The open beta for Bandai Namco's latest brawler, Dragon Ball FighterZ launched on Saturday and is scheduled to run until Tuesday, January 16 - but with many players unable to log in and Bandai Namco's admission that there are "network issues" currently affecting gameplay, there's a possibility that the beta period may be extended.
In a tweet, Bandai Namco acknowledges the issues that players have been having, explaining that the problems are extensive enough that they may not be able to be resolved quickly. In a linked Facebook post, the developer elaborates that the team is "working hard" but that players will have to wait for the next server update before the problems are resolved.
FighterZ, the DRAGON BALL FighterZ Open Beta is experiencing network issues that cannot be addressed quickly. We'll keep the Open Beta online but you might experience problems during gameplay. We may extend the Open Beta, more info here: https://t.co/5WMdnjzVQ5 #DBFighterzBETA pic.twitter.com/4c7EJCqhFE
— Bandai Namco US (@BandaiNamcoUS) January 14, 2018
While the work is taking place, the beta will remain open so that players who are able to log in and play can continue to do so, and if the problems aren't fixed "within a decent amount of time", Bandai Namco is willing to consider extending the beta period to allow locked-out players time to participate.
There's no indication given of how long "a decent amount of time" is, but since the beta is scheduled to end tomorrow and there is still no word on whether a fix has been implemented, it's probably a safe bet that the beta may be around for a little bit longer than scheduled.
The full game is scheduled for launch January 26 on PS4, PC and Xbox One (note that the beta is only for console players).
Matt Davidson is a freelance writer for IGN - catch him on Twitter, if that's your cup of tea.