‘The Division’ Open Beta Official, Ubisoft Drops The Details

The accidental leak of the Division open beta came on Tuesday. Ubisoft announced it will throw the doors open to the open-world shooter to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC next week, with Xbox console owners getting an early look.

The Division open beta will launch on the Xbox One first on Thursday, February 18. This will be a 24-hour early access opportunity with the PlayStation 4 and PC players joining the following day on Friday, February 19. The beta will run through Sunday, February 21. An exact time was not given, but Ubisoft states “end of the day.” It’s just not clear which time zone that is based on. Of course, there is always the chance that Ubisoft might extend it.

The content for the Division open beta will mostly be the same as what was available during the closed beta. However, Ubisoft is adding one new story mission to the open beta on top of the single story mission that was available previously.

We’re glad to announce The Division Open Beta, starting February 18th. Learn more on https://t.co/o3VWv1hfZq pic.twitter.com/xgv8KqJiir

— Tom Clancy's The Division (@TheDivisionGame) February 9, 2016

Those that play the Division open beta will also receive an in-game reward. This will be unlocked when the game is launched for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC on March 8.

There was no mention of new Dark Zone content or a change in the level cap for the open beta. Presumably, the level cap will remain at level 8, with the Dark Zone divided up into instances that support level 4-7 and level 8.

Additionally, open beta players should expect the open world area of The Division to remain much the same. Some higher-level areas were closed off to players as red no-go zones.

Details still to be answered by Ubisoft include whether or not anti-cheat measures will be implemented for the PC version of the game. As previously covered, hacking became widespread in The Division, as players discovered easy access to character data stored on the client side, instead of the server, with server-side checks of the data not enabled. Players were able to give themselves unlimited ammo, super-speed, max critical hit chance, no recoil on guns, and unlimited medical kits, among other things.

Ubisoft community managers addressed the issue by promising the cheats are being addressed. Again, it is just not clear if the anti-cheat measures will be running during the beta.

“Guys, so you’re aware the things discussed here are not in fact hacks or cheats, but merely abuse of glitches that exist in the game currently. These glitches are currently being worked on by the team,” Ubisoft Community Manager Natchai Stappers wrote in the game’s forums.

Here is the full announcement from Ubisoft about The Division open beta.

“Agents, get ready to enter the brink one last time before launch!

You will be able to experience Tom Clancy’s The Division one last time before launch in an Open Beta starting February 18. Everyone will be able to play for free and without any restrictions, during the following period:

• Xbox One owners will get a 24-hour early access, starting February 18.
• PS4 & PC players will be able to join in on February 19.
• The Open Beta will run through February 21, end of the day.

This Open Beta is an invitation to all agents to get one final taste of the game before the official launch on March 8.

Added to the content already seen in the Closed Beta, the Open Beta will include an all new story mission for players to explore in their pursuit to take back New York. As a thank you, everyone who participates will be rewarded with a special in-game reward which will unlock for players when the full game is released.”

Will you jump into the Division open beta? Sound off in the comments below.

[Image via Ubisoft]