Try out Dark Souls 3 with 'network stress test' beta

Bandai Namco is taking signups for an upcoming server test for Dark Souls 3.

Fans of the series can register online for the PlayStation 4 beta, which will run sometime in mid-October, for a chance to download a version of the game to test. Doing so will help the game's developer From Software determine whether its servers are properly functional.

The "network stress test" is "meant to help improve the quality of the product, and is free of charge to testers," according to the registration page on the game's website.

In addition to ensuring that the game can manage its online capabilities without a hitch, the beta will serve to test the balance of multiplayer action in the game, as well.

Darks Souls players who register and are selected to participate will receive email notification on Oct. 12 and 13. They will then receive a link to download the game.

Dark Souls 3 will be available to players worldwide next year. The game will hit Japan first on March 24, and then head to the West in April. It will be available on PS4, as well as Windows PC and Xbox One.

We had a chance to test the game for ourselves in August and shared our impressions. We also played the game's demo build at Tokyo Game Show this week, taking a closer look at how magic will function in the game.

Check out our review of the previous game in the series, Dark Souls 2, which came out last year.