ANTHEM PTS: How to Get Access and Play The Cataclysm

BioWare releases the official Anthem Public Test Server on June 4th, 2019. It provides you a with a chance to check out upcoming content while it is being developed and way before it is ready for full release to the live game. This guide will teach you what you need to access Anthem PTS, how to install it and how to participate in the various test events that are available.

The Anthem PTS is coming up on June 4th for the first time. It will contain the first edition of the Cataclysm in-game event. Over the next few weeks BioWare will be updating and tweaking the content while collecting data and feedback from players.

Anthem PTS is a perfect chance for you to take an early look at content that is currently in development, but far from ready for deployment on the live service servers.

To get access to Anthem PTS you will need a PC and the game. The special server is only accessible on PC platforms via the Origin client.

If you own any of Anthem’s editions or have an active Origin Access Premier subscription, navigate to your games library and you will find the new game waiting for you there.

As the image below suggests, you may be allowed to pre-load PTS if you are catching it in a phase where it has not launched yet.

The server will not be always online. Frequent downtime and minor updates should be expected. This is a test environment and you should not be surprised to find many broken gameplay, mechanics and system elements.

To provide feedback directly to BioWare, there are separate PTS Forums, dedicated specifically to that. You will find them on this link.

If you qualify for Anthem PTS, you will find a special Anthem PTS tile in your game library on Origin. Just click on the tile to start the download, accept the PTS Agreement, and you’ll be able to begin playing on June 4. The initial download is ~55 GB large. If you have free space on an SSD, make sure you install it on it. This will significantly speed-up the loading times. Same goes for the live game, of course.

You can’t bring your current javelins, currency, XP, or any other items into the Public Test Server, nor be able to take anything earned in the PTS back to your regular version of the game. You’ll enter the PTS at level 30 and with all four javelins unlocked, so you can focus your time and attention on the Cataclysm itself instead of worrying about leveling up.

Below I have for you a simple quick guide on how to get access to Anthem PTS, install it and play the new features (Cataclysm at the time of this publication – later other new content might become accessible too).

How to access Anthem PTS

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Quick step-by-step guide on how to gain access to Anthem PTS, install it and participate in various tests.

Instructions

1. Make sure you own one of Anthem's editions or have an active Origin Access Premium subscription.
2. Open to your Origin client on PC.
3. Navigate to the "My Game Library" tab from the menu on the left.
4. Find the "Anthem Public Test Server" game tile and click to start downloading it.
5. Pick a download and install directory on your hard-drive. It can be a different drive, not where your main game is installed.
6. Agree with the End User Licence Agreements to download the necessary additional files and software.
7. Wait for the download and install processes to complete.
8. Once tit's all finished, check if Anthem PTS is up and running. If yes, then get in and play/test the game on your own terms.

Notes

Anthem PTS is a completely separate install from the full Anthem game. It acts as a stand-alone game in your Library.

The Test server may not always be online. If you cannot access it at the time, make sure it is actually currently online and available.

Anyone, who owns the game (either edition) or has Origin Access Premium subscription can access PTS.

Anthem PTS is an unstable environment. Expect crashes, maintenances and reboots.

You cannot copy your Javelins to PTS, nor can you take stuff from PTS to the live servers.

If you are reading this at the time of publication or shortly after, you might be wondering what exactly is going up on PTS first. The Cataclysm will be deployed, but not all of it.

At first some of the core gameplay components such as the new area/map/zone and the arena encounters will be available. The final boss will not be in a stage ready for testing, although she might be present.

The new Masterwork and Legendary gear (higher levels than the currently existing items, by the way) will be added at a later stage. BioWare wants to focus the initial tests on the gameplay, not on looting and playing around with the new gear.

The Cataclysm testing was announced to be a few weeks long (two to three). After that there will be some technical time for the Devs to work out the final details and implement whatever feedback they have gained from the tests before the full event is released to the live service game.