What is known about the alpha testing of the free shooter NCORE

A free-to-play shooter from Astrum Entertainment has already attracted the attention of gamers at the announcement stage. The project promises to be a dynamic PvPvE action game with elements of tactical interaction and a high-paced combat system. Given the active interest in the game, the developers have launched a beta test of the NCORE shooter to test the mechanics, balance, and server-side aspects of the concept before its official release.

NCORE Shooter Alpha Test: First Impressions and Goals

The alpha testing of the NCORE shooter started with limited access, and only registered users on the official website received invitations. The main goal was to test the class balance, server performance, and identify possible errors in the battle mechanics.

Astrum Entertainment immediately announced that player feedback would be taken into account during the final development of the gameplay elements. Therefore, testers were encouraged to not only participate in battles but also fill out feedback forms on the key mechanics of the project.

The alpha test featured three main game modes:

1. Classic PvP (5v5) – team battles in limited arenas with the ability to choose different classes.
2. PvPvE mode is a mix of player-to-player battles and battles against AI-controlled opponents.
3. Point control is a mode that involves capturing and holding key positions on the map.

NCORE Gameplay: Dynamics, Mechanics, and Weapons

The project combines the mechanics of dynamic arena shooters with a tactical approach. Character classes play an important role, with differences in movement speed, defense, and weapons. Users have praised the responsive shooting experience and the realistic weapon ballistics. The combat arsenal includes:

1. Assault rifles are a versatile option for medium-range combat.
2. Sniper rifles are effective at long distances, but require precise aiming.
3. SMGs and shotguns are the best choice for fighting in confined spaces.
4. Tactical gadgets include reconnaissance drones, smoke grenades, and mines.

All weapons can be upgraded by installing scopes, silencers, and additional accessories.

Features of combat mechanics:

1. Rolling and sprinting for mobility in firefights.
2. Interaction with the environment (cover, destructible objects).
3. Dynamic weather changes that affect the visibility and behavior of AI opponents.

In PvPvE mode, players have to fight not only against each other, but also against enemies controlled by artificial intelligence. AI demonstrates advanced tactics, such as surrounding opponents, using grenades, and taking advantageous positions.

Optimization and technical state of the game during the alpha test

The developers provided the test participants with the technical specifications of the NCORE shooter game. The optimization at an early stage left a good impression — even on average systems, the product produced a stable 60 frames per second with average graphics settings.

Minimum system requirements for NCORE :

1. OS: Windows 10 / 11 (64-bit).
2. Processor: Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600.
3. RAM: 8 GB.
4. Video card: NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD RX 580 (6 GB VRAM).
5. Storage: 50 GB SSD.

Recommended NCORE system Requirements:

1. Processor: Intel Core i7-9700K / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X.
2. RAM: 16 GB.
3. Video card: NVIDIA RTX 3060 / AMD RX 6700 XT (8 GB VRAM).
4. Storage: 100 GB SSD.

What flaws were identified during the testing of the NCORE shooter?

Despite the positive feedback from the NCORE shooter testers, the alpha version of the project did not come without a number of technical issues and gameplay imbalances. Astrum Entertainment developers actively collected feedback from players to address the shortcomings by the time of release.

FPS drawdowns and technical problems

One of the main complaints from users was the unpredictable drops in FPS during large-scale gunfights. This issue was particularly prevalent in PvPvE mode, where a large number of enemies appeared on the screen. For example, on densely populated maps, the frame rate could drop from 90 FPS to 45 FPS, causing discomfort during intense gunfights.

Reasons:

1. High CPU usage due to advanced AI enemy control.
2. Server limitations — there were occasional synchronization delays, which affected the smoothness of character movements.
3. Lighting optimization — in some locations, the video card was overloaded due to excessive use of dynamic lighting.

The developers have confirmed that future updates will include additional server infrastructure optimizations and effects rendering improvements to enhance FPS stability.

Unbalanced weapons and shooting mechanics

During the alpha testing of the NCORE shooter, some weapons proved to be too effective, leading to an imbalance in PvP battles. Players noted that certain assault rifle models dealt excessive damage even at long distances, while submachine guns and shotguns were virtually useless.

Examples:

1. High-rate weapons had extremely low recoil, making them easy to control.
2. Armor-piercing bullets were not working properly — some types of armor completely ignored damage, while light armor took more damage than expected.
3. The rapid reloading of sniper rifles made them overly dominant in team fights.

Astrum Entertainment has already confirmed that rebalancing weapon stats will be one of the key objectives before the open beta test.

When will the release date of NCORE be announced?

After the successful alpha testing of the NCORE shooter, the release date has been officially confirmed by the developers. The final release of the game is scheduled for the second quarter of 2025. Prior to this, an open beta test is expected, which will allow players to test the updated mechanics and fixed bugs. According to preliminary information, the open beta test will begin 2-3 months before the release, providing players with an opportunity to experience the improved version of the game.

Conclusion

The project has proven to be a promising arena shooter with dynamic gameplay and tactical options. The successful combination of PvP and PvPvE modes makes the game interesting for both competitive players and those who enjoy cooperative battles. Testing has confirmed that the NCORE shooter has good optimization, responsive controls, and engaging mechanics. The developers are actively working on balancing and addressing any identified issues. Therefore, the game’s release is highly anticipated.