The plague is spreading, and 14th-century England is looking remarkably grim. Kakao Games and Ocean Drive Studio have just released their third Developer Update video for the highly anticipated medieval zombie survival simulator, God Save Birmingham.
The new video drops just in time for the game’s highly anticipated global Closed Beta Test (CBT), which officially kicks off today, 22 June, and runs until 29 June.
If you’ve been itching to hack through undead hordes with historically accurate melee tools while struggling against the brutal elements of the Dark Ages, here is everything revealed in Dev Update 3 that you can experience in the beta right now.
Re-Engineered, Brutal Combat
Following feedback from February’s Closed Alpha, Ocean Drive Studio has focused heavily on refining the game’s tactile, physics-based combat.
- Snappier Animations: Attack animations are now quicker, and character controls feel far more responsive.
- Tougher Foes: To keep things balanced, the zombies are now a bit more durable, forcing you to think strategically before swinging.
- New Weapon Types: Say hello to spears, one-handed swords, and heavy-hitting halberds. Keep an eye on your weapon durability and sharpness—dull blades deal less damage and break when you least want them to.
- The Shouting Mechanic: Players can now literally shout at zombies to lure them in a specific direction, perfect for setting up tactical ambushes or clearing a tight alleyway.
Deepened Medieval Survival Mechanics
Surviving the apocalypse in the 1300s requires a lot more than just a sharp sword. The beta introduces complex new layer systems for keeping your character alive:
- Foraging & Livestock: You can now forage for berries in the forest, harvest vegetables from village gardens, and tend to chickens, which will provide a steady supply of eggs.
- Thirst & Intoxication: You can pull drinking water straight from the local river, but untreated water carries the risk of a severe upset stomach. Alternatively, you can indulge in historically accurate medieval ale. While alcohol quenches thirst and lowers your character’s mental stress, drinking too much results in full-blown intoxication, making combat a hilarious nightmare.
Dynamic Weather and Lethal Fire Physics
The famed English weather is just as dangerous as the undead. The overhauled weather system introduces direct impacts on survival:
- Rain and Fog: Rain drops the temperature and threatens your health, but heavy fog impairs the vision of zombies, making it the perfect cover for a stealth run.
- Fire Hazards: To escape the cold, you can light indoor fires to warm up. However, physics-based fire can now spread dynamically to nearby wooden objects. Stand too close or manage your camp poorly, and you’ll suffer severe burns.
“While the team would love to include and showcase more features in the game, we believe that making things well is more important than making a lot,” said production director Soonook Shin. “Therefore we intend to focus on creating a great game by continuously developing, testing and refining content.”
What to Know Before You Play
Before you rush over to Steam, the developers have noted a couple of important details for this specific testing phase:
- No Save Feature Yet: Progression saves are not active for this build. If you need a break, the devs recommend hitting “ESC” to pause and leaving the game running in the background.
- Co-op is Coming: While the final game will feature online co-op, this CBT is strictly focused on testing the solo experience, game balance, and core physics.
How to Join the Closed Beta
The God Save Birmingham Closed Beta is officially live today! To throw yourself into the dark ages:
- Head over to the official God Save Birmingham Steam Page.
- Click the green “Request Access” button.
- If selected, a download option will appear in your Steam library. (Note: Previous Core Group Testers automatically have access!)
Are you ready to survive 14th-century Birmingham? Watch the full Dev Update 3 video on Ocean Drive Studio’s YouTube channel, grab your halberd, and let us know your thoughts on the beta in the comments below!
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