I know this is way early: (Beta question)

[Kellzz]

Im sure im about 2 years early on asking this, but it has been nagging me for the past month now.


A common problem with beta testers is that they burn out in the beta and have difficulty staying once the game is live. Many have the mind set of "I just played this game, why do i have to do it again?"

What is being looked at to possibly prevent testers from looking at a live game and going "ugh, this crap again?"

Has the Wardog team even begun to consider the alpha/beta phase of the game yet to even answer this?
Or should i try again in 12 months? :p

[Hamilton]

That is difficult to answer and I think even most other companies are having the same difficulty as well. 
I'm thinking that having a long open Beta is a bad situation for what you just described.  So I think it would be short, mostly for stress testing.

Though we are using a Phased Approached Method, so even after a Beta test and going live, I figure there are going to be many people who will say, "Is this all there is?" and quit.  The trick is of letting people know that the system will expand and to check back later.  Hopefully they will and not just never return. 
I believe the key element of making this happen is by growing and engaging a community.  People play MMO's because of other people and friends.  MMO's are basically a virtual social network, with a common theme, interest or genre.

[Sturm Kintaro]

Part of that too Ham is finding the "right" beta testers.

Honestly, Beta Testing isn't about "playing" the game. . .  Beta testing is about "finding the bugs in the game so OTHERS can play the game"

It takes a special mindset to be a good beta tester.   It's filing bug reports, it's trying to re-create problems (Ok, so when I run off THIS rock @ 200 kph I can "Death From Above" this little mech 1 KM away. . . .  even though the game doesn't allow for DFA's. . .  hrm. . .  /report) more than once, so that you can safely report to the game devs that it IS a bug and not just a fluke.

Writing useful bug reports takes some skill as well.   Saying "I ran around for a bit and the Mech exploded" tells the game dev's nothing.   "I was running through a heavily forested area on X-513-78, at approximately 75 kph, when suddenly my mech slowed down, the heat spiked inexplicably, and my machine instantly exploded". . .  that gives them something to go on.

That being said, it's not all hard work.  Those stress tests of 80 v 80 mechs are just downright FUN!

Limited open beta(s) = Good
Long Open Beta = Bad.

I hate to say it, as we're all chomping at the bit to play, but it's for the best, long term.

[Agamemnon]

I agree personally with all of the comments...I have myself beta-tested about 10 games over the last 8 or so years...I draw a lot of experience from those tests, the cycles even some of the specific things to look for criteria-wise for a "good' tester.

 There's have been games I've tested I couldn't even figure out how to move in (as it was not standard mmo layout) no way to feedback to the devs. I have also been in strict testing sequences where I gave feedback after every mission, complete with forms, questions and surveys...yet the game epically failed because it wasn't fun and the dev's did not listen to that feedback or care to hear it.

I side with Hamilton on the length for sure. I tested one game so long that once it came out, I no longer wanted to play it as I had "seen it all", we hope to mitigate that quite a bit by the how and what we test. Take for iinstance our current WIP on the multiverse site...that is just a small taste just to show what models looks like and where some things begin...far from a finished "fun" product.....we've got a ways to go yet though...  if we want those bazillion pieces of content and story arc in as it should be...

Great question Kellzz

[Kellzz]

I too agree that Beta is for testing and not just to play a free game. But regardless of how the beta is handled, in the end, you are just playing the game. Just with a different mission. (bug reporting)


And yes, betas that are too long will wear out a tester, regardless of how they perform their job.
Open it up, give the testers a list of items to perform and after 2 weeks, close it and go through the reports.

I would have to say at most, run tests in 2 weeks (at the most) stints. then at the end compile all the data you have, fix those bugs, then do it again for a week to make sure nothing else was broken due to the fixes.

I was thinking about a texture swap during the beta. Sort of trick the brain into thinking its a new game.
The beta has one set of textures, while the live game has the textures that were intended.

[Kaetlyn]

Beta tests are odd creatures in the MMO industry; there seems to be a new trend rising with some companies who bring in raw testers (those who have not been following the game development), the reasoning being they do not want their hard core fans to get dissuaded and scare them off.

Will it work? I don't know, it's still too early to tell. And before anyone has a panic attack, we haven't made a decision on how beta tester selection will be done yet

The prime reason for a beta test has already been said - to find the bugs and other issues to make the game playable and enjoyable to the release customer. Unfortunately, recent trends have obscured people into thinking it is just early access to play for free.

[Wolve]

For the most part the only reason "most" ppl try to get into BETA is to get an advantage for themselves or their guilds.

I will admit I would use my BETA knowledge to gain an edge as I have done so in the past, but I did help to make the game better by reporting exploits and bugs...however as said, most only want to get in beta for personal gain and could care less about helping the Devs.

[Stigmatax]

I don't care about finding the bugs... well I do actually.... I do care about being able to kick some ass... chew bubble gum and swear alot while doing it.

What is needed on Alpha is to pick out the bugs... beta is simple stress test and stuff that was missed by the alpha team that usually comes in the form of complaints or gripes.

A rocking Alpha team is really necessary. I would go with a mix of devs and a few choice community members here once alpha is ready to get underway. I of course volunteer my services... not including the $50 starbucks card bribe... I mean contribution to the cause I would gladly give to Hamilton