Beta Signups Open Now
HoYoVerse is cracking open Petit Planet sooner than expected: signups for a closed beta, the "Stardrift Test," are live ahead of an April 21 start.
Billed as a "cozy galactic life sim," Petit Planet hands you stewardship of an entire bite-sized world floating in the Starsea. Expect to farm, fish, cook, relax on the beach, befriend fuzzy neighbors, and even form galaxies while keeping your planet thriving.
The studio pitches a gentle, creative loop. "Spend relaxed and fulfilling days on your planet alongside your fuzzy Neighbors, and let your imagination run wild as you decorate your home or shape your own stylish landscapes," HoYoVerse said. "You can also explore the Starsea and forge connections with people and things at the ever-bustling Galactic Bazaar."
Those relationships are the backbone, according to the team: "Each bond you form with Neighbors and the world around you weaves into an ever-growing web of connections that keeps the universe flourishing. As these bonds deepen and planets thrive, Luca, the vitality that flows through all things, shapes new landscapes and brings wondrous changes to your world." It’s a clear statement of intent: slow life, small joys, big ripples.
What’s In The Stardrift Test
HoYoVerse says this round will expand the game’s sandbox and social beats. The closed beta will introduce new characters and polish some of the spacefaring exploration between worlds.
- New Neighbors to meet and befriend
- "Enhanced Starsea Voyage experiences" for deeper exploration
- Additional activities at the Galactic Bazaar
While the studio hasn’t outlined every activity, the focus sounds squarely on day-to-day life: decorating, tending your planet, and building a network of connections that feeds back into its growth. If you’re drawn to games like Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley but want a cosmic twist, this is the lane Petit Planet is aiming to occupy.
How To Sign Up
Access won’t be guaranteed. HoYoVerse says "a selection" of people who register will be invited. If you want a shot, head to planet.hoyoverse.com and pre-register for the closed beta. The studio also notes that pre-registering will unlock "exclusive rewards," with details to come.
Beyond that, the usual closed beta caveats apply. Expect progress to be temporary, features to shift, and feedback to matter. This is a test, not early access, and the build should help the team tune pacing, balance, and onboarding for a wider audience.
Release Timing: Getting Close
There’s still no public release date. However, reputable HoYoVerse leaker Ubatcha said in February the game was "entering its final stages of development." If the April 21 test lands cleanly, a timeline for launch wouldn’t be surprising.
That said, the pitch here is different from the studio’s usual combat-forward hits. Instead of gacha-fueled battles and sprawling campaigns, Petit Planet leans into community, curation, and light routine. Success will hinge on how satisfying its daily rhythms feel and how meaningfully the Starsea exploration ties back into your planet.
From what HoYoVerse is showing, the heart of the game seems clear: wake up, tend the soil, share a moment with a neighbor, catch a starfish on the beach, then pop over to the Bazaar to see what’s new. If the bond system and "Luca" mechanics naturally evolve your world as promised, players could have a cozy loop that rewards patience without busywork.
I’m curious to see how deep the building and decorating tools go, and whether the "enhanced Starsea Voyage" beats offer more than quick hops between menus. A calm life sim thrives on texture—little discoveries, small surprises, and a reason to check in tomorrow. April 21 should give us a first real read on whether Petit Planet has that staying power.
