You Can Play Evolve This Weekend, Provided You Received an Alpha Code

Access codes for an upcoming alpha test of Evolve, the new 4v1 cooperative shooter from the developer of Left 4 Dead, have been sent out to a select number of those who registered. They started being sent by email yesterday to those who registered for the test in early July. If you're lucky enough to have received one, you can start canceling your weekend plans now: the alpha begins tomorrow, August 1, at 9 AM PT and runs until August 3 at 8 PM PT.

This initial alpha test is a PC-only affair, and not everyone who registered will have received a code. If you fall in that boat, you aren't completely out of luck--there will be additional tests in the future, according to the official Evolve Twitter account, at least one of which will be available to Xbox One owners. No timeline for these other tests was outlined.

As the alpha carries a non-disclosure agreement, don't count on many testers streaming or sharing their experience with the game, which doesn't release in full until October 21.

When Evolve does launch, it will be available on PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. Developer Turtle Rock Studios says the game has been built in a way that will allow it to expand with DLC over time, and publisher 2K says it expects to be the year's defining game on Xbox One and PS4. For more on what to expect, check out our Next Big Game feature on Evolve.

Will you be playing Evolve this weekend, or are you more interested in waiting until the full game releases? Let us know in the comments.