PlayerUnknown’s New Survival Game, Prologue: Go Wayback, Is Now Live in Open Beta

Brendan “PlayerUnknown” Greene, the visionary mind behind the global phenomenon PUBG, is back with a new and ambitious project that takes a completely different approach to the survival genre. His new studio, PlayerUnknown Productions, has officially launched the open beta for its debut title, Prologue: Go Wayback!. Available now on both Steam and the Epic Games Store, this game offers a single-player, emergent survival experience that is built on a foundation of unforgiving realism and groundbreaking technology.

The open beta comes after six months of closed playtests with the studio’s Discord community. According to a statement from Greene, the feedback from those tests was so inspiring that the team decided to open the doors to the public with a full beta, rather than moving straight to Early Access. This is a chance for players to get a taste of the game’s unique features, including a dynamically generated 64km² map, hardcore survival mechanics, and an unwavering commitment to player freedom. The open beta will continue to be updated with new features and content over the coming months until the game’s official Early Access launch later this year, making this an evolving experience for all who participate.

A Survival Experience Unlike Any Other

While Prologue: Go Wayback! is often compared to a “Rust-like” experience, it sets itself apart by forgoing the traditional multiplayer elements and focusing entirely on a solitary, emergent narrative. The game’s core premise is simple: you start in a small cabin and must navigate a vast, procedurally generated wilderness to reach a distant weather tower. How you get there, and whether you survive the brutal journey, is a story only you can tell.

The game’s most ambitious feature is its use of machine-learning models to generate stunningly realistic and unique terrain. Every time you start a new run, a brand new world is created for you, with a different layout of rivers, cliffs, forests, and shelters. This ensures that no two journeys are ever the same and that players are constantly challenged to adapt to new and unfamiliar surroundings. The world is based on the rugged Czech Bohemia region, giving it a natural and believable feel that is a far cry from the often-alien landscapes of other procedurally generated games.

Key features that define the gameplay of Prologue: Go Wayback! include:

• Realistic Navigation: There are no quest markers, no compass on a HUD, and no scripted paths. Your only tools are a paper map and a physical compass. Players must learn to read the terrain, use natural landmarks, and trust their instincts to chart a course and find their way. This focus on realistic navigation is a refreshing change of pace and provides a deeply immersive experience.
• Hardcore Survival Mechanics: The game is unforgiving, and players must constantly manage their body temperature, hunger, thirst, and wetness. Dynamic weather systems, including blizzards and thunderstorms, can roll in at any moment, forcing you to find shelter and build a fire to survive. Finding food and drinkable water is a constant struggle, making simple tasks like starting a campfire feel like a major accomplishment.
• Player Freedom: With no hand-holding or pre-determined path, players are free to explore at their own pace and in any direction they choose. The game is a true sandbox where improvisation is key, and every decision, from what items to take from your starting cabin to which path you choose to take, can be the difference between life and death.
• Project Artemis: The open beta for Prologue: Go Wayback! is also a significant step toward PlayerUnknown Productions’ long-term goal of creating “Project Artemis,” a platform designed to enable massive-scale creation and emergent play. This game is the first of three planned titles that will showcase the studio’s technological progress, focusing on realistic terrain generation.

How to Join the Open Beta

The open beta for Prologue: Go Wayback! is completely free and available to everyone. To join, simply head to the game’s page on either Steam or the Epic Games Store and look for the “Request Access” button or the “Get” button. The download is roughly 10 GB and is available for PC. As a beta, the game is still a work in progress and may have some bugs, but the developers are actively seeking feedback from the community to help refine the experience. PlayerUnknown Productions has also confirmed that they plan to add new features to the beta in the coming months, including a map editor and a save game function, which were highly requested by the community.

This is a chance to be a part of the development process for a game that aims to push the boundaries of the survival genre. For fans of PUBG who are curious about Brendan Greene’s new direction or for anyone who enjoys a challenging and immersive survival experience, the Prologue: Go Wayback! open beta is a must-play. Don’t miss your chance to explore a unique and unforgiving world that is built from the ground up for a singular journey.