First Closed Beta Announced for Time Takers, An Upcoming Survival Shooter Where Time Is How You Craft Your Build
•February 20, 2026
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Companies Mentioned
Why It Matters
Early player feedback will refine the novel time‑resource mechanic, shaping Time Takers’ competitive positioning in the crowded shooter market.
Key Takeaways
- •Closed beta runs March 13‑21, 8 hours daily
- •Focus on Time Energy as upgrade and build mechanic
- •12 characters, 10 weapons, three maps available
- •NA and SA regions supported; global access possible with lag
- •Feedback will guide final launch and balance decisions
Pulse Analysis
Time Takers enters a saturated survival‑shooter space with a twist: Time Energy replaces traditional loot systems, letting players allocate resources in real time to evolve abilities, weapons, and tactical apps. This dynamic resource model promises deeper strategic layers, encouraging split‑second decisions that could set a new standard for fast‑paced multiplayer experiences. By integrating time as both a currency and a gameplay constraint, the title differentiates itself from peers like Apex Legends and Fortnite, appealing to players seeking fresh meta‑shifts.
The upcoming closed beta, scheduled for March 13‑21, offers eight‑hour daily windows tailored to Pacific and Eastern time zones, ensuring a steady influx of feedback across North and South America. With 12 playable characters, a modest arsenal of 10 weapons, and three distinct maps, developers aim to stress‑test core mechanics without overwhelming newcomers. Participants will encounter rapid matches that demand immediate adaptation of Time Energy usage, fostering a learning curve that mirrors the intended live‑service evolution. Community forums and in‑game reporting tools will channel player insights directly to Mistil’s balancing team.
For NCSOFT, the beta serves as a litmus test for monetization pathways and long‑term esports viability. Successful refinement of the Time Energy system could translate into a compelling progression loop, encouraging microtransaction spend while maintaining competitive integrity. Moreover, early exposure builds a dedicated player base poised to fuel tournament ecosystems, positioning Time Takers as a potential staple in the next generation of arena shooters. The beta’s outcomes will likely dictate launch timing, content roadmap, and partnership opportunities within the broader gaming market.
First Closed Beta Announced for Time Takers, An Upcoming Survival Shooter Where Time is How You Craft Your Build
Time Takers is an upcoming third‑person survival shooter from developer Mistil Games and released by NCSOFT. Details and dates for the first closed beta for the game have just been announced, and it’s soon.
Originally announced last summer at Opening Night Live, Time Takers’ central mechanic uses time energy that you collect during battle and as you continue to survive while facing other teams. The Time Energy you collect is how you will upgrade and progress your skills, use apps for combat buffs, and offer a flexible way to customize your build. You'll have to be flexible to adjust mid‑match after all, so try out as much as you can.
The beta test will take place from March 13th – 21st and is open to North and South America at this time, with servers optimized for these regions. The official announcement on Steam goes into detail about which countries are primarily supported here, but there seem to be no region restrictions, so if you can put up with potential lag, you could try.
The test will focus on core gameplay and will be available for 8 hours per day, from 4 PM – midnight PST / 7 PM – 3 AM ET. If you test the game, you'll jump into the signature short, high‑pressure matches, designed to be fast‑paced, involve split‑second decisions, including how you use time energy, adapt your weapons, your apps, and even adjust your strategy in these very limited‑time quick matches.
There will be 12 characters available to try out, 10 weapons, and three maps. While the point will be getting into the matches and learning the core mechanics to give feedback on them, the team says there will be a bit of the universe and story content to get a feel for those as well.
You can sign up and wishlist Time Takers over on Steam.
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