Good news for Squarez fans everywhere! Globware have released a public beta for all, version 0.8.2 Beta 24. This beta was created to help test the new multiplayer features in Squarez, including Infrared and Infrastructure Network support. Here’s what he had to say about this release on his forum thread: “

I'm creating a public beta for v0.8.2 of Squarez to help test the new multiplayer features.

New Features from v0.8.1 to v0.8.2
- Control Layout options. In this beta, DO NOT use the L1 key and DO NOT change R1 keys. They are currently being used internally.
- Updated pause menus.
- USB Mode - allows you to connect to your PC and transfer new themes, backgrounds etc. Make sure you press Triangle to re-load squarez data if you add new Squarez related data.
- Added Multiplayer using IR port and WIFI Access Port (infrastructure mode)
- Features True collision detection for sprites which are not squares.

Multiplayer Help:
– You will need a wireless access point to test the WIFI Infrastructure multiplayer mode. You will be able to test IR mode.
– When using IR mode you should be around 1-2 feet away from each other and aiming your IR ports directly at each other.
– When using WIFI Infrastructure (WLAN mode) you need to use a network profile which uses a static ip address.
– Currently, Multiplayer WLAN only works on port 80 right now. I plan to make this a setting later.

IR Mode:
One player should select a game to play and press X. The opponent should select Join Game. After both psp's sync the Waiting for Opponent screen will disappear and the game will begin. In this beta, during a timed game they may be a 1/2 sec off but each psp will still play out the correct timed amount.

WLAN Mode:
One player should host the game, pressing Square to host. The opponent should select Join Game. If a WLAN connection is ever un-synced, displaying the "!" on your screen try pressing L1 to re-sync the game. Currently this hasn't worked and you will need to re-start the game and re-join again.

Connection Legend:
? - no connection
S x - synced followed by a frame counter, if the counter isn't moving there is a problem.
L - lagging on sync msgs
! - extremely long lag or connection is lost

Currently, debugging information appears at the bottom left corner of multiplayer games.
NOTE:
This is still in early beta, and IR mode and WLAN (non-net) have been tested currently. You may experience problems playing over the net or using bad connections.”