This summer, Gaijin inCubator and Three Whales studio are preparing a closed beta test for a fresh adventure MMO called Age of Water. The game opens a vision of Earth as a world where oceans dominate every landscape. In this imagined future, humanity clusters atop the highest rooftops of sprawling megacities, the jagged crowns of mountain peaks, and scattered artificial isles built to withstand the tides. The setting blends survival grit with exploration, inviting players to rethink what a map and a home can be when water is the only horizon left to explore.
Players step into a vast open world on the back of ships that function as moving havens. They will voyage through watery expanses, engage in combat when needed, trade with other crews, recruit and manage a crew of characters with unique skills, and tackle a wide range of quests that shape the fate of their vessel and crew. The system rewards strategic planning, resource management, and bold decision making as players navigate storms, raiders, and the delicate balance between exploration and safety on the high seas.
Shaping a ship is a core element of gameplay. Players encounter dozens of hull designs and hundreds of components to customize their vessel. They can choose armor types, offense configurations, and utility gear to suit their preferred playstyle, whether it’s fearless raiding, cautious trading, or long-range exploration. The ship-building layer invites experimentation, encouraging players to optimize speed, durability, and cargo capacity while keeping an eye on crew morale and upkeep. A ship can even be reclaimed from pirates or captured with a decisive maneuver, exchanging ownership and allegiance in ways that affect ongoing play and future opportunities.
The closed beta is conducted in English and aims to provide a focused, high-quality experience for testers. Interested players are encouraged to register promptly, as seating is limited and demand is expected to be strong. The beta environment offers a first look at sailing mechanics, ship customization, combat systems, and the social dynamics of crew management. While the game presents a fantasy premise, the development team emphasizes robust systems, player choice, and a sense of shared progress that can translate into a lively, enduring community once the game is released broadly.
Players can expect a detailed tutorial that introduces navigation, combat, and trade workflows, followed by a sequence of exploratory missions designed to showcase the heterogeneity of the world. As journeys unfold, crews will encounter various factions, weather phenomena, and emergent situations that require adaptive tactics. The experience is built to reward curiosity and experimentation, whether that means testing unconventional ship configurations, negotiating favorable trade routes, or coordinating coordinated fleet actions with other players.
Accessibility and performance considerations are a priority for the developers. The team notes that the closed beta is a contained test meant to gather feedback on balance, progression pacing, and the overall feel of movement across a water-dominated map. Participants can anticipate regular updates that refine controls, adjust combat parameters, and smooth out interface nuances. The project team invites players to share their impressions—what works, what challenges arise, and where the vision could be strengthened—so that the broader launch can reflect the community’s insights and preferences.
In this imagined future, Age of Water blends nautical tension with city-scale ambition. Players will discover a dynamic world where every voyage tests preparation, teamwork, and adaptability. From securing a steady supply chain to defending a harbor against rival crews, the game seeks to capture the thrill of steering a ship through uncharted waters while building a home in a world reshaped by flood and tide. The experience promises a balance of epic discovery and intimate, character-driven moments aboard the ship as it becomes both sanctuary and instrument of progress.
As testing continues, the developers plan to expand on the range of missions, craft options, and crew specializations. They envision a living, breathing ecosystem where decisions ripple outward, affecting trade networks, territorial control, and the evolving story of the world beneath the waves. For players who crave strategic ship management, cooperative play, and a rich sense of place in a water-filled universe, Age of Water offers a compelling invitation to participate in shaping a new frontier of adventure and competition on the open sea.
Note: The game remains an exciting, evolving project with ongoing adjustments based on tester feedback and future design goals. The closed beta provides a meaningful opportunity to experience the core loop of voyage, combat, and crew management before broader release, helping developers align the game with player expectations and the realities of an immersive, water-bound world.