Interested players can playtest the Extraction RPG Dark and Darker from time to time during its development. Currently, there is one such playtest. We explain everything you need to know about it!
Here's what's going on: Today, the third playtest of Dark and Darker started with lots of new content. The developers of Dark and Darker, Ironmace Games, work closely with the community. That's why they organize regular playtests in which the game and its new features can be tested. Currently, there is such a test phase again. To let you know how long you can play Dark and Darker and where you can get access to the playtest, we have this article for you.
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Everything about the current Dark and Darker Playtest
Today, the third playtest of Dark and Darker has started. In the second playtest almost two months ago, the game reached over 24,000 concurrent active players on Steam. This means the player base has more than doubled from the first to the second test phase. If you haven't heard of Dark and Darker yet, you can find a short article with the most important information about the game on our site.
The current test phase will last until December 23rd, and you can easily participate via Steam. Search for Dark and Darker in the Steam store and request access below. Afterward, you can download the game and start playing right away. If there should be problems with the servers from time to time, don't be unsettled, this can happen due to the high rush during the playtests, especially at the beginning. It will usually be fixed very quickly.
The most important Information about the Dark and Darker Playtest:
The playtest starts on 16.12.2022 and ends on 23.12.2022.
Everyone gets access, but you have to request it via Steam.
After the download, you can start right away.
All Changes to the past Playtest of Dark and Darker
Ironmace Games has added some new features to the game and numerous adjustments. For example, it is now possible to mine ores in the dungeon with a pickaxe. You can trade these ores for ingots at merchants and then for equipment, so it's an early version of crafting. The magic system has also been reworked so that mages and clerics can better choose which spells they want to use.
In addition, there are now the so-called high-roller dungeons, for which you have to pay a certain entrance fee. In return, you'll get better loot in the high-roller dungeons. However, they are, of course, protected by stronger enemies. On top of that, you'll probably encounter mostly better-equipped players in the high-roller dungeons. If you want to get a place on the leaderboard, you'll have to go to the high-roller dungeons anyway since the only achievements are from these dungeons.
The complete Patchnotes for the current Playtest
Normal Dungeon
Expected 18 players per session. *** This may change at any time.
The 3-person portals that appeared in the final ring of the Crypt map have each been split into 3 single-person portals. This aligns the end ring of the Crypt map with the Inferno map.
Encounter ‘Common’ and ‘Elite’ grade monsters with an extremely low chance of meeting ‘Nightmare’ monsters.
Low drop rates for Epic items, and extremely low drop rates for Legendary items. No chance for Unique items.
High-Roller Dungeons
Expected 20 players per session. *** This may change at any time.
Ante system – All entrants must pay a gold fee to enter the High-Roller Dungeon.
Very few Blue portals and twice as many Red portals on the starting floor (Crypt). An extra Blue portal has been added to the lower floor (Inferno).
The 3-person portals have each been split into 3 single-person portals.
The kill log is hidden in the High-Roller dungeons.
Encounter up to ‘Nightmare’ grade monsters.
Better drop rates for high quality gear.
High-Roller dungeons are the only way to get Unique grade gear – Chance to drop from bosses.
New Magic System
All spells have a specific memory cost associated with them.
Magic users can customize which spells they wish to memorize through the spell capacity system.
Your ‘Knowledge’ determines which spells are at your disposal during the game. The order of the spell memorization is important because if your ‘Knowledge’ or ‘Spell Capacity’ stat dynamically changes during the game, the last memorized spells may become available/unavailable.
Lots of new spells added to the game including – Ice bolt, Zap, Lightning Strike, Bind, Cleanse, and more.
Map Updates
New Crypt map tiles added. Overall map size increased.
More spaced-out starting locations.
Floor level 3 redesigned.
More production quality map modules and less “Blockout” modules.
Monster Updates
New ‘Nightmare’ grade monsters.
Monster grades now go : Common -> Elite -> Nightmare.
New mob types added (Demon Centaur mini boss).
Updated the Lich and Ghost King mechanics.
Leaderboard
Leaderboard only tracks achievements from the High-Roller Dungeons.
Wanted Murder -> Killer Outlaws - Kills are only counted when you successfully extract.
Major Balance Updates
The progression speed has been moderately decreased. Higher grade item drops will be much lower than previous playtest.
New ‘Junk’ grade designation for the starting gear items.
New ‘Uncommon’ grade items between ‘Common’ and ‘Rare’ items.
Rebalanced weapon damages including slightly improving the damage of starting weapons.
Refreshed stats on armors. New armors including the Barbuta Helm.
Some armors now give Magic Resistance stats and other bonus stats.
Slightly increased movement penalties when swinging your weapon. Heavy weapons will feel heavier.
New Headshot damage reduction modifier. Mostly appears on helmets.
New projectile damage reduction modifier. Mostly appears on plate armors.
Invisible Potions now have durations based on their rarity grades.
Campfires now have varying durations based on their rarity grades.
Several new Perks and Skills including – Multishot, Kinesthesia, Ice Shield, and more.
Added two new Rogue weapons – Stiletto Dagger and Kris Dagger.
Improved the feel of daggers so they feel less “sticky” on hit, resulting in slightly improved DPS.
ALL chests regardless of type now have a small chance of dropping ‘Epic’ grade items, even in ‘Normal Dungeons’.
Quiver system version v0.5
Bow weapons fire a limited number of arrows before they must reload their quiver.
The number of arrows in the quiver is based on the type of bow that is equipped.
The Ranger’s attack-based skills have the added bonus of auto-reloading their quiver upon activation.
Mining and Crafting version v0.3
New Pickaxe ‘utility’ item. The pickaxe can also be used as a melee weapon by all classes.
New Rubysilver ore deposits added to the maps.
Adventurers can mine by equipping a pickaxe item and interacting with an ore deposit.
The ‘Armourer’, ‘Weaponsmith’, and ‘Alchemist’ can transform Rubysilver ore in their ‘Service’ tab.
Crafted items can be procured from the ‘Armourer’, ‘Leathersmith’, and ‘Tailor’ in their ‘Service’ tab.
Cosmetic Shop version v0.001
We are testing out possible cosmetic bonuses and an experimental shop.
Players acquire ‘Adventure Currency’ similar to earning experience points. The main difference is that ‘Adventure Currency’ is only banked when you successfully extract from a dungeon. Experience point is earned regardless of a successful extraction.
Players can spend their ‘Adventure Currency’ to unlock various cosmetic upgrades.
*** PLEASE NOTE THIS SYSTEM IS ONLY IN TESTING! NONE OF THE COSMETIC UPGRADES CARRY OVER TO OTHER PLAYTESTS AS EVERYTHING HERE MAY CHANGE! UPGRADES AND PRICES MAY CHANGE AT ANY TIME!
Party System Improvements
Players can change characters without needing to get re-invited to their party.
Added a leave party button.
Added the ability to kick and block members.
Added the ability to turn off party invitations through the ‘Party’ menu.
You can now chat with party members in the main menu.
*** Party chat will not appear properly right now if you have ‘Streamer Mode’ enabled.
Christmas Update and Easter Eggs
A strange new travelling merchant named “Nicholas” has set up shop.
Festive decorations in the tavern.
Be sure to check out our friendly new TavernMaster.
More commemorative easter eggs.
For our german audience: Our author Kevin has already made a small video about the game in which he explains the most important points of the game. He is also live on his Twitch-Channel almost every evening during the playtest from around 8 pm. You can ask questions there in german and English.
Have you played Dark and Darker during the last playtest, or are you reading about it for the first time? Please write us in the comments and share the article with your friends!
