- Anvil Empires beta access runs through limited Steam Playtest waves, not a permanent open beta
- Request access directly on the official Steam store page when a test window is open
- Core test focus: settlement building, logistics, large battles with up to 1,000 players
- Full release date is still to be announced as of September 2026
- Best preparation: join the official Discord and wishlist on Steam for test announcements
Anvil Empires Beta: Current Status
The Anvil Empires beta is the ongoing testing phase for Siege Camp's persistent medieval warfare MMO, the studio behind Foxhole. Instead of a traditional always-open beta, Siege Camp runs limited playtest periods through Steam that evaluate specific systems — settlement building, logistics networks, combat, and large-scale battles designed to support up to roughly 1,000 players in a single dense battlefield.
As of late 2026, the full release date remains officially "to be announced." The Steam page currently shows no user reviews because the game has not launched commercially. The beta therefore represents the only way to experience the game before release.
Full Release Status
- Not yet announced
- Active development continues
- World persistence under expansion
Steam Availability
- Official store page live
- Wishlist to track news
- Playtest requests via Steam
Community Size
- 58.3K+ Discord members
- Around 18K online at peak snapshots
- Official Reddit at r/AnvilEmpires
Siege Camp does not sell beta keys or distribute codes through third-party sites. Any website offering "Anvil Empires beta keys" for purchase or survey completion is unofficial and should be avoided. Access requests go through the Steam page only.
How to Join the Anvil Empires Beta Playtest
Getting into a playtest is a straightforward process, but admission is not guaranteed — Siege Camp uses testing waves sized to evaluate specific server and gameplay scenarios.
Visit the Official Steam Page
Open the Anvil Empires store page on Steam. This is the only legitimate entry point for playtest requests. If a test window is active, a "Request Access" button appears on the page.
Request Playtest Access
Click Request Access when a testing period is open. Your Steam account is added to the eligibility pool, and Steam notifies you automatically if you are accepted into a wave.
Join the Official Discord
The Anvil Empires Discord (around 58.3K members) is where Siege Camp announces test schedules, patch notes, and feedback channels. Staying active here means you never miss a wave announcement.
Prepare for the Test
Read the devblogs covering world map changes, town keeps, combat, avatars, superior weapons, and the Underworld so you understand which systems a given test emphasizes.
Participate and Report
During the test, play any role — gatherer, builder, logistics runner, or soldier — and submit feedback through official channels. Playtests exist to stress-test interconnected systems with real player populations.
Even if no playtest is currently open, wishlisting the game on Steam ensures you receive release and testing announcements the moment Siege Camp publishes them.
What the Beta Tests: Core Systems
Each playtest wave evaluates a slice of Anvil Empires' interlocking systems. The table below summarizes what each system covers and why it matters to testing.
| System | What It Covers | Why It Is Tested |
|---|---|---|
| Settlement Building | Hamlets, multi-level structures, keeps, fortifications | Validates cooperative construction at scale |
| Logistics | Supply camps, transport routes, food and equipment delivery | Ensures armies can sustain long campaigns |
| Combat | Melee formations, positioning, group fighting | Checks battlefield coordination with hundreds of players |
| Sieges | Siege camps, ladders, battering rams, wall assaults | Stress-tests combined-arms assaults on fortifications |
| World Persistence | World map, Underworld levels, resource regions | Confirms the persistent world holds state between sessions |
| Server Load | Up to 1,000 players in one battlefield | Pushes Siege Camp's proprietary tech to population limits |
You do not need to fight to be useful in a test. Farming, husbandry, hunting, and transporting supplies generate exactly the load data Siege Camp needs for its economy and logistics systems.
Beta Preparation Checklist
Players who arrive prepared contribute more meaningful test data — and enjoy the experience far more. Work through this checklist before your first session.
Before Your First Playtest Session:
- Wishlist Anvil Empires on Steam and request playtest access
- Join the official Anvil Empires Discord
- Read the latest devblog on the tested systems
- Pick a starting role: gatherer, builder, logistician, or soldier
- Learn the settlement layout: storage, production, and transport zones
First-Session Progression Path
| Stage | Activity | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Explore the nearby settlement | Learn where resources enter and leave |
| 2 | Gather basic raw materials | Feed construction and production chains |
| 3 | Deliver materials to storage | Connect your labor to the settlement economy |
| 4 | Join a construction project | Help expand housing or defenses |
| 5 | Run a logistics route | Move supplies toward the front line |
| 6 | Join an organized battle | Experience large-scale group combat |
New testers consistently find that transporting supplies delivers immediate value to armies. Front lines burn through food and equipment quickly, and a single reliable runner keeps squads operational.
Beta Tips for Large Battles
When a test features a major siege or field battle, unprepared players are often eliminated in minutes. These tips reflect how organized armies actually operate during Anvil Empires testing.
Stay With Your Group
- Never enter enemy formations alone
- Attack and reposition as a unit
- Keep a shared front line
Know When to Withdraw
- Falling back preserves your gear
- Retreat toward friendly forces
- Avoid being surrounded in open ground
| Battlefield Role | Responsibility | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| Frontline soldier | Hold formation, engage enemies | High |
| Builder | Raise siege equipment and fortifications | Medium |
| Logistics runner | Resupply troops with food and gear | Medium |
| Scout | Track enemy movements and approaches | Medium-High |
Combat troops should intercept enemies heading toward builders and logistics players. A battle is lost quickly when resupply lines are disrupted mid-siege.
Official Channels and Release Outlook
All legitimate Anvil Empires beta information flows through a small set of official channels. Bookmark these and ignore everything else.
| Channel | Purpose | Link Type |
|---|---|---|
| Official website | Game overview, screenshots, devlogs | anvilempires.com |
| Steam page | Wishlisting, playtest requests, updates | store.steampowered.com |
| Discord | Test announcements, feedback, community | Official invite |
| Reddit (r/AnvilEmpires) | Community discussion, listed in official trailer | Official community entry |
| YouTube (@siegecamp) | Trailers and devblog videos | Official channel |
The 2025 Steam Next Fest trailer gathered roughly 196,000 views, with the earlier announcement trailer near 168,000 — strong signals of sustained interest heading toward release. With the full launch date still unannounced as of September 2026, playtests remain the best window into how settlement building, logistics, and 1,000-player battles are shaping up.
The game currently supports an English interface only on Steam. Even though community wikis serve German, Russian, and Spanish readers, the game's name stays "Anvil Empires" across all languages — there is no official localized title.
Q: Is the Anvil Empires beta open to everyone?
No. Access is granted through limited Steam Playtest waves. Players request access on the Steam store page, and Steam notifies accepted accounts when a testing period opens.
Q: When does Anvil Empires fully release?
The full release date is still to be announced as of September 2026. Siege Camp continues running playtests to evaluate settlement systems, logistics, and large-scale battles before launch.
Q: Can I buy an Anvil Empires beta key?
No legitimate beta keys are sold. Any third-party site claiming to sell or give away Anvil Empires beta access should be treated as unofficial. Request access only through the Steam page.
Q: How many players can fight in one Anvil Empires battle?
Siege Camp's proprietary technology targets up to roughly 1,000 players in a single dense battlefield, which is one of the primary systems validated during beta playtests.