About the First Preview
Not much is known about the first preview. In fact it wasn't even confirmed to have existed until the Third Preview. However there was a very limited first preview of Spiral Knights, or as it was called at the time, Project X. Here is one of the invitation emails sent to the very first players.
From: Three Rings Design [email removed]
Date: Fri, Apr 11, 2008 at 1:56 PM
Subject: Secret invitation from Three Rings Design
To: [email removed]
Greetings! Out of thousands of Whirled players, you have been selected
to try a pre-alpha version of a new, as-yet-unannounced, as-yet-unnamed game
from Three Rings Design. "Project X" is a multiplayer online 3D
action/adventure game drawing inspiration from classics like Zelda, Nethack,
Bomberman, and classic arcade games. It is set in a dreamlike realm and
features a cast of mysterious Tech Knights who must fight and puzzle their way
through levels filled with strange monsters and hidden treasure.
Although Project X is far from being complete, we have decided to conduct
a limited private playtest in order to obtain feedback from you, our audience.
For a four hour period starting at 4pm PST on Tuesday, April 15, you will
be able to play the game online with other players. After you play, we would
like you to complete a brief online survey regarding the game. We want to
know whether you're excited about the game's possibilities, what works and what
doesn't, and what you would like to see added in the future.
We ask that you please keep all details about the game confidential, as
we are not yet ready to announce the game publicly. Also, keep in mind that
Project X is in a pre-alpha state: there are many features to add, bugs to fix,
and elements to fine-tune before it will be ready for public release. However,
we're excited about the progress we've made, and we hope you will be too.
If you agree to the terms of confidentiality and would like to
participate in the playtest, please create an account at the following URL.
This has no relation to your Whirled/Puzzle Pirates/Bang accounts; it will be
used only for playtesting Project X.
[url removed]
Be sure to include your e-mail address when you create the account.
Shortly before the playtest period, we will send an e-mail to that address with
online survey.
Hope to see you there!
—The Project X Dev Team
