Knockout City gets a cross-platform open beta this weekend

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EA's 3v3 ball-flinger is free to try until April 4th.

EA wants you to dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge your way through competitive ball-hucker Knockout City, throwing up an open beta for the 3v3 arena this Friday through Monday. 

Announced in February with a trailer that was more memorable for its framing than the game itself, Knockout City is a dodgeball team deathmatch. Two teams compete to slam each other with tough rubber balls, using trick-shots, fake-outs and good old hero abilities to ensure their opponents can't catch their throw and slam 'em right back.

A closed beta followed the game's reveal that month. But this weekend, anyone and everyone can get in, with a cross-platform beta across Steam, consoles, and a newly-announced spot on the Epic Games Store. The beta will feature three modes (Team KO, Face-Off and Diamond Dash) across four maps, with four special balls to choose from.

Of course, novelty arena shooters have a notorious habit of fizzling out pretty fast (remember Rocket Arena, anyone?). In his preview, Tyler was sceptical of Knockout City's ability to hold an audience, given its haphazard 'hello, fellow kids' art direction. But the core dodge-brawling has promise, and between being temporarily free at launch and supporting full cross-play, Knockout City might survive long enough to find solid footing.

The Knockout City Open Beta can be pre-loaded now, going live on Friday, April 2nd at 6am PT / 2pm BST. Knockout City launches fully this May 21st.

Natalie Clayton
Natalie Clayton
Features Producer

20 years ago, Nat played Jet Set Radio Future for the first time, and she's not stopped thinking about games since. Joining PC Gamer in 2020, she comes from three years of freelance reporting at Rock Paper Shotgun, Waypoint, VG247 and more. Embedded in the European indie scene and a part-time game developer herself, Nat is always looking for a new curiosity to scream about—whether it's the next best indie darling, or simply someone modding a Scotmid into Black Mesa. She also unofficially appears in Apex Legends under the pseudonym Horizon.