Beta Testing

[ForesterSOF]

I have 2 questions:

1. When will Beta Testing start

2. How can I get in on it
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[Therlun]

lol great post...

the game was said to enter early (internal) beta some time ago.
as Ziamat said something about a "loooong" beta phase i would assume it willl be still some time.

2. i dunno.
i would assume by applying, once the open beta is announced.

[Sim-Mania]

Whenever the Beta test phase does begin, I hope its not just for the residents of America and Canada.

After all, Australia is not very far via cyber-space.

[Wraith]

I've been following the development for a while. I'm glad it's finally getting to beta stages. Any idea how many applicants will be accepted?

[ForesterSOF]

No idea yet but I hope that everyone on the forums and related places has first crack.
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[Anguille]

Here's to hope
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[RobHuntingdon]

Actually Therlun they are going to formally enter 'beta' phase sometime this spring. I don't know about Germany but in Canada I'm pretty sure it's not spring yet... Ohio is trying to start spring but we're not having as much sucess as some might like. Which means right now they are probably working at a feverish pace, getting no sleep whatsoever and living on coffee and junkfood as they scramble to reach 'feature complete' where every game feature is complete. Then they go to beta testing where they try very very hard to fix every bug they possibly can.

Zaimat mentioned awhile back that they plan to start small and add additional testers over time. My personal guess is there will be about three or four times when they bring in additional people, once every few months most likely. From my own experience in general software development I know it's common to do a lot of internal testing first before you let clients/customers start playing around with things. So they won't have many (or maybe even any) outside testers at first, and things will grow over time... small numbers at first while they figure out how to handle testers who aren't on site, more as they get experience at dealing with the various issues involved.

I can't speak for Zaimat on this, but I know that if I was in charge I would not want to be pestered about it. So I would guess that it's OK to mention your interest but I'd refrain from bumping or sending lots of PMs/emails.

RH
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Tarry here, my merry men, whilst I seek what adventure await in yonder greenwood; but look thou listen for my call, for I will blow my horn if I become hard-pressed.

Adapted from Sterling, pg. 45

[ForesterSOF]

In Central Arizona the trees are already blooming.

As far as intentions I have made mine known and when I can do a form then I will give experience.
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[Queeg 500]

Yesterday Spring had definately "sprung" in London. T'was a fantasticly sunny day and about 20 degrees outside. It's been a long time since I've seen Regents Park that busy on my walk to the station. And to think 3 weeks ago I was freezing my ass off watching the ruggers in Twickenham and a few days before that the snow had stopped me getting to work!!

Today's nice as well so I'll be leaving work early for an afternoon lounge in the park8)
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MOO3 Refugee


We are talking Jape of the Decade. We are talking April, May, June, July, and August Fool.

[Wraith]

It looks like spring, but I think the official start isn't for another week.

[Sobriquet]

"Spring" officially started here (Reno, NV) at 4:37 AM this morning. Last week was beautiful with 60-70 degree temps. Then spring arrives, with a winter storm producing 1-3 feet of snow in the mountains. Which I had the grand experience of driving through. Chain controls make driving such fun.

So of it's Spring there awaiting fer, then it's here by golly!

Oh, and I want to be a beta tester, too.
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[Betaman]

Oh! Wooden I like to be a Beta Tester Too!

Please add me!

[pilum]

I would guess that most people by showing interest in the development of the product at this stage would like to be beta testers - who wouldnt. I guess it depends on their plans for testing whether it eventually becomes a staged open release (e.g. invitees, forum board members, open announcement) or indeed like GalCiv2 a paynow and get a final version on release.

The problem i believe in having an open beta too early is that if it is too buggy then this can be infuriating e.g. moo3 (i realise that there will be more tolerance due to it being beta) but it must be reasonable imho.

regards

[Wraith]

[Zaimat]

Basically in my view it comes down to:

a) We pick people who we think will be good beta testers. There will be more interaction with them. After all time is limited and we got so much work to do. Easyer to organize, manage a small group, low cost. The standard method for traditional developers.

b) Let everyone/anyone, wide open beta. Either a model where people pay up-front (a la galciv) or at the very least a smaller up-front fee (which can be deducted when they buy the release version). Since we have to setup and maintain a high-bandwidth pipe/server to deal with the downloading. As a bonus if enough people get into the program, it helps the development with an immediate cash infusion as well as showing the level of interest to a publisher.

Both models have their merits and advantages. Right now our plan is to start a gradual method. But all the regulars on the forum will have a chance to participate in the beta-section even if you aren't directly into the beta-tester group. And ultimately based on this we will decide to open-up the program and which direction to go.

[Betaman]

Zaimat,

Thanks for the information. I have been on many Beta Testing teams. I have tested SE4, SE4 Gold, and SE4:Star Fury, and SE5. Galciv 1, and 2.

Malkary, Ares Rising, Star Trek Birth of the Federation, Fargate.

If you need my assistance, please let me know. My real job is in Tech Support. I am a Application Engineer.

Thanks,

Betaman

[Anguille]

[Flinx]

[ForesterSOF]

It has been a long time relativly speaking and dont want to give up my spot of posible beta testing so

bump
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[NacNud]

I'm sure that they will start/expand the beta when they are ready. When they take time with these things it just shows that they are trying to make a solid game.