“Public Beta is an important step towards GWENT’s final release. We’re opening the gates to everyone who wanted to play, but didn’t make it into the Closed Beta, and at the same time we’re introducing some pretty significant content and gameplay changes like adding animated versions of cards for every card in the game, new starter decks, or how weather cards work,” CD PROJEKT RED’s co-founder Marcin Iwinski says in an official statement. “I’m extra curious how all of the community feedback we’ve incorporated will resonate with both current players and those who’re just starting. Please keep the feedback coming, we’re listening!”
In addition to new changes to existing cards and the launch of many more animated cards, this public beta version of the game also contains a new tutorial fully voiced by The Witcher 3’s actors, customizable avatars and frames, and a variety of Challenges for players to complete. A newly released gameplay trailer teases a full story mode for Gwent however it’s not available to play yet in the public beta.
Gwent got its start as a mini-game in The Witcher 3 but became so popular with players that it was decided to expand upon the concept and make it its own title with more cards and features.