KF2: How to Opt Into the Preview Beta and Why Play It

This is a paraphrase of a short community guide written during a KF2 preview beta, explaining how to join it and why the author thinks you should. The branch names and contents have changed over time, so treat it as a how-to for the Steam beta mechanism rather than a statement about any specific build.

Switching to the beta

1. Open your Steam Library and find Killing Floor 2.
2. Right-click it; a small list opens.

Choose the last option, Properties.

3. In the window that opens, click the Betas tab.

The Betas option in game properties.

4. Use the dropdown on the right to pick a beta. If you never used a beta it probably says "None", which is the normal version.
5. Change "None" to "preview - preview", the beta at the time of writing, then let the game update.
6. When the update finishes, start the beta.

Why the author suggests playing it

• All EXP you earn in the beta is kept, even when you go back to the normal version or after the official release.
• The same goes for items, achievements and seasonal challenges. Note that if you open your inventory in the normal version after getting a beta item, it shows an empty slot and cannot be used; it works only in the beta and after the official release.
• You can try new buffs, weeklies and weapons early and use them to your advantage.
• The author, unsure whether it was a bug, also noticed that the new DLC weapons could be tried without cheats or the armory pass.
• More players in the beta keep multiplayer lively.
• Feedback shared during the beta can influence the next beta and the official release.

Going back

If you do not like the beta, repeat the same steps and change "preview - preview" back to "None".