Dawngate gets practice bots and European servers

Waystone Games' multiplayer online battle arena Dawngate added a new bot-filled Practice Mode and opened its European alpha servers, publisher Electronic Arts announced today at Gamescom.

Practice Mode is designed to welcome new players into Dawngate by setting them up against bots — AI-controlled opponents — and allowing them the room to feel out the game for themselves. Practice Mode also doubles as a way for experienced players to hone their skills and experiment with new characters, called Shapers, in a stress-free environment without live opponents. According to EA, Waystone has plans to expand Practice Mode in the future.

In addition to a new mode and new alpha servers, Dawngate is offering limited edition Gamescom Ward Skins and Avatars that can be unlocked by playing between today, Aug. 13 through Aug. 17. Players also have access to a new skin for the Shaper Raina, a skin based on a narrative decision voted on by Dawngate players. In this way, Waystone is committed to letting players help shape the appearance of Dawngate.

Dawngate initially launched its closed beta in May 2013 and went into an open community beta this past spring.