As it prepares to move into open beta, Immutable-based sci-fi shooter MetalCore has been making some significant behind-the-scenes changes.

The main one is the transition from Unreal Engine 4 to Unreal Engine 5, which as well as boosting graphical fidelity, will also optimize performance, making the game more accessible to lower spec hardware.

Aside from tech tweaks, the big news is MetalCore’s switch from a series of closed beta tests to a rolling open beta program. Season 1, which is called MetalPunk Rhapsody, will go live on Thursday 12th September.

Each season will last four weeks and highlight a different example of the game’s three factions, with season 1 focussing on the MetalPunks, hence the name. This will be supported with themed content, skins and storylines. Future seasons will cover the Gear Breakers and Holy Corp.

More generally, for Season 1 developer Studio369 has also improved the onboarding flow for new players and has – of course – added new PVP bounties and missions, including 10 player PVE raids.

Other additions include the introduction of unit rarities for mechs and vehicles, which are reflected in randomized strengths, stats and attributes. Finally, progress in each season will be recorded and rewarded in a new rewards system, offering time-limited prizes.

“With Season 1: MetalPunk Rhapsody, we’re opening the game to all players,” said Matt Candler, Studio369’s CEO.

“We’ve listened to our community and delivered the features they’ve been asking for, from UE5 visuals to Barony Wars. There’s never been a better time to join the action on Kerberos.”

MetalCore is available now via the Epic Games Store, with Season 1: MetalPunk Rhapsody going live on Thursday 12th September.

US developer Studio 369 has unveiled Baronies, its guild system which is set to roll out in Q3 2024, in web3 mech shooter MetalCore.

Baronies will enable players to band together in factions in order to climb PVP leaderboards. New leaderboards will be introduced which will offer weekly rewards to the top guilds. In terms of Barony rewards, they’ll be higher tiers and contain ultra-rare drops.

Players joining a guild will also be offered multiple other features, including the ability to speed up in-game progression, share game resources, recruit new members, rent out in-game assets, and design Barony-specific quests.

The Barony guild system has a hierarchical structure, spanning from supreme Baron leader to Ministers, Knights, Initiates and others. Being a higher tier Barony means additional privileges.

Studio 369 CEO Matt Candler commented, “With Baronies, we’re enabling gamers to create their own powerful in-game nations and forge their destiny through unity and loyalty. Only those banding together in mighty Baronies will be able to claim dominance on the war-torn battlefields of Kerberos.”

“Baronies represent a true democratization of gameplay, putting the ability to form powerful in-game factions into the hands of players themselves,” added Candler. 

MetalCore is currently in closed beta. For more details about how to join its playtests, visit the game’s website and follow its X account.