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WARNING: Talking about Beta
MX13
Member Posts: 2,489
I just want to give a friendly warning on a few Beta issues. Currently, there is a NDA in place, but this will be changing soon. Until then I would recommend the following:
- If you are invited into Beta, do not post about it.
- If you want info from Beta Testers, do not ask them to break the NDA.
Why? Well...
- If you are in Beta and discuss it, you can be banned and kicked from Beta.
- If you are asking for someone to breal the NDA, you are breaking this forum's rules.
- Most Beta Testers will not answer due to the risk of being kicking from Beta.
- It's not fair to put this Forum's Mods in the position of coming down on people they want here.
This may sound silly, but quite a few have been kicked from Beta, and banned for breaking NDA's. There is a TON of info already out there if you have questions about the game, and a TON of Beta Reviews as well.
I just wanted to put this out there since there seem to be a lot of "Beta" posts recently. Trust me, when the NDA is lifted, which should be soon, there will be a FLOOD of information. I also would encourage anyone interested in V:SoH to sign up for Beta so they can see the game for themselves.
GL all!
I'll start my own SWG... with Black Jack... and Hookers!!!
In fact, forget the SWG!!!!
Comments
I'd like to add one point.
Don't sign up for the beta because you want to play the game. Sign up for beta because you want to hunt for bugs, put up with lag, and disconnects, and glitches. Sign up for beta because you want to make it a better game.
I'll start my own SWG... with Black Jack... and Hookers!!!
In fact, forget the SWG!!!!
I am a Vanguard:SOH/Sigil fanboi. Dont you dare talk bad about the game I rest all my hopes and dreams on or I will report you.
http://www.speedtest.net/result/7300033012
I'll start my own SWG... with Black Jack... and Hookers!!!
In fact, forget the SWG!!!!
I am a Vanguard:SOH/Sigil fanboi. Dont you dare talk bad about the game I rest all my hopes and dreams on or I will report you.
Bullseye!!!!!!!!!!
You brought up a good one.
1. How does the beta test progress for the player?
2. What percentage of testers will do their jobs compared to those that won't?
3. Anyone with prior experience on other-and-no-longer-nda beta tests?
I like IF, because IF is a good friend of mine.
From what I read,experience OR deduct, Vanguard is an Hybrid between EQ and SoR, nothing like a next gen MMO. IF you believe me or not, this is up to you, but you can't say I didn't give it a careful examination.
IF you are unhappy with my stance, maybe Brad not using half emptied sentences that's willingly lead to misconception would have bring different results. IF only they would have been wiser and more players-oriented.
Instead of focusing on the symptons, maybe it would have been wiser to focus on the cause...which is the game itself. Beta-breakers are just lacking the subtlety of Brad, which luckily some persons doesn't lack either. IF Brad is unhappy, he can always make a friendlier game experience to his players/wanna be players.
As IF I am or not in beta, that is up to you to judge!
Later guys.
PS: I was allowed in DDO beta, and I never purchase DDO...make the conclusions YOU want.
PPS: Devs who try to enforce Beta NDA more than rework on the game speak volume IMO. A good game that see the NDA breaks would be praise, the devs won't cry that much...if the devs focus a LOT about NDA breaker, it means they want to hide something...and rather than repairing, they try to enforce a NDA on peoples who never receive a salary to start with, which IMO is extremely problematic. You want them to "refund" you what you give them? You didn't give them anything, you ask them a service, which they give. Now if some folks don't respect the NDA, hmmm what can be done? Not much, since you never pay them and they help you, maybe not as much as you would like, but heck, I would like SoE to pay a new house for me, it is just not going to happen so I won't cry or even bother to ask them! After all, SoE did say they want to give me a good experience...where do that stop? NDA hunters are as lowly as devs can get, they rather focus on the Game, whatever results from NDA hunting can't be good, especially that it distract them from focusing on what they should...aka: DA GAME. I rather know that BioWare make the best game ever than hunt down a few FREE beta testers who break the NDA and say it is going to be the best game ever anyway.
- "If I understand you well, you are telling me until next time. " - Ren
Not all beta testers hunt for bugs. Some will report GAMEPLAYS disagreement, if you just want bug finder, then don't make it a beta, call for Bugs trackers, professionnal bugs hunters. Of course, it would cost you money to use Bug Trackers services.
A Beta is a FAVOR done by the person doing the beta, which believe he/she can help the game in a way or another. If you can't pay for a service, then accept what is offered to you, as it is. If you ain't happy, then you know that Bug Trackers are working on this field, they are professionnals; they earn their living finding bugs. Thinking beta tester should do more is silly, they do what they have to offer, you want more, we are in a capitalist society, some peoples will WORK for you if this is what you want, but work = salary.
Personnally, IF I would be in any beta, I would check if the game is FUN, find 2 or 3 bugs, check if I can RUN the game or not, how well or poorly, feedback about running speed, then give them feedbacks about what is the most problematic IMO; usually directly linked to gameplays elements. If they are to deaf to understand, then I would naturally turn to my fellow gamers and warn them. IF I was in beta...if they want more of a precise aspect, such as bug tracking, I would pinpoint at professionnal earning a living with that. I am a GD myself and I send more than 1 game to BT when time didn't allow us to find the bugs ourselves.
- "If I understand you well, you are telling me until next time. " - Ren
ROFLPWNT!
Just to add, Coldmeat's post was an excellent one and I could not agree more. Don't sign up to waste time, do us all a favor and report bugs and grammar and spelling mistakes and make Vanguard the best it can be.
To those that are in the Vanguard:SoH beta I offer congratulations. Besides hopefully having fun ingame, I hope the play/work all the beta testers are doing will enhance the game even more for us players/customers. I'll more than likely be a fellow player/subscriber/customer just not 100% sure yet. Hopefully any & all suggestions, problems, etc. found with V:SoH will be listened to by Sigil &, gulp, SOE. V:SoH has the potential promise of being many of ours next enduring MMORPG. I'm sure a few tattlers have squeaked through into the V:SoH beta just to brag, but I bet most are the type that want to better the game for themselves & us so they wouldn't risk breaking the NDA. I hear Sigil has eyes & ears all across the land too. I'm reminded, is the official release date for V:SoH even been told yet? Good luck to us all & try to have fun. Someone wise once stated to me in EQ, many a moon ago, "Don't get too upset, they're just pixels after all."
http://www.speedtest.net/result/7300033012
Best, post, ever. This applies to all MMORPG's out there. I think this is the biggest reason why there are beta leaks and disgruntled people. The real sad part is some of the people who signed up for beta really aren't interested in helping the company make a better game, they are only interested in playing the game. The ultimate sad part is, many of those individuals get in.
Beta testing during NDA stages prior to game release are not a "play before you try" thing. Leave the "play before you try" to open betas and free trials. If you sign up for beta testing, please know what you are doing and give the company a fair chance at making it a better game.
EQ1-AC1-DAOC-FFXI-L2-EQ2-WoW-DDO-GW-LoTR-VG-WAR-GW2-ESO
1) How have I broken the NDA for V:SoH exactly?
2) If not a Breaker, why am I gullible? Because I read and gather REAL information, not questionable NDA violations that prove the posters can't be trusted?
3) JA discribes your behavior exactly. You act that way, you shouldn't be surprised.
4) ig·no·rance
/??g
n?r
?ns/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ig-ner-uh
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I never policed anyone, I'm warning people of policies many are not aware of, and may cost them a ban of kick from Beta. Your comments clearly show you ignorance of my intentions and of Vanguard as a whole.
I'll close by adding that you may call me a Fanboi for warning people, but I call you a Troll for doing nothing but insulting others. You're a Big Man indeed. Please, continue making attacks without being productive. You're only showing others your "ignorance".
(The word "ignorance" has been brought to you by severius)
I'll start my own SWG... with Black Jack... and Hookers!!!
In fact, forget the SWG!!!!
Best, post, ever. This applies to all MMORPG's out there. I think this is the biggest reason why there are beta leaks and disgruntled people. The real sad part is some of the people who signed up for beta really aren't interested in helping the company make a better game, they are only interested in playing the game. The ultimate sad part is, many of those individuals get in.
Beta testing during NDA stages prior to game release are not a "play before you try" thing. Leave the "play before you try" to open betas and free trials. If you sign up for beta testing, please know what you are doing and give the company a fair chance at making it a better game.
I mostly disagree with you. Of course, a minority will just play and give no feedbacks. However the majority is UNPAID peoples and they have limited goodwill. They will feedback and try up to the point they are bored.
They are also the most likely to break the NDA, as they come to HELP, they will naturally HELP the community if the game lacks a LOT. While peoples who just want to play, they won't care about feedbacking or breaking the NDA, they play and they go. Now, the best way to ensure UNPAID peoples loyalty is to actually built a kick-ass game. IF for any reason these persons think the game is hopeless, then you have these UNPAID peoples turn toward the community, as they are naturally helping, they will warn that a game is a stinker and they will explain why. Even this is helping the devs, since it is up to them to adapt. Bad publicity is better than nothing, and if you can adapt and turn the game nicely by release, it will be a blessing; as the peoples will see the evolution, from suckiness to greatness.
If you can't cope with UNPAID staff, don't get them in the first place. UNPAID peoples will help, but they won't break what they think is morality. So if they see everything end poorly in raiding like in old EQ, they will warn the community. They are kind spirits who want the best for everyone, especially their fellow players. You can't ask for loyalty if you don't take the means to earn it, which is a kick-ass game.
- "If I understand you well, you are telling me until next time. " - Ren
This post regards beta testing generally, not this particular title.
I love the posts by people who say "don't join a beta to play the game." You are so full of it. Look down the list of games on this website and tell me how many of them you beta tested and tried to make better that you don't want to play? How many people just go around freelancing their time trying to improve games they do not enjoy and will never play? Tell me you beta tested Hello Kitty Online and we'll talk.
When I beta test a game, you better believe I play it. If I see something that's broken I report it. If I see something I particularly like I give feedback and if I see something I especially don't like I give feedback. I do that for so long as I remain interested in the game and if I lose interest I quit. Period. I am not trying to make the world a better place. I owe not a scrap of loyalty to the game maker who I could give a damn about (these are the same assclowns who will later take a week to never to respond to my GM tickets, and I should idolize them why?). I am there purely to see if I want to pay to play that title later. In exchange for the opportunity to preview the game I give feedback as requested (and solely because if I do play it I don't want it to be broken or suck). It's symbiotic and there's nothing wrong with that.
If somone needs to feel special and view themselves as a "good" beta tester, here's some milk and cookies for you. If someone is trotting out that old mantra of "I just want to make the game better" to get into beta, whee. I suppose you really think anyone believes that.
EQ1, EQ2, SWG, SWTOR, GW, GW2 CoH, CoV, FFXI, WoW, CO, War,TSW and a slew of free trials and beta tests
Best, post, ever. This applies to all MMORPG's out there. I think this is the biggest reason why there are beta leaks and disgruntled people. The real sad part is some of the people who signed up for beta really aren't interested in helping the company make a better game, they are only interested in playing the game. The ultimate sad part is, many of those individuals get in.
Beta testing during NDA stages prior to game release are not a "play before you try" thing. Leave the "play before you try" to open betas and free trials. If you sign up for beta testing, please know what you are doing and give the company a fair chance at making it a better game.
Of course, a minority will just play and give no feedbacks. However the majority is UNPAID peoples and they have limited goodwill. They will feedback and try up to the point they are bored.
I'd say you have it backwards. Prior experience from WoW, EQ2, and a slew of other games tells me that most people are just there to play the game before everyone else. I can't say it's their fault even. Marketing, and the Devs themselves have turned it into a "Play it before you buy it" affair by giving out beta keys to magazines, and sites like Fileplanet, and this one. What are people supposed to think betas for when it's used to hype a games release.
They are also the most likely to break the NDA, as they come to HELP, they will naturally HELP the community if the game lacks a LOT. While peoples who just want to play, they won't care about feedbacking or breaking the NDA, they play and they go.
Actually, I'd say that 99% of the time those that break the NDA either can't stand the game, and probably went into it knowing they wouldn't like it. Or they have an axe to grind. A lot of times it's both. Rarely do you see someone that likes the game breaking NDA, since they're, you know, busy enjoying the game. It's the same as general forums after release. All you see is posts by people that didn't like the game, or don't even play the game.
They are kind spirits who want the best for everyone, especially their fellow players.
I don't know what fantasyland you live in, but I'd like to go there. On sencond thought, no I wouldn't. I'd probably get cancer from all the saccherine.
During phase 5 they will also need players to just log on and play until the server crashes so they can tweak server stability. At this point there's nothing wrong with joining beta just to play and have a good time with the game. The devs need players to do that to make the game better, as well as bug hunting.