SEGA announced today that Company of Heroes 2 will have a closed beta period that will go live on April 2. This early access program is geared towards testing the game’s multiplayer features, against both other players and the game’s AI. Players will be able to use the all-new Army Customizer to alter their loadouts to suit their play style, and will also have access to the first 40 progression levels.
Six maps will be made available for testing 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, and 4v4 competitive gameplay. The first four maps were already seen in the alpha test. Joining them are two new maps: one has players battling for control of the Oka River, while the other is a close quarters skirmish on the outskirts of Moscow.
This first beta phase will be open only to pre-order customers and those who participated in the alpha test. A second beta test will be available in the next few weeks that will allow a much wider audience to take part. The beta will be hosted on Steam and will use Steamworks matchmaking and friend lists. Closed beta access keys will need to be redeemed to participate.