As promised last week, Owlcat launched the Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader beta today. The beta build consists of the game's prologue and first three acts, including a proper character creation system which was missing from the alpha. As previously revealed, the beta features the new Space Marine companion Ulfar and a visit to the Dark Eldar city of Commorragh in its third act. The release announcement details many other new features, including an overhauled character system with many new skills and abilities, a combat preparation phase for character placement, a disposition mechanic in dialogue, upgraded ship management and space combat layers, and various user interface improvements. However, the trailer released alongside the beta focuses on none of these, instead giving us a deep dive into the narrative branching in a particular sidequest.


Apparently we can expect more trailers like this in the future, showcasing choice & consequence in the main story as well. I can't say I disapprove of this focus. The Rogue Trader beta is available to anybody who preorders the game from Owlcat's official website.