Sci-Fi MMO Cinder City Sets Pre-Alpha Playtest Following Hardware Spec Adjustments
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Big Fire Games is hosting a US-only pre-alpha playtest for its sci-fi MMO Cinder City from August 14 to 16, offering players a first look at its high-end hardware demands and open-world PvE gameplay.
Big Fire Games is opening up sign-ups for the first pre-alpha playtest of its upcoming sci-fi MMO, Cinder City. Set to run from August 14 to August 16, the test gives players a chance to experience the game's open-world PvE action firsthand, though participation currently requires players to be based in the US and over the age of 16. As reported by Rock Paper Shotgun, the game drops players into a near-future Seoul as elite soldiers known as Cinderknights, tasked with clearing out streets overrun by bioweapon-style monsters and rival factions through dungeons and raids.
Hardware requirements have naturally been a major talking point for the community ever since initial specifications suggested an eye-watering 64GB of RAM just to hit the recommended settings. While developer adjustments have since dialed that requirement down to 32GB, it remains a steep demand that will require high-end rigs to run smoothly during this early stage of development. Visuals and movement mechanics shown so far lean into a grounded, slightly heavy aesthetic reminiscent of last-generation shooters, but early playtests will be the real litmus test for how the combat actually handles in motion.
With no official release date locked in yet, this limited pre-alpha is the first real opportunity for the community to see if the ambitious world holds up under actual player load. As live-service and MMO spaces continue to evolve across PC platforms, optimization remains a critical bottleneck for player adoption. You can read the original coverage and check out sign-up details over at Rock Paper Shotgun.
Tags: Cinder City, MMO, PC Gaming, Pre-Alpha, Big Fire Games
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun