About The Semi-open Beta...
Forlorn
Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 2634Banned
Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 2634Banned
<div class="IPBDescription">Post your thoughts here!</div> Since we can't post in the poll itself, I'm making a new thread right here.
My thoughts:
I think this would be a great idea!
I mean, even if you didn't join the constellation, you have to wait an additional what...? 3 more days? OH NOS! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo--> Who cares, it's not a big deal at all. At the same time, more people would have incentive to join the constellation program, and feel rewarded for doing so.
I was going to wait untill after 2.0 to join the constellation program, but now I may consider joining sooner! <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
My thoughts:
I think this would be a great idea!
I mean, even if you didn't join the constellation, you have to wait an additional what...? 3 more days? OH NOS! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo--> Who cares, it's not a big deal at all. At the same time, more people would have incentive to join the constellation program, and feel rewarded for doing so.
I was going to wait untill after 2.0 to join the constellation program, but now I may consider joining sooner! <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
Comments
I am all for it, but then I'm a playtester. ^^
I suspect that one of the main points of this test would be to see how the adjusted skulk toughness affects the average pubber. If the starting units are imbalanced on pubs and one side keeps getting creamed, new players might get too discouraged and never give NS a chance. First impressions are very important, so it's absolutely critical that this aspect be fun on launch day.
ROFL!
Hey, you are being a little impatient with the poll aren't you there buddy?
The big question is, how would Flayra prevent this semi-open beta from leaking out to a open beta? (WonID of constellation members?) If it cannot be done, is there a point?
The big question is, how would Flayra prevent this semi-open beta from leaking out to a open beta? (WonID of constellation members?) If it cannot be done, is there a point? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm pretty confident that they have a plan that works if this proceeds...
I am all for it, but then I'm a playtester. ^^ <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Hmm... Why in god's name would Flay use any other operation besides his own? If it was gamespy or something, how would that promote himself at all?
I'm curious, how did you come to that conclusion? If one of the goals of this semi-open beta would be to generate income, then why go through some middleman? The money that Constellation members donate goes straight to the devs' pockets.
Do you think that Gamespy, Fileshack, etc. would pay considerable cash to have an NS 2.0 exclusive?
(plus, if NS had anything to do with Gamespy or Fileplanet, i would be ticked off to say the least. I really don't like the whole ideals of those particular companies)
... in which case the poll is misleading. The "paid members of a certain service" is vague as all hell. Since there are good "certain services" (ie constellation) and bad services (gamespy/fileplanet) then peoples' answers are gompletely dependant on their interpretation of the question, and not at all consistent/objective, really. To put it more clearly - not everyone is answering the same question.
... in which case the poll is misleading. The "paid members of a certain service" is vague as all hell. Since there are good "certain services" (ie constellation) and bad services (gamespy/fileplanet) then peoples' answers are gompletely dependant on their interpretation of the question, and not at all consistent/objective, really. To put it more clearly - not everyone is answering the same question. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
sorry, what i meant to say was:
I am not willing to pay to play, when i can wait 2-3 days to play for free. I just don't have the money to spare (i'm 15, and my acount goes towards paying for EVE-Online (me and a friend) and saving for a new computer). I am a member of constellation however.
My point about Gamespy and fileplanet... I meant <b>if</b> it had anything to do with them. I've hated Gamespy for a long time now, since they took over most of the old free-games-related-download sites.
I'm curious, how did you come to that conclusion? If one of the goals of this semi-open beta would be to generate income, then why go through some middleman? The money that Constellation members donate goes straight to the devs' pockets.
Do you think that Gamespy, Fileshack, etc. would pay considerable cash to have an NS 2.0 exclusive?<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Actually, after talking with other people, I realize you're probably right. More important than straight income would be exposure for NS 2.0, and that would be better served by working through Fileplanet or similar.
Perhaps a good compromise would be to allow the beta to be accessed by both "Service X" and Constellation? It would allow us a preview of what happens when you put complete newbies in with "veteran" NS pubbers. Not just in the interest of balance -- the newbies will need guidance on how to play or else they may get confused and discouraged. Frankly, NS just isn't very fun when no one understands how to play the game.
Looking at it objectively I think you have to conclude that distributing NS 2.0 through one of the paid subscriber sites is a <b>great</b> idea. It would distrubute the game to a playerbase that plays lots of games, otherwise why would you subscribe to one of the services? And as a general rule these are gamers who have the means and motivation that could help spread the word to other players faster than anything else.
However the idea really bugs me on a personal level, as someone who spends hours upon hours playing the game every week, and spends even more time on activities related to NS. Stuff like hanging out with other players in IRC, reading forum posts, dissecting changelogs for my own forums, and helping other players play the game. The idea that a group of gamers that don't do this stuff would be able to play 2.0 before me is aggravating on a purely selfish level.
Mixed feelings indeed, as it makes tons of sense and could be very benefitial to both the community and the game, but it would upset me. For myself I think the benefits would outweigh the costs and say go for it. <b>However</b> I have a feeling that I'm in a minority, among players in a similar situation, in my overall conclusion.
Chalk another one up for the "No, but i'd get over it" choice.
[-edit- isn't a beta a un-finished version of the final product? Alpha > Beta > Release. I dont see why <b>i</b> would possibly put out a game that has bugs and vulnerable code... prolly make people think "Wow, this is some bad netcode and buggy play!" <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif'><!--endemo--> GG public beta.]
I have been informed previously that the playtesters run the whole range of skill, but just as opening it up to Vets gave the Developers a breath of fresh air and opinion, I think this could do much the same, and catch some issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Then again, it would help immensely if these semi-beta people were given to rational feedback and suggestions, versus screams of "Lame!", etc...
To sum it up, it isn't likely to give a whole lot of time for suggestions or improvements, but it could help catch some obvious (in retrospect) errors. I'm speaking hypothetically, of course.
Finally, if it brings in more money to the people that make it all happen, or helps them in any way, I am all for it. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
Twilight
Umm, yes, but if this Beta is released to certain people only a few days before the planned release, it is likely to closely reflect the finished product.
If there was "bad netcode and buggy play" in the game only two or three days before release, it was going to encounter problems anyway, or Flayra was really waiting for the last minute to fix major errors.
Twilight
Am I going to have to sell my body so I can become a constellation member? I hope not. Whatever, I'll find some way to pay.
Here's the truth, guys: whether or not the public beta happens, NS will release on the 31st. The beta would occur BEFORE this - i.e. probably Mon-Thurs of that week.
The rationale behind a public beta is an *excellent* one - a few days of MASSIVE testing, on a much larger scale than the PTs/Vets can produce, to see if there are any unforseen bugs that are found by sheer volume of players.
Flay's not asking you if you would pay to have it early - as I suspect many of you might. He's more asking if you'd be upset if NS 2.0 were opened up a few days early to a select group which might or might not include you. If that group is the Constellation group, then anyone who hasn't donated to Constellation is out of luck. If that group were an established service like Gamespy, anyone whe didn't have a Gamespy Complete would be out of luck.
In *both* scenarios, anyone who was willing to pony up a few bucks for a membership *would* have access to the pre-release beta. Anyone who didn't would receive 2.0 on the 31st, just as they would if the beta never happened.
Many of you dislike the idea because services like Gamespy are "evil"... well, it's time for a wake-up call: the Internet isn't free. Gamespy and services like it offer a valuable commodity to the world, and in a capitalist market they have every right to charge for that commodity.
If NS released early on Gamespy or something like it, the following would happen:
1) Any gamespy members would get early access to bugtest NS 2.0
<b>2) Any non-members would get access to 2.0 on the 31st, as promised.</b>
3) The final version of 2.0, released on the 31st, would be a more stable and balanced version than would have otherwise been possible without a beta test.
4) NS would get a huge amount of publicity, generating a much larger fanbase - not even only among service subscribers, but among free service users who see "NS 2.0 available to Gamespy Complete members!" or something like that.
The life of any mod/game is its player base. A pre-release beta to a specific service generates additional interest. Furthermore, it serves to create a more stable, more balanced, more PLAYABLE final release which will better appeal to players and keep them playing it.
Final analysis:<b>
You, as NS players, have NOTHING to lose from a pre-release beta, whether or not you are involved. You will get NS 2.0 as promised on the 31st, and you will get a more stable, more balanced build to boot. So please put aside your "me-first" and "Corporations are evil" attitudes, and help Flayra do what's best for Natural Selection.</b>
What about the servers?
Where exactly are they going to play if the server isnt released untill the 30th
What if no (or few) server ops want to switch versions, or are not members of the said group.
Will the server be released to all before??
I never liked this idea of paying to get a game a week earlier.......... im seriously against it
i think its totally unfair to release the so awaited ns 2.0 version to totally strangers because we can get more publicity, i mean, its not a moral thing to me..... i believe it sounds ok for you guys, but for me........ i would feel betrayed...
damn my lack of funds. damn it to hell....
<!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo--> $$$
This isnt to say that i would give a leg or foot to get it early... (no arms, need those to play it!!)