How to Play the New World Beta on Steam

If you're wondering how to play the New World beta, you'll first need to sign up for and download it. Here's what you need to know.

New World lands on PC on September 28. Ahead of the game’s full launch, prospective players can take part in the game’s new testing period, running from September 9 through September 12. If you’re wondering how to play the New World beta, we’ve got the details, including how signup for and download it.

Recommended Videos

To play the New World beta, you’ll need to sign up for it. Log into Steam and head over to the New World Steam page. Below the two purchasing options, you’ll see a section that says “Join the New World Open Beta.” Click “Request Access.” A pop-up window will appear, where you’ll need to click “Request Access” again. Once you’ve done that, you’re registered. 

If you’re chosen as one of the participants, an email confirmation will be sent to the email account you have registered with Steam. There’s no link in the email, which will have the subject line “You’ve been invited to help test New World.” Go to your Steam library to find the game, click it, and then click Install. The download is 39GBs.

The test period begins on September 9 at 7 a.m. PDT/10 a.m. EDT and ends on September 12 at 11:59 p.m. PDT/2:59 a.m. EDT. 

New World is currently available for pre-order through Steam and Amazon in both standard and deluxe versions.

The $39.99 standard edition includes the base game, while the $49.99 deluxe edition includes the Woodsman armor and hatchet skins, the Mastiff house pet, the Rock/Paper/Scissors emote set, and the New World digital art book. All pre-orders include Isabella’s Amulet, the Fist Bump emote, a guild crest set, and the Expedition One title.

And that’s basically all you need to know about how to play, sign up for, and download the New World beta and see for yourself if September 28 is when you “chart your fate.”


GameSkinny is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article Stardew Valley PC Update Fixes Bugs, Adds More Content
Pelican Town run-down Community Center.
Read Article Little Kitty, Big City Release Date Slated for Spring
Black cat leaps down the city streets in Little Kitty Big City
Read Article All Star Wars Outlaws Editions and Pre-order Bonuses
A girl and droid walking with space ships flying around them
Read Article Bendy Gets a Free Game Teasing Future Content
Smiling machine in the shadows
Read Article Fallout Shelter Profits Skyrocket: Is New PC Content Next?
Fallout Shelter main menu screen.
Related Content
Read Article Stardew Valley PC Update Fixes Bugs, Adds More Content
Pelican Town run-down Community Center.
Read Article Little Kitty, Big City Release Date Slated for Spring
Black cat leaps down the city streets in Little Kitty Big City
Read Article All Star Wars Outlaws Editions and Pre-order Bonuses
A girl and droid walking with space ships flying around them
Read Article Bendy Gets a Free Game Teasing Future Content
Smiling machine in the shadows
Read Article Fallout Shelter Profits Skyrocket: Is New PC Content Next?
Fallout Shelter main menu screen.
Author
Jonathan Moore
Jonathan Moore is the Editor-in-Chief of GameSkinny and has been writing about games since 2010. With over 1,200 published articles, he's written about almost every genre, from city builders and ARPGs to third-person shooters and sports titles. While patiently awaiting anything Dino Crisis, he consumes all things Star Wars. He has a BFA in Creative Writing and an MFA in Creative Writing focused on games writing and narrative design. He's previously been a newspaper copy editor, ad writer, and book editor. In his spare time, he enjoys playing music, watching football, and walking his three dogs. He lives on Earth and believes in aliens, thanks to Fox Mulder.