Playtest window ended: The announced October 7-18, 2026 window has passed. The guide below records that test; it does not announce a new invitation window.
March of Giants' Pioneer Playtest is live on Steam through October 18, 2026. This free 4v4 strategy game puts each player in control of a Giant who commands Soldiers and deploys battlefield structures. To join, request access from the Steam playtest page and wait for Steam to confirm your invitation. The event also has a reward track: finish PvP matches, reach 1,000 Pioneer Points, and unlock rewards that include a permanent Giant and a pack for the game's later Early Access release.
How to get into the Steam playtest
The Pioneer Playtest runs from October 7 at 10 AM EDT through October 18, 2026. It is available on PC through Steam in North America and supported European countries. Ubisoft's playtest guide says new players should open the game's Steam page, select the playtest option and request access. Steam sends a notification when the invitation is granted, so requesting access should not be treated as an instant guarantee that the download is ready.
Players who took part in the September 2025 Closed Alpha are already invited and can look for the game in their Steam library. Everyone launching the game needs a Ubisoft Connect account, including returning testers. The regional availability list and account details are in Ubisoft's guide, while the Steam listing provides the request access button and basic game details.
A 4v4 battle built around armies
March of Giants is a team based MOBA, but the Giant is only one part of each player's force. The match objective is to destroy two of the opposing team's three Bastions while protecting your own. Soldiers move through lanes, support attacks and can be directed to scouting or resource gathering. Battleworks add structures and reinforcements that can change how a lane is defended or pushed.
The current playtest includes changes made since the closed test, including expanded item builds and new ways to guide Soldiers. Ubisoft also describes Army Camps, neutral objectives and a late match Abomination encounter. These systems give teams more decisions away from direct fights between Giants. A team may spend time gathering supplies or securing an objective, for example, to improve a later attack rather than chase every skirmish.
The test remains a work in progress. Ubisoft warns that players may encounter bugs, balance problems or unfinished features, and asks participants to share feedback through its official community channels. The team is using the larger test to learn how players approach match pacing, Soldiers, Battleworks, objectives and item choices.
How Pioneer Points and rewards work
Completing a PvP match earns Pioneer Points. A win grants 100 points and a loss grants 50, but leaving before the match ends earns nothing. PvE and custom games do not count toward the Pioneer total. Players who reach 1,000 points gain Pioneer status and unlock the rewards described by Ubisoft.
That reward set includes a Pioneer Medal shown beside the player's name, a permanent unlock of the Giant Pandemos when he joins the test on October 12, and a free Early Access Pack to receive when the game enters Early Access. Ubisoft has not given an Early Access release date in the playtest guide. The permanent Pandemos unlock is the part that carries into future playtests and Early Access; other Giants unlocked during this test do not.
One way to speed up progress
Players can earn a 20 percent Pioneer Point boost by watching a participating March of Giants streamer on Twitch for one hour while logged in, after linking Twitch and Ubisoft accounts. The other route is to join the official March of Giants Discord and claim a booster code in its designated channel. The methods provide the same boost and do not stack. With the boost active, a completed win grants 120 points and a loss grants 60.
The official Ubisoft press release, March of Giants: Pioneer Playtest ab sofort kostenlos spielbar, confirms the test is free on Steam through October 18 and links to the official gameplay premiere. You can watch Ubisoft's October 7 gameplay premiere for an overview of the playtest and its systems. For another time limited test, our State of Decay 3 beta guide explains how registration and access invitations differ.
What to check before requesting access
Check the official regional list before trying to join, then use Steam's own request access flow. Keep an eye on the Steam notification and make sure Ubisoft Connect is ready before launching. If you reach for the Pioneer reward track, play full PvP matches and keep track of the 1,000 point target. Choose either the Twitch watch route or the Discord code route for the boost, since using both does not raise the bonus above 20 percent.
The playtest is scheduled to close on October 18. Ubisoft says it may communicate changes to availability or maintenance through official channels, so check the game's official news page if access or timing changes. Players can share footage from this test, and Ubisoft has invited participants to send feedback as the team continues development.
Frequently asked questions
Is the March of Giants playtest free?
Yes. Ubisoft says the Pioneer Playtest is free to play on Steam through October 18, 2026.
Can I download it as soon as I request access?
Not necessarily. Steam notifies you after access is granted. Closed Alpha participants from September 2025 are already invited.
How do I earn Pioneer status?
Complete PvP matches until you earn 1,000 points. A win is worth 100 points and a loss is worth 50, unless the 20 percent boost is active.
Do the Twitch and Discord boosts stack?
No. Both unlock the same 20 percent boost, so choose either route.
