The third alpha playtest for Riftstorm concluded on October 30, 2024, marking a significant milestone for Confiction Labs' collaborative multiplayer experience. Over two weeks, the playtest achieved 99,514 hours of gameplay, 110,590 downloads, and an impressive 92% "very positive" reviews on Steam.

110,590 Downloads

What is Riftstorm?

Riftstorm is a co-op looter shooter that combines elements of action RPG and roguelite gameplay in a mysterious world known as the Occultical. Players assume the role of Mythic Protocol Weavers, special agents tasked with protecting the Occultical from mythic threats invading from other realms. In a team of up to three, players embark on mission-based gameplay, utilizing a variety of skills, weapons, and in-mission upgrades. The game offers a choice of unique Weavers, each with distinct abilities and loadouts, allowing players to customize primary and secondary weapons to match their gameplay style.

Riftstorm’s Third Alpha Playtest 

Key Features and Community Feedback

Gamers noted a marked improvement in the playtest compared to earlier versions, describing it as a more polished and immersive experience. The introduction of lore-driven content, updated in-game menus, and more dynamic missions were significant enhancements. The Dungeon System 2.0 upgrade brought larger, detailed maps and expanded in-dungeon interactions, while the new crafting feature allowed players to disassemble and create customized weapons.

Two new characters, Thistle and Rook, debuted during the playtest and quickly gained popularity, representing over 20.1% of all character selections across maps. Riftstorm demonstrated remarkable growth in player engagement and retention:

• Day 1 retention: 67.2%, a 17.9% increase over the second playtest.
• Day 3 retention: 46.2%, up 101.4%.
• Day 7 retention: 33.2%, more than doubling the typical industry average of 15-20%.

The game also achieved its highest concurrent player count to date at 1,270, a 181.4% rise from the previous playtest. Additionally, the event reached a global audience across 130 countries, with East Asia and Southeast Asia contributing the largest share of web3 gamers.

71,955 Hours Watched

Community-Driven Innovations

Confiction Labs’ focus on Collaborative Entertainment was evident in features introduced based on player feedback. Speedrun leaderboards and limited-time missions, requested in prior playtests and through the game’s Discord, were well-received additions. Players influenced in-game narratives, such as the Shade Resurgence mission and the choice to save or abandon the character Grey 6, with 80.3% opting for the rescue.

The development team emphasized their commitment to integrating community input. Future plans include the launch of the Riftstorm Repository, allowing user-generated content submissions that could shape game lore or mechanics. The playtest spurred significant social media growth:

• X followers: 32,700 new additions.
• Discord members: 3,662 joined during the event.

Content creators and esports organizations, including Tectone, Team Secret, and Talon Esports, engaged with Riftstorm, generating over 1.3 million impressions and 71,955 hours of watch time.

92% Positive Reviews on Steam

Looking Ahead

With a planned 2025 launch, Confiction Labs is focusing on expanding the Occultical ecosystem and finalizing its XPSR-24 premiere collection, inspired by Urban Neo-Expressionism. The team is also working on refining the Riftstorm Repository and implementing new features suggested by the community.

As Riftstorm gears up for its next stage, players and fans can stay connected by following Confiction Labs on X and wishlisting the game on Steam. Updates on beta releases and ecosystem developments will continue to build anticipation for the final launch. For more details on Riftstorm and the upcoming beta, visit the Riftstorm page on Steam.