The Indie studio BetaDwarf just secured a major investment from Square Enix, the gaming giant behind Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, to support the development of its upcoming multiplayer action RPG, Vaultbreakers. The announcement comes alongside the release of the game’s first full gameplay trailer and a new public playtest that will run from July 3 to July 9.
This is a significant milestone not just for BetaDwarf best known for developing the games Minion Masters and Forced but for the growing interest in high-stakes, co-op-focused, top-down action RPGs that blend PvE and PvPvE elements.
Why This Investment Matters
This investment represents a growing trend of large publishers taking chances on ambitious indie teams focused on community feedback and unique gameplay loops. With a gameplay-first approach and transparent development pipeline, BetaDwarf aims to make Vaultbreakers a standout entry in the live-service ARPG space.
What Is Vaultbreakers?
Vaultbreakers is a fast-paced, top-down action RPG where players take on challenging bosses, navigate dynamically changing worlds, and fight to reclaim lost relics before making their escape. The game supports solo, co-op, and PvPvE gameplay, offering multiple ways to play and strategize with or against others.
According to Square Enix’s Hideaki Uehara, General Manager of Business Development, the investment was fueled by genuine enthusiasm for the game’s cooperative potential:
"When I played Vaultbreakers, I was genuinely excited by the experience... After visiting BetaDwarf and learning about the team’s mission and passion, we decided to invest in them."
What’s New: Gameplay Trailer & July Playtest
BetaDwarf dropped the first full gameplay trailer, offering fans a look at the chaotic action, customizable champions, and evolving hub mechanics. Check it out down below:
The July playtest is going to be a big one running from July 3 at 9 AM CEST to July 9 at 11:59 PM CEST, the event lets players explore the newest features and provide feedback that will shape the game going forward.
Key Features in the Playtest:
Solo & Duo Queues: Choose your matchmaking path go solo or team up with one friend.
New Evolving Haven: Upgrade your home base from ruins to a fully-equipped fortress, unlocking NPCs, abilities, and perks.
Activable Items: Use strategic tools like grappling hooks or pet summoning for combat advantages.
Expanded Customization: New perks and items let you tailor your Champion’s playstyle.
Improved AI & Spawns: Smarter enemy patrols and more dynamic spawn systems keep every run unpredictable.
Players can join the playtest and try the game out by either:
The PvE-only mode, another heavily requested feature, is also in active development and will be available in future tests. Based on BetaDwarf’s response to community input so far, the game is evolving fast and Square Enix’s backing adds fuel to the fire.
As Vaultbreakers builds momentum toward launch, this next playtest could determine just how big this breakout indie title becomes. Will you be joining and playing in it?