The whole thing with unveiling a huge chunk of content (the elves) and having virtually no in-game pictures/videos/renders of them this close to release was what put the first red flag up.
Really? I guess you havent been keeping up to date, there where some videos depicting the elves in game released back in august, here's 2 of them
Tentonhammer should be punished for breaking the NDA agreement. What is posted on that board should not be released AT ALL until mythic publicly releases it!
Why should they? they asked permission and where allowed to post the information.
Who told you that the elves are in the build that Beta Testers are testing?
Usually internal builds are far more ahead than the ones that Beta Testers have in their hands. Example of this is TR or even LotRO when I tested in CB the internal builds were more advanced.
Alright, then stop acting like you have anything to gain from those of us that aren't in beta getting some rather important information about the game.
There's a difference between violating the NDA by exposing the entire the game and passing along information with the blessing of the company itself to the public.
but wait...aren't YOU now breaking the NDA by revealing this?
"Death is a dignitary who when he comes announced is to be received with formal manifestations of respect, even by those most familiar with him." - Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce
The whole thing with unveiling a huge chunk of content (the elves) and having virtually no in-game pictures/videos/renders of them this close to release was what put the first red flag up.
Really? I guess you havent been keeping up to date, there where some videos depicting the elves in game released back in august, here's 2 of them
Tentonhammer should be punished for breaking the NDA agreement. What is posted on that board should not be released AT ALL until mythic publicly releases it!
Why should they? they asked permission and where allowed to post the information.
Who told you that the elves are in the build that Beta Testers are testing?
Usually internal builds are far more ahead than the ones that Beta Testers have in their hands. Example of this is TR or even LotRO when I tested in CB the internal builds were more advanced.
what I'm thinking, not being in Beta and all... is that maybe they already have tested the living crud out of the greenskin/dwarf and empire/chaos racial pairings, so they feel comfortable with stopping testing on them at this time.
they haven't got the elves and dark elves to the point where they can beta test, so instead of keeping the beta test servers up and running (which requires resources and staff effort etc.) they shut 'em down to really focus really hard on finishing up the Elves and Dark elves, then will open the servers back up in two months to allow testing of the final racial pairing
The Mythic folks have been really good about releasing information, but everyone noticed that the steady flow became a trickle recently.
I am not in the beta but my guess would be they want to use the two months to do a major content push to the DE and HE areas. At least this seems to be the only area where we have not been flooded with info and videos.
The Dev Chat should clear this matter up.
That the retail release date of the game might be pushed back would not be unusual -- although an active beta going on hiatus is, far as I know, unheard of.
Just the same, it doesn't really bother me since I tend to feel that EA Mythic wish to produce a game that is full of content and has a smooth launch. (Also, EA has deep pockets -- $$$ -- so money should not be a factor.)
I just hope that when the beta reopens they put a LOT of servers online and let their drooling fans in!
If perchance they do a preorder-and-get-into-beta deal, my money is ready, baby!
&
Hmmm, just a sidenote -- this could give me some time to play Pirates of the Burning Sea. Looks like it will release in January.
The whole thing with unveiling a huge chunk of content (the elves) and having virtually no in-game pictures/videos/renders of them this close to release was what put the first red flag up.
Really? I guess you havent been keeping up to date, there where some videos depicting the elves in game released back in august, here's 2 of them
Tentonhammer should be punished for breaking the NDA agreement. What is posted on that board should not be released AT ALL until mythic publicly releases it!
Why should they? they asked permission and where allowed to post the information.
Who told you that the elves are in the build that Beta Testers are testing?
Usually internal builds are far more ahead than the ones that Beta Testers have in their hands. Example of this is TR or even LotRO when I tested in CB the internal builds were more advanced.
what I'm thinking, not being in Beta and all... is that maybe they already have tested the living crud out of the greenskin/dwarf and empire/chaos racial pairings, so they feel comfortable with stopping testing on them at this time.
they haven't got the elves and dark elves to the point where they can beta test, so instead of keeping the beta test servers up and running (which requires resources and staff effort etc.) they shut 'em down to really focus really hard on finishing up the Elves and Dark elves, then will open the servers back up in two months to allow testing of the final racial pairing
I would say so, its only logical. Aren't they also improving the engine with new lighting aswell?
Recently, all WAR Beta participants received a letter stating our plan to end this phase of the closed beta test this Wednesday, October 10th. We periodically close Beta, our last closure being in March of this year, to focus on major improvements and polish. The next phase of Beta will reopen in early December with plenty of new and improved content, art and systems for our beta-testers.
We are very proud to have reached this point in development. Beta has been going very well and the testing community is extremely active. Excitement around the game continues to grow and the team is looking forward to enhancing many features already in the game as well as continuing to add new features to an already great game.
Based on player feedback, our own observations and our current schedule, we have set the following major development goals:
Improve open field skirmishes and battlefield objectives with major enhancements.
Provide players with even more options to customize their character both through their abilities and visual appearance.
Continue to enhance Public Quests and the PQ System.
Prepare the elves for their release into the world!
When the beta reopens, we look forward to welcoming back all of our current testers, as well as many new faces. Shortly after re-opening the doors, we will be inviting the first wave of guilds into the beta to really get things rolling.
Copy/pasted for the click-impaired. ~~~ Greetings all!
Recently, all WAR Beta participants received a letter stating our plan to end this phase of the closed beta test this Wednesday, October 10th. We periodically close Beta, our last closure being in March of this year, to focus on major improvements and polish. The next phase of Beta will reopen in early December with plenty of new and improved content, art and systems for our beta-testers.
We are very proud to have reached this point in development. Beta has been going very well and the testing community is extremely active. Excitement around the game continues to grow and the team is looking forward to enhancing many features already in the game as well as continuing to add new features to an already great game.
Based on player feedback, our own observations and our current schedule, we have set the following major development goals:
Improve open field skirmishes and battlefield objectives with major enhancements. Provide players with even more options to customize their character both through their abilities and visual appearance. Continue to enhance Public Quests and the PQ System. Prepare the elves for their release into the world!
When the beta reopens, we look forward to welcoming back all of our current testers, as well as many new faces. Shortly after re-opening the doors, we will be inviting the first wave of guilds into the beta to really get things rolling.
Thank you!
- The Warhammer: Age of Reckoning Team ~~~ ~ Improve open field skirmishes -- COOL! ~ Elf-alicious content! ~ New faces -- pick me, pick me!
Sounds like a good reason to pause beta for a bit, but I'm sure this explanation will not stop the "doom and gloom" lads from preaching the end of the world. BTW, thx for the copy/paste SpiritofGame.
MMO Vet since AOL Neverwinter Nights circa 1992. My MMO beat up your MMO. =S
has any game ever done this? i don't remember any closed beta i have been in closing for nearly 2 months. that makes me kinda nervous.
/agree..... I'm starting to doubt the 1st Qtr 2008 release plan now.....
I have been doubting 1st quarter 2008 for a while. The Elves are not in yet and I sure hope Mythic learned the lesson of Hybernia from DAoC. Don't rush the last faction.
Personally, I hope they get enough time from EA to do a 2nd pass on Humans, 2nd pass on the Elves and a 3rd pass on everything.
Remember, they main lesson of WoW is polish, polish and polish and that takes time.
A 2 month pause in the beta testing means that a whole new client build can be implemented, the server side can be fully rebuilt and optimised rather than having to patch and repatch this should mean not so much to download for newer beta testers and the server side code should be better optimised rather than a lag fest.
They will re-open beta in December and offer some pre-order get into beta deal to try and get in on some Christmas sales since the game won't be out for a few more months after that.
As to why they are doing the downtime... I'd guess it's because of the major world additions (elf/dark elf regions, city battles, animations, new models/etc). Those are all major downloads. This will give them time to get the world looking and acting like they want without having the testers outside of EA/Mythic downloading gigs of data every day.
Wouldn't it be unusual to offer pre-orders without a period of open-beta?
I thought I had read somewhere that Warhammer Online was finished several months ago but they recieved new moneys to improve it or add on to it or something. Be that true or false, this kind of interuption in the beta steps seems strange.
------------------------------ "Everything is awesome. Fundamentally."
"Is it in their nature to make us wait this long?"
I dunno. I got a bad feeling about this, kiddos. You can perfectionize a launch to death. Like with Spellborn's many years of delay I am certain that game will NEVER launch, so I seriously hope Warhammer doesnt descend in the same spiral of years of delay. This game has been delayed quite a lot of times now.
People don't ask questions to get answers - they ask questions to show how smart they are. - Dogbert
Originally posted by Proserpine Originally posted by Celestian
Originally posted by mokona Wait isnt the next step open beta??
My guess is this. They will re-open beta in December and offer some pre-order get into beta deal to try and get in on some Christmas sales since the game won't be out for a few more months after that. As to why they are doing the downtime... I'd guess it's because of the major world additions (elf/dark elf regions, city battles, animations, new models/etc). Those are all major downloads. This will give them time to get the world looking and acting like they want without having the testers outside of EA/Mythic downloading gigs of data every day.
Wouldn't it be unusual to offer pre-orders without a period of open-beta? I thought I had read somewhere that Warhammer Online was finished several months ago but they recieved new moneys to improve it or add on to it or something. Be that true or false, this kind of interuption in the beta steps seems strange.
Why would it be unusual to offer pre-orders w/o a open beta? Specially if the pre-order gave you beta access. There are 2 games out right now that have "pre-order" get in beta deals right now w/o open betas. Why would you pre-order to get beta access if they already had open beta.
The bit you read about Warhammer getting money, that was almost a year ago now.
"Is it in their nature to make us wait this long?" I dunno. I got a bad feeling about this, kiddos. You can perfectionize a launch to death. Like with Spellborn's many years of delay I am certain that game will NEVER launch, so I seriously hope Warhammer doesnt descend in the same spiral of years of delay. This game has been delayed quite a lot of times now.
Yeah I guess once is A LOT. It was scheduled for Q4 2007 then was pushed back to Q1 2008. Maybe you mean the previous Warhammer online that was canceled then Mythic picked it up.
As for the pause in beta, it makes me feel a bit uneasy about their launch date. However, I know they already have base systems working and greenskins/dwarves are tested. That is probably 1/2 the game at this point. The last half consists of Elves, Humans/chaos, and crafting. Getting the game up and running is the hardest part of the battle now it is just polish. They can still hit the Q1 launch but it will probably be late March.
There will be no "Open Beta" - at least not the way other MMORPG's do open beta. The devs have said that they will not even call it "Open Beta" when it hits. Basically, they will let in all veteran newsletter subscribers. If you're looking to get into beta and play a free game on a whim, it's not going to happen.
Also, I've been told not to expect anything like a "join fileplanet and get into beta" thing. Your best bet is to subscribe to the newsletter . . or perhaps pre-order.
Theoretically, though, by doing this, won't they just be back to square one when they restart the beta?
No, not really.
I alpha and beta tested LOTRO from August 2006 to March 2007 and during that time the beta actually closed down for short periods of time at the end of each phase -- and usually wiped all characters for the next alpha or beta build. Progress was not lost as the next beta build ADDS to what already exists.
For LOTRO, It only took one to two weeks to do that, not two months, but it seems EA Mythic will develop WAR on their own schedule.
What it seems to be coming is a major content push (Dark Elf and High Elf) followed by the reopening of beta in December -- and it might be the final beta phase.
In any event, now I can stop checking my e-mails for a beta invite ... until December.
Theoretically, though, by doing this, won't they just be back to square one when they restart the beta?
No, not really.
I alpha and beta tested LOTRO from August 2006 to March 2007 and during that time the beta actually closed down for short periods of time at the end of each phase -- and usually wiped all characters for the next alpha or beta build. Progress was not lost as the next beta build ADDS to what already exists.
For LOTRO, It only took one to two weeks to do that, not two months, but it seems EA Mythic will develop WAR on their own schedule.
What it seems to be coming is a major content push (Dark Elf and High Elf) followed by the reopening of beta in December -- and it might be the final beta phase.
In any event, now I can stop checking my e-mails for a beta invite ... until December.
There is a difference between phased betas (which I've been a part of; I was used to it in the CB of WoW, where they'd push a phase out, and force everyone to restart) and a two month break "between phases".
My issue is with the fact that the fact that they're going to be introducing eight new classes into the game which need to be balanced, without any player feedback for two months. On top of that, there's been suggestions that revamps to the current systems may need to be done, which really concerns me.
If they're adding eight new classes and two new races to the game, and there's revamps that already currently need to be done --- the beta could very well need to be entirely tested from the start again when it restarts.
I don't really care if they delay the game...but something about the short notice of this and the other factors combined really, really gives me that "maybe they've run into some serious issues..." feeling.
Theoretically, though, by doing this, won't they just be back to square one when they restart the beta?
No, not really.
I alpha and beta tested LOTRO from August 2006 to March 2007 and during that time the beta actually closed down for short periods of time at the end of each phase -- and usually wiped all characters for the next alpha or beta build. Progress was not lost as the next beta build ADDS to what already exists.
For LOTRO, It only took one to two weeks to do that, not two months, but it seems EA Mythic will develop WAR on their own schedule.
What it seems to be coming is a major content push (Dark Elf and High Elf) followed by the reopening of beta in December -- and it might be the final beta phase.
In any event, now I can stop checking my e-mails for a beta invite ... until December.
There is a difference between phased betas (which I've been a part of; I was used to it in the CB of WoW, where they'd push a phase out, and force everyone to restart) and a two month break "between phases".
My issue is with the fact that the fact that they're going to be introducing eight new classes into the game which need to be balanced, without any player feedback for two months. On top of that, there's been suggestions that revamps to the current systems may need to be done, which really concerns me.
If they're adding eight new classes and two new races to the game, and there's revamps that already currently need to be done --- the beta could very well need to be entirely tested from the start again when it restarts.
I don't really care if they delay the game...but something about the short notice of this and the other factors combined really, really gives me that "maybe they've run into some serious issues..." feeling.
I have the same feeling. It make it seem as if the game was horrible and they need 2 months to try and fix it. There could be tons of buggy quests and missing textures for all I care but if class balance isn't tested for a good long period it will be a very bad experience for the weaker classes and force them from the game.
I can't help but see this as a bad sign given that it appears to have been dropped as a surprise on beta testers. If they'd announced a month ago "We are going to end beta on Oct 10 as part of our planning", then that provides a bit more crediblity than dropping the info 3 days before the actual shut down.
what I'm thinking, not being in Beta and all... is that maybe they already have tested the living crud out of the greenskin/dwarf and empire/chaos racial pairings, so they feel comfortable with stopping testing on them at this time.
they haven't got the elves and dark elves to the point where they can beta test, so instead of keeping the beta test servers up and running (which requires resources and staff effort etc.) they shut 'em down to really focus really hard on finishing up the Elves and Dark elves, then will open the servers back up in two months to allow testing of the final racial pairing
To avoid breaking the NDA I will just say that in my opinion the above statement is not true.
"There is as yet insufficient data for a meaningful answer."
what I'm thinking, not being in Beta and all... is that maybe they already have tested the living crud out of the greenskin/dwarf and empire/chaos racial pairings, so they feel comfortable with stopping testing on them at this time.
they haven't got the elves and dark elves to the point where they can beta test, so instead of keeping the beta test servers up and running (which requires resources and staff effort etc.) they shut 'em down to really focus really hard on finishing up the Elves and Dark elves, then will open the servers back up in two months to allow testing of the final racial pairing
To avoid breaking the NDA I will just say that in my opinion the above statement is not true.
Yeah i can second that.People need to stop the gloom and doom as everything is going very nicely indeed.People say they want a top game and when E A Mythic do something to make sure it is a top game they go into the doom and gloom mode?
Me and you both are fortunate to know the juggernaut of a game coming early next year and no other game will even come close IMO.
Relax and take it easy because WAR is just round the corner.
what I'm thinking, not being in Beta and all... is that maybe they already have tested the living crud out of the greenskin/dwarf and empire/chaos racial pairings, so they feel comfortable with stopping testing on them at this time.
they haven't got the elves and dark elves to the point where they can beta test, so instead of keeping the beta test servers up and running (which requires resources and staff effort etc.) they shut 'em down to really focus really hard on finishing up the Elves and Dark elves, then will open the servers back up in two months to allow testing of the final racial pairing
To avoid breaking the NDA I will just say that in my opinion the above statement is not true.
Yeah i can second that.People need to stop the gloom and doom as everything is going very nicely indeed.People say they want a top game and when E A Mythic do something to make sure it is a top game they go into the doom and gloom mode?
Me and you both are fortunate to know the juggernaut of a game coming early next year and no other game will even come close IMO.
Relax and take it easy because WAR is just round the corner.
WAR IS COMING
Ghost Squad
Let me explain the current situation.
Many players at this point are lost. WoW is not an option and all other MMO's currently out are not up to par of being playable or any sort of long period of time; I am talking months here. So we have all of our hopes and dreams placed into our "new" mmo of choice. Some pick WAR, others AOC, etc. We want a damn game to play that offers progression and a multiplayer environment but nothing is out right now.
So keeping that in mind here is the situation. It is the end of class and the teacher has forgotten to give out homework. You are counting the seconds until the bell rings and suddenly with 5 minutes to spare someone mentions tit and in your head you go "Son of a Bitch!". On top of that class might be extended another 5minutes. Those minutes seem like hours. It isn't the end of the world but it is like getting kicked in the jubbblies.
Guess what? I have almost been waiting for 1year for a HALF DECENT PvP mmo to come out. I check this site every day and each week if not nightly my friends and I discuss the current mmo's, games coming out, and new information released. Any announcement that may have an affect on WARs release will irk me in such a way that if you asked me face to face you might walk away with a blade in your face. I want something to play god dammit. Give me Greenskins vs Dwarves ONLY and I would be freaking happy grinding away the days until full release. Release a demo of a scenario and I could maybe survive but right now I am chomping at the bit.
Comments
Really? I guess you havent been keeping up to date, there where some videos depicting the elves in game released back in august, here's 2 of them
http://www.jeuxvideo.tv/warhammer-online-age-of-reckoning-video-42347.html
http://www.jeuxvideo.tv/warhammer-online-age-of-reckoning-video-42350.html
Why should they? they asked permission and where allowed to post the information.
Who told you that the elves are in the build that Beta Testers are testing?
Usually internal builds are far more ahead than the ones that Beta Testers have in their hands. Example of this is TR or even LotRO when I tested in CB the internal builds were more advanced.
Alright, then stop acting like you have anything to gain from those of us that aren't in beta getting some rather important information about the game.
There's a difference between violating the NDA by exposing the entire the game and passing along information with the blessing of the company itself to the public.
but wait...aren't YOU now breaking the NDA by revealing this?
"Death is a dignitary who when he comes announced is to be received
with formal manifestations of respect, even by those most familiar with him."
- Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce
Really? I guess you havent been keeping up to date, there where some videos depicting the elves in game released back in august, here's 2 of them
http://www.jeuxvideo.tv/warhammer-online-age-of-reckoning-video-42347.html
http://www.jeuxvideo.tv/warhammer-online-age-of-reckoning-video-42350.html
Why should they? they asked permission and where allowed to post the information.
Who told you that the elves are in the build that Beta Testers are testing?
Usually internal builds are far more ahead than the ones that Beta Testers have in their hands. Example of this is TR or even LotRO when I tested in CB the internal builds were more advanced.
what I'm thinking, not being in Beta and all... is that maybe they already have tested the living crud out of the greenskin/dwarf and empire/chaos racial pairings, so they feel comfortable with stopping testing on them at this time.
they haven't got the elves and dark elves to the point where they can beta test, so instead of keeping the beta test servers up and running (which requires resources and staff effort etc.) they shut 'em down to really focus really hard on finishing up the Elves and Dark elves, then will open the servers back up in two months to allow testing of the final racial pairing
The Mythic folks have been really good about releasing information, but everyone noticed that the steady flow became a trickle recently.
I am not in the beta
but my guess would be they want to use the two months to do a major content push to the DE and HE areas. At least this seems to be the only area where we have not been flooded with info and videos.
The Dev Chat should clear this matter up.
That the retail release date of the game might be pushed back would not be unusual -- although an active beta going on hiatus is, far as I know, unheard of.
Just the same, it doesn't really bother me since I tend to feel that EA Mythic wish to produce a game that is full of content and has a smooth launch. (Also, EA has deep pockets -- $$$ -- so money should not be a factor.)
I just hope that when the beta reopens they put a LOT of servers online and let their drooling fans in!
If perchance they do a preorder-and-get-into-beta deal, my money is ready, baby!
Hmmm, just a sidenote -- this could give me some time to play Pirates of the Burning Sea. Looks like it will release in January.
Yarrrr!
~ Ancient Membership ~
but wait...aren't YOU now breaking the NDA by revealing this?
No, people in WARHammer Beta are allowed to say that they are in Beta.
Really? I guess you havent been keeping up to date, there where some videos depicting the elves in game released back in august, here's 2 of them
http://www.jeuxvideo.tv/warhammer-online-age-of-reckoning-video-42347.html
http://www.jeuxvideo.tv/warhammer-online-age-of-reckoning-video-42350.html
Why should they? they asked permission and where allowed to post the information.
Who told you that the elves are in the build that Beta Testers are testing?
Usually internal builds are far more ahead than the ones that Beta Testers have in their hands. Example of this is TR or even LotRO when I tested in CB the internal builds were more advanced.
what I'm thinking, not being in Beta and all... is that maybe they already have tested the living crud out of the greenskin/dwarf and empire/chaos racial pairings, so they feel comfortable with stopping testing on them at this time.
they haven't got the elves and dark elves to the point where they can beta test, so instead of keeping the beta test servers up and running (which requires resources and staff effort etc.) they shut 'em down to really focus really hard on finishing up the Elves and Dark elves, then will open the servers back up in two months to allow testing of the final racial pairing
I would say so, its only logical. Aren't they also improving the engine with new lighting aswell?
It's here! The official statement is there!
http://www.warherald.com/news/
"Negaholics are people who become addicted to negativity and self-doubt, they find fault in most things and never seem to be satisfied."
^MMORPG.com
Copy/pasted for the click-impaired.
~~~
Greetings all!
Recently, all WAR Beta participants received a letter stating our plan to end this phase of the closed beta test this Wednesday, October 10th. We periodically close Beta, our last closure being in March of this year, to focus on major improvements and polish. The next phase of Beta will reopen in early December with plenty of new and improved content, art and systems for our beta-testers.
We are very proud to have reached this point in development. Beta has been going very well and the testing community is extremely active. Excitement around the game continues to grow and the team is looking forward to enhancing many features already in the game as well as continuing to add new features to an already great game.
Based on player feedback, our own observations and our current schedule, we have set the following major development goals:
When the beta reopens, we look forward to welcoming back all of our current testers, as well as many new faces. Shortly after re-opening the doors, we will be inviting the first wave of guilds into the beta to really get things rolling.
Thank you!
- The Warhammer: Age of Reckoning Team
~~~
~ Improve open field skirmishes -- COOL!
~ Elf-alicious content!
~ New faces -- pick me, pick me!
~ Ancient Membership ~
Sounds like a good reason to pause beta for a bit, but I'm sure this explanation will not stop the "doom and gloom" lads from preaching the end of the world. BTW, thx for the copy/paste SpiritofGame.
MMO Vet since AOL Neverwinter Nights circa 1992. My MMO beat up your MMO. =S
/agree..... I'm starting to doubt the 1st Qtr 2008 release plan now.....
I have been doubting 1st quarter 2008 for a while. The Elves are not in yet and I sure hope Mythic learned the lesson of Hybernia from DAoC. Don't rush the last faction.
Personally, I hope they get enough time from EA to do a 2nd pass on Humans, 2nd pass on the Elves and a 3rd pass on everything.
Remember, they main lesson of WoW is polish, polish and polish and that takes time.
A 2 month pause in the beta testing means that a whole new client build can be implemented, the server side can be fully rebuilt and optimised rather than having to patch and repatch this should mean not so much to download for newer beta testers and the server side code should be better optimised rather than a lag fest.
My guess is this.
They will re-open beta in December and offer some pre-order get into beta deal to try and get in on some Christmas sales since the game won't be out for a few more months after that.
As to why they are doing the downtime... I'd guess it's because of the major world additions (elf/dark elf regions, city battles, animations, new models/etc). Those are all major downloads. This will give them time to get the world looking and acting like they want without having the testers outside of EA/Mythic downloading gigs of data every day.
Wouldn't it be unusual to offer pre-orders without a period of open-beta?
I thought I had read somewhere that Warhammer Online was finished several months ago but they recieved new moneys to improve it or add on to it or something. Be that true or false, this kind of interuption in the beta steps seems strange.
------------------------------
"Everything is awesome. Fundamentally."
"Is it in their nature to make us wait this long?"
I dunno. I got a bad feeling about this, kiddos. You can perfectionize a launch to death. Like with Spellborn's many years of delay I am certain that game will NEVER launch, so I seriously hope Warhammer doesnt descend in the same spiral of years of delay. This game has been delayed quite a lot of times now.
People don't ask questions to get answers - they ask questions to show how smart they are. - Dogbert
My guess is this.
They will re-open beta in December and offer some pre-order get into beta deal to try and get in on some Christmas sales since the game won't be out for a few more months after that.
As to why they are doing the downtime... I'd guess it's because of the major world additions (elf/dark elf regions, city battles, animations, new models/etc). Those are all major downloads. This will give them time to get the world looking and acting like they want without having the testers outside of EA/Mythic downloading gigs of data every day.
Wouldn't it be unusual to offer pre-orders without a period of open-beta?
I thought I had read somewhere that Warhammer Online was finished several months ago but they recieved new moneys to improve it or add on to it or something. Be that true or false, this kind of interuption in the beta steps seems strange.
Why would it be unusual to offer pre-orders w/o a open beta? Specially if the pre-order gave you beta access. There are 2 games out right now that have "pre-order" get in beta deals right now w/o open betas. Why would you pre-order to get beta access if they already had open beta.
The bit you read about Warhammer getting money, that was almost a year ago now.
http://www.greycouncil.org/
Yeah I guess once is A LOT. It was scheduled for Q4 2007 then was pushed back to Q1 2008. Maybe you mean the previous Warhammer online that was canceled then Mythic picked it up.
As for the pause in beta, it makes me feel a bit uneasy about their launch date. However, I know they already have base systems working and greenskins/dwarves are tested. That is probably 1/2 the game at this point. The last half consists of Elves, Humans/chaos, and crafting. Getting the game up and running is the hardest part of the battle now it is just polish. They can still hit the Q1 launch but it will probably be late March.
I think there are MAJOR fixes afoot. My guess is Christmas season launch...because thats when they will be ready.
Also, I've been told not to expect anything like a "join fileplanet and get into beta" thing. Your best bet is to subscribe to the newsletter . . or perhaps pre-order.
http://aion.24-hrgaming.net
No, not really.
I alpha and beta tested LOTRO from August 2006 to March 2007 and during that time the beta actually closed down for short periods of time at the end of each phase -- and usually wiped all characters for the next alpha or beta build. Progress was not lost as the next beta build ADDS to what already exists.
For LOTRO, It only took one to two weeks to do that, not two months, but it seems EA Mythic will develop WAR on their own schedule.
What it seems to be coming is a major content push (Dark Elf and High Elf) followed by the reopening of beta in December -- and it might be the final beta phase.
In any event, now I can stop checking my e-mails for a beta invite ... until December.
~ Ancient Membership ~
No, not really.
I alpha and beta tested LOTRO from August 2006 to March 2007 and during that time the beta actually closed down for short periods of time at the end of each phase -- and usually wiped all characters for the next alpha or beta build. Progress was not lost as the next beta build ADDS to what already exists.
For LOTRO, It only took one to two weeks to do that, not two months, but it seems EA Mythic will develop WAR on their own schedule.
What it seems to be coming is a major content push (Dark Elf and High Elf) followed by the reopening of beta in December -- and it might be the final beta phase.
In any event, now I can stop checking my e-mails for a beta invite ... until December.
There is a difference between phased betas (which I've been a part of; I was used to it in the CB of WoW, where they'd push a phase out, and force everyone to restart) and a two month break "between phases".
My issue is with the fact that the fact that they're going to be introducing eight new classes into the game which need to be balanced, without any player feedback for two months. On top of that, there's been suggestions that revamps to the current systems may need to be done, which really concerns me.
If they're adding eight new classes and two new races to the game, and there's revamps that already currently need to be done --- the beta could very well need to be entirely tested from the start again when it restarts.
I don't really care if they delay the game...but something about the short notice of this and the other factors combined really, really gives me that "maybe they've run into some serious issues..." feeling.
No, not really.
I alpha and beta tested LOTRO from August 2006 to March 2007 and during that time the beta actually closed down for short periods of time at the end of each phase -- and usually wiped all characters for the next alpha or beta build. Progress was not lost as the next beta build ADDS to what already exists.
For LOTRO, It only took one to two weeks to do that, not two months, but it seems EA Mythic will develop WAR on their own schedule.
What it seems to be coming is a major content push (Dark Elf and High Elf) followed by the reopening of beta in December -- and it might be the final beta phase.
In any event, now I can stop checking my e-mails for a beta invite ... until December.
There is a difference between phased betas (which I've been a part of; I was used to it in the CB of WoW, where they'd push a phase out, and force everyone to restart) and a two month break "between phases".
My issue is with the fact that the fact that they're going to be introducing eight new classes into the game which need to be balanced, without any player feedback for two months. On top of that, there's been suggestions that revamps to the current systems may need to be done, which really concerns me.
If they're adding eight new classes and two new races to the game, and there's revamps that already currently need to be done --- the beta could very well need to be entirely tested from the start again when it restarts.
I don't really care if they delay the game...but something about the short notice of this and the other factors combined really, really gives me that "maybe they've run into some serious issues..." feeling.
I have the same feeling. It make it seem as if the game was horrible and they need 2 months to try and fix it. There could be tons of buggy quests and missing textures for all I care but if class balance isn't tested for a good long period it will be a very bad experience for the weaker classes and force them from the game.
I can't help but see this as a bad sign given that it appears to have been dropped as a surprise on beta testers. If they'd announced a month ago "We are going to end beta on Oct 10 as part of our planning", then that provides a bit more crediblity than dropping the info 3 days before the actual shut down.
To avoid breaking the NDA I will just say that in my opinion the above statement is not true.
"There is as yet insufficient data for a meaningful answer."
To avoid breaking the NDA I will just say that in my opinion the above statement is not true.
Yeah i can second that.People need to stop the gloom and doom as everything is going very nicely indeed.People say they want a top game and when E A Mythic do something to make sure it is a top game they go into the doom and gloom mode?Me and you both are fortunate to know the juggernaut of a game coming early next year and no other game will even come close IMO.
Relax and take it easy because WAR is just round the corner.
WAR IS COMING
Ghost Squad
To avoid breaking the NDA I will just say that in my opinion the above statement is not true.
Yeah i can second that.People need to stop the gloom and doom as everything is going very nicely indeed.People say they want a top game and when E A Mythic do something to make sure it is a top game they go into the doom and gloom mode?Me and you both are fortunate to know the juggernaut of a game coming early next year and no other game will even come close IMO.
Relax and take it easy because WAR is just round the corner.
WAR IS COMING
Ghost Squad
Let me explain the current situation.Many players at this point are lost. WoW is not an option and all other MMO's currently out are not up to par of being playable or any sort of long period of time; I am talking months here. So we have all of our hopes and dreams placed into our "new" mmo of choice. Some pick WAR, others AOC, etc. We want a damn game to play that offers progression and a multiplayer environment but nothing is out right now.
So keeping that in mind here is the situation. It is the end of class and the teacher has forgotten to give out homework. You are counting the seconds until the bell rings and suddenly with 5 minutes to spare someone mentions tit and in your head you go "Son of a Bitch!". On top of that class might be extended another 5minutes. Those minutes seem like hours. It isn't the end of the world but it is like getting kicked in the jubbblies.
Guess what? I have almost been waiting for 1year for a HALF DECENT PvP mmo to come out. I check this site every day and each week if not nightly my friends and I discuss the current mmo's, games coming out, and new information released. Any announcement that may have an affect on WARs release will irk me in such a way that if you asked me face to face you might walk away with a blade in your face. I want something to play god dammit. Give me Greenskins vs Dwarves ONLY and I would be freaking happy grinding away the days until full release. Release a demo of a scenario and I could maybe survive but right now I am chomping at the bit.