Wasteland 2 Beta is now live for Kickstarter backers. Actual beta, expect actual bugs

If you backed Wasteland 2 on Kickstarter, and were one of the 61,290 backers who donated a high enough percentage of the $2,933,252 total to be eligible (and you have 4.1 GB free on your computer thing), then you can now download a beta for Wasteland 2. If you meet the criteria, you should have access to a key to download it on Steam. Leave this site now, and do that.

Based on inXile’s comments, this really is a beta – and not a different name for a demo that some unscrupulous marketing folk do sometimes. Based on an update posted on the game’s Kickstarter page, the beta will be playable, but don’t expect everything to run smooth.

This version of the game will “feel a bit more linear than the full experience will“, could be “rife with typographical errors,” and “[t]he code for handling the camera is also not final” too, the update reads. There are also “[a] number of skills are not implemented” and none of the voicework seen in the game “are set in stone” yet. There might be a lot more wrong too, but it is a beta after all. You can help squash any bugs by giving feedback to the developers if you so wish!

Overall, the Wasteland 2 Beta should work better than Battlefield 4’s final release though.

One standout note is that the developers will allow streaming and coverage of the game without having a hissy fit about rights and other nonsense:

“If you’re a twitch streamer, YouTube personality, or work for the video game press, you’re probably wondering, “What am I allowed to do with the beta?” For the Wasteland 2 beta, we are not putting any restrictions on written and video coverage. Feel free to stream the game, produce YouTube videos, blog about it or write articles about it. You’re free to use any revenue programs available, such as the YouTube Partner program. ”

“They go on “The only thing we ask is that you explicitly mention that this is a backer/early access beta, and not necessarily representative of the final product. Other than that, please do share – the more the better! Do note that the focus of this beta is on getting feedback from our backers and not about getting press reviews.”

This new story is alright and perfectly legal then, and we will not get sued! That’s two escapes in one week. Hooray!