The Beta version of Sky is a testing ground for new features and future content, aimed primarily towards finding bugs and giving feedback. It is not an early access version of Live – these are wholly separate games and apps. Though, events such as new Seasons are tested in the Beta before they are released in the Live version.
Beta content to test[]
Most, if not all, events and features that will appear in the Live version are first tested in Beta. However, not everything that is released in the Beta version of the game will be released in the Live version. Additionally, these may change a lot due to player feedback.
Currently, there are several new things to test, and give feedback on:
- Season of Radiance
- Days of Fortune
- Days of Love
So far, there are a few things that have been in Beta that have not yet (and so far, don't seem like they ever will) come to Live. However, players are still welcome to give feedback on these.
- The Invisible Cape (costs 999 Hearts from the Elder of the Vault - which is NOT a placeholder!)
- The Triumph Drum and Triumph Horn (were briefly available as IAPs during Harmony Hall's Grand Opening testing)
- The Mischief Crab Cape (was briefly available for Event Currency during Days of Mischief 2023 testing)
FAQ[]
The app logo for Beta
Players who experience both Beta and Live will note that there are significant differences between the two. Below you will find some frequently asked questions on the app as a whole.
What is Beta?[]
The Beta version of the game is a completely separate app that TGC uses to test Sky Patches and Hotfixes – before they are released into the regular Live version of the game.
The Sky Beta is NOT:
- The full version of the game
- An early-access version, alternative, or substitute for the Live version of the game!
How do I become a Beta tester?[]
- First thing you need to do is join the Official Sky Children of the Light Discord Server (A Discord account is required for reporting!)
- Once you've joined, head over to the #rule channel to gain access to the server.
- Read the #beta-faq channel thoroughly for further instructions.
In the #beta-faq channel, you will find 3 icons to give yourself roles for getting notifications once a new wave of invites is published.
- To receive a notification when there are new Beta tester invite waves, please click on the
blue cape react in the channel to give yourself the @Beta Invites (Ping) role. - To receive a notification when there are new Beta patches to be tested, please click on the
star react in the channel to give yourself the @Beta Updates (Ping) role. - To receive a notification when there are updates for the Steam PC Beta, please click on the 🖥️ desktop react in the channel to give yourself the @Steam PC Beta Updates (Ping) role.
What are my responsibilities as a Beta Tester?[]
A Discord account is required for reporting!
Test out all of the Patch and Hotfix updates! Testers should use their tester accessibility to report bugs, give feedback about new or existing features, and help TGC make sure that things are working as intended. When testing a new Beta update, please read the Patch Notes and stay updated on the latest news through the Official Discord's Beta Channels, where TGC will post information about new features and issues.
If you encounter a bug, please submit a report in one of the Beta bug report channels on Discord: #beta-bugs-ios, #beta-bugs-android, or #beta-bugs-windows-pc. Relevant pictures, videos, and details are really helpful. If you’re not sure if something is a bug, still report it and give feedback. Even if things are working as intended, it helps TGC know that it might not be clear for players. You can share feedback about the game in the #beta-feedback channel. Include things you like or dislike, things you find confusing, and the reasons behind those feelings. Remember to keep posts respectful—server rules still apply, and your posts are being read by real people.
Note: Do not just use the Beta version for enjoying new content. Testers should look for bugs and inform TGC about them. Players that are inactive, tagged by other players for hacking, or tagged by other players for improper behavior will be deactivated.
What to expect in Beta?[]
- Bugs! Beta versions of games tend to have bugs. Lots of them, at times.
- A lonely Kingdom of Sky. The Live version has millions of players, while the Beta only has a couple thousands globally. This means completing multiplayer features, such as the 8-player room in Daylight Prairie, will be near impossible without organizing a group beforehand.
- Shortened Seasons and events. While Beta is used to test Seasons and other events, the duration is often shortened. Sometimes this means that not all content will be obtainable like it is in Live.
- More Seasonal Candles. In Beta, there are 8 Seasonal Candle bunches in every Realm (except Isle and Eden), as well only requiring 2 Seasonal Candle bunches to forge one Seasonal Candle.
- No compensation. Beta is for testing and finding bugs. It's not a substitute for the full Live version of the game. As such, TGC generally does not offer compensation when players encounter bugs, even if they affect currencies or other important account features. As a tester, you should submit a bug report to the #beta-bugs-ios, #beta-bugs-android, or #beta-bugs-windows-pc channels on Discord if you encounter any issues.
- Content that hasn’t been released in the Live version. Beta often gets new content, features, and patches before they’re pushed into the Live version. Some content that gets tested in Beta never makes it into the Live version at all. Many factors affect these decisions, but feedback from testers has a big impact.
- Differences in the Shop. Because Beta is for testing, no real-life currencies are involved. The Shop will not display prices for items while they are in development or otherwise being tested. The Beta Shop will also not always have the same items available for “purchase” as the Shop in the Live version.
- Beta access and/or progress wipes. TGC does this on an as-needed basis for testing purposes. Access wipes are when everyone is kicked out of Beta and must rejoin if they wish to continue being a tester, which helps TGC cycle in new and active testers. Progress wipes are when all testers’ progress in the game is reset. This may include resetting currencies (hearts and/or candles).
- Progress does not transfer. The Live and Beta versions are completely separate apps, and nothing will transfer between them.
What about rewards for testing?[]
The original Beta Cape reward was a one-time gift from TGC for testers who helped test Sky prior to the launch of the global version of the game. They were a huge influence on the game we all know and love today, and TGC wanted to give them a special “thank you” for all the time and effort they put into helping them create Sky. As of now, they don’t currently have future plans for additional Beta tester rewards.
What kind of things should I do to help test?[]
- Try on outfits in the Closet Shrine
- Try taking screenshots or videos
- Look for unusual graphics issues, especially on older or low-end devices in new areas
- Visit new or existing levels or areas
- Collect Light from candles in various levels
- Burn Darkness Plants in various levels
- Collect Winged Light
- Chat with other players via friendship, chat benches, chat table/swing/bonfire
- Report overheating
Sky Beta for PC[]
On July 18, 2023, thatgamecompany made an announcement that they will be starting a limited Sky PC Beta on Steam. Sign-ups were then opened for several months and as of November 30th, they are now closed. Applicants from those signups are selected at random. If selected, an email with a Steam key will be sent to the email submitted in the application. Multiple applications are not necessary. Steam keys will be sent on an as-needed basis.
Some requirements for being a PC Beta tester are:
- Testers should be members of the Sky Discord server and proficient in English.
- The applicants PC must have to meet the following specs to be accepted:
- OS: Windows 10 - 64bit (Win11 should run too)
- CPU:
- Intel i5-6400 or AMD FX 8310
- AVX2 CPUs, starting with Intel Haswell processors (2013) & up.
- AMD Excavator (2015) & up (Zen, Zen2, Zen3, etc..).
- List of CPUs with AVX2
- Memory: 8 GB RAM (will probably run on 4GB)
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1030 or AMD Radeon RX 560
- Driver: Need to have Vulkan 1.2 driver support (2020)
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 3 GB available space
- Selected applicants will receive a redeemable Steam key by email, at the address they use to send the application form.
PC beta testers are needed to focus on things like:
- Bugs related to the PC port
- Game performance and stability
- Graphics issues
- Controls and UI (user interface)
- Taking screenshots and video, collecting Light, chatting with other players, etc.
What are some differences between Beta and Live right now?[]
- There is no Beta Cape reward—but you can find the Founder's Cape in the Secret Area, just like in Live
- IAPs are FREE
- NO CANDLE PACKS in the shop
- You start over as a brand-new moth (you cannot transfer your Live progress to Beta)
- You can link Beta and Live to the same Google or Game Center account safely
- Holiday events happen sooner for testing purposes
- Translations might be wonky or missing and subject to change
- Portrait mode—only on iOS
- Translation for chat and messages
- Traveling Spirits may appear differently (Traveling Spirit appearances in Beta lag behind those seen in the Live version)
- Message of the Day (MOTD) is often wrong
- Countdown timers are often wrong
- When a Season is active, you collect more Seasonal Light (wax) per day
- Friend invite (QR code) links do not work correctly on Beta. You will need to open the link on a separate screen/device or take a screenshot and scan the actual QR code instead of importing the link.
- Invisible Cape is a thing and really does cost 999 Hearts—this is not a placeholder price
- Facebook account linking does not work in Beta
Please read here for more information on how to become a Beta tester on IOS or Android
Sky Wiki Content Draft[]
Content created from Beta for later transfer to Live has been moved to the following two pages:
We suggest that you do not open these pages if you do not want to be spoiled.