BetaDwarf, the Copenhagen-based studio behind Minion Masters and Forced, has announced a new investment partnership with Square Enix to accelerate development on their upcoming action RPG, Vaultbreakers. The announcement arrives alongside the launch of the game’s first public gameplay trailer and a new community playtest, now live through July 9, according to a press release.

Vaultbreakers is described as a high-stakes, top-down action RPG that blends PvE and PvPvE elements into a fast-paced, cooperative gameplay loop. Players take on the role of Champions, battling through dynamic environments that evolve based on player choices, all while fending off unpredictable enemies and reclaiming powerful relics. The game supports both solo and team-based runs, with a focus on high replayability and emergent strategy.

The investment from Square Enix marks a major milestone for BetaDwarf and a significant endorsement of its design philosophy centered around player collaboration and community-led development. According to Hideaki Uehara, General Manager of Business Development at Square Enix Holdings, the decision to back BetaDwarf came after hands-on experience with the game and direct engagement with the team. “When I played Vaultbreakers, I was genuinely excited by the experience of connecting with other players and exploring its rich game world,” Uehara said. “After visiting BetaDwarf and learning about the team’s mission and passion, we decided to invest in them to help realize their dream and bring this game to players around the world.”

The funding will enhance BetaDwarf’s production pipeline and support the studio’s ongoing focus on community feedback. Over 50,000 players have already participated in more than 15 playtests, shaping the direction of the game in real-time. “Being accompanied by Square Enix on our journey is an amazing access to a combination of knowledge, talent, and resources,” said Steffen Kabbelgaard, CEO and Game Director at BetaDwarf. “We’re already very far with Vaultbreakers, and this support feels like the push we need to turn an ambitious dream into a reality.”

This week’s playtest reflects BetaDwarf’s rapid iteration cycle, with several highly requested features already implemented. A Solo Queue system is now live, allowing players to dive into matches independently. A PvE-only mode is also in development and slated for a future release. Participants can access the playtest by securing a key through vaultbreakers.com or via Twitch Drops campaigns.

New features debuting in the current test build include an evolving home base system where players can upgrade their haven with new NPCs, perks, and strategic tools like grappling hooks and summoned allies. Combat customization has been expanded with new perks, itemization options, and the ability to select between Solo and Duo queues. Enemy behaviors have also been improved, with randomized spawn patterns and patrol routes to increase unpredictability.

The Vaultbreakers playtest is available now and runs through July 9 at 11:59 PM CEST. A full gameplay trailer is available to stream now, offering the first extended look at the game’s combat, progression, and world design. For more details, players can visit the game’s Steam page or follow BetaDwarf’s development updates through official channels.