BladeRite: Rivals beta brings melee-focused battle royale to Android in select regions

Android players in six regions are about to get a different kind of battle royale: one built around swords, abilities and fantasy combat instead of the usual rifle spray. BladeRite: Rivals is set to open its 6-7 BETA on April 23, 2026, and the appeal is easy to grasp. Matches are built for 20 contenders, last around seven minutes, and end with a single survivor.

That shorter format gives BladeRite: Rivals a sharp identity in a mobile market crowded with long-form shooters. The game leans into close-quarters pressure, with melee combat and magic doing the heavy lifting. For players who want PvP tension without committing to a drawn-out survival match, the pitch is straightforward: get in, fight hard, and survive the scramble. The beta is limited to Android in select regions, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Brazil, Egypt and Iraq.

The project is also carrying a fair amount of history into this test. The Google Play listing still identifies the game as Project A: Melee Battle Royale, a reminder that BladeRite: Rivals is not appearing out of nowhere but evolving from an earlier identity. That listing names LUSHENG PTE. LTD. as the publisher, describes the game as a fantasy-style melee battle royale, and says it has already reached 10K+ downloads. The new branding may be fresher, but the app’s underlying presence has already started to build an audience.

The official BladeRite: Rivals YouTube channel has also moved to support the rebrand, describing the game as a Medieval Fantasy Hero Melee Battle Royale Game and already hosting a gameplay demo. That demo, along with the beta announcement, suggests the developer is trying to sell more than a concept. It is trying to show that close-range combat can carry a full battle royale loop on mobile without losing readability or momentum.

The beta build also looks broader than a simple combat test. One report says the 6-7 BETA will run through mid-May 2026 and include 20+ heroes, new characters such as Candice, and a player-driven economy for trading weapon Patterns. That mix of hero selection, collectible gear and trading gives the game a stronger long-term hook than a one-note brawler.

Progress will not carry over when the beta ends, so this is a true work-in-progress test rather than a soft launch. BladeRite: Rivals is still waiting on a final release date, but its next step is already clear: prove that a melee-first battle royale can stand up as a real mobile alternative, not just a novelty.