It's also an opportunity to do a bit of marketing, allow players who have been eagerly waiting for it an early look, and see a broader player base reaction to limited content.
It's all of the above. Good for everyone: little cost, some pain, more exposure & win/wins all around if you keep your perspective.
im playing closed/open beta of sto, i didnt pay a cent to do so. im also reporting bugs and issues so they have a chance to get fixed for launch. i am also likeing the game, fun space pvp, playable ground combat, dont get me wrong, the ground combat isnt bad persay, i just prefer the space shoot outs. making little fed bitches warp cores breach is just priceless fun. to the sto is a single player game crowd, hardly, you get out what you put in, if you want to socialize you cant go around being anti social. much as in real life, it dont work that way.
This post by Ambre is part of the problem with beta testers today. Some companies use the beta as a marketing gimmick and when other companies allow you to be part of the real testing process all of these spoiled gamers complain that it's not a demo with just a few bugs.
I'm not judging or saying it's right. Just describing a fact. Back 5 years before, CB were only to test, correct bugs and improve the game, OB were to advertise it hoping to catch new customers. Right now, spots in CB are for sale, indirectly via preorders, long term subs to other MMOs of the same company... etc, and even ppl have payed for guarantied OB spots. It's just the way it's going.
I'd say the problem (if there is one) is rather with people who are ready to pay to play a CB or OB, based only on what devs and fanbois say about a game. This is all about the hype mechanism, when both MMO companies and players at the end always loose.
Sorry but it's been a long time open betas are no more for bug reporting and much more for advertising the game, and if possible get a few bucks from players who cannot wait for a free beta key (all the preorder stuff).
So the whole "it's a beta, dont judge or review the game and just report bugs" thing is a bit out of date. The game you see now, will most probably be very close to the game being released in like a month. It doesnt mean cryptic is not working on the game, and wont improve it in the future.
First off I agree with the OP. If you don't want to play a game with bugs and issues that need to be fixed then wait for release. Don't bitch about a game in beta because the devs dare to test the game and allow you to help. Help or gtfo until release or later.
This post by Ambre is part of the problem with beta testers today. Some companies use the beta as a marketing gimmick and when other companies allow you to be part of the real testing process all of these spoiled gamers complain that it's not a demo with just a few bugs.
You really think you are helping when you participate in an open beta? Amusing.
As others have mentioned, open beta is a marketing gimmick, nothing more and what you see today is pretty much what you'll see at launch unless they decide to delay the release.
You really think every company who has a game in beta is doing it the same way? Some companies use "beta" when they really need to be saying "demo" and then when a company actually uses the word beta and and expect people to beta test, even if they only help a little, people get outraged at the fact that they aren't using beta as just a marketing gimmick.
This post by Ambre is part of the problem with beta testers today. Some companies use the beta as a marketing gimmick and when other companies allow you to be part of the real testing process all of these spoiled gamers complain that it's not a demo with just a few bugs.
I'm not judging or saying it's right. Just describing a fact. Back 5 years before, CB were only to test, correct bugs and improve the game, OB were to advertise it hoping to catch new customers. Right now, spots in CB are for sale, indirectly via preorders, long term subs to other MMOs of the same company... etc, and even ppl have payed for guarantied OB spots. It's just the way it's going.
I'd say the problem (if there is one) is rather with people who are ready to pay to play a CB or OB, based only on what devs and fanbois say about a game. This is all about the hype mechanism, when both MMO companies and players at the end always loose.
I can see what you are saying, but part of the problem is that people think every company does everything the same way and that they do it the same for every game. Sometimes they actually want you to help test the game, find bugs and give constructive feedback to them to they can make a better game for release. Not so you can demo the game and decide if it's worth buying, of course anytime they allow outsiders to see, play or be a part of the process it is marketing but sometimes it is indirect marketing.
If anything CB is for a more structured type of testing and OB is for unstructured or a less structured type of testing. When players are allowed to participate in betas they shouldn't presume that this is going to be a demo with bugs beacuse another beta they participated in was done that way. Every company is different, every project is different and when approaching the beta people should realize that every beta is done differently.
Sorry but it's been a long time open betas are no more for bug reporting and much more for advertising the game, and if possible get a few bucks from players who cannot wait for a free beta key (all the preorder stuff).
So the whole "it's a beta, dont judge or review the game and just report bugs" thing is a bit out of date. The game you see now, will most probably be very close to the game being released in like a month. It doesnt mean cryptic is not working on the game, and wont improve it in the future.
First off I agree with the OP. If you don't want to play a game with bugs and issues that need to be fixed then wait for release. Don't bitch about a game in beta because the devs dare to test the game and allow you to help. Help or gtfo until release or later.
This post by Ambre is part of the problem with beta testers today. Some companies use the beta as a marketing gimmick and when other companies allow you to be part of the real testing process all of these spoiled gamers complain that it's not a demo with just a few bugs.
You really think you are helping when you participate in an open beta? Amusing.
As others have mentioned, open beta is a marketing gimmick, nothing more and what you see today is pretty much what you'll see at launch unless they decide to delay the release.
From my understanding, they added the Genesis system content when OB started, so it is untested.
Beyond that, real stress testing occurs with the larger numbers of people logging in that generally accompany an OB. The game is down even as I type this for maintenance/patching. Perhaps this was made necessary because of the extra load? Perhaps making adjustments to compensate for that extra load might make the launch go more smoothly?
Hell hath no fury like an MMORPG player scorned.
AmazingAveryAge of Conan AdvocateMemberUncommonPosts: 7,188
Originally posted by Rohn
Originally posted by Kyleran
Originally posted by colutr
Originally posted by Ambre
Sorry but it's been a long time open betas are no more for bug reporting and much more for advertising the game, and if possible get a few bucks from players who cannot wait for a free beta key (all the preorder stuff).
So the whole "it's a beta, dont judge or review the game and just report bugs" thing is a bit out of date. The game you see now, will most probably be very close to the game being released in like a month. It doesnt mean cryptic is not working on the game, and wont improve it in the future.
First off I agree with the OP. If you don't want to play a game with bugs and issues that need to be fixed then wait for release. Don't bitch about a game in beta because the devs dare to test the game and allow you to help. Help or gtfo until release or later.
This post by Ambre is part of the problem with beta testers today. Some companies use the beta as a marketing gimmick and when other companies allow you to be part of the real testing process all of these spoiled gamers complain that it's not a demo with just a few bugs.
You really think you are helping when you participate in an open beta? Amusing.
As others have mentioned, open beta is a marketing gimmick, nothing more and what you see today is pretty much what you'll see at launch unless they decide to delay the release.
From my understanding, they added the Genesis system content when OB started, so it is untested.
Beyond that, real stress testing occurs with the larger numbers of people logging in that generally accompany an OB. The game is down even as I type this for maintenance/patching. Perhaps this was made necessary because of the extra load? Perhaps making adjustments to compensate for that extra load might make the launch go more smoothly?
Exaclty, LOTRO, AoC both had that final stress testing that was needed.
This post by Ambre is part of the problem with beta testers today. Some companies use the beta as a marketing gimmick and when other companies allow you to be part of the real testing process all of these spoiled gamers complain that it's not a demo with just a few bugs.
I'm not judging or saying it's right. Just describing a fact. Back 5 years before, CB were only to test, correct bugs and improve the game, OB were to advertise it hoping to catch new customers. Right now, spots in CB are for sale, indirectly via preorders, long term subs to other MMOs of the same company... etc, and even ppl have payed for guarantied OB spots. It's just the way it's going.
I'd say the problem (if there is one) is rather with people who are ready to pay to play a CB or OB, based only on what devs and fanbois say about a game. This is all about the hype mechanism, when both MMO companies and players at the end always loose.
I can see what you are saying, but part of the problem is that people think every company does everything the same way and that they do it the same for every game. Sometimes they actually want you to help test the game, find bugs and give constructive feedback to them to they can make a better game for release. Not so you can demo the game and decide if it's worth buying, of course anytime they allow outsiders to see, play or be a part of the process it is marketing but sometimes it is indirect marketing.
If anything CB is for a more structured type of testing and OB is for unstructured or a less structured type of testing. When players are allowed to participate in betas they shouldn't presume that this is going to be a demo with bugs beacuse another beta they participated in was done that way. Every company is different, every project is different and when approaching the beta people should realize that every beta is done differently.
I concur completely with the closing statements above. Open Beta gives a software developer a huge pile of additional data to mature their product. Why do you think this following quote is so popular?
“A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.” – Douglas Adams
One month is by far not enough time to push through any major changes of bug fixes. I've been through them for at least 8 years, and every single time it's been exactly the same thing. I've never seen an open beta which doesn't represent the launch product for at least 95%.
Hoping that open beta is actually useful is one thing, being convinced that it is is another. The servers during open beta are usually far too unstable to support a large enough playerbase to actually hunt down and kill the bugs which are so easily found by 10 times the amount of players in the first month of launch. While the concept started with good intentions and some developers are still trying hard to make use of beta (strangely enough Blizzard accomodates beta testers much better than any other game i know of), right now open beta is mostly a stress test for a limited amount of hardware, aswell as a relatively cheap way to build some PR while trying to get the server hardware ready for launch - The actual games changes almost not at all.
Open Beta on this game is not to test it for bugs.. It's major purpose if for marketing and stress testing the servers.. You can't beta test for a couple weeks thinking it's going to solve all the problems.. They should of called it stress test beta, because that is basically what it is..
Open Beta player go into the game with a fresh view, unaware of how things went in Closed Beta.
Let's face it, the game will not dramatically change between now and release. If many OB testers feel that the game is too slow paced, boring and bland looking - than this is telling potential customers something. Everyone with half a brain knows not to pay too much attention to people complaining about bugs - it's still beta, and I am sure at least the major ones will be gone by the time the game ships. It's the core aspects that I hear most complaints about (you know, the unfixable stuff).
That aside, I feel like the game is growing on me, a little bit at least. Did some grouped missions yesterday and that was actually very fun. But overall, I blame Cryptic for choosing the easy way out by recycling a lot from Champions Online. This game could (should) have been more.
Well I have to apologise for not having the same opinion as the OP. If I would have known it would make me look stupid to disagree with an obvious fanboy I would have just taken your opinion as mine and left it at that.
I feel so stupid for thinking for myself. I apologise.
+-+-+-+-+-+ "MMOs, for people that like think chatting is like a skill or something, rotflol" http://purepwnage.com -+-+-+-+-+-+ "Far away across the field, the tolling of the iron bell, calls the faithful to their knees. To hear the softly spoken magic spell" Pink Floyd-Dark Side of the Moon
I'm sure someone has bothered to mention this already, but I cannot be bothered to read all 5 pages of this trollbait...(yet strangely I was bored enough to post this...go figure..the internet porn must be boring tonight...)
Name a single MMO in the last 5 yrs that has somehow added significant amounts of content or a single major feature between open beta and launch...I doubt you can. "Open Beta" stopped being about any real testing (aside from server/connection stress load) a long time ago. I'm sure the company appreciates the bug reports, but what "Open betas" are these days is a combination of sneak peek, free trial offer and stress test...and that's about it.
So in short; what you see is what you are gonna get.
Well I have to apologise for not having the same opinion as the OP. If I would have known it would make me look stupid to disagree with an obvious fanboy I would have just taken your opinion as mine and left it at that. I feel so stupid for thinking for myself. I apologise.
Thank you for helping me prove my point.
I in no way offered an evaluation of the game or an opinion on it. I will offer my review eventually, but not until after launch.
This is the first I have seen someone called a fanboy before they even offered a review. I have won the internet.
That people like the quoted poster refuse to read or understand the purpose of a Beta (or in this case even a discussion of the Beta) is the issue. I think that is what really made you look stupid my friend.
Now to reply to the idea that nothing changes in an open Beta. Today there were over 100 bug reports, balance comments, and reports of server issues in the STO OB active. By launch most of those will be gone. The servers were down for hours. By launch perhaps that will be fixed. If Cryptic wants this game to succeed that is. This is true of any game during the open Beta process. This is the point of the process. Those who are complaining fail to grasp that. Those who say an open Beta is not for bug fixing are simply wrong.
Will the game mechanics, design, core concepts, etc. change before launch? Of course not! I never suggested that. If someone wants a WoW type clone they might not like this.
Now do companies want exposure during their Beta? Sure, but that is not the main point of the open Beta, at least not if the company is looking to succeed long term.
I'm sure someone has bothered to mention this already, but I cannot be bothered to read all 5 pages of this trollbait...(yet strangely I was bored enough to post this...go figure..the internet porn must be boring tonight...) Name a single MMO in the last 5 yrs that has somehow added significant amounts of content or a single major feature between open beta and launch...I doubt you can. "Open Beta" stopped being about any real testing (aside from server/connection stress load) a long time ago. I'm sure the company appreciates the bug reports, but what "Open betas" are these days is a combination of sneak peek, free trial offer and stress test...and that's about it. So in short; what you see is what you are gonna get.
I guess you missed the part about them adding in other aspects to OB near the end? Whether this happens or not is anyone's guess. Either way no one is saying there is going to be a bunch added or changed during OB, they are saying it is still a test no matter how you look at it. Whether it is to test load and server stability or something else it's still a test.
Taken off the launcher- Open beta will start with characters restricted to playing federation and klingon sectors only. You will not be able to access romulan, cardassian or borg space until we update a little later on in beta.
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
Sorry but it's been a long time open betas are no more for bug reporting and much more for advertising the game, and if possible get a few bucks from players who cannot wait for a free beta key (all the preorder stuff).
So the whole "it's a beta, dont judge or review the game and just report bugs" thing is a bit out of date. The game you see now, will most probably be very close to the game being released in like a month. It doesnt mean cryptic is not working on the game, and wont improve it in the future.
First off I agree with the OP. If you don't want to play a game with bugs and issues that need to be fixed then wait for release. Don't bitch about a game in beta because the devs dare to test the game and allow you to help. Help or gtfo until release or later.
This post by Ambre is part of the problem with beta testers today. Some companies use the beta as a marketing gimmick and when other companies allow you to be part of the real testing process all of these spoiled gamers complain that it's not a demo with just a few bugs.
You really think you are helping when you participate in an open beta? Amusing.
As others have mentioned, open beta is a marketing gimmick, nothing more and what you see today is pretty much what you'll see at launch unless they decide to delay the release.
From my understanding, they added the Genesis system content when OB started, so it is untested.
Beyond that, real stress testing occurs with the larger numbers of people logging in that generally accompany an OB. The game is down even as I type this for maintenance/patching. Perhaps this was made necessary because of the extra load? Perhaps making adjustments to compensate for that extra load might make the launch go more smoothly?
Exaclty, LOTRO, AoC both had that final stress testing that was needed.
No doubt open beta can be used to complete final stress testing (it shouldn't though, that belongs in the stress testing phase which comes before open beta, but that's besides the point) and in the case of AOC there actually was a significant improvement in overall performance. (went from bad to average)
But you won't see much of a change in the feature set or overall game mechanics (at least if they are smart, in CO they sure screwed the pooch with the launch day nerf) between today and launch. (and if you do, then this really wasn't an open beta after all, and the game is really just a paid beta rather than launched.)
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
Sorry but it's been a long time open betas are no more for bug reporting and much more for advertising the game, and if possible get a few bucks from players who cannot wait for a free beta key (all the preorder stuff).
So the whole "it's a beta, dont judge or review the game and just report bugs" thing is a bit out of date. The game you see now, will most probably be very close to the game being released in like a month. It doesnt mean cryptic is not working on the game, and wont improve it in the future.
^ This
Companies can no longer expect to be cut slack for an unfinished game in "beta" when they use that beta game as an inducement to purchase that or another game. Money has changed hands; the game can and should be judged on its condition at the time. The game may change prior to official release, true. But MMOs always change to some degree after going live, too, so where is the beta line really drawn?
Game companies have created this situation themselves. It their game gets a beating in the public eye during an alledged beta test, maybe they need to rethink their marketing strategy.
Originally posted by HunterAP Originally posted by apocalance Yeah, I don't know if I've ever seen a bug corrected that I've reported in an Open Beta. This goes back to Star Wars Galaxies when the bugs we were reporting in closed beta weren't even getting worked. I sometimes think the testers are more like lab rats and less like testers.
I thought that the Fallen Earth beta was one of the best I've ever taken part in. Not only were a lot of the bugs that I reported fixed, they were actively participating in the game, letting people know problems and helping people to get through their issues right in regional chat. If I were ever to develop an MMO, I'd follow their model for beta testing. The Fallen Earth official launch was horribly laggy. I don't think that they were ready for the onslaught, but I think that we've all come to expect that sort of thing by now.
Fallen Earth Beta was run very very well . I really liked the game but the combat just didnt do it for me.
All of this is mute until ST opens up their entire content which i guess will be someetime next week or so and then we can be in a little better position to judge
I wouldn't bother posting this as most people will just sit here and be like " no its not bug testing its an marketing thing." Which it is but the other part is testing bugs and its clear most of the people complaining about beta have never been in one or just have an axe to grind with cryptic. The expectations currently are too high for an mmorpg market that is just a sad fact and it's not based off of any real data its based off what people expect.
People want the same polish in single player games in mmorpg and that will never be as most popular mmorpgs started as shadows of what they are now. It's too expensive to be that polished and honestly with the fickle market even if it came out it still runs the same chance as unpolished mmorpgs. At the end we have to realize while this site has a lot of mmorpg players a lot of them are burnt out haven't found their niche so they will attack anything.
Another problem is people expected a game that didn't fit to the standards for the ip. I am a huge fan of the ip I grew up watching TNG and DS9. I was the nerd who at 12 got a star trek encyclopedia So many people who claim to want to preserve the integrity of the ip are claiming they want game mechanics that don't fit in the ip's world. As an example let me state the common game complaints I see.
- "Ship combat is too slow" : These are starships they are not fighters like in Star Wars. The starting ship (I'm assuming the starting ship is a Miranda class) has a max crew complement of 35 (I'm assuming the starting ship is a Miranda class) and weighs 655,000 metric tons. All that weight is moving through space at a speed of 20 km if power (if full impulse is not active) is not given to the engines effectively making it 8.75 km.
- " Nothing but mindless combat": well I guess me and them had different missions. I was actually surprised because I expected a lot of combat missions that there were search and find missions, and a mission which required me to actually read which is refreshing. There is a crafting part which is not open yet. Ship Customization, and a lot of different things to do with restraints of the ip in place.
- "Warp" map is hard to use i.e.: " I can't find instances" , "I can't find systems" : is it? there is a simple map feature which allows you to get right to important waypoints and systems. The primary function is for chatting and to form groups and yes it is similar to guild wars in that respect.
-"Too many instances", "It's a single player game" : Actually its nice because unlike most games I don't have to wait for a group to complete most content. (a problem I disliked in coh ever wanted to do so/to but you can't get enough people and when you do they drop off leaving you unable to finish it). When I wanted a group they were there and actually although usually I don't like auto grouping it is refreshingly nice in the way that I haven't grasped the team mechanics yet.
- "Can't find "name NPC here" : the map is a little bugged but either way all it takes is to read the mission while accepting it and you'll know where to find everyone.
In Conclusion: a lot of things are closed out and we're just getting a small sample of things to come. it is very promising what will happen with this game and I believe given some time to mature like all mmorpgs that it will be a rich and satisfying game but as it stands now it has all the makings of a game (for my play style at least) and its come off more polished then a lot of mmorpgs coming out. If you don't like it awesome but it's not cryptic's fault it's just it doesn't fit your play style. That is not a problem with the game nor is it really a problem with you it's just individual taste.
PS: forgive me there may be spelling and grammer mistakes I've only gotten a little sleep.
The biggest problem facing the STO Beta right now is the ridiculous number of players reviewing and commenting about STO as if it were launch day. The entire purpose of the Beta is to identify and correct problems in the game. So yes - there are bugs, and problems, and server issues, and it is unbalanced, and not all content has been opened up at this early Beta date. To those who are complaining I say - DUH! If you're not capable of submitting bug reports and offering constructive suggestions, you really should save everyone the headache and wait to play at launch. Just for God's sake stop whining that the Beta is still a Beta. You're ignorance only makes us feel embarrassed on your behalf.
And this is why "paid beta," or the advertisement, "Pre-Order to Get Beta Access!" should not be used.
The problem that has been created by this whole thing, is that it has blurred the lines of what a beta is now, and it confuses the customer as to what their actual ROLE is in the process.
They should call this a "pre-order PREVIEW" and remove the word "beta".....OR.....just call it a beta and stop asking people to pre-order to help with last minute testing. Because honestly.....most people are NOT filing bug reports, they're just whining, moaning, and complaining, as if the game was in a release state.
Comments
How about: you're all correct.
Open Beta is still Beta.
It's also an opportunity to do a bit of marketing, allow players who have been eagerly waiting for it an early look, and see a broader player base reaction to limited content.
It's all of the above. Good for everyone: little cost, some pain, more exposure & win/wins all around if you keep your perspective.
im playing closed/open beta of sto, i didnt pay a cent to do so. im also reporting bugs and issues so they have a chance to get fixed for launch. i am also likeing the game, fun space pvp, playable ground combat, dont get me wrong, the ground combat isnt bad persay, i just prefer the space shoot outs. making little fed bitches warp cores breach is just priceless fun. to the sto is a single player game crowd, hardly, you get out what you put in, if you want to socialize you cant go around being anti social. much as in real life, it dont work that way.
I am enjoying it immensely!
[Mod Edit]
I'm not judging or saying it's right. Just describing a fact. Back 5 years before, CB were only to test, correct bugs and improve the game, OB were to advertise it hoping to catch new customers. Right now, spots in CB are for sale, indirectly via preorders, long term subs to other MMOs of the same company... etc, and even ppl have payed for guarantied OB spots. It's just the way it's going.
I'd say the problem (if there is one) is rather with people who are ready to pay to play a CB or OB, based only on what devs and fanbois say about a game. This is all about the hype mechanism, when both MMO companies and players at the end always loose.
Check my blog on mmorpg.com.
First off I agree with the OP. If you don't want to play a game with bugs and issues that need to be fixed then wait for release. Don't bitch about a game in beta because the devs dare to test the game and allow you to help. Help or gtfo until release or later.
This post by Ambre is part of the problem with beta testers today. Some companies use the beta as a marketing gimmick and when other companies allow you to be part of the real testing process all of these spoiled gamers complain that it's not a demo with just a few bugs.
You really think you are helping when you participate in an open beta? Amusing.
As others have mentioned, open beta is a marketing gimmick, nothing more and what you see today is pretty much what you'll see at launch unless they decide to delay the release.
You really think every company who has a game in beta is doing it the same way? Some companies use "beta" when they really need to be saying "demo" and then when a company actually uses the word beta and and expect people to beta test, even if they only help a little, people get outraged at the fact that they aren't using beta as just a marketing gimmick.
My sig is just as logical as your posts are
I'm not judging or saying it's right. Just describing a fact. Back 5 years before, CB were only to test, correct bugs and improve the game, OB were to advertise it hoping to catch new customers. Right now, spots in CB are for sale, indirectly via preorders, long term subs to other MMOs of the same company... etc, and even ppl have payed for guarantied OB spots. It's just the way it's going.
I'd say the problem (if there is one) is rather with people who are ready to pay to play a CB or OB, based only on what devs and fanbois say about a game. This is all about the hype mechanism, when both MMO companies and players at the end always loose.
I can see what you are saying, but part of the problem is that people think every company does everything the same way and that they do it the same for every game. Sometimes they actually want you to help test the game, find bugs and give constructive feedback to them to they can make a better game for release. Not so you can demo the game and decide if it's worth buying, of course anytime they allow outsiders to see, play or be a part of the process it is marketing but sometimes it is indirect marketing.
If anything CB is for a more structured type of testing and OB is for unstructured or a less structured type of testing. When players are allowed to participate in betas they shouldn't presume that this is going to be a demo with bugs beacuse another beta they participated in was done that way. Every company is different, every project is different and when approaching the beta people should realize that every beta is done differently.
My sig is just as logical as your posts are
First off I agree with the OP. If you don't want to play a game with bugs and issues that need to be fixed then wait for release. Don't bitch about a game in beta because the devs dare to test the game and allow you to help. Help or gtfo until release or later.
This post by Ambre is part of the problem with beta testers today. Some companies use the beta as a marketing gimmick and when other companies allow you to be part of the real testing process all of these spoiled gamers complain that it's not a demo with just a few bugs.
You really think you are helping when you participate in an open beta? Amusing.
As others have mentioned, open beta is a marketing gimmick, nothing more and what you see today is pretty much what you'll see at launch unless they decide to delay the release.
From my understanding, they added the Genesis system content when OB started, so it is untested.
Beyond that, real stress testing occurs with the larger numbers of people logging in that generally accompany an OB. The game is down even as I type this for maintenance/patching. Perhaps this was made necessary because of the extra load? Perhaps making adjustments to compensate for that extra load might make the launch go more smoothly?
Hell hath no fury like an MMORPG player scorned.
First off I agree with the OP. If you don't want to play a game with bugs and issues that need to be fixed then wait for release. Don't bitch about a game in beta because the devs dare to test the game and allow you to help. Help or gtfo until release or later.
This post by Ambre is part of the problem with beta testers today. Some companies use the beta as a marketing gimmick and when other companies allow you to be part of the real testing process all of these spoiled gamers complain that it's not a demo with just a few bugs.
You really think you are helping when you participate in an open beta? Amusing.
As others have mentioned, open beta is a marketing gimmick, nothing more and what you see today is pretty much what you'll see at launch unless they decide to delay the release.
From my understanding, they added the Genesis system content when OB started, so it is untested.
Beyond that, real stress testing occurs with the larger numbers of people logging in that generally accompany an OB. The game is down even as I type this for maintenance/patching. Perhaps this was made necessary because of the extra load? Perhaps making adjustments to compensate for that extra load might make the launch go more smoothly?
Exaclty, LOTRO, AoC both had that final stress testing that was needed.
I'm not judging or saying it's right. Just describing a fact. Back 5 years before, CB were only to test, correct bugs and improve the game, OB were to advertise it hoping to catch new customers. Right now, spots in CB are for sale, indirectly via preorders, long term subs to other MMOs of the same company... etc, and even ppl have payed for guarantied OB spots. It's just the way it's going.
I'd say the problem (if there is one) is rather with people who are ready to pay to play a CB or OB, based only on what devs and fanbois say about a game. This is all about the hype mechanism, when both MMO companies and players at the end always loose.
I can see what you are saying, but part of the problem is that people think every company does everything the same way and that they do it the same for every game. Sometimes they actually want you to help test the game, find bugs and give constructive feedback to them to they can make a better game for release. Not so you can demo the game and decide if it's worth buying, of course anytime they allow outsiders to see, play or be a part of the process it is marketing but sometimes it is indirect marketing.
If anything CB is for a more structured type of testing and OB is for unstructured or a less structured type of testing. When players are allowed to participate in betas they shouldn't presume that this is going to be a demo with bugs beacuse another beta they participated in was done that way. Every company is different, every project is different and when approaching the beta people should realize that every beta is done differently.
I concur completely with the closing statements above. Open Beta gives a software developer a huge pile of additional data to mature their product. Why do you think this following quote is so popular?
“A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.” – Douglas Adams
One month is by far not enough time to push through any major changes of bug fixes. I've been through them for at least 8 years, and every single time it's been exactly the same thing. I've never seen an open beta which doesn't represent the launch product for at least 95%.
Hoping that open beta is actually useful is one thing, being convinced that it is is another. The servers during open beta are usually far too unstable to support a large enough playerbase to actually hunt down and kill the bugs which are so easily found by 10 times the amount of players in the first month of launch. While the concept started with good intentions and some developers are still trying hard to make use of beta (strangely enough Blizzard accomodates beta testers much better than any other game i know of), right now open beta is mostly a stress test for a limited amount of hardware, aswell as a relatively cheap way to build some PR while trying to get the server hardware ready for launch - The actual games changes almost not at all.
Playing: WF
Played: WoW, GW2, L2, WAR, AoC, DnL (2005), GW, LotRO, EQ2, TOR, CoH (RIP), STO, TSW, TERA, EVE, ESO, BDO
Tried: EQ, UO, AO, EnB, TCoS, Fury, Ryzom, EU, DDO, TR, RF, CO, Aion, VG, DN, Vindictus, AA
Open Beta on this game is not to test it for bugs.. It's major purpose if for marketing and stress testing the servers.. You can't beta test for a couple weeks thinking it's going to solve all the problems.. They should of called it stress test beta, because that is basically what it is..
Anyone got an ETA on when the server will be back up?
Getting too old for this $&17!
See, I disagree with the OP.
Open Beta player go into the game with a fresh view, unaware of how things went in Closed Beta.
Let's face it, the game will not dramatically change between now and release. If many OB testers feel that the game is too slow paced, boring and bland looking - than this is telling potential customers something. Everyone with half a brain knows not to pay too much attention to people complaining about bugs - it's still beta, and I am sure at least the major ones will be gone by the time the game ships. It's the core aspects that I hear most complaints about (you know, the unfixable stuff).
That aside, I feel like the game is growing on me, a little bit at least. Did some grouped missions yesterday and that was actually very fun. But overall, I blame Cryptic for choosing the easy way out by recycling a lot from Champions Online. This game could (should) have been more.
Well I have to apologise for not having the same opinion as the OP. If I would have known it would make me look stupid to disagree with an obvious fanboy I would have just taken your opinion as mine and left it at that.
I feel so stupid for thinking for myself. I apologise.
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"MMOs, for people that like think chatting is like a skill or something, rotflol"
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"Far away across the field, the tolling of the iron bell, calls the faithful to their knees. To hear the softly spoken magic spell" Pink Floyd-Dark Side of the Moon
I'm sure someone has bothered to mention this already, but I cannot be bothered to read all 5 pages of this trollbait...(yet strangely I was bored enough to post this...go figure..the internet porn must be boring tonight...)
Name a single MMO in the last 5 yrs that has somehow added significant amounts of content or a single major feature between open beta and launch...I doubt you can. "Open Beta" stopped being about any real testing (aside from server/connection stress load) a long time ago. I'm sure the company appreciates the bug reports, but what "Open betas" are these days is a combination of sneak peek, free trial offer and stress test...and that's about it.
So in short; what you see is what you are gonna get.
Thank you for helping me prove my point.
I in no way offered an evaluation of the game or an opinion on it. I will offer my review eventually, but not until after launch.
This is the first I have seen someone called a fanboy before they even offered a review. I have won the internet.
That people like the quoted poster refuse to read or understand the purpose of a Beta (or in this case even a discussion of the Beta) is the issue. I think that is what really made you look stupid my friend.
Now to reply to the idea that nothing changes in an open Beta. Today there were over 100 bug reports, balance comments, and reports of server issues in the STO OB active. By launch most of those will be gone. The servers were down for hours. By launch perhaps that will be fixed. If Cryptic wants this game to succeed that is. This is true of any game during the open Beta process. This is the point of the process. Those who are complaining fail to grasp that. Those who say an open Beta is not for bug fixing are simply wrong.
Will the game mechanics, design, core concepts, etc. change before launch? Of course not! I never suggested that. If someone wants a WoW type clone they might not like this.
Now do companies want exposure during their Beta? Sure, but that is not the main point of the open Beta, at least not if the company is looking to succeed long term.
I guess you missed the part about them adding in other aspects to OB near the end? Whether this happens or not is anyone's guess. Either way no one is saying there is going to be a bunch added or changed during OB, they are saying it is still a test no matter how you look at it. Whether it is to test load and server stability or something else it's still a test.
Taken off the launcher- Open beta will start with characters restricted to playing federation and klingon sectors only. You will not be able to access romulan, cardassian or borg space until we update a little later on in beta.
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
Having been in CBa dn in the OB I am quite enjoying the game, going back to Tutorial and lots had changed,
I for one am playing from launch, whether it has the ability to keep me is another matter, Lots of games I have tried had the same issue,
Beta tested Aion, Brought, never played live
Beta tested Fallen Earth, Brought, played for two Months
Beta Tested Darkfall, Never brought, Banned from Forums for mocking them
Beta Testing Mortal Online, Brought, waiting for launch
Beta Tested Vanguard, brought, played for two Years
Champions Online, Brought, lifetime Sub, play periodically
EvE, Brought, Played for two years, Still Subbed
WoW, Trial, Eyes bled after 15 mins, rogir mortis set in after 40 mins
WAR, brought, never went past free Sub
Conan, Beta Tested, Never brought
SOE Station Access (EQ,EQ2,SWU etc) Subbed for two years
I am a faily tought person to keep entertained in MMO but even I have spotted the Turkeys in the road during beta and avoided
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/ab/Norsefire-logo.png
First off I agree with the OP. If you don't want to play a game with bugs and issues that need to be fixed then wait for release. Don't bitch about a game in beta because the devs dare to test the game and allow you to help. Help or gtfo until release or later.
This post by Ambre is part of the problem with beta testers today. Some companies use the beta as a marketing gimmick and when other companies allow you to be part of the real testing process all of these spoiled gamers complain that it's not a demo with just a few bugs.
You really think you are helping when you participate in an open beta? Amusing.
As others have mentioned, open beta is a marketing gimmick, nothing more and what you see today is pretty much what you'll see at launch unless they decide to delay the release.
From my understanding, they added the Genesis system content when OB started, so it is untested.
Beyond that, real stress testing occurs with the larger numbers of people logging in that generally accompany an OB. The game is down even as I type this for maintenance/patching. Perhaps this was made necessary because of the extra load? Perhaps making adjustments to compensate for that extra load might make the launch go more smoothly?
Exaclty, LOTRO, AoC both had that final stress testing that was needed.
No doubt open beta can be used to complete final stress testing (it shouldn't though, that belongs in the stress testing phase which comes before open beta, but that's besides the point) and in the case of AOC there actually was a significant improvement in overall performance. (went from bad to average)
But you won't see much of a change in the feature set or overall game mechanics (at least if they are smart, in CO they sure screwed the pooch with the launch day nerf) between today and launch. (and if you do, then this really wasn't an open beta after all, and the game is really just a paid beta rather than launched.)
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
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Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
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"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
^ This
Companies can no longer expect to be cut slack for an unfinished game in "beta" when they use that beta game as an inducement to purchase that or another game. Money has changed hands; the game can and should be judged on its condition at the time. The game may change prior to official release, true. But MMOs always change to some degree after going live, too, so where is the beta line really drawn?
Game companies have created this situation themselves. It their game gets a beating in the public eye during an alledged beta test, maybe they need to rethink their marketing strategy.
I thought that the Fallen Earth beta was one of the best I've ever taken part in. Not only were a lot of the bugs that I reported fixed, they were actively participating in the game, letting people know problems and helping people to get through their issues right in regional chat. If I were ever to develop an MMO, I'd follow their model for beta testing.
The Fallen Earth official launch was horribly laggy. I don't think that they were ready for the onslaught, but I think that we've all come to expect that sort of thing by now.
Fallen Earth Beta was run very very well . I really liked the game but the combat just didnt do it for me.
I wouldn't bother posting this as most people will just sit here and be like " no its not bug testing its an marketing thing." Which it is but the other part is testing bugs and its clear most of the people complaining about beta have never been in one or just have an axe to grind with cryptic. The expectations currently are too high for an mmorpg market that is just a sad fact and it's not based off of any real data its based off what people expect.
People want the same polish in single player games in mmorpg and that will never be as most popular mmorpgs started as shadows of what they are now. It's too expensive to be that polished and honestly with the fickle market even if it came out it still runs the same chance as unpolished mmorpgs. At the end we have to realize while this site has a lot of mmorpg players a lot of them are burnt out haven't found their niche so they will attack anything.
Another problem is people expected a game that didn't fit to the standards for the ip. I am a huge fan of the ip I grew up watching TNG and DS9. I was the nerd who at 12 got a star trek encyclopedia So many people who claim to want to preserve the integrity of the ip are claiming they want game mechanics that don't fit in the ip's world. As an example let me state the common game complaints I see.
- "Ship combat is too slow" : These are starships they are not fighters like in Star Wars. The starting ship (I'm assuming the starting ship is a Miranda class) has a max crew complement of 35 (I'm assuming the starting ship is a Miranda class) and weighs 655,000 metric tons. All that weight is moving through space at a speed of 20 km if power (if full impulse is not active) is not given to the engines effectively making it 8.75 km.
- " Nothing but mindless combat": well I guess me and them had different missions. I was actually surprised because I expected a lot of combat missions that there were search and find missions, and a mission which required me to actually read which is refreshing. There is a crafting part which is not open yet. Ship Customization, and a lot of different things to do with restraints of the ip in place.
- "Warp" map is hard to use i.e.: " I can't find instances" , "I can't find systems" : is it? there is a simple map feature which allows you to get right to important waypoints and systems. The primary function is for chatting and to form groups and yes it is similar to guild wars in that respect.
-"Too many instances", "It's a single player game" : Actually its nice because unlike most games I don't have to wait for a group to complete most content. (a problem I disliked in coh ever wanted to do so/to but you can't get enough people and when you do they drop off leaving you unable to finish it). When I wanted a group they were there and actually although usually I don't like auto grouping it is refreshingly nice in the way that I haven't grasped the team mechanics yet.
- "Can't find "name NPC here" : the map is a little bugged but either way all it takes is to read the mission while accepting it and you'll know where to find everyone.
In Conclusion: a lot of things are closed out and we're just getting a small sample of things to come. it is very promising what will happen with this game and I believe given some time to mature like all mmorpgs that it will be a rich and satisfying game but as it stands now it has all the makings of a game (for my play style at least) and its come off more polished then a lot of mmorpgs coming out. If you don't like it awesome but it's not cryptic's fault it's just it doesn't fit your play style. That is not a problem with the game nor is it really a problem with you it's just individual taste.
PS: forgive me there may be spelling and grammer mistakes I've only gotten a little sleep.
Biggest beta problem:
There hasn't been a beta for nearly 7 years that wasn't just completely for hype.
And this is why "paid beta," or the advertisement, "Pre-Order to Get Beta Access!" should not be used.
The problem that has been created by this whole thing, is that it has blurred the lines of what a beta is now, and it confuses the customer as to what their actual ROLE is in the process.
They should call this a "pre-order PREVIEW" and remove the word "beta".....OR.....just call it a beta and stop asking people to pre-order to help with last minute testing. Because honestly.....most people are NOT filing bug reports, they're just whining, moaning, and complaining, as if the game was in a release state.
The problem...is the terminology, imo.
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