Dark Souls 3's beta test is on the PlayStation Store, but it's not playable yet (update)

The chance to play Dark Souls 3 a little early is coming soon, thanks to From Software's upcoming network stress test. PlayStation 4 owners can download the client that will give players access to the multiplayer beta — it's available from the North American PlayStation Store right now — though it's not playable just yet.

Publisher Bandai Namco dropped Dark Souls 3's "Network Stress Test Ver." on the PlayStation Store today. The beta client is a 3 GB download and won't do much more than take up some hard drive space right now. However, the Dark Souls 3 beta kicks off next week, so it's good to be prepared.

From Software's plan is to hold a Dark Souls 3 beta test from Oct. 16-18 in Asia, Europe and the Americas. The developer opened registration — which is now closed — for the beta in September. Players who registered for the beta will find out if they got in on Oct. 12 or 13.

The Dark Souls 3's "Network Stress Test Ver." is currently listed as a PlayStation Plus subscriber exclusive. From Software notes on the game's network stress test website that PlayStation Plus is required to take part in the beta in Asia and the Americas, but not in Europe or Oceania.

Dark Souls 3 is slated to launch on PlayStation 4, Windows PC and Xbox One sometime in April 2016, though Japan will get the game a little earlier on March 24, 2016.

Update: The Dark Souls 3's "Network Stress Test Ver." appears to have been posted a little early; it's already been pulled from the PlayStation Store.