Originally posted by Sharajat (frankly I still think Funcom is out of cash)
Just curiously, what do you think happened to the 30 million they received last June to continue the development of Age of Conan? You really think they went thru that 30 million in just under 7 months?
Or...you could take a much more reasonable, sensible approach to it... 1. MMORPG Posted this with a couple of hours to go before Funcom offices close on a Friday. 2. Funcom decides it is not important to rush into the office, have a meeting, discuss, and issue a statement, because 1% of the population who will play is upset. 3. They address it first thing Monday morning, by offering up fact.
It funcom marketing team thought this is not important enough to break their sunday nap , than they are more incapable than anyone would give them credit for.
Which they are not. So i guess my theory still stands
No, the beta information didn't change. Before the post the same deal was setup as did afterwards. Just because you act like a child doesn't mean you'll get anything. Hey on the same note, you could get really upset that it was raining after it stopped, you could say, "see what the power of my whine did!"
Now that it's Monday, the no-open beta question has been addressed by Funcom This from Shannon "Pharamond" Drake, Community Manager Funcom
Looks like there was a miscommunication/misunderstanding at the show.
We are planning to have an open beta for the game as we get closer to launch, however, it will be through specific partners and require an application/registration process, much like most of the other betas for most other games. We will be limiting the number of keys we release to a manageable number at any given time, rather than subjecting people to queues and loading screens and so on. By "a manageable number," we mean tens of thousands, not just a handful. We’re also ramping up some of our tech test betas, and, of course, we’ll be doing key giveaways, inviting forum veterans, and inviting more people to the current, closed stage of beta as we ramp up for launch. So, yes, there will be a wider-scale open beta, but it will require an application/registration process and won’t be as simple as “press button, get key,” which is what we wanted to say.
"Launch is scheduled for March 25, 2008 and for those hoping for open beta, there won't be one. As Jason said, when they opened beta applications, they got 100,000 applications in a very short time. Right now, they have 15,000 invitations extended and they will simply invite many more players in the next few rounds. So if you want to take a look at this game prior to launch, and haven't put in your beta application, you can still put one in now. This is one beautiful looking game."
So if I read that ... and interpreted that to mean there would not be an open beta, that would make me a conspiracy theorist ? What are you trying to say here?
It's pretty much guaranteed North American beta spots will go through Fileplanet. There is an equivalent site for Europeans (can't remember the name, but LOTRO used it).
And why, pray tell, is it guaranteed to go through Fileplanet? Let's see, they could do it through Games for Windows, Live!, Xbox Live!, mmorpg.com, mmosite, AoC forums, etc., etc., etc. Fileplanet is not the end all/ be all for beta distributions.
Games for Windows, Live? Haven't tried that site. Isn't that those rejects from the failed mag, Computer Gaming World? Anyone used that for betas?
No, it's Microsoft. You know, Funcoms' partner? I'm sure they could handle beta keys for the game they're publishing.
Xbox Live? Give me a break.
Why, it's going on Xbox also. You don't think they can distribute a key and a download?
AoC forums? Nope. Not a 'partner'.
Again, very capable of distributing keys and downloads.
mmosite? Again, used by who?
Do you even game? Again, can hand out keys and download links.
Funny, they hand out beta keys for many games here. Or haven't you noticed in the 3 years you've been here? Again, key and download link.
Fileplanet, brutal as it is, is still the No. 1 beta distributor. I'd take bets on it.
You'd lose, apparently.
AmazingAveryAge of Conan AdvocateMemberUncommonPosts: 7,188
Ahh this should ease all the worrisome people.
Just goto say that the CES write up from Carolyn Koh was a good one. The only problem is sometimes she has got information a little bit wrong, like when she did a couple reports for War and the community had the same reaction.
Regardless, situation resolved now one way or another, I still think they were justified if they wanted to to not have an Open Beta. But I was thinking last night that the whole mmorpg community is way cautious and vocal these days, lets hope this pleases them, and the game does too.
Ahh this should ease all the worrisome people. Just goto say that the CES write up from Carolyn Koh was a good one. The only problem is sometimes she has got information a little bit wrong, like when she did a couple reports for War and the community had the same reaction. Regardless, situation resolved now one way or another, I still think they were justified if they wanted to to not have an Open Beta. But I was thinking last night that the whole mmorpg community is way cautious and vocal these days, lets hope this pleases them, and the game does too.
Well, from what I understand, they plan on trials from the beginning, also. Including giving everyone who buys the collectors edition 5 keys to hand out.
I still want the NDA to go away sooner rather than later . That worried (worries, unless I get a beta slot) me more than the "no open beta" thing anyways.
If I had to bet, I'd guess FunCom will use FilePlanet. If AoC's client is large, and I bet it is, the cost of people downloading it from FunCom would be a major downer, not to mention smash their pipes for a week making everything unplayable .
Sure, people hate FilePlanet, but....they have lots of servers to download from with nice speeds. FilePlanet picks up paying subscribers, FunCom avoids a gigantic bandwidth bill....
mmorpg might hand out a couple hundred keys, like they always do, but the vast, vast majority of the 10s of thousands will come from Fileplanet.
Of course, there is a possiblity that AoC's site will continue to draw from their 100k list of signups, but it is still a safe bet Fileplanet will be the No. 1 draw. If Fileplanet does not draw the desired numbers, then and only then, will FC look elsewhere.
Well then, Zorvan, it seems we have a bet. mmorpg might hand out a couple hundred keys, like they always do, but the vast, vast majority of the 10s of thousands will come from Fileplanet. Of course, there is a possiblity that AoC's site will continue to draw from their 100k list of signups, but it is still a safe bet Fileplanet will be the No. 1 draw. If Fileplanet does not draw the desired numbers, then and only then, will FC look elsewhere. Sorry, you lose.
I never lose. It's a trait inherent in all arrogant and stubborn people, of which I apparently am.
Will FP have it? More than likely, but not guaranteed. And they definitely won't be the sole place to get it, as many will not pay a FP subscription just for a beta when they can get it elsewhere freely.
Well then, Zorvan, it seems we have a bet. mmorpg might hand out a couple hundred keys, like they always do, but the vast, vast majority of the 10s of thousands will come from Fileplanet. Of course, there is a possiblity that AoC's site will continue to draw from their 100k list of signups, but it is still a safe bet Fileplanet will be the No. 1 draw. If Fileplanet does not draw the desired numbers, then and only then, will FC look elsewhere. Sorry, you lose.
I never lose. It's a trait inherent in all arrogant and stubborn people, of which I apparently am.
Will FP have it? More than likely, but not guaranteed. And they definitely won't be the sole place to get it, as many will not pay a FP subscription just for a beta when they can get it elsewhere freely.
Well, FunCom might just let FP have the exclusive (If I was FP and hosting a giant client, I'd want the exclusive to drive up people paying for the subscription, it worked for them with PotBS) to only allow subscribers only (at least at first). That's how PotBS did it until the end of their "closed open beta" where they let anyone in.
A limited open beta ? That is new. It's open to all - at least the tens of thousands first in line. Never mind the hundreds of thousands dudes that actually signed up for the thing. Yeah, move along, there is nothing to see here.
Is the beta half closed or half open ?
--- And when we got more women on the team, it was like No, no, no. We need puppies and horses in there. John Smedley, SOE
I cant wait to see a new thread after this one going
"The Age of Conan developers eat babies from what I hear so im not going to buy their game, I just want to tell you this because I cant comprehend the thought of a Geo-Centric Universe in an MMO."
Personally I'm going to buy and try both AoC and WAR once they are out. Nothing beats first hand experience but on the other hand, I would like to play the finished product (as much as it can be finished on release), since I'm planning on becoming a long term subscriber.
I guess open beta is not a thing of the past, just for freeloaders and gold farmers or worthless to game developers. I thought I read those comments around this forum somewhere yesterday.
Well, they should not call it open beta any more, because it's not working like this any more. Pre-launch evaluation invites and final stress test, that's closer to today's truth.
Well, they should not call it open beta any more, because it's not working like this any more. Pre-launch evaluation invites and final stress test, that's closer to today's truth.
Well, speaking from experience, the definitions of "alpha" "beta" etc, have never been set in stone. Some people's late alpha build is some other people's closed beta build, etc.
Internally, you'll hear "First playable" mentioned that's a fairly big milestone inside the dev group. (meaning you can enter the game and move around inside of it in the case of MMORPG's). After that, its just semantics as to what is what.
The other one is the "gold" version. Which usually becomes out dated even before its pressed onto the CD/DVD's.
Now can you imagine the uproar if AoC would only come out on Blu-Ray DVD's? lol...
Comments
That made my day, time to devour evry single piece of information that leads me to one of those golden key's.
Just curiously, what do you think happened to the 30 million they received last June to continue the development of Age of Conan? You really think they went thru that 30 million in just under 7 months?
Linkage
It funcom marketing team thought this is not important enough to break their sunday nap , than they are more incapable than anyone would give them credit for.
Which they are not. So i guess my theory still stands
No, the beta information didn't change. Before the post the same deal was setup as did afterwards. Just because you act like a child doesn't mean you'll get anything. Hey on the same note, you could get really upset that it was raining after it stopped, you could say, "see what the power of my whine did!"
Linkage
Sorry conspiriacy theorists.
Hugh?
So given an article: http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/gameId/191/setView/features/loadFeature/1682
and the ending...
"Launch is scheduled for March 25, 2008 and for those hoping for open beta, there won't be one. As Jason said, when they opened beta applications, they got 100,000 applications in a very short time. Right now, they have 15,000 invitations extended and they will simply invite many more players in the next few rounds. So if you want to take a look at this game prior to launch, and haven't put in your beta application, you can still put one in now. This is one beautiful looking game."
So if I read that ... and interpreted that to mean there would not be an open beta, that would make me a conspiracy theorist ? What are you trying to say here?
(Carolyn updated here article as indicated here: http://www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/thread/162662/page/7 )
I'm happy and joyful now.
YAY!!!
hope it is FP
And why, pray tell, is it guaranteed to go through Fileplanet? Let's see, they could do it through Games for Windows, Live!, Xbox Live!, mmorpg.com, mmosite, AoC forums, etc., etc., etc. Fileplanet is not the end all/ be all for beta distributions.
Games for Windows, Live? Haven't tried that site. Isn't that those rejects from the failed mag, Computer Gaming World? Anyone used that for betas?
No, it's Microsoft. You know, Funcoms' partner? I'm sure they could handle beta keys for the game they're publishing.
Xbox Live? Give me a break.
Why, it's going on Xbox also. You don't think they can distribute a key and a download?
AoC forums? Nope. Not a 'partner'.
Again, very capable of distributing keys and downloads.
mmosite? Again, used by who?
Do you even game? Again, can hand out keys and download links.
Funny, they hand out beta keys for many games here. Or haven't you noticed in the 3 years you've been here? Again, key and download link.
Fileplanet, brutal as it is, is still the No. 1 beta distributor. I'd take bets on it.
You'd lose, apparently.
Ahh this should ease all the worrisome people.
Just goto say that the CES write up from Carolyn Koh was a good one. The only problem is sometimes she has got information a little bit wrong, like when she did a couple reports for War and the community had the same reaction.
Regardless, situation resolved now one way or another, I still think they were justified if they wanted to to not have an Open Beta. But I was thinking last night that the whole mmorpg community is way cautious and vocal these days, lets hope this pleases them, and the game does too.
Well, from what I understand, they plan on trials from the beginning, also. Including giving everyone who buys the collectors edition 5 keys to hand out.
Don't scare us again like that.
I still want the NDA to go away sooner rather than later
. That worried (worries, unless I get a beta slot) me more than the "no open beta" thing anyways.
If I had to bet, I'd guess FunCom will use FilePlanet. If AoC's client is large, and I bet it is, the cost of people downloading it from FunCom would be a major downer, not to mention smash their pipes for a week making everything unplayable
.
Sure, people hate FilePlanet, but....they have lots of servers to download from with nice speeds. FilePlanet picks up paying subscribers, FunCom avoids a gigantic bandwidth bill....
Well then, Zorvan, it seems we have a bet.
mmorpg might hand out a couple hundred keys, like they always do, but the vast, vast majority of the 10s of thousands will come from Fileplanet.
Of course, there is a possiblity that AoC's site will continue to draw from their 100k list of signups, but it is still a safe bet Fileplanet will be the No. 1 draw. If Fileplanet does not draw the desired numbers, then and only then, will FC look elsewhere.
Sorry, you lose.
Will FP have it? More than likely, but not guaranteed. And they definitely won't be the sole place to get it, as many will not pay a FP subscription just for a beta when they can get it elsewhere freely.
Will FP have it? More than likely, but not guaranteed. And they definitely won't be the sole place to get it, as many will not pay a FP subscription just for a beta when they can get it elsewhere freely.
Well, FunCom might just let FP have the exclusive (If I was FP and hosting a giant client, I'd want the exclusive to drive up people paying for the subscription, it worked for them with PotBS) to only allow subscribers only (at least at first). That's how PotBS did it until the end of their "closed open beta" where they let anyone in.
A limited open beta ? That is new. It's open to all - at least the tens of thousands first in line. Never mind the hundreds of thousands dudes that actually signed up for the thing. Yeah, move along, there is nothing to see here.
Is the beta half closed or half open ?
---
And when we got more women on the team, it was like No, no, no. We need puppies and horses in there.
John Smedley, SOE
Oh great..now I have to go back to being happy.
I cant wait to see a new thread after this one going
"The Age of Conan developers eat babies from what I hear so im not going to buy their game, I just want to tell you this because I cant comprehend the thought of a Geo-Centric Universe in an MMO."
Cant wait for the game and open beta
-Jive
Oh man, and after all the time and energy I spent mindlessly supporting and defending Funcom's decision! Don't I feel the fool!
Except I never never did that.
what a great save by funcom ! may forumtrolls drink demon piss in hell ..
Personally I'm going to buy and try both AoC and WAR once they are out. Nothing beats first hand experience but on the other hand, I would like to play the finished product (as much as it can be finished on release), since I'm planning on becoming a long term subscriber.
Open beta for AoC is good news.
I guess open beta is not a thing of the past, just for freeloaders and gold farmers or worthless to game developers. I thought I read those comments around this forum somewhere yesterday.
Well, they should not call it open beta any more, because it's not working like this any more. Pre-launch evaluation invites and final stress test, that's closer to today's truth.
Internally, you'll hear "First playable" mentioned
that's a fairly big milestone inside the dev group. (meaning you can enter the game and move around inside of it in the case of MMORPG's). After that, its just semantics as to what is what.
The other one is the "gold" version. Which usually becomes out dated even before its pressed onto the CD/DVD's.
Now can you imagine the uproar if AoC would only come out on Blu-Ray DVD's?
lol...