Playtest & Release

Steam Playtest and Wishlist

God Save Birmingham is a physics-based medieval zombie survival game from Ocean Drive Studio, published with Kakao Games. The game is not yet publicly released on Steam, but you can wishlist it and request access to ongoing playtests directly from the official Steam store page. Wishlisting helps you receive notifications when new tests open and when Early Access eventually launches.

Steam playtests for God Save Birmingham operate as limited windows where selected players download a separate playtest build. Access is granted through Steam’s “Request Access” flow: you join the queue, and Steam notifies you when a slot opens. Spots are not guaranteed for every applicant, so applying early and keeping notifications enabled improves your chances for the next wave.

If you are new to the project, start with our Official Overview guide for a broad look at survival loops, then read the Controls page before your first session so inventory, diary, and combat inputs feel familiar from minute one.

Closed Alpha and Closed Beta Timeline

Ocean Drive Studio has run multiple closed tests as development progresses. A Closed Alpha Test in February 2026 introduced major systems including the Guide System, expanded weapons, and a durability model for gear. Feedback from that alpha directly shaped combat responsiveness, onboarding, and survival pacing for later builds.

The Closed Beta Test ran from 22 June to 29 June 2026. This beta focused on balance changes, bug hunting, and player feedback after months of iteration. Core Group Testers from earlier phases typically retained access without reapplying. New applicants used the same Steam request flow; when the beta went live, eligible accounts saw a download button on the store page.

Beta scope emphasized solo survival in medieval Birmingham: scavenging, base fortification, weather, hygiene, and refined melee combat. Multiplayer co-op is planned for Early Access but was not the primary focus of the June 2026 closed beta according to developer communications.

• February 2026 — Closed Alpha Test with Guide System, durability, and new weapons
• June 2026 — Closed Beta Test (22–29 June) for balance, bugs, and feedback
• Future windows — additional Steam playtests announced via store page and dev updates

Early Access Status

God Save Birmingham is listed on Steam with the intention to release as a work-in-progress title during Early Access, though a firm Early Access date remains TBA. The developers have stated they want to ship when core survival, combat, and base systems feel cohesive enough for extended play rather than rushing a barebones launch.

Early Access is expected to include a meaningful slice of medieval Birmingham—roughly a quarter of the town at launch according to public previews—with ongoing updates expanding locations, crafting, and co-op. Playtest builds may differ from the eventual EA baseline in UI polish, performance, and feature completeness, so treat each test as a snapshot rather than the final game.

Before any test session, verify your PC meets baseline requirements on our System Requirements page and check Steam for the latest min/recommended specs, which can change between builds.

What to Do During a Playtest

Playtests exist to stress systems under real player behavior. Ocean Drive Studio encourages reporting bugs through official channels linked from Steam or dev update videos, and sharing constructive feedback on combat feel, survival difficulty, UI clarity, and performance.

Use the in-game Guide System and journal to track objectives during your run. Many testers find it helpful to follow the Beginner Survival Guide on a first playthrough, then explore Beta Features Walkthrough content to compare changes since alpha.

Remember that saves, item values, and enemy tuning may reset between tests. Focus on learning mechanics—food and water loops, barricades, weapon durability, weather—and note anything that feels unclear or unfair so the team can iterate before Early Access.