DarkSwarm Closed Alpha 3

Steam post image Closed Alpha 3 – Now Live on Steam

Starting 16 February 2026 – Ending Sunday 22 February 2026

Closed Alpha 3 is now live, and we’re excited to welcome you back into the swarm.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE, MAKE SURE TO SIGN UP DIRECTLY ON THE STEAM STORE PAGE. ACCESS WILL BE GRANTED TO SELECTED PARTICIPANTS FROM THERE. SIGN UP FOR THE PLAYTEST

Over the past months, we have been working extensively on improvements based on community feedback, while also preparing new systems that are not yet ready to be revealed. You will begin to experience more of these in Closed Alpha 4 and beyond.

WHAT’S NEW IN CLOSED ALPHA 3

ONLINE, COMMUNICATION & SYSTEMS

• Voice chat (enable in Team Settings)

• Spectate mode

• Ping Wheel (Hold and release MMB / Left Bumper)

• Late-join screen allowing class selection before entering a match

• Redesigned Settings Menu with key bindings, toggleable audio sliders, and additional configuration options

• Graphics launch options: DX12, DX11, Vulkan

• Improved UI feedback during quick reload attempts

• Server browser now displays incompatible versions

• Performance improvements

• Cloud saves

Steam post image GAMEPLAY & LEVELS

• Reworked sprint system

• Improved single-player experience (Auto Revive)

• XP and Credit rewards now scale with Threat Level

• Tendraal mission variation, including deeper underground segments

• Increased stimpack range

• New co-op mini-games

• Two mission types for Tendraal and Chryos

• Slippery ice areas on Chryos

• Improved UI clarity for current map and Threat Level

• More loot crate types

• Class-colored laser indicators

• Enemy and weapon balancing adjustments

• Improved crosshair visibility

ANIMATION & FLAIR

• Magazine discard animations on selected weapons

ART

• Upgraded lobby visuals

• Significantly more alien goo across levels

AUDIO A brand-new dynamic music system:

• Biome-specific exploration music during low-intensity moments

• Increased tension music during mid-sized encounters

• Intense action music during high-intensity objectives

• Extraction sequence music throughout the extraction phase

• Louder and more present enemies in the audio mix

• Additional mix improvements

GOAL OF THE TEST

For this phase, we are primarily looking for:

• Overall gameplay feedback

• Bug reports

Please complete the survey linked directly in the Closed Alpha on Steam.

Bug reporting can be done via our Discord channel #closed-alpha-bugs or directly in the Steam discussions.

Your feedback is critical to shaping the future of the game.

For more detailed technical information, known issues, and configuration guidance, please refer to the following Steam discussion thread: https://steamcommunity.com/app/2303200/discussions/0/814724712608351466/

Thank you for supporting Closed Alpha 3

Please note: Closed Alpha 3 does not represent the final quality or feature set of the game. Expect ongoing tweaks, balancing, system changes, and additional content as development continues.

Your feedback, reports, and shared experiences are instrumental in shaping the next phase of development. Sign up on Steam, squad up, and let’s keep refining the experience together.