The Vaultbreakers Alpha Test runs from October 15 at 10 AM CEST to October 21 at 11:59 PM CEST, and you join it through the free Vaultbreakers Demo on Steam. It unlocks the Breaker (PvPvE) difficulty, all five Vaultbreakers and a new map called Scraplands. Your demo progress carries over to the Alpha, and you keep the gear you earn after it ends. However, Scraplands is locked in the demo once the test is over, so use the week well.
Summary: Vaultbreakers Alpha Test guide
- Dates: October 15 at 10 AM CEST to October 21 at 11:59 PM CEST.
- US start: 4:00 AM Eastern on October 15.
- US end: 5:59 PM Eastern on October 21.
- How to join: install the free Vaultbreakers Demo on Steam. First-timers need the demo.
- New content: Breaker PvPvE, all five Vaultbreakers and the Scraplands map.
- Progress: demo progress carries into the Alpha. Items you earn there are yours to keep.
- Co-op: solo or up to three players, according to coverage of the demo.
What the Vaultbreakers Alpha Test Is
Vaultbreakers is a top-down extraction RPG from BetaDwarf, with Square Enix publishing. You prepare in a base called Haven, enter a dangerous map, loot relics and escape before the run ends. You can play against monsters in PvE or against other players in PvPvE.
The Alpha Test is the PvPvE test that the developers promised for October. They renamed it from the PvPvE Test to the Alpha Test when the demo launched on October 8. It runs on the Steam demo app, so you do not need a separate download.
The demo and the Alpha differ in important ways:
| Feature | Standard demo | Alpha Test |
|---|---|---|
| PvPvE (Breaker) | Not included | Included |
| Playable Vaultbreakers | 2 (Nymera and Bjornir) | All 5 |
| Maps | Part of Wolfswood | Wolfswood and Scraplands |
| Difficulty levels | PvE only | All, per Square Enix |
| Dates | Ongoing | October 15 to 21 |
Alpha Test Dates and Times in the US
The developers list the times in CEST. Here is what they mean for US players:
| Time zone | Alpha starts (Oct 15) | Alpha ends (Oct 21) |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern (EDT) | 4:00 AM | 5:59 PM |
| Central (CDT) | 3:00 AM | 4:59 PM |
| Mountain (MDT) | 2:00 AM | 3:59 PM |
| Pacific (PDT) | 1:00 AM | 2:59 PM |
Note that some pages list slightly different end dates. The Steam demo page mentions October 22, while the official announcement and the Steam news post give October 21 at 23:59 CEST. Go by the official announcement and finish your runs early.
How to Join and Update the Steam Demo App
The Alpha lives inside the demo app, so joining takes only a few steps:
- Open the Vaultbreakers Demo page on Steam.
- Click Play Game or Download, since the demo is free.
- Wait for the app to finish its update, because the Alpha content arrives as an update to the demo.
- Launch the demo and select the Alpha content from the menu.
First-timers must download the demo to take part. Returning players only need to let Steam update the app. If the Alpha options do not appear, restart Steam and check that your demo is fully updated.
Demo Progress Carryover to the Alpha Test
The developers confirm that all progress from the demo carries over to the Alpha. So you can get a head start in PvE before you try PvPvE.
The rules after that are different:
| Moment | What happens to your progress |
|---|---|
| Demo to Alpha | Carries over |
| After the Alpha | You keep items and gear earned during the Alpha |
| Demo to the full game | Only Legacy Points carry over, and demo progress may be reset |
The last row comes from the Steam demo page. In other words, treat all demo and Alpha progress as temporary, except for Legacy Points. You earn those by completing challenges, and they unlock permanent items.
Scraplands and Breaker PvPvE
Breaker is the PvPvE difficulty, where you face real opponents as well as monsters. According to the July playtest information, Breaker gives you faster progress and more loot of greater rarity. That makes it the riskiest mode, and it is the main reason for the Alpha.
Scraplands is a second map. During the Alpha, it only opens in Breaker difficulty. The developers say they plan to make it available in PvE difficulties at launch. After the Alpha ends, Scraplands locks again in the demo, and only Nymera and Bjornir remain playable.
The Steam news post teases a story hook for the new map. You uncover the mystery behind the Ancient Mage Tower and the ritual happening there.
Here is a safe way to approach your first Breaker run:
- Level up in PvE first. Your demo progress carries over, so use it.
- Pick a Vaultbreaker you know. All five are playable, but familiarity helps in PvP.
- Play with a party. The game supports co-op, and teammates help against rival players.
- Extract early. A longer run means more loot, but also more danger.
Our Dead by Daylight Survivor Intent System guide covers teamwork and communication habits that apply to any co-op extraction game.
Co-op Setup
Vaultbreakers supports solo and online co-op. Coverage of the demo says up to three players, which means you plus two friends. The Steam demo tags also list online co-op.
The official posts do not publish click-by-click co-op steps, so here is what is reasonable to expect:
- Same app version. Every player needs the updated demo.
- Invite through Steam. Steam’s friend system is the usual route for a demo like this.
- Check the lobby. The July patch notes mention fixes for joining matches and opening the lobby, so lobby bugs may appear.
Treat those points as general guidance, because the developers have not detailed them.
Puff Hunt in Wolfswood
The Steam news mentions a Puff Hunt contest in Wolfswood. The rule is to search for all 10 Puffs hiding on the map, excluding Wishy. The developers have not published locations, and I will not guess them.
What the official sources do give you is a list of Wolfswood areas from the July patch notes. These are Pinecrest Farm, Pinecrest Village, the Scrat Invasion, the Bandit Enclave and the South Vault Crash. Houses in Pinecrest Farm and Pinecrest Village can be entered, so check inside them too.
Fixing Infinite Loading Screens and Server Problems
I found no developer-confirmed fix for an infinite loading screen in the Alpha. The July patch notes mention crash fixes for entering Wolfswood, joining matches, returning to Haven and opening the lobby, so similar issues may return in a test build.
Try these steps in order:
- Wait a minute. Launch day traffic can slow servers.
- Restart the game. Close the demo and reopen it.
- Restart Steam. Make sure the demo shows as updated.
- Verify files. In Steam, right-click the demo, open Properties, go to Installed Files and verify integrity.
- Retry later. Come back when fewer players are online.
- Check Steam news. The developers posted an Alpha release fixes note.
If the problem continues, report it on the official Steam community page. Alpha tests exist to find bugs, so your report helps.
Twitch Rewards
The Steam news also lists a Twitch campaign with three rewards: 250 Legacy at 30 minutes of watch time, a Helldruid emote at 60 minutes and the Indigo Sparkwing Chroma Skin at 90 minutes. The dates are not clear from what I found, so check the campaign page before you start watching.
Tips and Common Mistakes
- Download early. First-timers need the demo before the Alpha.
- Do not assume progress stays. Only Legacy Points carry to the full game.
- Use the week. Scraplands locks again after October 21.
- Check the end time in your zone. The end falls in the afternoon in the US.
- Avoid guessing Puff locations. None are official.
- Report bugs. The Alpha exists for that.
Conclusion
The Vaultbreakers Alpha Test gives you a free look at Breaker PvPvE, all five characters and Scraplands until October 21. Install the Steam demo, use your demo progress, and keep your gear. Everything here is accurate as of October 15, 2026, and the developers may change details during the test.
FAQs
When does the Vaultbreakers Alpha Test start and end?
It runs from October 15 at 10 AM CEST to October 21 at 11:59 PM CEST.
How do I join the Vaultbreakers Alpha Test?
Download the free Vaultbreakers Demo on Steam and update it. The Alpha runs on that app.
Does my demo progress carry over?
Yes. Demo progress carries into the Alpha, and you keep the items and gear you earn there.
What does the Alpha add?
It adds Breaker PvPvE, all five Vaultbreakers and the Scraplands map.
Can I play Vaultbreakers co-op?
Yes. Coverage of the demo says up to three players.
Will the progress carry to the full game?
Only Legacy Points carry over, and demo progress may be reset before launch.
For more updates visit: GAME SPEC
