Mini games within larger games. Some of us love them, some of us hate them, and some of us are just indifferent and want to get through them so that we can get on with the main story.

However, one mini game has made quite the name for itself over the past couple of years, ever since The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt hit store shelves. That’s right, friends… We’re talking about Gwent. The addicting card game wasn’t a completely mandatory part of 2015’s Game of the Year, but it quickly built quite the following (I’m quite the fan myself). The turn-based, MTG-esque style game captivated players with its multiple decks, various strategies, and fun allusions to different characters & monsters throughout the world of The Witcher 3.

The Public Beta for Gwent: The Witcher Card Game starts today, and is a free 2.6 GB download from the PlayStation Store. The game currently carries the following description:
GWENT IS FREE TO PLAY NOW! From the home of The Witcher, developer CD PROJEKT RED, comes a different type of collectible card game. Based on skill rather than luck, GWENT gives you command of highly customizable armies, and encourages use of strategy and deception to defeat opponents.
Sling powerful unit & spell cards, and summon heroes with game-changing abilities — on GWENT’s battlefields, clever tricks used to deceive other players are always a viable tactic.
Played in a best of three format, GWENT is fast, fun and fresh — and now you can play it with friends.

In a statement about the beta, Marcin Iwiński – CD Projekt Red’s co-founder – had this to say:

Public Beta is an important step towards GWENT’s final release. We’re opening the gates to everyone who wanted to play, but didn’t make it into the Closed Beta, and — at the same time — we’re introducing some pretty significant content and gameplay changes like adding animated versions of cards for every card in the game, new starter decks, or how weather cards work.

I’m extra curious how all of the community feedback we’ve incorporated will resonate with both current players and those who’re just starting. Please keep the feedback coming, we’re listening!

The official FAQ for the game currently states that no further account progress wipes are planned, but since this is still a beta, the developers have said that “wipes are technically still possible. If we need to reset your beta progress, we will inform [you] about that in advance.”

Not only is Gwent: The Witcher Card Game serving as a PvP title, but Senior Game Designer Michal Dobrowolski has stated that lengthy single-player campaigns are in the works for this title. In his statement about this, he explains,

“We’ve got a lot more planned for Gwent in the future, with one of the most exciting things we’re working on being single player campaigns. These won’t be simple challenges or opportunities to play cards, but brand new adventures set in the world of The Witcher, created by the same people who made The Witcher 3. Starring both new and returning characters from the The Witcher universe, each one will offer hours of story-driven content full of choice and consequence fans have come to love about our games.”

In addition to the game itself, there are also three Gwent avatars and a theme for the PS4 available at no cost (yes, free) in the PlayStation Store. Also, while a PS Plus membership is not required for the game, those who wish to play it will need to have their consoles hooked up to an internet connection.

Will you be participating in the open beta for Gwent: The Witcher Card Game, dear readers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!