Star Wars Battlefront 2 isn’t set to be released until November, but that doesn’t seem to be stopping EA from testing the game. According to multiple gamers on NeoGAF and social media, EA is currently sending out closed alpha invites for Star Wars Battlefront 2, with some gamers already playing the game.

The concept of an alpha testing stage for Battlefront 2 was leaked by a community manager a few days ago, but the leak didn’t give a timeline for the alpha. EA has yet to officially announce the alpha test, or provide any details on how long it will last. The email invite that went out stated the alpha will begin on June 29th, but it seems some gamers are already playing.

It’s expected that those invited to the closed alpha will get a chance to try out the game’s multiplayer experience. Like other developers, EA is undoubtedly using the alpha to work out any kinks in the game, and test out the dedicated servers to make sure they’re ready for the game to go live in a few months.

After the rough start to Battlefield 4 a few years ago that left many gamers frustrated and unable to play the multiplayer, it’s unsurprising to see EA and DICE working to make sure everything is ready for Battlefront 2 in November. Granted, 2015’s Star Wars Battlefront launched with few issues, but the experience of Battlefield 4 is likely still a strong motivator for the companies to get things right with Battlefront 2.

It’s also likely that alpha testers won’t get a chance to play the Battlefront 2 single-player campaign. Most alpha and beta tests don’t open single player experiences to gamers unless there’s a specific reason the developer wants to test the game or build hype among players.

The current alpha won’t be the only test EA runs for Battlefront 2. The company is also planning a beta sometime this fall. Exact dates for the beta have not yet been announced, but if history is any teacher, the beta will likely land sometime in later September or in October, giving EA a chance to do some final testing before launching the game mid November.

As for the current alpha, it’s likely those receiving codes will be held under NDA and unable to share many details or gameplay, but it will be interesting to see if any information is leaked during the next week or so. Considering the Battlefront 2 trailer was the most watched during E3 this year, it’s safe to say there’s a lot of interest in the game, which means there will be many people hoping for some new information to drop during the closed alpha.

Star Wars Battlefront 2 is set to release on November 17, 2017 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

Source: NeoGAF