Square Enix Collective Returns to Publish BetaDwarf's Vaultbreakers

Square Enix Collective is returning to indie game publishing, with Danish developer BetaDwarf's upcoming extraction action RPG Vaultbreakers announced as a new publishing partner.

The companies revealed the partnership during the Triple-i Initiative showcase on October 8, alongside a new gameplay trailer and a free Steam demo available now.

The announcement marks the re-establishment of Square Enix Collective as a publishing and investment initiative supporting independent developers. The division is also accepting project pitches from studios of all sizes and across all genres.

For BetaDwarf, the partnership brings Square Enix's publishing resources to Vaultbreakers, an ambitious multiplayer action RPG built around exploration, tactical combat, and recovering powerful artifacts from dangerous territory.

Square Enix Collective is back in the indie publishing business

Square Enix Collective originally operated as an initiative supporting independent developers, including through publishing partnerships. Its return introduces a renewed focus on providing funding, investment, and publishing assistance while allowing studios to retain creative control over their projects.

According to Square Enix, the re-established division aims to build sustainable, long-term relationships with developers rather than limit its involvement to individual releases.

BetaDwarf, the Danish studio behind Forced, Forced: Showdown, and Minion Masters, is among the first developers announced as part of this renewed effort.

In a separate Steam announcement, BetaDwarf reassured players that the publishing agreement would not change the studio's development direction. The team says it will continue making its own design decisions and incorporating community feedback.

The partnership also represents another step in the relationship between Square Enix and BetaDwarf, following Square Enix's investment in the studio in 2025.

Vaultbreakers' free Steam demo offers up to seven hours of gameplay

Players interested in seeing what BetaDwarf has been building can now download the free Vaultbreakers demo on Steam.

Vaultbreakers is a top-down extraction action RPG that challenges players to venture into dangerous environments, defeat enemies, recover valuable artifacts, and escape with their loot. Players can tackle expeditions alone or cooperate with up to two friends.

The demo introduces two playable Champions:

• Nymera: An elven ranger specializing in ranged attacks.
• Bjornir: A durable warrior who uses frost-based abilities.

Players explore part of the game's first map, Wolfswood, completing quests that eventually lead to their first Vault and a challenging boss encounter.

The story centers on legendary Artefacts scattered from a floating island known as the Dragonvault. Recovering these relics is necessary to open a portal and eventually reach the island itself.

BetaDwarf estimates that the demo contains up to seven hours of gameplay, with two PvE difficulty settings. Players can also experiment with character progression, equipment, perks, and upgrades to their Haven.

The demo is limited to PvE, meaning players won't encounter rival human-controlled teams during expeditions.

PvPvE alpha test begins October 15

The full Vaultbreakers experience will also feature PvPvE encounters, where players face both computer-controlled enemies and competing players during expeditions.

BetaDwarf has scheduled an alpha test beginning October 15 at 10 a.m. CEST, running through October 21 at 11:59 p.m. CEST. The test will introduce the three additional playable Champions not included in the demo, bringing the available roster to five.

According to the game's Steam listing, Legacy Points earned during the demo will carry over to the full release and unlock rewards. Other demo progression is not guaranteed to transfer.

Vaultbreakers does not yet have a confirmed release date. BetaDwarf says it is targeting PC and consoles, although specific console platforms have not been announced.

Meanwhile, independent developers interested in Square Enix Collective's renewed publishing program can find information about project submissions on the official Collective website.