Sign up for Playtest Blades for Hire now
Independent DoubleTap developer and publisher Valkyrie Initiative announced that their upcoming tactical strategy game Blades for Hire will be part of the Ancient Suit Game Festival on Steam. To celebrate this event, the team has opened registration for the official playtest. This will give players a chance to try out the latest version of the game before its full release.
Interested players can now visit the game's Steam page and select “Request Access” to join the playtest. This updated build includes community feedback from the public demo, as well as additional in-game content and two new Steam achievements. One of these achievements unlocks special gear for players to use in the final version.
Playtest participants will also have the opportunity to receive an exclusive reward: a unique breastplate and a two-handed sword, which will carry over into the full version. To qualify, players must add Blades For Hire to their Steam wishlist, head to the Valkyrie Initiative publisher page, and complete the “The Old Guard” quest. This achievement requires players to complete the playtest without hiring any new mercenaries, relying solely on their starting team. With permanent death, desertion, and unpaid soldiers a possibility, only the most tactical commanders are likely to survive to the end.
Testing is planned to begin in the first quarter of 2026, and notifications will be sent to all registered participants as soon as access becomes available. Until then, fans can wishlist Blades for Hire on Steam to stay up to date.
