Do you want in on the Beta, or would you rather wait for the release?

gillvane1 · February 2008

I don't want to beta this game. I know that a lot of people are chomping at the bit to play this one, and the Beta is the way to get in on the action at the earliest possible moment.

However, playing the beta of the game can spoil the initial fun of logging on to the final version, IMO. I want to know if it's good or not, and the beta is the first indication of this, but I don't want to be in on it. I look forward to the NDA being dropped, and the beta testers can give their reviews of the game.

For this one, I'd rather just wait and play the game, rather than get a sneak preview. If it is good, I want everything to be new when I start playing. If it's not good, then I haven't missed anything by not being in the beta, and if it is good, I don't want the initial discovery to be spoiled.

On a related subject, what's your opinion of beta testers keeping their characters? The usual modus operandi is to allow the beta testers to keep their characters on one server, and all new players have the option of joining that server, knowing that some people have a head start, or join a new server.

Also, it's usually an indication of whether the game is good or not, depending on when the NDA is dropped. If it's at the last possible moment before the release, that's usually an indication that things aren't going so well.

MMORPG Maker

malefacus · February 2008

I did beta a lot of games that I had high expectations for, and it was always disapointing. And after I re-tried the games sometime after lauch, I enjoy em way much more. Just to say that bugs can kill your appreciation of a game. So when I aply for a beta now, I am ready to do what beta is for; test bugs in horrible gameplay sessions. So to anwsers your question, yes I still wanna beta WAR. Not cause I wanna play it, cause it won't proabably fun until lauch, but because I want my opinion to play a role in the devveloppement of this game. Cause if WAR doesn't become great(to my own eyes), I'll be sad and without any MMOs to play.

Oh, and just to say that MMOs becomes polish enough to be call done at least 6 motnh POST release.

LouiseK · February 2008

Hmm, i like playing betas for one reason and one reason only - to test before i buy.

If i don't get in the beta then i bet i know someone somewhere who did.

MrVicchio · February 2008

I'm highly annoyed at teh beta.

I've Beta Tested dozens of games, some I wanted to too, some I loved and some it was like.. I signed up for this? Oh well shoot...

Now the ONE GAME I'd REALLY LOVE to get in on the beta, because I love to beta...

Has rejected me to date.

I am a SAD panda.

bonespirit · February 2008

its a real pain in the ass playing unfinished game.

i'd wait n see for months even when its released.

elvenangel · February 2008

The whole reason for beta's is to test the game, give opinions, suggestions, and reasons why things don't work. You're supposed to be there to help shape the final outcome of the game. Granted there are some companies in the past that ultimate that say stuff it but we all know what happened there *coughs SoE*.

I get really annoyed when I see people talking about "i want to try before a I buy so I need to Beta" it means your not in it to make the game better. Your there assuming the game is finished & its going to ship as is which isn't the case in a real beta.

If you want to try before you buy do the Open Beta..what you get in Open Beta is what the game is like when it ships.

Beta STages up to Stress Tests are not a real reflection of any game (except in Vanguard's case and that was an extreme exception of crap).

If your not in it to be apart of the community finding bugs, noting what sucks, why it sucks and how it could be better...then stop signing up for Closed Beta and wait for Open otherwise your just screwing the game for yourself and everyone else.

To the OP ... I'm personally against Beta Testers getting to keep their characters. Its not usual at all for them to get them much less get a 'special' server. Not sure what game you've ever played where they did but most Triple A Titles do NOT ever allow you to keep Closed Beta Characters.

Czzarre · February 2008

I wil play anything so long as it prevents me from returning to WoW

Torrential

Anofalye · February 2008

I never want to join the beta of a game which interest me in a way or another.

Granted, I will prolly never play WAR because they won't make a PvE server. But still, just in case they do...such a server would benefit the game the most if present at release, adding later is not even remotedly as good as having it at release...(peoples sticking with a game they would have quit, more peoples trying the game, peoples finding peoples thinking like them from day 1...etc.) With such a server at release...instead of thinking about 1 millions subscribers...they could think about rivaling WoW...

Still, I wouldn't play their beta unless they pay me, and I wouldn't be cheap. (prolly much better deals around hehehe) Just in case, they understand the needs of a PvE server...eh, DREAMING is important. And nobody can take that away from me, not even SOE!

elvenangel · February 2008

And in the process destroying every reason that people want to play WAR. To Get Away from WoW and the WoW crowds.

FreddyNoNose · February 2008

Originally posted by elvenangel

And in the process destroying every reason that people want to play WAR. To Get Away from WoW and the WoW crowds.

lol

Antarious · February 2008

I've beta tested most of the north american released MMO since UO.

Its something I personally actually enjoy doing.

Bugs... well bugs should be pretty obvious that's what beta is about. Of course most MMO's tend to feel like "beta" for the first year they are out.

That said..

The only thing that makes a beta (any beta) bad for me?

When I see a product that is not even close to ready and is going to be pushed out. Or especially when the company involved is representing the product as something its not even close to (I allude to Vanguard there more than anything).

The reason that bothers me.. is as a beta tester.. you don't do any good or feel that you've done any good. When you see a product that is just not ready but is going out the door.

Beta to me... is the one chance a future customer has to take part in the system.

So lol I guess the short answer is..

Yes I would take part...

gillvane1 · February 2008

Originally posted by elvenangel

The whole reason for beta's is to test the game, give opinions, suggestions, and reasons why things don't work. You're supposed to be there to help shape the final outcome of the game. Granted there are some companies in the past that ultimate that say stuff it but we all know what happened there *coughs SoE*.
I get really annoyed when I see people talking about "i want to try before a I buy so I need to Beta" it means your not in it to make the game better. Your there assuming the game is finished & its going to ship as is which isn't the case in a real beta.
If you want to try before you buy do the Open Beta..what you get in Open Beta is what the game is like when it ships.
Beta STages up to Stress Tests are not a real reflection of any game (except in Vanguard's case and that was an extreme exception of crap).
If your not in it to be apart of the community finding bugs, noting what sucks, why it sucks and how it could be better...then stop signing up for Closed Beta and wait for Open otherwise your just screwing the game for yourself and everyone else.

To the OP ... I'm personally against Beta Testers getting to keep their characters. Its not usual at all for them to get them much less get a 'special' server. Not sure what game you've ever played where they did but most Triple A Titles do NOT ever allow you to keep Closed Beta Characters.

You are right about what the purpose of a beta is, but wrong about the motivation of the beta testers being important.

The devs need people playing, and creating errors and crashing the server, so they can collect and compile data and fix things. If you are playing the game in the beta, then you are performing that function. It really doesn't matter if you're playing with the attitude of I will find all bugs and report them cause I'm a good beta tester, or you play with the attitude of I want to play the game for free so I know if I wanna buy it.

Either way, when you zone into a dungeon and all your equipment disappears, it serves the same purpose for the devs.

MMORPG Maker

Godliest · February 2008

I would love to get into beta. It's a good way to get a feeling of the game and decide if you want to buy it or not. You can't base everything you see on how the game looks, but considering the game is fairly close to being finished I suppose your experience in the current beta isn't very far from how the game will look when finished. I don't see no negative sides, for me personally, so I would love to get invited.

DuraheLL · February 2008

I want in beta. Since I'm going restless waiting! I have not read any review from any site or such, not spoken to any beta tester for opinions. Nothing!

I want to build the image of the game in my head as soon as possible so I know what I'm waiting for.

And I do not think beta testers should keep their characters. They could get exp boost or something but I think it is cooler if everyone start out on the bottom so more people can play together on a early stage

elvenangel · February 2008

Originally posted by gillvane1

Originally posted by elvenangel

The whole reason for beta's is to test the game, give opinions, suggestions, and reasons why things don't work. You're supposed to be there to help shape the final outcome of the game. Granted there are some companies in the past that ultimate that say stuff it but we all know what happened there *coughs SoE*.
I get really annoyed when I see people talking about "i want to try before a I buy so I need to Beta" it means your not in it to make the game better. Your there assuming the game is finished & its going to ship as is which isn't the case in a real beta.
If you want to try before you buy do the Open Beta..what you get in Open Beta is what the game is like when it ships.
Beta STages up to Stress Tests are not a real reflection of any game (except in Vanguard's case and that was an extreme exception of crap).
If your not in it to be apart of the community finding bugs, noting what sucks, why it sucks and how it could be better...then stop signing up for Closed Beta and wait for Open otherwise your just screwing the game for yourself and everyone else.

To the OP ... I'm personally against Beta Testers getting to keep their characters. Its not usual at all for them to get them much less get a 'special' server. Not sure what game you've ever played where they did but most Triple A Titles do NOT ever allow you to keep Closed Beta Characters.

You are right about what the purpose of a beta is, but wrong about the motivation of the beta testers being important.

The devs need people playing, and creating errors and crashing the server, so they can collect and compile data and fix things. If you are playing the game in the beta, then you are performing that function. It really doesn't matter if you're playing with the attitude of I will find all bugs and report them cause I'm a good beta tester, or you play with the attitude of I want to play the game for free so I know if I wanna buy it.

Either way, when you zone into a dungeon and all your equipment disappears, it serves the same purpose for the devs.

MMORPG Maker

You totally missed the intent of my post. My post was against those that use it for their own personal 'free trial' and don't participate in turning bugs, writing up reports, in communicating with devs in anyway. These are the testers that disgust me. Yea you get to play the game but your there with the purpose of trying to help the dev's finish molding the game and finding things they didn't even know about. It just pisses me off when testers go there and use it as a free trial .... Closed Beta's are not an accurate representation of the game (except Vanguard rofl i think the world agrees on that).

I think we can all agree right now the WAR devs listen to their testers..if they hadn't Scenario PvP would still be the central way to RvR and we wouldn't have keeps.

And for the record I'd almost consider selling my soul to participate in the WAR Closed Beta. But I'm content to know that some really great testers are there...and eagerly anticipate the Open Beta.

andmiller · February 2008

Originally posted by gillvane1

I don't want to beta this game. I know that a lot of people are chomping at the bit to play this one, and the Beta is the way to get in on the action at the earliest possible moment.
However, playing the beta of the game can spoil the initial fun of logging on to the final version, IMO. I want to know if it's good or not, and the beta is the first indication of this, but I don't want to be in on it. I look forward to the NDA being dropped, and the beta testers can give their reviews of the game.
For this one, I'd rather just wait and play the game, rather than get a sneak preview. If it is good, I want everything to be new when I start playing. If it's not good, then I haven't missed anything by not being in the beta, and if it is good, I don't want the initial discovery to be spoiled.
On a related subject, what's your opinion of beta testers keeping their characters? The usual modus operandi is to allow the beta testers to keep their characters on one server, and all new players have the option of joining that server, knowing that some people have a head start, or join a new server.
Also, it's usually an indication of whether the game is good or not, depending on when the NDA is dropped. If it's at the last possible moment before the release, that's usually an indication that things aren't going so well.

MMORPG Maker

I agree with this post completely.

Now can someone tell me why I"m signed up for the beta and check my email everyday to see if I'm in??

Katova · February 2008

Originally posted by gillvane1

I don't want to beta this game. I know that a lot of people are chomping at the bit to play this one, and the Beta is the way to get in on the action at the earliest possible moment.
However, playing the beta of the game can spoil the initial fun of logging on to the final version, IMO. I want to know if it's good or not, and the beta is the first indication of this, but I don't want to be in on it. I look forward to the NDA being dropped, and the beta testers can give their reviews of the game.
For this one, I'd rather just wait and play the game, rather than get a sneak preview. If it is good, I want everything to be new when I start playing. If it's not good, then I haven't missed anything by not being in the beta, and if it is good, I don't want the initial discovery to be spoiled.
On a related subject, what's your opinion of beta testers keeping their characters? The usual modus operandi is to allow the beta testers to keep their characters on one server, and all new players have the option of joining that server, knowing that some people have a head start, or join a new server.
Also, it's usually an indication of whether the game is good or not, depending on when the NDA is dropped. If it's at the last possible moment before the release, that's usually an indication that things aren't going so well.

MMORPG Maker

I agree with you for the most part. I for one, know that I won't be able to test either game because of my 4 year old computer that can just play WoW pretty nice. The only reason I would like to get in beta is to be able to learn more than the average person who is not in beta. It would give me a headstart from all the hardcore 18 hour + a day players. But for the most part I agree with what you say. Nice post

vmoped · February 2008

Having been in numerous closed betas since UO, I have to admit that beta testing can be a very aggravating experience usually filled with memory leaks and CTD bugs, but it is nice to see the game progress to release. One other thing that does irk me in most betas is the usual character wiping and class balance changes, which are necessary, but make the games dull and repetitive at times. I cant commet on what it is like in WAR beta, but for the most part betas have been a love/hate relationship for me.

One thing I have noticed is that most of the beta testers I meet in the various beta tests usually go on to purchase the game, and I think, at least in my case, that is usually due to the fact that you do (as a beta tester) feel like you were part of the development process (moreso than you really are).

I guess I would have to say in the end, that I do enjoy being apart of the betas for mmos.

jzuska · February 2008

As much as I would love to play the game (The release), and the anticipation is killing me, I do not want to be in the beta. Every beta I join it's just about squashing bugs, and I do enough of that in my professional life. I would love to get in ahead of release, but as far as being one of the beta testers. No thanks. Works out good for me since it's what, a few hundred in 500,000 that will get in.

That being said. Even when the game is released it's going to have bugs, lots of bugs. As much faith as I have in EA/Mythic it's gonna be rough. MMO developers see everything up to the first few point releases as beta. Just the way it is.

Anofalye · February 2008

Originally posted by elvenangel

And in the process destroying every reason that people want to play WAR. To Get Away from WoW and the WoW crowds.

I don't see why something happening on another server would affect you in anyway...for the records, I did play WoW about 24 hours and quit it, never look back.

Thornwolf · February 2008

I would rather be in the beta. For two reasons. 1) You can be proud that you were part of testing, and in some small way possibly contributed to improving the product even if you do not go on to play it. 2) It helps you get a look at it before buying it so if it is SO far off from what you would want to play then you need not waste a pile of cash on it. Seriously speaking.

I am not saying a few bugs, but like being in AO beta you saw the game was a pile. At the end of beta event the game had zones crashing and frozen players. Anyone who bought it either was quite the optimist, or was a crazy.

Celestian · February 2008

I'd like to take part in the beta for a couple reasons. One is to help squash bugs and give feedback on game play mechanics/problems. The other is to figure out which healer class I want to play The game play style for each of them seems to be different and I'd like to decide on one that I know will work out for me in the long run.

Midnitte · February 2008

Originally posted by Thornwolf

I would rather be in the beta. For two reasons. 1) You can be proud that you were part of testing, and in some small way possibly contributed to improving the product even if you do not go on to play it. 2) It helps you get a look at it before buying it so if it is SO far off from what you would want to play then you need not waste a pile of cash on it. Seriously speaking.
I am not saying a few bugs, but like being in AO beta you saw the game was a pile. At the end of beta event the game had zones crashing and frozen players. Anyone who bought it either was quite the optimist, or was a crazy.

Agreed, It's also good in the fact that you can see what bugs they do fix between beta patches and even from beta compared to release so you know if they actually fix stuff players report.

jerkson · February 2008

I normally apply to beta of games I've been waiting a long time for, basically to get feel of it before realease, testing etc. However if I dont get in, I normally know a friend or two who did, so the fact that I can see it that way, and hear what they have to tell, gives a pretty good insight. However not the same as playing yourself ofcourse

ghoul31 · February 2008

I want to get in to the beta , so I will have an advantage on release. I will know how everything works, where all the good spawns are, what are the best things to craft etc.

This is especially important in a PVP game. If you know the game, you can level faster, and if you know what the best skills are, you will do better in PVP, at least early on

Darthias · February 2008

I'd rather be in the Beta as theres nothing good on the market right now in my opinion.

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