GungHo Opens Signups for B.L.U.E. NOVA Asia Technical Test Starting October 30
The technical test is region-locked to Asia while the studio describes it as a step before a global closed beta, so the feedback and load data GungHo collects here shape the build that reaches players outside the region.
Key Facts
- GungHo Online Entertainment opened B.L.U.E. NOVA technical test applications on October 19, 2026.
- The B.L.U.E. NOVA technical test runs October 30 to November 1, 2026, from 19:00 to 23:00 JST each day.
- The B.L.U.E. NOVA technical test is limited to Asia, including Japan, and precedes a planned global closed beta test.
- Applications close October 29, 2026 at 10:00 JST, with lottery winners granted Steam Playtest access from 12:00 JST that day.
- B.L.U.E. NOVA is planned for a free-to-play release on Steam in 2027.
Reporting from 2 sources: 4Gamer.net, Denfaminicogamer.
GungHo Online Entertainment opened applications on October 19, 2026 for a technical test of its Steam co-op bullet hell shooter B.L.U.E. NOVA. The test runs October 30 to November 1, 2026, from 19:00 to 23:00 JST each day, and is limited to Asia, including Japan. Signups close October 29 at 10:00 JST through the Steam Playtest request button on the game's store page, with participants picked by lottery and access granted from 12:00 JST that day. GungHo says the test checks connection stability and whether large multiplayer sessions run smoothly ahead of a planned global closed beta test. Players who take part receive a limited in-game item usable after release, and may stream or post gameplay footage under the game's usage guidelines. B.L.U.E. NOVA is planned as a free-to-play release on Steam in 2027 with Japanese, English and Simplified Chinese support.
GungHo bills the project as "super insane ultra ∞ (infinite) shooting." The premise is the unknown planet Deeval: with Earth's destruction near, humanity moved there and now faces the runaway planet-development control AI EVE and a machine rebellion. Players are mercenaries called Heroes working with allies to reclaim the future the AI took.
The central mechanic is the Ring System. Enter a ring with allies on the battlefield and it triggers super-powering and unlimited firing, the Infinite Attack. The main mode, Tower Raid, puts up to 30 players on the battlefield alone; they link up with allies found in the open world and aim to destroy the Master Tower in the center.
GungHo's recruitment post frames the call as in-fiction: "We are now recruiting allies to fight alongside us on Deeval. Your cooperation is essential for humanity's victory." The announcement asks testers to send "frank opinions and requests, including how the game feels to play," and states that feedback and play data will feed into development and quality.
Practical notes from the announcement:
- Application window: October 19 at 12:00 JST to October 29 at 10:00 JST.
- Supported languages are limited to Japanese, English and Simplified Chinese because the test is a technical build.
- Winners get a Steam email, and status can also be checked on the B.L.U.E. NOVA store page.
- The limited item and how to claim it will be announced later.
- Required and recommended specs are listed on the Steam store page, with participation notes to be posted again before the test starts.
The full release is planned for 2027 on Steam as free-to-play with separate in-game purchases. The rating is listed as under review.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.