- Arkheron playtest schedule: Weekly open queues run Friday and Saturday, June 2026 onward.
- Regional windows: Asia-Pacific is Friday-only; NA and EU get Friday plus Saturday sessions.
- Extended hours: NA and EU playtest windows were extended by one hour.
- Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 with crossplay support.
- Always available: Custom games let you play outside scheduled queue windows.
Arkheron Playtest Schedule Overview
Arkheron, the team-based 3v3 PvP game from Bonfire Studios, is currently in a pre-launch development state. Instead of an always-open beta, the developers run structured weekly playtest windows where anyone with access can queue up and play. The Arkheron playtest schedule was updated in June 2026, moving from a mix of themed Community Nights and Friday Night Fights to a single merged format on Friday and Saturday nights, better aligned with when the community is actually available.
Before diving into the exact times, this hands-on look at the crossplay beta playtest covers everything from queue structure to how the two game modes work:
Video Highlights:
- Arkheron is a 3v3 team-based PvP game built around champion "blueprints" and relic gear pieces
- Two modes: Spires (constructed runs) and Ascension (45-player tower extraction)
- Weapon swapping mid-fight unlocks different ability sets
- The closed beta playtest ran on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5
- More playtests are expected after each testing phase
According to the official announcement on the Arkheron news page, the schedule change merges all weekly windows under one banner with no specific theme — just play, compete, and have fun. The studio also noted that new player-focused events will return later, timed around expected influxes of new players.
Weekly Queue Times by Region
The current queue windows are fixed weekly slots. Convert them to your local timezone and set a reminder — miss the window and you'll need to wait for the next session or start a custom game.
| Region | Queue Time (UTC) | Local Time | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asia / Pacific | 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM | 9 PM - 11 PM JST/KST | Friday only |
| Europe | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM | 7 PM - 10 PM BST / 8 PM - 11 PM CEST | Friday + Saturday |
| North America | 1:00 AM - 4:00 AM | 6 PM - 9 PM PDT / 9 PM - 12 AM EDT | Friday + Saturday |
The Saturday playtest window is currently only open on Europe and North America servers, due to current player populations and interest in those regions. Asia-Pacific players can queue on Friday only for now.
A few important details about the schedule:
- The NA and EU windows were extended by one hour as part of the June 2026 change, giving players more time per session.
- Windows are open queues — join any time during the block and match into games.
- Custom games are available any time, so if your squad misses the official window, you can still set up private matches.
- Outside these windows, matchmaking queues are closed.
How to Join a Playtest Session
Sign Up for Beta Access
Register through the official Arkheron website's Crossplay Beta page. Sign-up information is also shared in the official Arkheron Discord, which is the fastest channel for schedule announcements.
Pick Your Platform
The playtest supports PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 with full crossplay, so team up with friends regardless of platform.
Install Before the Window Opens
Download and patch the client ahead of time. Playtest windows are only a few hours long, and you don't want to spend them waiting on an install.
Queue During Your Regional Window
Matchmaking opens at the listed time for your region. NA players should note the UTC offset — the 1 AM - 4 AM UTC slot is Friday/Saturday evening in North America.
Give Feedback
Bonfire Studios actively runs these tests to gather feedback. Use the official Discord channels to report bugs and share impressions.
Arkheron has a real learning curve — readability in six-player fights is the biggest hurdle for newcomers. Complete the tutorial systems progressively, learn your relic sets, and practice weapon swapping before expecting competitive results.
Beyond the Weekly Windows: Livestreams and Dev Events
The playtest schedule isn't just about queue times. Bonfire Studios runs a regular content calendar around the weekly sessions:
| Event | When | What It Is |
|---|---|---|
| Tower Hour | Select Tuesdays | 1-hour developer livestream covering news and updates; first aired June 16, 2026 |
| Community Creator Streams | Fridays | Featured streams from community creators on Arkheron's Twitch and YouTube |
| Dev Custom Games | Select Tuesdays | Custom matches with the developers, starting June 23, 2026 |
Spires Mode
- Build your loadout at the shrine with fragments
- Best-of-three 3v3 arena climbs
- Endless Spires after floor 10
Ascension Mode
- 45 players, 15 teams of three
- Explore the tower, find relics, claim beacons
- Final 3v3 at the summit
Custom Games
- Available any time, even off-schedule
- Great for scrims and practice
- Play with developers on select Tuesdays
Schedules during pre-launch can shift between testing phases. The official Arkheron Discord is the authoritative source for the latest queue times and event announcements — announcements there supersede older published schedules.
Playtest Preparation Checklist
Maximize your limited hours in each window by going in prepared:
Before Your Next Session:
- Confirm your regional window and convert to local time
- Install or update the client before the queue opens
- Complete the onboarding tutorial systems
- Learn one champion's full relic set before experimenting
- Practice weapon swapping and ability rotations
- Join the official Discord for schedule updates
- Submit feedback after your session
The official times are published in UTC. European players get 6 PM - 9 PM UTC, while the North American window (1 AM - 4 AM UTC) lands at 6 PM - 9 PM PDT / 9 PM - 12 AM EDT — prime evening hours, not late night.
FAQ
Q: What is the current Arkheron playtest schedule?
As of the June 2026 update, open queue windows run on Friday and Saturday. Asia-Pacific plays Friday only (12 PM - 2 PM UTC), while Europe (6 PM - 9 PM UTC) and North America (1 AM - 4 AM UTC) get both Friday and Saturday sessions.
Q: Can I play Arkheron outside the scheduled playtest windows?
Yes, but only through custom games. Open matchmaking queues are limited to the weekly Friday and Saturday windows, while custom games with friends are available any time.
Q: Which platforms does the Arkheron playtest support?
The crossplay beta supports PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5, with cross-platform matchmaking so you can team up across all three platforms.
Q: Will the playtest schedule change again?
Likely. Arkheron is in active pre-launch development, and Bonfire Studios has already adjusted times once based on community feedback. More playtests are expected, and the official Discord is the best place to catch schedule announcements.