JoyCity said on Feb. 4 it has completed a global closed beta test (CBT) for Freestyle Football 2, a new soccer game being developed by its subsidiary URE.

The test ran for four days from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2 and was held for users worldwide on Xbox and PlayStation console platforms. JoyCity said large numbers of users in core console markets including North America and Europe took part, reaffirming global awareness of the Freestyle intellectual property.

During the test, Freestyle Football 2 offered console-optimised controls and stably supported cross-platform servers between Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. Participants gave high marks to the immersion from controlling one character per player and 5-on-5 strategic play in which teamwork is important.

JoyCity said the "hybrid soccer" system, which combines each character's unique skills and physical attributes, acted as a variable in wins and losses and delivered a sense of tension differentiated from existing sports games.

JoyCity said it plans to raise the game's level of completion by adjusting matchmaking balance and improving the UI and UX based on feedback received via its official Discord channel and surveys during the test period. It also plans to accelerate a simultaneous release on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, including a day-one listing on Xbox Game Pass, in the first half of this year.

Myung-soo Kim (김명수), CEO of URE, said, "Through this global CBT, we were able to confirm the potential for success in the console market." He added, "We thank users around the world who participated enthusiastically in the test, and we will actively reflect the valuable opinions you sent to present a game that meets expectations."