Creative Assembly has announced the dates of its upcoming PC alpha tests for sci-fi shooterHyenas, starting with an event before the end of January. Multiple alpha tests are planned forHyenasover the next several months, asCreative Assemblygathers data and feedback regarding its sci-fi multiplayer game. This is also Creative Assembly’s opportunity to build up excitement forHyenas, a new IP that will have to build an audience through word of mouth.

Hyenaswas first announced in June 2022 as a sci-fi multiplayer FPS by the developers ofAlien: Isolationand theTotal Warseries. Suffice it to say, there was immediately some surprise that Creative Assembly decided to shift focus to multiplayer FPS. Theannouncement trailer forHyenasleft even more people confused, with gameplay looking heavily influenced byApex LegendsandOverwatch, but text descriptions hinting at a moreEscape From Tarkovstyle of game. The alpha tests will have to answer a lot of questions.

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Instead of announcing just one alpha test, Creative Assembly unveiled what it callsHyenas' PC Alpha Timeline. The timeline is made up of four different alpha test weekends, each of which will be invite-only. The first test, Weekend 1, is planned for this upcoming weekend. Between January 20 and January 23, interested shooter fans who are lucky enough to be invited will be able totry outHyenasfor the first time. It’s unclear if the alpha tests will be under NDA.

Weekend 2 through Weekend 4Hyenasalpha tests will take place monthly going into April. Weekend 2 runs from February 17 through February 20, Weekend 3 is between March 10 and March 13, and Weekend 4 starts March 31 and ends April 3. Odds are Creative Assembly will host further tests, running a beta and even building to an open beta, further down the line. For now, though, it’s just these closed alpha tests confirmed forHyenas.

As part of the PC Alpha Timeline reveal, Creative Assembly also revealed a newHyenasmap named Manhattan. Manhattan features landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, the iconic “We Are Happy to Serve You” Greek coffee cup, sections of the Brooklyn Bridge, and more, transported into a space station as some kind of Earth museum. When Creative Assembly saidHyenasplayers will be stealing from the rich, this space station full of pieces of Manhattan should help convey just how rich.

Those interested in seeing just whatHyenasis all about, whether it’smoreApex LegendsorEscape From Tarkov, can register for the alpha test on the game’s official website. Not everyone is guaranteed to be invited, but there’s no harm in signing up. Expect to hear much the weeks and months to come.

Hyenasis in development for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.