Greetings, Adventurers! With the Heart of Madness content update now live and providing our players with tons of new and exciting challenges in Aeterum, the development team has taken the opportunity to provide some further quality-of-life changes. We understand that annoying bugs and issues with certain skills can negatively impact your enjoyment of New World, so we’ve put together a number of changes to make life in Aeternum a little more enjoyable while vanquishing enemy factions or simply crafting your next health potion. For this quality of life patch (QoL), we’ll be hosting a brief stability test on the Public Test Realm. Once this update has been thoroughly vetted by players & our internal testing teams, and we’ve gained confidence in its stability, we’ll conclude this time-limited test and bring these collective changes to your characters on the main New World game. Please keep in mind that due to the smaller size of this patch and the focus of direct QoL changes (instead of large new features), this stability test will run significantly shorter than our traditional early-access PTR testing for more substantial updates. For those interested in participating, the new PTR client will be available for preload on April 11 with the server “US East PTR 1” opening on April 12 at 10AM PT (7PM UTC). At this time, our [url=https://forums.newworld.com/c/public-test-realm/89]PTR sub-forum[/url] will re-open as well, where you can provide us with feedback and reports of any new bugs or performance issues encountered throughout the test period (alternative, you may instead utilize our in-game feedback tool accessible from the main navigational menu). Check out the [url=https://forums.newworld.com/t/ptr-april-release-notes/719686]April PTR Release Notes[/url] on the forums for our full list of changes included within this update! [h2]PTR Client Access[/h2] This special preview client will be made available for download through the stand-alone Steam application, “New World Public Test Realm” (which should already be in your Steam library if you own the main game). When the test period is complete and the main New World game is updated with the previewed content, the PTR world will shut down and may be wiped clean. You will continue to see the New World PTR application in your Steam library, but there will not be an active server until the next time we announce a public test. [h2]PTR Backstory Loadouts[/h2] Upon character creation on the PTR, players will be given multiple caches of special armor and weapons. Each cache has a designation based upon a general build based on a main attribute: CON, DEX, INT, FOC, and STR. To help manage the sudden onset of new items, do not open all provided caches at once, or you risk becoming encumbered! Instead, equip all provided bags and then follow-up with opening each cache deliberately. Any undesired caches can be dropped or deposited into your personal settlement storage. [h2]PTR FAQ[/h2] HOW DO I ACCESS THE NEW PTR? Everyone with a copy of New World will be automatically granted access to the secondary PTR app. The PTR is not compatible with the live game, so you will need to download a separate client (and have the hard drive space required to support it). From there, we will have special worlds available within supported regions. Not all regions will initially be supported. Access is on a first come, first served basis. There may be queues. CAN I PLAY WITH OR TRANSFER MY LIVE CHARACTERS TO THE PTR? Unfortunately, no. These are separate ecosystems, so at this time it is not possible. However, to make testing easier, we will occasionally provide our play-testers with special accommodations such as instant levels, special gear, etc. CAN I PROVIDE DESIGN FEEDBACK REGARDING WHAT’S INCLUDED ON THE PTR? Preview game builds on the PTR are finished with their core development and are in their final phase of testing and bug fixing. Our main focus at this phase is improving quality, although we will appreciate any feedback you have to share. I HAVE A PROBLEM; HOW CAN I CONTACT CUSTOMER SUPPORT? Our policies and Code of Conduct cover the PTR, and in-game moderation will continue to be supported. Unfortunately, due to the temporary and potentially unstable nature of the PTR, general Customer Service assistance through both Live Chat and through the Support Website will not be available. I DON’T WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PTR, CAN I REMOVE THE APP FROM MY LIBRARY? Don’t worry, no offense taken. Players can manage visibility of the New World Public Test Realm Steam Library entry. Opening up the game options (right-click > Manage) offers the “Hide Game” function. Thanks for your support and participation! We'll see you in Aeternum.