Mine was Anarchy Online and then Dark Age of Camelot. I was so excited I couldn't even sit still while it was patching I think. I kept trying different characters every time I logged in I was like a hamster on speed.Then a whole slew of games after and then I stopped applying for them. I just found out I didn't enjoy games I beta tested a whole lot because part of the mystery was gone.
I recall paying a fortune to have Star Wars Galaxy's discs shipped to me. It was more than the game retailed later but I didn't care because it was STAR WARS....
That's where I'm at, too. Too many disappointments after beta testing, or time beta testing shortened my time in the released game has me ignoring beta tests now. Well, that and most are now "Pay us to test our product."
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse. - FARGIN_WAR
That term used to mean something. Players would be following info on MMORPGs and when they announced "beta testing", many flocked to be lucky enough to get picked. Usually, it was near release (actual BETA step) and most of it was just server load testing. It was not "fun" for most, but players got a "preview" of the game.
Now, "beta testing" is more likely "alpha testing", with quite a bit of time before release. It's also purchasable, many times as a pre-order.
Do you recall the first game you got lucky enough to beta test?
Mine was Dungeons & Dragons Online. I recall being so hyped up for that! The game disillusioned me, though. It "vaguely resembled" the tabletop game I wanted. i realize much of it needed to be "video gamified" in order to attract players, though. Who wants to play a spell caster that gets to start off with just one spell each day.
The last game I beta tested was ES:O. After that disillusionment, I have stopped beta testing and just wait for actual releases
Again, do you recall your first beta test for an MMO?
you mean real beta testing or just "beta testing" to try and hook players before launch?
I guess the real deal was during the time I played fallen earth, though I do remember when I did beta tested defiance, I filled so much reports for then, they invited me to alpha later, pity they fu the game later
now "beta tested" games just so they could hook players these are too many to even remember
I originally was just going to ask for "real [old] beta tests", but realized a lot of posters would not be able to participate
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse. - FARGIN_WAR
Used to go into the Microsoft offices to QA titles. First alpha/beta for an MMO was Asheron's Call when Microsoft picked it up as publisher.
Tested a bunch since then, but switched from testing to developing a while back.
I recall those days and feeling jealous of the lucky players who lived in a city that was home to a video game company. Actually going onsite to a company to test must have been interesting
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse. - FARGIN_WAR
I think the first game I beta tested was SWG. The last games were Odyssey on the Google streaming service and New World from Amazon.
I've done a lot of beta testing over the years. I do remember when you had to send in your pc stats and your gaming habits when you applied for alpha and beta testing. Now, it's pay and play.
"We all do the best we can based on life experience, point of view, and our ability to believe in ourselves." - Naropa "We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." SR Covey
I think the first game I beta tested was SWG. The last games were Odyssey on the Google streaming service and New World from Amazon.
I've done a lot of beta testing over the years. I do remember when you had to send in your pc stats and your gaming habits when you applied for alpha and beta testing. Now, it's pay and play.
You are so right.
In addition, a couple I've been in asked for a beta history, NDA, and guild.
Beta tests are just used for hype these days to drive pre-release sales, etc.
How many times have we seen discussions on games in beta, where somebody (there's always at least one) says, "B-but it's only beta."? How many times have we've seen Open Beta end up being the final build with no changes from feedback?
Rule of thumb, if you didn't sign an NDA, you're not playing the beta version, you're playing the latest production version.
Beta used to be awesome. Old MMORP were part social experiment and real betas were work in progress.
Some of the most interesting times in MMORPG were UO beta. It was ambitious and nust seeing the players do worst at every turn.
I remember when I figured out you could attack while dead and it would summon guards each time. You could fill a whole area with angry guards teleporting. They made guards teleport insta kills(most times) because guards weren't fast enough or around and people were killing in town.
Vesper Beach was literal training ground where you had people dueling for skills. We killed people who broke the rules like stealing or killing in a duel on purpose. Never experienced anything like that in a game again.
People also didn't use magic a lot because of the reagents being sparce and the constant wipes. I remember first time I encountered a guy in a war at the X Roads outside of Vesper. Lightning crashing the crowd sent people running. Thought it was kind of cool that limited magic access had most people forgoing it. I think it was a big or miscalculation with how much spawned in the wild and stores.
Comments
If you want a new idea, go read an old book.
In order to be insulted, I must first value your opinion.
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse.- FARGIN_WAR
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse.- FARGIN_WAR
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse.- FARGIN_WAR
Think it was on a 2400 baud modem:P Pre UO days...
EQ1, EQ2, SWG, SWTOR, GW, GW2 CoH, CoV, FFXI, WoW, CO, War,TSW and a slew of free trials and beta tests
I've done a lot of beta testing over the years. I do remember when you had to send in your pc stats and your gaming habits when you applied for alpha and beta testing. Now, it's pay and play.
"We all do the best we can based on life experience, point of view, and our ability to believe in ourselves." - Naropa "We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." SR Covey
In addition, a couple I've been in asked for a beta history, NDA, and guild.
Beta tests are just used for hype these days to drive pre-release sales, etc.
How many times have we seen discussions on games in beta, where somebody (there's always at least one) says, "B-but it's only beta."? How many times have we've seen Open Beta end up being the final build with no changes from feedback?
Rule of thumb, if you didn't sign an NDA, you're not playing the beta version, you're playing the latest production version.
Some of the most interesting times in MMORPG were UO beta. It was ambitious and nust seeing the players do worst at every turn.
I remember when I figured out you could attack while dead and it would summon guards each time. You could fill a whole area with angry guards teleporting. They made guards teleport insta kills(most times) because guards weren't fast enough or around and people were killing in town.
Vesper Beach was literal training ground where you had people dueling for skills. We killed people who broke the rules like stealing or killing in a duel on purpose. Never experienced anything like that in a game again.
People also didn't use magic a lot because of the reagents being sparce and the constant wipes. I remember first time I encountered a guy in a war at the X Roads outside of Vesper. Lightning crashing the crowd sent people running. Thought it was kind of cool that limited magic access had most people forgoing it. I think it was a big or miscalculation with how much spawned in the wild and stores.