Introducing the Public Test Shard

[Elrar]

Update - 12:33PM PST: Very soon happens to be Today! Players can have their first look at the premiere update for Rift today (Saturday 3/5/11) starting @ 2:00PM PST!

We’re already hard at work on Rift’s first major update and soon we will need your help! We will be temporarily opening the Public Test Shard for all players with an active subscription very soon, here you will be able to have a firsthand look at all the new content and improvements we have in the wings.

The Public Test Shard will only be open during certain periods so be sure to check it out and give your feedback when you can! Of course, being a test shard means that at times things will not go as planned – expect bugs, bumps, and frequent maintenance.

While you can’t copy your characters, those who played on Alpha before headstart will find their characters are still available. Lastly, try to avoid sharing spoilers across the forums; many players enjoy learning and discovering the game on their own, we appreciate your understanding.

Thanks for your help and feedback, we’re making Rift better together – have fun!

Start patching today – Download the Public Test Client

If you still have your client installed from pre-headstart Alpha testing, don't re-download the game. Simply launch Alpha and patch up!

You’ll find the latest notes in the patcher!

[Rizz]

Awesome =D

[Taxcollector]

Excellent!

Thanks for putting this up, can't wait to checkout new content on the ATS

[PugPug]

Is this download the full monty? 8+ gigs?

Is there any Trion-approved way to copy certain assets from a retail installation?

[Okaina]

That's nice! Though I am one of those who perfer exploring the new stuff on live

[Korereactor]

Can this co-exist with the release install without causing issues? Does it install to a different folder?

[Korereactor]

Can this co-exist with the release install without causing issues? Does it install to a different folder?

Ok, so it looks like you just create your own folder, and if the launcher is run from within, it will patch and install only in that folder?

[Pixel Monkey]

...wait...
...you mean there's MORE?
i love you guys

[Sundrop]

Thank you so much!

[AlienFromBeyond]

I'm liking what I'm reading in these alpha patch notes.

[DocLuedeman]

Woot!!

[sophee]

Anyone able to post the patch notes?

[Dalrimple]

I'm hoping for a new starting zone on Defiant before getting my main to 50, or maybe a few new instances.

[Mundosold]

Could we maybe get an Alpha Test Shard subforum? People are going to want to discuss the changes and that would help contain it so it doesn't leak all over the forums.

[zwimox]

More stuff to play with!