A small private group of testers get the build via itch.io with a beta key, play through Jun 20 while we iterate on feedback, and credits/attribution flow back on launch day. The closed beta is open now and ends Sat Jun 20; v1.0 launches Wed Jul 1.
Apply via the form below. Selection is by X-handle visibility in AI / gamedev / procgen circles + the prompt you'd most want to build a world from. Keys go out within ~24h of selection.
Now → Sat Jun 20
Test & iterate
Selected testers get the itch.io link + a private beta key, download, and play. Report what's broken via the in-game feedback channel or direct DM. We iterate weekly; builds update via itch.io's auto-updater.
Sat Jun 20
Beta ends
Feedback freeze. We take everything testers found and spend the final stretch on polish, balance, and the launch build. Testers keep their access throughout.
Wed Jul 1
v1.0 public launch
Wander Around v1.0 launches publicly on itch.io. Beta testers keep their access; the public buys it normally. Reviews and feedback from beta testers get amplified on launch day with attribution.
What you get as a tester
the deal
Early itch.io build — full game, weeks before public
Direct line to the dev — Ben @prometheus7, no tickets in between
Credits acknowledgement — name in the in-game credits roll
Launch-day attribution — quotable reviews amplified with @-tag
Free public release — you keep your itch.io download forever, including the v1.0+ updates
Influence v1.0 — what you find shapes what launches Wednesday July 1
Apply for beta
closed beta open now · ends Sat Jun 20 · v1.0 launches Wed Jul 1
limited slots · selected by X-handle visibility + the prompt you'd build first
We email applicants within about a day. Selected testers get the key + link; everyone else gets a "thanks, see you Jul 1" with the launch-day link.
How beta keys work
step by step, once you're selected
You receive an email from beta@wanderaround.io with subject "Wander Around beta key inside" — sent within about a day of selection.
The email contains an itch.io download link plus your private beta key (a short alphanumeric string unique to you).
Click the link → it opens the Wander Around itch.io page in "beta access" mode → enter your beta key when prompted.
Download the build for your platform (Windows portable .zip or Linux AppImage). Unzip and run.
Play. Report what's broken, what feels off, what you wish existed. We iterate. You get the updated builds via itch.io's auto-updater (or by re-downloading from the same page).
On Wed Jul 1, v1.0 goes public. Your itch.io access persists. Public buyers get the same build going forward.