Istanbul digital app opens beta sign-ups for mobile and PC

You can get an early look at the digital version of Istanbul by signing up to the app’s upcoming beta tests.

The virtual adaptation of the 2014 Kennerspiel des Jahres winner was revealed earlier this year, with a launch due sometime before the end of 2018.

Developer Acram Digital – previously responsible for bringing Steam: Rails to Riches and Eight-Minute Empire to PC and mobile – has since said that it hopes to release Istanbul on iOS, Android, PC, Mac and Linux in the second quarter of the year, before summer.

The studio has teased more details about the port of Rüdiger Dorn’s dice-rolling hit, confirming that no expansions will be available on launch day but it would consider adapting them in the future. It added that achievements are planned for the app, but promised not to delay the release date to include them.

The app will allow players to preview the board layout before starting a game, with the option to use preset arrangements or shuffle all the tiles for a random placement each time. An option for neutral assistants will also be available.

Istanbul will include pass and play multiplayer, online asynchronous multiplayer and solo play against multiple AI opponents with varying levels of difficulty.

You can now sign up to help test the beta of Istanbul on iOS, Android and Windows/Mac/Linux via Steam on Acram’s website – the beta is due to go live in coming weeks.