Okay, so imagine this: it's the Dark Ages, right? But instead of just knights and castles, we're talking Vikings riding T-Rexes into battle. Sounds wild, I know! That's the basic idea behind Dinolords, a game that mashes up medieval strategy with some seriously cool dinosaur action. And guess what? You might get to play it soon!

The devs at Northplay are launching a closed alpha test on October 31st. If you're lucky enough to get in, you'll get a chance to experience this crazy world before the early access release next year. I don't know about you, but I'm already picturing myself commanding a squad of raptors. Sounds like a blast!

What to Expect in the Alpha

Northplay isn't just throwing you into the dino-infested deep end right away. The alpha starts with a three-part tutorial, which will teach you the ropes of medieval siege tactics and how to manage your dino troops. After that, you'll have access to four different maps and two game modes. So, it seems they are going to test our "hack’n’strat skills". You'll even be able to build your own stronghold, test combat strategies, and control your units. Basically, all the fun stuff!

Michael Flarup, the big boss at Northplay, seems pretty excited about getting player feedback. They're even planning a questionnaire. "Dinolords is our chance to bring a unique blend of genres to players". I think it's awesome when developers involve players early in the process. It's a way to ensure the final product is something we'll actually enjoy. If you are one of the lucky few, be sure to share your thoughts with them!

I remember reading about Dinolords' showcasing at Gamescom last year, and it sounded intense. Enemy raptors climbing walls, T-Rexes smashing defenses... It's not just a gimmick; it's a whole new layer of strategy. You can't just rely on your typical RTS tactics. Each dino type presents a unique challenge, and you'll need to figure out how to counter them. It will make you think outside the box to achieve victory.

If this sounds like your cup of tea, sign-ups for the closed alpha started on October 8th on the game's Steam page. I'd recommend heading over there ASAP if you want a chance to stomp around with some dinos. Who knows? Maybe I'll see you on the battlefield!