STALCRAFT: X will open its Open Test Server at 15:00 UTC on Oct. 16, giving selected EU and RU players until 20:59 UTC on Oct. 18 to try updated wide range detectors, squad-based matchmaking and inventory item locking. EXBO detailed the test in its Steam announcement.
EXBO is limiting access to players who have actively searched for signals or frequently played in squads. Test characters will have the gear they owned when added to the participant list. Regular progress and items will stay on the test server rather than transfer between servers, though rewards from OTS challenges will be sent to the main server.
Steam players can check their most recently active character for a System message titled “OTS invitation: WRD, squad-based matchmaking, and item locking in inventory.” Without that invitation, they are not eligible. The Steam beta build is available to download even for players who were not selected, so downloading it does not guarantee access. Eligible players using the EXBO Launcher will see STALZONE OTS in their download list, and EXBO recommends its launcher for Steam users too. EXBO’s instructions cover access through both options.
Players will spawn at Pervomaisky Factory Bar. The test will also open The Bar, The Forest, The Pit, Pervomaisky Factory, The Path of Fools, Polesskoye, Professor Solyannikov’s story location, Mines, Inflow, Forge-11 and Northern faction bases. EXBO warns that the server may stop or restart while the team makes changes.
What Players Can Test
An NPC near the Bar spawn point will provide all in-game wide range detectors and the Buryat SRD, and will start the “Receiver” quest to find Kaa using a detector. Signal spawn rates will be doubled in Polesskoye, The Path of Fools, Mines, Inflow and Forge-11.
Matchmaking will separate solo and duo play from squads of three to five. Players can test those group sizes by completing the relevant clearing-event challenges. Inventory item locking will also be available, with EXBO asking testers to lock frequently used items and pay attention to how the feature works during open-world play.
OTS Challenges Pay Out on the Main Server
Players can find the tasks in the Open Test Challenges section of the Event Hub, accessed through a special interaction button in the game menu.
- Detector searches: Find 50 signals with each of the SAC-1, SAC-2 and PIONEER-3 Wide Range Detector. Each challenge awards 1 Changing Serum, 5 Unstable Anomalous Batteries and 1 Fishie Crate.
- Signals in five locations: Find 100 signals across The Path of Fools, Polesskoye, Mines, Inflow and Forge-11 for 1 Fishie Crate, 10 Catalysts and 1,000 Season Points.
- 200 signals: Find 200 signals for 10 Catalysts, 3 Anomalous Champagne and 1,000 Season Points.
- Find Kaa: Complete the “Receiver” quest for 1 Fishie Crate, 5 Unstable Anomalous Batteries and 1,000 Season Points.
- Squad events: Complete 100 events in the five locations as a two-player squad, or complete a separate 100-event challenge as a squad of three to five. Each challenge awards 2 Fishie Crates, 10 Catalysts and 3,500 Season Points. All squad members must be in the same location.
- All challenges: Completing every OTS challenge awards an additional 2 Changing Serums, 2 Fishie Crates, 3 Unforgettable Cocktails and 2,000 Season Points.
Successful challenge rewards will be credited to the appropriate characters on the main server within 30 business days after the OTS ends. Bug reports can be submitted through EXBO Support, and testers can leave gameplay feedback in the OTS discussion thread on Discord.
Which of the three test changes would you want to try first? Follow the OTS conversation and its detector and matchmaking tests on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam and Telegram.
Stalzone
Developed by EXBO
