Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsBetaDwarf has released a free Vaultbreakers demo on Steam, dated 8 October 2026. It is PvE-only, so PvPvE is not playable in it. The same announcement says Square Enix Collective is joining as publishing partner while BetaDwarf stays the developer. The next scheduled step is a separate Alpha Test, which starts on 15 October 2026.
What’s in the Vaultbreakers demo?
The demo is a PvE slice of the game, and BetaDwarf’s announcement and Steam’s listing describe the same contents:
- Two playable Vaultbreakers: Nymera and Bjornir.
- A haven with upgrades and perks: the haven can be upgraded, and perks are part of the demo.
- Part of the first map: a section of Wolfswood.
- Onboarding and main quests: the story runs through the first Vaultbreak.
- Co-op for up to three players: the host plus up to two friends.
Steam describes Vaultbreakers as a top-down extraction RPG that supports PvE and PvPvE. Only the PvE side is in the demo. PvPvE is not accessible in the demo, and readers should not expect it from the free download.
Does demo progress carry over?
The answer depends on what you are carrying and where you are taking it. The Steam listing and BetaDwarf’s announcement describe two different cases, and they should not be read as one rule.
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- PLACE YOUR BID: Attempt to win a loot card by playing a high card into the central cell block or play a low card to keep it for yourself. Match the suit of the central warden card to earn a special action.
- BUILD YOUR VAULT: Stash loot cards in your vault, and arrange them wisely to maximize final scoring.
- SCORE POINTS: Earn gear tokens, the ultimate measure of success, based on the position of cards in your vault, their suit, or card patterns.
- ENDLESS VARIETY: Each game is a new challenge as scoring objectives change every time you play.
- 1-5 Players, 30-45 Minutes, Ages 14+
| Progress type | Full release | Alpha Test |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy Points | Carry over after launch, according to Steam’s listing | Not stated in the announcement |
| Other demo progress | Does not carry over; may be reset before launch, according to Steam’s listing | Carries into the Alpha Test, according to BetaDwarf’s announcement |
In practice, treat demo progress as disposable if your goal is the full release, and treat it as a potential head start only for the Alpha Test.
What changes with Square Enix Collective
BetaDwarf says it is still developing Vaultbreakers with the same team and the same creative vision. Its announcement adds that Square Enix brings publishing support, while design decisions remain with BetaDwarf and player feedback will continue to shape the game. Steam’s publisher field lists both BetaDwarf and Square Enix, and Square Enix Holdings’ corporate news index carries a Square Enix Ltd. notice dated 9 October 2026. That index entry confirms the corporate announcement date, but it does not add English-language detail about the partnership.
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- No Crypto Knowledge Needed – Parodying the crypto craze, game board displays the current value of each fictional coin. Move the coins up & down based on the results of the crash & value dice rolls
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Alpha Test schedule
BetaDwarf has scheduled the Alpha Test for 15 October 2026 at 10:00 CEST through 21 October 2026 at 23:59 CEST. Schedules and access instructions can change, so check BetaDwarf’s official announcement before planning around these times. Demo progress carries into this test, as noted above.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Controller setup
Steam’s listing states full controller support, including Xbox controllers. A controller is optional. Neither the listing nor the announcement says one is required, and neither recommends a specific model. Keyboard and mouse remain a valid way to play if you prefer them, though the listing does not say which control scheme suits co-op best.
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Getting into the demo
- Open the Vaultbreakers page on Steam and confirm the listing shows the demo as free.
- Add the demo to your library and install it from the Steam library.
- Start the demo and complete onboarding, which leads into the first Vaultbreak.
- To play co-op, invite up to two friends before starting, so that the party reaches three players.
Before launching, read the carryover notes above to decide whether to spend time on demo progress.
Source information: BetaDwarf’s official announcement dated 8 October 2026, Steam’s official demo listing, and Square Enix Holdings’ corporate news index dated 9 October 2026.
Once the Alpha Test window opens, BetaDwarf’s announcement remains the reference for schedule and access details.
Quick Recap
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