Darkspore beta hits Steam

At Electronic Arts' showcase on its Redwood City campus last July, the publisher announced Darkspore, a Diablo-style hack-and-slash action game. Two weeks ago the game was delayed to April 26. However, gamers looking to play the game today can do so via Valve's online platform, Steam.

According to a statement from Valve, the beta for Darkspore is ready to download right now in Steam and will be available through this Friday, April 1. Valve also announced that until Friday, those who purchase three copies of the game will get a fourth free.

For more on the game, check out GameSpot's coverage of the hour-long Darkspore Comic-Con panel from July. At the panel, Maxis designers spoke at length about the title and explained, "This is not a sequel to Spore. It's not an expansion pack. It's a brand-new game."