New World release date slides to August 31 with a Closed Beta coming July 20, Expeditions and Outpost Rush detailed

by Bryan Vitale on 16 February, 2021

Amazon Games announced today that the upcoming open-world MMO New World will have yet another setback to its planned release date, now slated for August 31. Initially set to release last May, New World has seen a few setbacks since as the release date slid to August of last year before settling on a Spring window before the current shift to the new release date. For those keeping count, that's three delays total. Ahead of the game's release, there will also be a closed beta set for July 20th for those who have pre-ordered the game.

In a video and blog post accompanying the delay announcement, Game Director Scot Lane goes into some of the details about the features that will be implemented and polished which necessitated the delay. Aside from stating a general commitment to releasing a polished game at launch, he lists some specific work that's been done such as creating a new zone, Ebonscale Reach, alongside some PVE and PVP features in Expeditions and Outpost Rush, respectively. Each of the new features does also get some new gameplay footage as well.

EBONSCALE REACH
Filled with lush wetlands and towering cliffs Ebonscale Reach is a new end-game zone in Aeternum. An exiled empress is building a corrupted fleet there that could threaten the entire world.
EXPEDITIONS
These five-player instanced adventures will take you to the darkest corners of Aeternum. There, you’ll face dire threats, learn more about the source of Corruption, expose the Angry Earth’s ulterior motives, and reveal the deeper menace behind the Lost. Expect difficult battles that will challenge your group, requiring skill and coordination to achieve victory.
OUTPOST RUSH
These are 20 vs. 20 battles set in a primordial river basin filled with forgotten ancient technologies and hidden sources of Azoth. You and your team will vie for control of strongholds and strategic resources—and you’ll need all your combat prowess and collective wits to win.