Sign up to Playtest Blades for Hire Now
Independent developer DoubleTap and publisher Valkyrie Initiative have announced that their upcoming tactical strategy game, Blades for Hire, will be part of the Ancient Costume Game Festival on Steam. To celebrate the occasion, the team has opened registrations for the official playtest. This will give players an early chance to experience the latest version of the game before its full release.
Interested players can now head to the game’s Steam page and select “Request Access” to join the playtest. This updated build incorporates community feedback from the public demo, along with additional in-game content and two new Steam achievements. One of these achievements unlocks a special piece of equipment for players to use in the final version.
Playtest participants will also have the opportunity to earn an exclusive reward: a unique chest armor and a two-handed sword that will carry over to the full release. To qualify, players must add Blades For Hire to their Steam wishlist, follow the Valkyrie Initiative publisher page, and complete the “Old Guard” challenge. This achievement demands that players finish the playtest without recruiting new mercenaries, relying solely on their starting team. With permadeath, desertion, and unpaid soldiers all possible, only the most tactical commanders are likely to endure to the end.
The playtest is planned to begin in Q1 2026, with notifications sent to all registered participants once access becomes available. Until then, fans can wishlist Blades for Hire on Steam to stay updated.