Aftercharge, the 3v3 asymmetrical FPS, will hold an 'open alpha' next weekend

Aftercharge is a multiplayer FPS in which a team of three invisible robots does its best to wreck stuff, while a team of three invincible guards tries to stop them. Next weekend, you'll be able to judge for yourself how it's coming along, as developer Chainsawesome Games is holding a three-day "open alpha," which will be the game's first public playtest.

"In Aftercharge, one team of three invisible robots works to destroy six energy extractors on the map, while another team of three indestructible (and heavily-armed) human(oid) guards attempts to stop them," the developers explained. "Each team features three class types uniquely suited to combat the opposing team’s individual abilities."

"On the defending Enforcers team, choose between invincible guards Striker, Liquidator and Builder. When on the attack team as an invisible Workonics droid, dismantle extractors as Glitch, Bubbles and the newly revealed today, Cyclops. Alternate characters to explore new offensive and defensive tactical options and strengthen your team’s strategy."

It's an odd concept, but one we played back in June and it made a really positive impression: Maintaining gameplay balance is always an issue in asymmetrical shooters, "but central to Aftercharge’s hook is how the contrasting strategies of each side balances against the baseline boon of not being seen or not worrying about death," we wrote. Maybe you can't die, in other words, but it's still pretty easy to lose.

The Aftercharge open alpha will run from October 13-15, while the full game is expected to be out in early 2018. More information about the game is up at afterchargegame.com, and we've got some screens and new gameplay footage below.

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.