What Was Ashes of Creation Apocalypse?
Ashes of Creation Apocalypse was a separate testing client, not the main MMO. In general, it was used to test combat systems, server performance, and large-scale PvP before the full Ashes of Creation MMO was ready.
Most players treated it as a temporary game mode. It included a battle royale mode and later a castle siege mode. Usually, players joined to test mechanics, not for long-term progression.
Why Did Apocalypse Come Out Before the MMO?
In practice, Apocalypse existed because large-scale combat is hard to test in a traditional alpha environment.
Most players understand now that:
It allowed stress testing with many players in one area
It helped the developers collect combat feedback early
It reused assets planned for the MMO
At the time, though, many players expected it to be more permanent than it was. That expectation caused confusion later.
When Did Ashes of Creation Apocalypse First Launch?
September 7, 2018 – NDA Stress Test
The very first Apocalypse test started on September 7, 2018, under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
In general:
Only a limited group of testers could access it
Players were not allowed to stream or share footage
Feedback focused on performance and combat feel
Most players outside the test only heard vague reports, which led to speculation rather than clear information.
When Was the NDA Lifted?
October 19, 2018 – NDA Lifted
On October 19, 2018, the NDA was lifted. This was when most players first saw Apocalypse clearly.
Usually, this is when:
Gameplay videos started appearing
Streams showed the battle royale mode
Players formed first real opinions
Some players liked the combat pacing, while others felt the mode didn’t match what they expected from Ashes of Creation as an MMO.
When Did the Open Beta Start?
December 18, 2018 – Open Beta
The open beta began on December 18, 2018. This was the first time a much larger group could log in.
In practice:
Queue times were common
Performance issues were noticeable
Balance changed frequently
Most players treated open beta as something to try for a few sessions rather than commit to long-term play. It was clearly a test environment.
What Changed With Early Access?
September 24, 2019 – Early Access
On September 24, 2019, Apocalypse entered early access.
By this stage:
Player population was smaller
Most players already knew Apocalypse was temporary
Focus shifted more toward system testing
Some players used this phase mainly to practice combat mechanics. Others logged in occasionally to check progress. In general, enthusiasm was lower than during open beta.
What Was the Castle Siege Mode?
December 19, 2019 – Castle Siege Closed Testing
On December 19, 2019, Apocalypse introduced castle siege mode in closed testing.
This was important because:
Castle sieges are a core MMO feature
Large-scale coordination was tested
Server stability under heavy load was evaluated
Most players who joined this phase were more interested in MMO mechanics than the battle royale mode. Usually, this is when players realized Apocalypse’s main value was technical testing.
When Did Apocalypse End?
March 10, 2020 – Testing Ends
On March 10, 2020, Ashes of Creation Apocalypse testing officially ended.
In general:
Servers were shut down
Development focus returned fully to the MMO
No progression carried over
Most players accepted the shutdown once it was clear that Apocalypse had served its purpose.
How Do Players Look Back on Apocalypse Now?
Looking back, most players see Apocalypse as:
A testing phase, not a finished product
A way to experiment with combat systems
A learning step for the main MMO
At the time, expectations were mixed. Some players expected a long-term PvP game. Others understood it as a temporary test. In general, the confusion came from how unusual this testing approach was.
Did Apocalypse Affect the MMO Economy Discussion?
Interestingly, Apocalypse also influenced how players later talked about the MMO economy.
During MMO discussions, some players compared testing shortcuts to future convenience options. You’ll sometimes see unrelated discussions where players mention things like buy AoC gold online with fast delivery from U4N when talking about time-saving versus progression, even though Apocalypse itself had no persistent economy.
This comparison usually reflects player concerns about balance, not Apocalypse directly.
What Should New Players Take From the Release Schedule?
If you’re new to Ashes of Creation, the key takeaway is simple:
Apocalypse is finished
It does not represent the final MMO
Its release schedule shows how long combat testing has been ongoing
Most players now view Apocalypse as background history rather than something to judge the MMO by.
Final Thoughts From a Player Perspective
In general, Ashes of Creation Apocalypse was a testing tool that lasted from 2018 to early 2020. It went through NDA tests, open beta, early access, and finally shut down once its goals were met.
Most players who followed the project closely understand that Apocalypse was never meant to replace the MMO. It was a way to test systems early, learn from player behavior, and move forward.
If you’re researching Ashes of Creation today, it’s best to treat Apocalypse as part of development history, not as a promise or final product.
