UPDATE: The NDA will no longer be enforced for the playtest session, and fans are welcome to stream and share as much as they’d like. (The message may still appear when participating, but regardless, the NDA will not be in place for any players.)
Mere weeks ahead of the game’s launch,Killing Floor 3is holding its final stress test, but bizarrely, participation requires players to sign a five-year NDA. Fans of the franchise are eager to get their hands on the next installment nearly 10 years after the launch of the second game, but some wanting to giveKilling Floor 3a try before its July 24 launch have been put off by this strange requirement from Tripwire Interactive.
Initially eyeing a March 2025 release,Killing Floor 3was delayedafter receiving negative player feedback during its closed beta period, with many fans experiencing consistent problems with lighting, performance, and the overall feel of the game’s weapons. The first-person survival horror title has been given some additional polish since then, and a final stress test has been launched, with all players welcome to jump in and give the game a try ahead of its release later this month. However, there’s one baffling requirement that has rubbed many gamers the wrong way, and fans have been quick to speak out against the developer.
Those wanting to take part in the final stress test forKilling Floor 3must sign a five-year NDA, barring them from showing off gameplay or screenshots. Many have been left confused by this strict requirement, as this is the last chance for fans to show off gameplay improvements ahead ofKilling Floor 3’s launchon July 24. The full content of the NDA was shared by a user on Reddit, and the comments mention that a streamer sharing their gameplay on Twitch was quickly suspended. The majority of users have shared their frustration with Tripwire Interactive, with some believing that the game may be delayed again if the studio is trying this hard to hide gameplay from audiences two weeks ahead of the survival horror title’s launch.
Killing Floor 3’s Final Stress Test Requires Players to Sign a Five-Year NDA
Killing Floor 3is slated to be a big seller for Tripwire’s parent company. In late 2024,Embracer Group gave a financial updateregarding many of its recent and upcoming titles, with 2025’s biggest sellers expected to beKingdom Come: Deliverance 2,Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered, andKilling Floor 3. It remains to be seen if this NDA requirement puts players off from purchasing the title at launch, or if a last-minute delay is in the cards.
This year has already seensome popular survival horror releases, includingDays Gone Remasteredand the fourth chapter ofPoppy Playtime. Potentially the genre’s biggest launch of the year will beSilent Hill f, which is expected to hit shelves on June 13, 2025.Dying Light: The Beastis also just around the corner, set to drop on August 22.
