Publisher True Games launched an open beta test for Battlegrounds, its first expansion for free-to-play MMORPG Warrior Epic, which adds new quests, items, monsters, a "HUB city", an entire region (Trogken Swamps), player-versus-player gameplay, and more.

It appears that True Games's new Beijing studio is taking over updates on the game from its original developer, Possibility Space. This expansion is the first project from the Chinese development house, and it also plans to create more content for Warrior Epic in the future, too.

True Games also established another new studio last September in Austin, which is currently working on a new IP for the company. Industry veteran Frank Lucero, previously COO at Stray Bullet Games (Shadowbane), heads the internal development group in Texas.

"We are thrilled that the new studio has done such great work on the new expansion, and when players get a chance to check out the new content we think they will agree," says True Games's New Business and Product Development director Peter Cesario. "Now for the first time our community can experience co-op PVP gameplay and the all-new HUB City of Providence where they can meet up, socialize and show off all the cool gear they have earned."

Warrior Epic: Battlegrounds begins its open beta test today, and is expected to formally launch in December.