The reasoning for limiting a beta crowd with a barrier like a FP sub for lag purposes is a bit retarded for this situation. The game will be released soon, if they can't handle all comers already, they're going to be screwed at release. I'd assume it would be better for... testing in beta form... if the crowd was as large as possible just for release. It's actually common for releasing MMO's to do stress tests with a final totally open beta, so AoC is going against what seems the best idea by limiting the crowd at all.
Are they using the new Cheetah 2 Engine for the open beta or are they saving that stress test with the rest of the untested features that are going to be included at launch?
I haven't heard one way or the other yet, but if they aren't already using the cheetah I'll be disappointed in them. They really should have taken the oppertunity they've had to test these things before release. Getting tired of devs releasing "almost" done/debugged MMO's.
they could be limiting the number of people so they can do controled tests to see how many people it takes to crash a single server..
they dont need to be running several at once to figure out how much a server can take before it goes down..
also limiting the beta gives there dev team more time to get the first patchs redy for when the game releases since we wont be playing the full client in the open beta anyways..
To me, they should already be running on all pistons by now. This is like waiting to do a bunch of homework the night before the crap is due, chances are you're going to do a rushed job, miss things, and not care as much about the quality of your work so much as getting it done on time.
Its called "open beta" cause NDA will be lifted and information will be open to public. Its not open cause tis free.
That is true but traditionally, open beta is free. But if you want to go down that road, it's also open beta because those in it can experiance and tell of their experience in ALL PARTS of the game, otherwise it's just a glorified stress test.
----- The person who is certain, and who claims divine warrant for his certainty, belongs now to the infancy of our species.
Its called "open beta" cause NDA will be lifted and information will be open to public. Its not open cause tis free.
That is true but traditionally, open beta is free. But if you want to go down that road, it's also open beta because those in it can experiance and tell of their experience in ALL PARTS of the game, otherwise it's just a glorified stress test.
got love blame game , still any way you slice it $15.95 to try get in too beya do math make 800k in income.
Well this whole fileplanet thing is about the worst I've seen in awhile, but lets give credit where credit is due. Fileplanet is the one managing it not funcom. It makes perfect sense to use a site like fileplanet to distribute beta keys/files ect. Of course they could have done this any number of different ways, but they chose to make it as inconvienent as possible. They could have just had a sign up and said we will mail out 50k keys. They could have even said subscibers get priority. Scamming people into paying for a sub they otherwise wouldn't have signed up for and then make people sit around waiting for them to randomly dish out keys is about the dumbest thing ever. If you don't like it then simply don't participate. If they don't get 50k people to fall for this scam (which they probably will) they will just hand out the rest of the keys for free like they always do.
Its called "open beta" cause NDA will be lifted and information will be open to public. Its not open cause tis free.
That is true but traditionally, open beta is free. But if you want to go down that road, it's also open beta because those in it can experiance and tell of their experience in ALL PARTS of the game, otherwise it's just a glorified stress test.
got love blame game , still any way you slice it $15.95 to try get in too beya do math make 800k in income.
its about 7 dollars for a month sub (click on the No Thanks button at the sub window and you will be directed to a 7 dollar deal) - do your math is halves it.
and consider the cost to distribute 50k 15g files or whatever it is... Im sure they are not cashing in like everyone thinks.. Sure they are making a lil cash but what good company doesn't when they can?
Everyone who is screaming (or quietly bemoaning) the May 1st Beta release as not 'Open' because it's stupid to pay for Beta testing seems to forget that there are a truckload of us out here that use Fileplanet normally and pay for a sub because we do. The Conan beta (not guaranteed) is a 'cookie' for us. An added bonus.
Sure. A lot of folks grabbed a one month sub to paly but not everyone by a long shot.
(oh and personally, I agree that this shouldn't have been called OB. Fileplanet Limited Beta would have been better or some derivation thereof.)
I think open beta has an advantage: people can try the game and decide if it's worth to buy. That's why I like real open beta tests. IMO this test is not an open beta - and I don't think I'll buy a game which I couldn't test (after months of release maybe...)
Considering that Betas have become nothing more than a "free play" time for most consumers, is the cause for this happening. Be prepared to see a lot more companies follow suit, not necessarily using FP (to which I myself have been a subscriber for several years now) but the practice of charging for beta participation.
Sure there's still a goon number of folks that when they get accepted into a Beta actually do test, feedback bug like they're supposed to do, but the sad truth is we're becomming the minority and this trend is going to cause changes like this to happen. It might not be within the next year, but I'm skeptical as to whether or not we'll be seeing more of it real soon - and in more severe examples, such as a publisher or developer offering "Beta" spots for $X.
"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
Considering that Betas have become nothing more than a "free play" time for most consumers, is the cause for this happening. Be prepared to see a lot more companies follow suit, not necessarily using FP (to which I myself have been a subscriber for several years now) but the practice of charging for beta participation. Sure there's still a goon number of folks that when they get accepted into a Beta actually do test, feedback bug like they're supposed to do, but the sad truth is we're becomming the minority and this trend is going to cause changes like this to happen. It might not be within the next year, but I'm skeptical as to whether or not we'll be seeing more of it real soon - and in more severe examples, such as a publisher or developer offering "Beta" spots for $X.
This thread is a bit interesting. One of the concerns some older gamers have had is the use of nudity in the game. Reason being that it might attract a younger crowd who will be using profanities and screaming "OOOOH THERE'S A BOOBIE!"
When reading this forum and seeing all the people squabbling over the membership for fileplanet it confirms the younger generation trying to play this game. I'm glad that Fileplanet is making people pay simply to isolate the dam youth from getting their grubby little hands on this game. The last thing I want when playing AOC is 12 year old boys going through puberty shouting about how they're seeing naked women for the first time.
I agree... ive been subscribing to fileplanet for a while now. but you cant purchase a one month sub, it the lowest interval you can subscribe at is for 3 months, so people are paying nearly $16 for just they beta if they want in.
I think that if you are really that interested in the beta of this game and getting some of the additional items you receive in the release version, then people should just fess up the money (unless you dont have the money for the sub, in which case you probably dont have the money to afford the monthly fee of AoC let alone the game itself), complaining wont make it free lol.
I for one am glad they are charging, gonna eliminate a decent about of children from getting into the beta, and it will allow people who have the money to buy and pay for the games subscription access to the bonuses they will be giving from the beta.
I agree... ive been subscribing to fileplanet for a while now. but you cant purchase a one month sub, it the lowest interval you can subscribe at is for 3 months, so people are paying nearly $16 for just they beta if they want in. I think that if you are really that interested in the beta of this game and getting some of the additional items you receive in the release version, then people should just fess up the money (unless you dont have the money for the sub, in which case you probably dont have the money to afford the monthly fee of AoC let alone the game itself), complaining wont make it free lol. I for one am glad they are charging, gonna eliminate a decent about of children from getting into the beta, and it will allow people who have the money to buy and pay for the games subscription access to the bonuses they will be giving from the beta.
It has been stated on these forums a dozen times now. You can get a one month sub for $6.90 US currency.
go to the file planet site and click the link on the left that says "disable adds" this brings up the cheapest available sub price.
Please guys do some research b4 stating it costs 16 dollars for a FP sub, as this topic has been beat like a dead horse.
I think open beta has an advantage: people can try the game and decide if it's worth to buy. That's why I like real open beta tests. IMO this test is not an open beta - and I don't think I'll buy a game which I couldn't test (after months of release maybe...)
I'm not sure if you know this, but the game in your avatar did the same exact thing. Limited "Open Beta" keys to subscribers. Didn't see the same amount of "whining" then. I'm glad they went the route they did.
Even before this was announced, Funcom stated they were going to try and find a way to reduce the chance of the under 17 crowd getting in. It aint perfect, but having to prove your age with a cc is one way. If mommy and daddy don't have any problems letting their kids use their cc's than they would probably be playing the game anyway.
Comments
Are they using the new Cheetah 2 Engine for the open beta or are they saving that stress test with the rest of the untested features that are going to be included at launch?
I haven't heard one way or the other yet, but if they aren't already using the cheetah I'll be disappointed in them. They really should have taken the oppertunity they've had to test these things before release. Getting tired of devs releasing "almost" done/debugged MMO's.
they could be limiting the number of people so they can do controled tests to see how many people it takes to crash a single server..
they dont need to be running several at once to figure out how much a server can take before it goes down..
also limiting the beta gives there dev team more time to get the first patchs redy for when the game releases since we wont be playing the full client in the open beta anyways..
To me, they should already be running on all pistons by now. This is like waiting to do a bunch of homework the night before the crap is due, chances are you're going to do a rushed job, miss things, and not care as much about the quality of your work so much as getting it done on time.
The whole thread has been talking about this, points have been made on both sides. Don't read the first post and tack a +1 at the end of the thread.
One day, the developers will get smart and say pay US the $15 and we'll let you into the open beta...
Somehow, that just seems really vile and corrupt, but I don't really see the difference in the end.
It's paying to play a beta product, which imo is just wrong.
It´s not a Open Beta if you have to pay and there is a limited amount of keys
I nearly cried when i found out that i hade to pay
Its called "open beta" cause NDA will be lifted and information will be open to public. Its not open cause tis free.
So I take it that this will be a different client than the PvP Weekend? Kept it on my HD just incase... was a nightmare to download.
-iCeh
That is true but traditionally, open beta is free. But if you want to go down that road, it's also open beta because those in it can experiance and tell of their experience in ALL PARTS of the game, otherwise it's just a glorified stress test.
-----
The person who is certain, and who claims divine warrant for his certainty, belongs now to the infancy of our species.
got love blame game , still any way you slice it $15.95 to try get in too beya do math make 800k in income.That is true but traditionally, open beta is free. But if you want to go down that road, it's also open beta because those in it can experiance and tell of their experience in ALL PARTS of the game, otherwise it's just a glorified stress test.
yup agreed on this just wat i had in mind
got love blame game , still any way you slice it $15.95 to try get in too beya do math make 800k in income.That is true but traditionally, open beta is free. But if you want to go down that road, it's also open beta because those in it can experiance and tell of their experience in ALL PARTS of the game, otherwise it's just a glorified stress test.
its about 7 dollars for a month sub (click on the No Thanks button at the sub window and you will be directed to a 7 dollar deal) - do your math is halves it.
I play a lot of games...
and consider the cost to distribute 50k 15g files or whatever it is... Im sure they are not cashing in like everyone thinks.. Sure they are making a lil cash but what good company doesn't when they can?
I play a lot of games...
Everyone who is screaming (or quietly bemoaning) the May 1st Beta release as not 'Open' because it's stupid to pay for Beta testing seems to forget that there are a truckload of us out here that use Fileplanet normally and pay for a sub because we do. The Conan beta (not guaranteed) is a 'cookie' for us. An added bonus.
Sure. A lot of folks grabbed a one month sub to paly but not everyone by a long shot.
(oh and personally, I agree that this shouldn't have been called OB. Fileplanet Limited Beta would have been better or some derivation thereof.)
I think open beta has an advantage: people can try the game and decide if it's worth to buy. That's why I like real open beta tests. IMO this test is not an open beta - and I don't think I'll buy a game which I couldn't test (after months of release maybe...)
Signatures are boring things.
Considering that Betas have become nothing more than a "free play" time for most consumers, is the cause for this happening. Be prepared to see a lot more companies follow suit, not necessarily using FP (to which I myself have been a subscriber for several years now) but the practice of charging for beta participation.
Sure there's still a goon number of folks that when they get accepted into a Beta actually do test, feedback bug like they're supposed to do, but the sad truth is we're becomming the minority and this trend is going to cause changes like this to happen. It might not be within the next year, but I'm skeptical as to whether or not we'll be seeing more of it real soon - and in more severe examples, such as a publisher or developer offering "Beta" spots for $X.
"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
Agree with you totally
This thread is a bit interesting. One of the concerns some older gamers have had is the use of nudity in the game. Reason being that it might attract a younger crowd who will be using profanities and screaming "OOOOH THERE'S A BOOBIE!"
When reading this forum and seeing all the people squabbling over the membership for fileplanet it confirms the younger generation trying to play this game. I'm glad that Fileplanet is making people pay simply to isolate the dam youth from getting their grubby little hands on this game. The last thing I want when playing AOC is 12 year old boys going through puberty shouting about how they're seeing naked women for the first time.
I think that if you are really that interested in the beta of this game and getting some of the additional items you receive in the release version, then people should just fess up the money (unless you dont have the money for the sub, in which case you probably dont have the money to afford the monthly fee of AoC let alone the game itself), complaining wont make it free lol.
I for one am glad they are charging, gonna eliminate a decent about of children from getting into the beta, and it will allow people who have the money to buy and pay for the games subscription access to the bonuses they will be giving from the beta.
<a href="http://Deadeyedave.gamerdna.com"><img src="http://sig.gamerdna.com/quizzes/BARTL/Deadeyedave.png"></a>;
go to the file planet site and click the link on the left that says "disable adds" this brings up the cheapest available sub price.
Please guys do some research b4 stating it costs 16 dollars for a FP sub, as this topic has been beat like a dead horse.
I play a lot of games...
http://www.fileplanet.com/subscribe/popup_sub.htm
Actually it's 7.90 but the general idea that it doesn't have to be a quarterly for $16 is still accurate.
Even before this was announced, Funcom stated they were going to try and find a way to reduce the chance of the under 17 crowd getting in. It aint perfect, but having to prove your age with a cc is one way. If mommy and daddy don't have any problems letting their kids use their cc's than they would probably be playing the game anyway.
try disabling the ads like i said in my last post, under the log in link at the left.
IT IS 6.95 US CURRENCY - THIS IS A FACT
www.fileplanet.com/subscribe/login_to_disable_ads.shtml
I play a lot of games...
Interesting. And I will say stupid of FP. I understand the special monthly purchase to general revenue by offering either 7.90 or 6.95 but not both.
Oh well. Quite a few step in s this process have been Charlie Foxtrot, IMO.