Hi-Rez Studios hosted a Tribes: Ascend playtest today and have posted two screenshots from the event on the game's Facebook page. These are the first screenshots from the game that have been released. What do you think?

If you live near Alpharetta, Georgia and want to play and alpha build of Tribes: Ascend, you should fill out this application to participate in a playtest at Hi-Rez Studios' main office. If you're chosen, you'll need to sign a confidentiality agreement and promise to keep quiet about what you see during the test.

Hi-Rez Studios announced during PAX East last month that it plans to revive the Tribes franchise with Tribes: Ascend, a multiplayer shooter that will launch in late 2011. This game will pave the way for Tribes Universe, a persistent world MMOFPS that can handle large-scale combat.

Hi-Rez Studios announced during PAX East that it plans to revive the Tribes franchise with Tribes: Ascend, a multiplayer shooter that will launch in late 2011. This game will pave the way for Tribes Universe, a persistent world MMOFPS that can handle large-scale combat. 

To draw fans to the game's Facebook page, Hi-Rez has been releasing pieces of Tribes: Ascend concept art when various fan milestones are reached. Four pieces of art have been posted so far that feature the light and medium Blood Eagle and Diamond Sword. You can check them out after the jump.

Back in October 2010, Hi-Rez Studios announced that it was the proud new owner of the Tribes franchise and revealed that it is developing Tribes Universe, a persistent world MMOFPS that can handle large-scale combat. 

Well, the good news keeps coming for Tribes fans. Today at PAX East, Hi-Rez unveiled an announcement trailer for Tribes: Ascend, a multiplayer shooter that will launch in late 2011 and pave the way for Tribes Universe.

Hi-Rez Studios COO Todd Harris confirmed that the company is still committed to developing the Tribes MMO, but feels this move is the best way to reintroduce the sci-fi franchise to the world:

"Before Halo, before Modern Warfare, and before Battlefield, there was Tribes. Tribes fans appreciate the game's essence - athletic FPS combat combined with teamwork and strategy.  As we began development of Tribes Universe, we focused first on capturing that essence - refining and modernizing iconic elements like jetpacks, skiing, and vehicles. We’ve had tremendous fun play-testing and realized the potential of a multiplayer focused title ahead of Tribes Universe. The community has been waiting for a multi-player shooter that is the modern successor to T2. Tribes: Ascend is that game.”

Tribes: Ascend will be available as a single purchase digital download on PC and Xbox 360. Additional consoles are currently under consideration. Check out the teaser trailer after the jump!