Developer Northplay has announced that its highly anticipated strategy game Dinolords—a unique fusion of Age of Empires-style base building and prehistoric creature combat—will launch its closed alpha playtest later this month.
What to Expect in the Alpha Build
According to a recent Steam update from Northplay, the closed alpha offers a significant vertical slice of the game. Players will have the opportunity to engage with a three-part tutorial before diving into four distinct maps and two unique game modes. The build also features a “campaign” setup that includes cross-level progression, allowing for a deeper look into the game’s mechanics.
The playtest is designed to stress-test the core systems, which blend traditional real-time strategy elements like unit management and infrastructure development with combat mechanics inspired by action RPGs. While the focus will be on the Viking faction, players will have full access to a diverse roster of dinosaurs.
A Fresh Perspective on RTS Gameplay
Initial impressions suggest that Dinolords is far more than a novelty concept. During a hands-on session at Gamescom, it became clear that the game offers a mechanically creative experience. By locking the player’s perspective to their “Dinolord,” the game keeps the user directly at the heart of the battlefield.
This design choice creates dynamic gameplay loops: mounting a velociraptor allows for rapid transit between settlements and frontline combat. Furthermore, the game rewards exploration and resource management, such as hunting for giant eggs in the forest to recruit new species or watching specialized triceratops assist in logging operations at the lumber mill.
How to Sign Up
If you want to secure a spot in the upcoming playtest, you can request access directly through the Dinolords Steam page. Northplay has noted that entry is not guaranteed for everyone who applies; instead, the studio will be inviting players in waves, with the process officially beginning at the end of October.
