- The brightness slider now works across its full range, with 50 as the default.
- Mage T-poses during movement, portal exits and Dragon's Breath have been addressed.
- Dig spots no longer play a shovel swing when you have no shovel.
- Steam Deck tutorial prompts now use controller controls when no keyboard or mouse is connected.
← Playtester hub
Shadows of Beginnings
Playtest Build & Known Issues
Check the active build and shared issue tracker before your next session.
- Build version
- v0.2.2
- Public tracker
- 69 active items
Synced from studio QA review
- Test scope
- Warrior + Mage
Both classes need active testing
- Build status
- Live on Steam
v0.2.2 public Demo
The public Steam Demo is available now. Everyone playing can report bugs and send feedback. Confirm the title screen shows v0.2.2 when reporting results from this build.
Before you play
The public v0.2.2 Steam Demo includes Warrior and Mage, two routes to the level 20 Thorn Matriarch, gear upgrades, a night torch, Steam Input button prompts, the Mage’s new body, and AMD FSR. New games begin in clear weather before weather varies by playthrough. Brennan’s forge reopens after his rescue, with Tier 2 upgrades available after restoration. Fixes from this and prior builds still need current-build retests.
Current v0.2.2 focus: Please test the torch, controller prompts and Mage animations in the packaged build. The Blacksmith menu, accidental prologue skips and Mage night-flame pose are tracked as KI-199, KI-200 and KI-201. The health bar and harvestable placement fixes from v0.2.0 still await verification.
Shadow Wraiths ignore you while your Weapon slot is empty; equipping a weapon can draw their attention. Bandits appear during the opening ambush.
Windows launch prerequisite check: Some installations may be missing the DirectX End-User Runtimes or Visual C++ 2022 components. Steam prerequisite coverage for the main game and Playtest app has not been confirmed. If the game does not start, report the Steam app, Windows version, and any error message.
Check this tracker before reporting. If your issue is already listed, use Add reproduction details so your build, hardware, location, and steps can be connected to the same issue.
v0.2.2 public Steam Demo • October 25, 2026
Included in the v0.2.2 Demo
The v0.2.2 update is in the public Demo. Confirm the title screen shows v0.2.2 before reporting results. Fixes shipped in this build still need documented retests before they can be verified closed.
- An automatic night torch with an L toggle, Steam Input controller prompts, and a clear-weather opening.
- The Mage's new body and spell animations, AMD FSR upscaling and frame generation.
- A live inventory character doll, expanded quest panel, and an advanced benchmark.
- Thinner ground fog, smoother Journal, new prologue music and class-select transition, and cheaper fire effects.
Verify in v0.2.2:
- Confirm the title screen shows v0.2.2 and include your class, location, hardware and quest progress in reports.
- Please check the night torch, controller prompts, Mage animations and AMD FSR in the packaged build. Previously shipped fixes for the health bar and harvestable placement still await verification.
Current-build tracking
Active known issues
These issues are reported, under investigation, or currently being worked on.
Major • Reported
Kills in the swamp may grant no XP
Some players have received no XP from kills in the swamp, or between levels 14 and 15. If it happens to you, try a new game and tell us your level and the enemy.
Tags: XP + Swamp + Save
Major • Reported
Blacksmith menu can show wrong upgrades
The Blacksmith's upgrade menu can show the wrong upgrades, making it hard to use. Include your class, equipment tier and quest progress.
Tags: Blacksmith + Upgrades
Minor • Reported
Any button can skip the opening prologue
Any button skips the opening prologue, so a stray click or key press can skip it by accident.
Tags: Opening + Prologue
Minor • Reported
Mage arm does not lift her night flame
At night the Mage holds a flame in her right hand, but her arm does not lift to hold it yet.
Tags: Mage + Torch + Animation
Minor • Confirmed
[Audio] Voice Chat input and output devices remain set to System Default
The voice chat device selector stays on System Default, and its arrows do not switch to your other devices.
Tags: Audio
Major • Reported
New games can begin at different opening locations
If you start a new game while another save exists, you can start in a different place or camera view: by Novum’s gate, at the start of the road, or by the river.
Tags: Intro + Spawn + Quest
Minor • Reported
Several pop-ups can stack in one corner
Several pop-ups can stack in the same corner at once, for example at the first dig spot.
Tags: Notifications + Tutorial + UI
Cosmetic • Reported
Inventory alignment and materials readability
Some inventory buttons and icons are slightly off-centre.
Tags: Inventory + Materials + Readability
Minor • Reported
Opening hidden chest has no approach slope
On the opening road, the way up to the hidden chest is awkward: you have to jump or climb the terrain to reach it.
Tags: Opening Road + Chest + Traversal
Minor • Reported
Main-menu lighting washes out characters
The sun over-lights the characters on the main menu, and light rays wash over the foreground.
Minor • Reported
Display settings apply before confirmation
Some display settings take effect before you press Apply. Switching fullscreen to windowed applies at once and stays if you back out, while the fullscreen/windowed indicator updates late.
Minor • Reported
Opening dialogue plays out of order
The ‘Hold there, stranger’ line can play at the start of the opening crawl, out of order.
Minor • Reported
Windows key skips the intro
Pressing the Windows key during the intro skips it.
Minor • Reported
Mage tutorial staff is off-centre
In the tutorial, the Mage’s staff can sit off-centre and not attached to her hand.
Minor • Reported
Lock-on tutorial teaches the wrong key
The tutorial teaches Z/X to switch lock-on targets; E is the intended key. Both work right now.
Minor • Reported
Harvesting tip appears before tools are available
The tree and ore harvesting tip can appear before you have the tools to harvest.
Minor • Reported
Player can catch on Novum's gate lip
Walking straight through Novum’s front gate, you can catch on the lip at the entrance.
Minor • Reported
Portal transition hitches
There’s a short hitch at the same point in every portal transition.
Cosmetic • Confirmed
Text does not wrap cleanly in some interfaces
Some text on the Guild Hall quest board does not wrap cleanly.
Tags: UI + Text
Major • Reported
Swamp thunderstorm can distort the scene
During a night thunderstorm in the Verdant Rot Swamp, the scene can shrink into the top-left corner and smear across the rest of the screen while the HUD stays normal. Colours can also swing between green and purple. Include your upscaling and resolution-scale settings with a report.
Tags: Swamp + Thunderstorm + Visual
Major • Reported
Repeated Escape at end of story crawl can lock game
Pressing Esc repeatedly as the opening story crawl ends can leave audio playing while the game stops responding, requiring the game to be closed. Include the point in the crawl and your input device.
Tags: Opening + Escape + Freeze
Minor • Reported
Main menu background can black out after focus change
Clicking away from the game window and back can make the live main-menu background go black or freeze in fullscreen or borderless fullscreen. Include display mode and steps.
Tags: Main Menu + Window Focus + Visual
Settings unapplied-changes prompt
Backing out of Settings can show an unapplied-changes prompt.
Major • Reported
Meteor Strike effect can be incomplete
Meteor Strike can show an incomplete or missing effect. The Magic Shield effect has been restored in the released build.
Tags: Mage + VFX
Minor • Reported
Dragon's Breath mana refill during channel
A level-up can refill mana while the Mage channels Dragon's Breath. The fire balance and frame-rate fixes do not address this behavior.
Tags: Mage + Balance
Minor • Reported
HUD bar fills and level-up effect do not fit frames
Health, stamina, and mana fills can stop short of their frames, while the level-up effect can spill beyond the XP bar. The XP bar anchor was adjusted in v0.1.7.
Tags: HUD + XP + Layout
Minor • Reported
Mage movement and jump pacing
The Mage has a short pause at the end of a jump, can occasionally harvest with her staff in hand, and uses her mining swing when chopping.
Tags: Mage + Movement
Minor • Reported
Hive nest may grow inside a tree
A hive nest may occasionally grow inside a tree or float slightly above the ground.
Tags: Hive + Placement + Swamp
Minor • Reported
Mage stow key and town stance
Pressing R unequips Mage weapons instead of stowing them. While stowed, abilities disappear and she falls back to melee; stamina also regenerates slowly.
Tags: Mage + Gear
Major • Reported
Mage opening pacing and cutscene movement
In the Mage opening, she can be hit from behind on the shore without warning and sometimes walks sideways in the intro cutscene.
Tags: Mage + Intro + Tutorial
Cosmetic • Reported
Loading icon wobbles while spinning
The loading icon can wobble slightly as it spins.
Tags: Loading + UI
Minor • Reported
Mage camera perspectives sit off the character
Mage camera perspectives are not consistently positioned around her model. Include perspective, stance, and a screenshot showing the offset.
Tags: Mage + Camera
Minor • Reported
Quest tracker hides additional objectives
The tracker can show '+ 6 more' objectives without identifying them. Check the Journal for the full list and include the quest name when reporting.
Tags: Quest + Tracker + UI
Minor • Reported
Quick Dragon's Breath tap can cast Mage whip
A quick press of Dragon's Breath can trigger the Mage's whip instead. Include the input method, stance, and whether the spell was unlocked.
Tags: Mage + Dragon's Breath + Input
Minor • Reported
Mage skill tree describes outdated unlock rules
Some Mage skill-tree text still describes earlier ability unlock behavior. Include the ability name and screenshot of the description.
Tags: Mage + Skill Tree + Text
Major • Reported
Mage attacks may not hit Shadow Wraiths
Mage attacks have been reported failing to damage Shadow Wraiths. Include the spell, enemy location, camera view, and whether other enemies take damage.
Tags: Mage + Wraith + Combat
Cosmetic • Reported
Mage can harvest while still holding staff
The Mage can sometimes keep her staff in hand during harvesting instead of putting it away. Include the resource, gear, and action sequence.
Tags: Mage + Harvesting + Animation
Minor • Reported
Journal and character-select text can be hard to read
Text in parts of the Journal and character selection can be difficult to read. Include the specific page, display resolution, and screenshot.
Tags: Journal + Character Selection + Readability
Minor • Reported
Journal opening and closing animations can overlap
Opening a Journal page and immediately closing it with Escape can play both animations over each other. Include the page and input timing.
Tags: Journal + Animation + UI
Cosmetic • Reported
Skill-tree locks and level readout are misaligned
Ability lock icons can be off-center and the level readout can appear in the wrong box. Include the class, ability, and screenshot.
Tags: Skill Tree + Layout
Minor • Reported
Mage spell targeting and top-down aim
Mage spells aim at enemies under the reticle, but may not follow a lock-on target. Top-down aiming still has no soft-lock. Include camera view and target when reporting.
Tags: Mage + Targeting
Major • Reported
Frame-rate drops in busy swamp fights
Frame rate can still drop in busy Verdant Swamp fights. Retest after the v0.1.2–v0.1.3 performance pass and include hardware, settings, area, and enemy count.
Tags: Performance + Swamp
Minor • Reported
Options text can be difficult to read
Heavy italics and capital letters make some Options text difficult to read. This is separate from controls in that menu that do not respond; those remain tracked as KI-140.
Tags: Options + Readability
Major • Reported
Blacksmith restoration can stall until reload
After restoring the Blacksmith, the Journal and Brennan's interaction prompt can disappear. Reloading has been reported to allow the quest to continue.
Tags: Quest + Brennan
Minor • Reported
Hive spawner destruction may not count for quests
Destroying a hive spawner may fail to advance a Quest Board objective. Include the contract name, spawner location, and progress before and after destruction.
Tags: Hive + Quest Board
Cosmetic • Reported
Mage chopping uses mining animation
Chopping trees with the Mage plays her mining swing animation.
Tags: Mage + Animation
Minor • Reported
General Store camera and lighting
The camera can clip through the General Store door, and interior lighting can flicker.
Tags: General Store + Camera
Major • Reported
Mouse cursor can disappear
A screen can occasionally leave the player without a mouse cursor or way back. Alt+Tab or the Windows key may restore access.
Tags: UI + Cursor
Minor • Reported
Some Options controls do not respond
Some controls in the Options menu do not yet have an effect. Include the exact option and input method when reporting.
Tags: Options + UI
Minor • Reported
Benchmark skips High preset
The Benchmark can skip the High graphics preset. Include the selected starting preset and the result it chose.
Tags: Benchmark + Settings
Cosmetic • Reported
Mage whip later swings and lock-on accuracy
The physically simulated whip now has a shorter, faster-fading trail and improved first swing. Later swings can still look stiff, and the whip does not reliably connect with a locked-on enemy. Include the camera view, target, and combo hit when reporting a miss.
Tags: Mage + Whip + Animation + Targeting
Cosmetic • Reported
Mage placeholder animations
The Mage still uses placeholder animations in parts of her movement and combat. Further animation work is planned; report a specific pose or transition with its action and camera view.
Tags: Mage + Animation + Presentation
Cosmetic • Reported
Mage off-hand names and Cinder/Void icons
Bramblekin now has its own icons, but Mage off-hands use staff icons, Tier 1–3 off-hands have placeholder names, and Tier 4 Cinder and Void armor still show Tier 3 icons. Include the item tier and inventory screenshot when reporting another mismatch.
Tags: Mage + Armor + Inventory
Cosmetic • Reported
Mage block animation missing
The Mage's block has no animation yet. The protective ward can be tested separately from this missing presentation.
Tags: Mage + Block + Animation
Major • Reported
Thorn Guardian grab chains during the Matriarch fight
At the start of the Thorn Matriarch fight in v0.0.9.9, several Thorn Guardians can chain vine grabs, repeatedly holding or staggering the player with little recovery time. Enemy numbers and spawn rates around the boss are being rebalanced. Dodge to break a vine wrap, or burn it away with fire; deal with the Guardians before focusing the Matriarch.
Tags: Combat + Boss + Balance
Critical Blocker • Confirmed
[Main Menu] Game crashes when accessing the Options menu after continuing a saved game.
The game crashes if the player pauses during active gameplay, returns to the main menu, uses Continue or Load Game, and then attempts to open Options from the Pause menu.
Tags: Crash
Major • Confirmed
[Gameplay] Mage abilities can be used at the start of a New Game before they are unlocked
The Mage is able to use the abilities assigned to LMB, RMB, and Keybind 1 at the beginning of a New Game, even though these abilities should not yet be available to the player.
Tags: Gameplay
Warrior presentation
v0.0.9.7 adds surface-specific footstep audio and effects. Verify the updated footsteps, a previously reported white attack artifact, and the idle pose that could trigger while walking on buildings.
Reported
Stamina behavior
v0.0.9.7 stops sprinting from consuming stamina while the player is stationary. Stamina regeneration and combat-state behavior still need a current-build verification pass.
Major • Confirmed
Unexplained gameplay freeze
A reported freeze left gameplay systems updating while menus, controls, and pause stopped responding. v0.0.9.7 fixes a documented pause-and-resume combat soft-lock with similar symptoms, but this older report remains open until the original scenario is retested.
Tags: Performance + Gameplay
Attributes
Awarding and allocating attribute points, and matching attributes to inventory stat displays, still need verification. v0.0.9.7 fixes gear stats that previously had no gameplay effect, but that does not by itself verify attribute-point behavior.
World & presentation
Current content notes
Known behavior, provisional content, and presentation items under review.
Content / presentation note
Older saves need extra XP on the new curve
Levelling was re-paced in v0.1.6. Older saves keep their level, but the XP bar may look off until the next level-up.
Tags: Save + XP + Progression
Content / presentation note
Dialogue
Some quest and tutorial text is still being finalised. Longer dialogue lacks paragraph breaks, and some reward text has punctuation issues.
Content / presentation note
Guild rank progression needs retest
v0.1.3 adds quest rank requirements and a Guild Rank card. Retest whether rank still remains Stranger throughout the Demo before treating the older report as resolved.
Tags: Guild
Content / presentation note
Warrior and Mage balance
The Warrior currently plays harder than the Mage. Both classes are receiving a balance review.
Tags: Balance + Warrior + Mage
Content / presentation note
Hive nests and towers lack break effects
The team's Demo preparation notes say hive nests and towers flare and sink but do not yet have a break effect, rubble, or hit sound. This presentation item awaits a packaged playthrough check.
Tags: Hive + VFX + Audio
Content / presentation note
Matriarch nest destruction needs clearer feedback
In the Matriarch fight, there is no on-screen message confirming that breaking her nest stops calls for help until it regrows. The team flagged this in the Demo preparation notes; check how clearly the encounter communicates the change in play.
Tags: Hive + Boss + Feedback
Not yet confirmed resolved
Fixes awaiting QA
A fix or change has been recorded, but the issue remains open until it passes a documented retest.
Fixed in v0.2.0 • Awaiting verification
[Gameplay] Player is defeated while 16 HP remains
The player is defeated while the displayed HP is still at 16.
Tags: Gameplay
Patch note
The health bar empties completely at death. Awaiting a documented v0.2.0 retest.
Fixed in v0.2.0 • Awaiting verification
Models and harvestables overlap terrain and props
Some models and harvestable resources can appear on top of, inside, or below other meshes. Report the exact location and include a screenshot.
Tags: Placement + Harvesting + World
Patch note
Harvest nodes and scattered models now avoid props. Awaiting a documented v0.2.0 retest.
Fixed in build means a change was shipped for testing. Verified & closed means the fix passed a documented retest.
Retest complete
Verified and closed
These items passed verification or were closed with a recorded studio decision.
Verified & closed • v0.2.1
Steam Deck can close as gameplay starts
On Steam Deck and other Proton / Linux setups, the game can close without an error as soon as gameplay starts. The v0.2.1 fix awaits a live-build retest. If it still happens, open Steam Properties → Launch Options and enter %command% -slno -ngxdisable; include your device and build with your report.
Tags: Steam Deck + Proton + Linux + Crash
Patch note
Steam Deck gameplay-start fix shipped in v0.2.1 and Grand confirmed it on October 23, 2026.
Verified & closed
[Main Menu] Options button flickers and disappears after applying new settings
After applying new setting using the options menu, at the main menu, the button starts to flicker until it gets out of the screen.
Tags: Settings
Verified & closed
[UI / Options] Changing Display Mode to Windowed does not apply and the game stays fullscreen
The game remains fullscreen. The Display Mode option visibly changes to Windowed in the menu, but the window itself never changes. There is a brief moment where the display appears to attempt a switch, then it settles back to fullscreen. No error message appears.
Verified & closed
[Audio] Game audio continues playing after all audio volumes are set to 0
Game audio continues to play even after all audio volume settings have been set to 0%.
Tags: Audio
Verified & closed
Death during the intro can break the cutscene
A playthrough report says dying in top-down view during the opening tutorial disrupts the intro cutscene. The exact tutorial step and recovery behavior still need reproduction details; report whether progress is blocked after respawn.
Tags: Intro + Death + Cutscene
Verified & closed
Unexpected sounds in Novum
Unexpected sounds were reported during a Novum playthrough. The source, exact location, timing, and audio settings are still needed to identify them; a short recording would help.
Tags: Novum + Audio
Verified & closed
Map orientation still needs verification
The final v0.1.0 package adds a fixed compass needle. The separate report that the map rotates unexpectedly remains open; check movement and camera switches, and include the view and input device if it still rotates.
Tags: Navigation + Compass + Map
Verified & closed
Load Game confirmation buttons
Confirmation buttons in the Load Game menu were reported to need correction. The exact action and whether the button fails, focuses incorrectly, or has the wrong label still need confirmation. This is separate from the earlier placeholder and hover-box report.
Tags: Load Game + Buttons + UI
Verified & closed
Character selection presentation
The character selection screen is being reviewed for clearer confirmation controls and presentation. Specific button failures should be reported with the selected class, input device, and steps.
Tags: Class Select + UI
Verified & closed
Novum northeast map edge lacks warning
The team's Demo preparation notes flag a northeast corner of Novum without a warning before the map edge. This is a new area-specific warning report; the older out-of-world boundary issue was verified in a previous build. Include the exact location and whether you can leave the playable space.
Tags: Novum + Map Boundary + Navigation
Verified & closed
Rescue and post-Matriarch quests may be skipped
Brennan and Mira rescue quests can still be skipped after stoking the Hearth when Aldric sends the player toward the Heartroot. Lights in the Windows was intentionally retired; report only the rescue progression failure.
Tags: Quest + Brennan + Mira
Verified & closed
Intro audio overlaps after scripted defeat
Audio can overlap or loop after the first scripted defeat in the opening sequence. Include the class and moment it begins if you reproduce it.
Tags: Audio + Intro
Verified & closed
White sky glow washes out Novum minimap
A bright white glow can appear in the sky over Novum's plaza and wash out the minimap. Include the time, camera view, and screenshot if it occurs.
Tags: Novum + Lighting + Minimap
Verified & closed
Menus can feel slow to respond
Menu navigation and selections can feel slow to respond. Include the specific menu, input method, and whether it follows a transition when reporting.
Tags: UI + Menus
Verified & closed
Opening tutorial cards can repeat or overlap cinematics
Some tutorial cards can still repeat or use the older full-screen style. Include the card and where it appeared.
Tags: Tutorial + Intro + UI
Verified & closed
Inventory highlight can stay on after selection
In the inventory, an item's highlight can remain on after you click away.
Tags: Inventory + UI
Verified & closed
Aegis Hearth confirmation freeze
Confirming an action at the Hearth has been reported to freeze the game. No documented v0.0.9.7 retest has confirmed this resolved, and no verified workaround is recorded.
Verified • v0.0.9.6
Shipping-build gameplay logs
Gameplay logging was verified in a packaged v0.0.9.6 Shipping run. Testers can attach ShadowOfBeginnings-Gameplay.log to bug reports. Engine-side logs remain unavailable, and crash reporting remains unverified.
Tags: Steam / Build + Diagnostics
Patch note
Gameplay logs now write to disk in Shipping builds.
Verified • v0.0.9.4
Player can fall out of the world
Map boundaries in Novum and the Verdant Swamp were checked in the packaged v0.0.9.4 build. Invisible walls stopped the player from leaving the map, so this report has passed regression testing.
Patch note
Map edges are now blocked, and players who end up below the world are returned to their last solid ground.
Verified • v0.0.9.4
Ability-bar icons may not update after unlock
The packaged v0.0.9.4 build was checked and newly unlocked ability icons appeared correctly. The failing automated test was stale and did not reflect an in-game defect.
Tags: UI + Gameplay
Patch note
Ability-bar icons were verified to appear correctly after skill unlocks; the failing automation test was stale.
Help us reproduce it
Reporting an issue
Use the Bug Report form and submit one issue per report. New submissions are compared with this tracker. Possible repeats are flagged for studio review, while genuinely new issues can be approved and published here.
- Build version and hardware
- Class, location, and quest or activity
- Steps to reproduce and reproduction frequency, if known
- Expected result and actual result
- Screenshots, recordings, logs, or saves that help demonstrate the issue
Report crashes, freezes, lost progress, and blocked quests promptly. Approved reports and submitted evidence may appear publicly; reporter email addresses and internal Studio notes remain private.
Gameplay logs were verified in v0.0.9.6. Attach ShadowOfBeginnings-Gameplay.log when it helps reproduce the issue. Engine-side logs remain unavailable in Shipping builds, and crash reporting remains unverified.