Ethan Crossfield 
If you’ve been waiting for a Pokémon-like creature collector with full multiplayer ambitions, Aniimo just dropped a fresh trailer—and its closed beta is now live on Steam for select players. Here’s what changed, who can jump in, and what the next few months likely mean for your plans to play or watch.
What changed: a new trailer for Aniimo’s closed beta
Pawprint Studio has released a new Aniimo trailer to mark the start of the game’s Closed Beta. The update is timed for players who already have access, and the video is positioned as a stylized overview of what beta participants can experience right now.
The trailer highlights multiple creature-collecting features and introduces content beta players can try immediately, including new Aniimo forms. It also spotlights multiplayer and social elements, emphasizing that Aniimo is more than a single-player monster hunt.
New locations and social infrastructure are also on display. One area called Crescent Bay appears in the footage, suggesting a water-themed region for exploration. The trailer also references Nimbi, described as a social hub area where players can purchase clothing options, visit a pet park, and trade Aniimo with other players.
Who’s affected: access rules for the Steam closed beta
Aniimo’s Closed Beta is currently available on Steam, the official Aniimo launcher, and mobile via iOS and Android. However, the beta’s registration window has already passed. Registration originally opened on June 6, and with the beta now running, new players are no longer able to sign up for access.
The practical takeaway is that right now, your ability to play depends on whether you were among the select participants chosen during the registration period. Pawprint Studio has not provided any official confirmation about a future public beta, so anyone hoping for an open signup should treat that as unconfirmed.
The game does have a broader release expectation: during the Summer Game Fest Future Games Show, Aniimo received a Q3 2026 release window. Given that timing, a full launch is expected later than the closed beta, but potentially not too far off for players who don’t have access today.
What to watch next: Pokémon-like appeal, but with a twist
Aniimo has repeatedly drawn comparisons to Pokémon-like games, both for how its collectible monsters are presented and for its core creature-catching appeal. It was officially described by Pawprint Studio as a free-to-play, creature-catching open-world RPG set in the world of Idyll.
That similarity comes with a key differentiator the studio has been showcasing: players can transform into collected creatures using a mechanic called Twine. The earlier Gameplay Showcase trailer demonstrated this concept in action, including examples where the player becomes a cactus-like creature for melee attacks and a gumball machine octopus for ranged bubble attacks.
The studio also previously shared more of the gameplay picture ahead of this closed beta moment, including in-engine footage shown roughly three weeks before the new trailer. That showcase included traversal options, third-person catching mechanics inspired by the Pokémon Legends-style approach, and real-time battle sequences.
With the new beta trailer now out, the best next step for most interested players is simple: watch the trailer for the new forms and social/multiplayer hooks, then decide whether you want to follow for future announcements—especially since closed beta signup is no longer available.
What players should know
- Aniimo’s Closed Beta is live now, but new signups are not currently available after the June 6 registration period.
- The beta is accessible on Steam, the official Aniimo launcher, and iOS/Android—access is limited to select participants.
- The new trailer spotlights new creature forms, multiplayer/social features, and a water-themed region called Crescent Bay.
- Nimbi is shown as a social hub for clothing purchases, pet park visits, and trading Aniimo with other players.
- Aniimo is scheduled for a Q3 2026 release window, so a full launch may be closer than a typical beta cycle—though a public beta has not been confirmed.
| Item | Confirmed detail from the update |
|---|---|
| Beta status | Closed Beta is live for select players |
| Platforms listed for the beta | Steam, official launcher, iOS, Android |
| Registration | Opened June 6; new players can’t sign up now |
| Release window | Q3 2026 |
| Key mechanic | Player transformation via Twine |
Expert View
Aniimo looks like it’s trying to capture the creature-collecting fantasy of Pokémon while leaning hard into open-world structure and social multiplayer. The Twine transformation mechanic is the most meaningful differentiator shown so far, and the new trailer’s emphasis on social hubs and trading suggests the game wants to feel alive between battles. Still, because the current beta is closed and signup has stopped, the clearest way to judge long-term appeal is to watch for follow-up announcements around what’s included at launch and whether a wider test becomes available.
