons with some killer combos.
May 2026 (TBC)
Test 3: Coming Soon
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May 2026 (TBC)
Test 4: Coming Soon
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June 2026 (Next Fest)
Test 5: Coming Soon
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HOW TO JOIN
Pre-order the Game
Pre-order Lady Death: Demonicron via our official store to become eligible for playtest access.
Watch Your Inbox
Before each playtest wave, we will email eligible players to confirm their interest and participation.
Enter Hell
Receive your Steam key and build access instructions via email.
Play & Compete
Jump into the latest build with co-op, reworked combat, and Ravenheart—compete in challenges, and share your best clips using #LadyDeathDemonicron.
Submit Feedback
Join our Discord feedback channels to help us tune combat, couch co-op, and polish.
ACTIVE NOW: PLAYTEST 2
Test 2: First Blood (Co-op Edition)
May 15 (12:00 PM UTC) – May 22 (12:00 PM UTC), 2026
This round features a stack of improvements to combat, enemy AI, and of course lots of other goodies that were taken from the feedback after round 1. Pick up right where you left off, grab a friend, and brutalise the demons with some killer combos.
What's changed?
- Ravenheart — Added as a playable character.
- Couch co-op — Two-player local co-op is in.
- Combat & controls — Major overhaul of the combat system and controls.
- Polish — A million small improvements, with many more to come…
Note: We will not be implementing online 2-player through Steam for this playtest—it is too buggy. Please focus your testing and feedback on couch co-op (local two-player).
TEST 2 COMPETITIONS & REWARDS
We need your help to stress-test the game and spread the word. We are running two specific bounties for this playtest window to reward our most active community members.
How to Submit Your Entry
Every bounty requires you to submit proof in our official Discord.
🎨 Media Showcase
Community ShowcaseCreate and share videos, streams, or highlight clips showing off your best co-op moments, crazy combos, or most aesthetically striking screenshots.
🐛 Bug Hunter Challenge
Bug Hunter ChallengeFind the most spectacular, game-breaking, or hilarious bug. Help us polish Hell, with a special focus on couch co-op, combat, and controls.
Deadline & Winners: Submissions close strictly on May 22 at 12:00 PM UTC. Winners will be announced shortly after. (Note: In the event of any major issues in selecting a winner, the Dev Team reserves the right to choose the winner in a fair and reasonable manner).
KICKSTARTER VIP: THE SWORN NATION
🔱
Your Pledge Secured Your Place in Hell
To our original backers: you are the vanguard. Your Kickstarter pledge automatically grants you VIP status and elite access to every playtest in The Descent. No further purchase required.
Your Exclusive Perks:
Private Discord channels (#sworn-nation-vip).
Earn exclusive roles like "Architect of Hell" for top feedback.
How to Access: Check your inbox for your VIP briefing and build instructions. If you haven't received your key, please contact support immediately.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I participate in the playtest?
+Pre-order the game to secure your playtest access. You'll receive instructions via email before each test begins. Make sure to join our Discord server for community updates and competition submissions.
When do the playtests run?
+Playtests run monthly from March through June 2026. Test 1 "First Blood" (March 20–23) is complete. Test 2 is "First Blood (Co-op Edition)"—combat updates, Ravenheart, and couch co-op—from May 15 (12:00 PM UTC) through May 22 (12:00 PM UTC), 2026. Each test window typically lasts about a week. Sign up to get notified when each test starts.
Can I compete in multiple competitions?
+Yes! You can enter both bounties for this playtest (Media Showcase and Bug Hunter). However, you can only win one grand prize per test. If you place in multiple categories, you'll receive the highest-tier reward and runners-up will receive the other prizes.
How are winners selected?
+The Media Showcase winner is chosen by community emoji votes in Discord. The Bug Hunter Challenge winner is hand-picked by the development team based on the most helpful and reproducible report.
What platforms are supported?
+Currently, playtests are PC (Windows) only. Make sure you have Steam installed, as that's how we verify participants and distribute builds. Console testing may come in later phases.
How do I receive my prize if I win?
+Winners will be contacted via the email they registered with. Discord roles are assigned immediately. Physical prizes (comics, prints, pins) will be shipped after the test window closes. Digital rewards (color palettes, early access) are granted directly through Steam or Discord.
How do I provide feedback and report bugs?
+Join our Discord server where you'll have access to dedicated feedback channels: #bug-reports for technical issues, #general for overall feedback, and competition-specific channels for your submissions. We read every message and your input directly shapes development.
I'm a Kickstarter backer. How do I access VIP benefits?
+Check your email for VIP access instructions. You'll receive a special Discord invite link and early access codes 48 hours before each public test. If you can't find your email, contact us through Kickstarter or our support email.
PRE-ORDER LADY DEATH: DEMONICRON
Pre-order now to gain access to the playtest.
Pre-ordering grants you exclusive access to all five playtest phases, plus early access to the full game at launch.
Also coming to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox.
