Sto... In Prebeta

[Dooley422]

I've Heard On Betawatcher That The Game Is In Prebeta. I Know They're Working On It, But There Have Been Rumors Of The Game Is In Internal Alpha. That Mean's, Beta Can't Be Too Far Off

[LordDave]

I've Heard On Betawatcher That The Game Is In Prebeta. I Know They're Working On It, But There Have Been Rumors Of The Game Is In Internal Alpha. That Mean's, Beta Can't Be Too Far Off

By not too far off do you mean a year or a month?
Because it's probably around 4 months.

[IanD967]

they have a playable version but it is full of bugs at the moment and to use a stage name i would guess it is pre-alpha

[Loekii]

Two weeks ago, we were told they have not even started 'Friends and Family' yet, so that might help with the measure.

[Dooley422]

I Mean Around The End Of July-august.

[Vorador]

We've known for a while that the game is being tested internally by cryptic for a while now. This does not mean anything when it comes to beta testing. It could still possible be a while before alpha testing is complete.

[Kinjiru]

If I was a betting man (which I am occasionally), I'd say closed beta invites could hit as early as September/October, but that's total educated guess and speculation on my part.

[Zepath]

Well, if its in internal beta (which is Alpha), we're not going to hear about it or its results. I mean they might tell us they are testing ... but that's not like a running summary of how beta is going.

Likely we won't hear about the closed beta either, unless someone violates their NDA. Most closed beta NDA prohibit you from letting anyone know you're participating. See the sticky (this forum) where Cryptic makes it clear you agree in your NDA that you cannot tell anyone you are participating in the beta.

If the game is coming out Q1 of 2010, as has been hinted in videos and interviews ... then being in Alpha makes sense. Closed beta would start somewhere around October, then open beta around January.

However, I think Q1 of 2010 is their ideal target date .... I never depend on those dates. CO was supposed to launch in April (3 months ago).

Those dates they give are serious dates ... they do everything they can to hit them. Unfortunately, events usually transpire against them. But they have to have the dates just the same, or they will never be done with the project. :)

[Dooley422]

I'll Wait Til Christmas If I Have To. This Looks Like A Good Game For My Family. Especially The Trekkies

[Kinjiru]

Likely we won't hear about the closed beta either, unless someone violates their NDA. Most closed beta NDA prohibit you from letting anyone know you're participating.

Although we'll be able to speculate by the number of usual posters who drop in frequency. :)

[Loekii]

Although we'll be able to speculate by the number of usual posters who drop in frequency. :)

I agree. Which might be a bad thing for this forum, as the traffic doesnt seem too high.

Beta leaks are usually quite frequent, just like the explosion of 'guides' right at release. If the forum moderators at various locations are not on their toes about it, you can usually find leaks, not to mention the other methods people violate the NDA without leaving a trail.

[Zepath]

So true ... when we start seeing the more informed members of our community stop posting, and some of the loudest complainers stop complaining .... you can be pretty sure something is going on behind the scenes.

Although I'm not so sure Cryptic will just take people because they are constantly posting or complaining.

I don't know the company, so consider the source. Its just my observation.

[Marytha]

I think they're in Post-Alpha, Omega Simga . That's really just my personal opinion.

Marytha

[Zepath]

While we're on the subject ... those new to the beta process need to understand that typically when you apply, they ask for a configuration dump (a program that provides them with all the specifics about your rig).

Many beta testers are picked because of their rig configuration. They need a group of people that have THAT video card, or THAT CPU, or THAT sound card.

Other companies want a group of people who are experienced at MMOs, people who are Average, and those that are total noobs.

I wouldn't be surprised with this group that they don't parse some of the posts and grab a group who is specifically interested in PvP, a group specifically interested in PvE, a group specifically interested in exploration, and on and on.

And no, you can't lie your way into a beta ... because you never know what they are looking for in a given round of invites. Your fabricated info and/or uber-rig might be exactly what they don't need during a given round of invites. :)

[Archangelwoghd]

Well, if its in internal beta (which is Alpha), we're not going to hear about it or its results. I mean they might tell us they are testing ... but that's not like a running summary of how beta is going.

Likely we won't hear about the closed beta either, unless someone violates their NDA. Most closed beta NDA prohibit you from letting anyone know you're participating.

If the game is coming out Q1 of 2010, as has been hinted in videos and interviews ... then being in Alpha makes sense. Closed beta would start somewhere around October, then open beta around January.

However, I think Q1 of 2010 is their ideal target date .... I never depend on those dates. CO was supposed to launch in April (3 months ago).

Those dates they give are serious dates ... they do everything they can to hit them. Unfortunately, events usually transpire against them. But they have to have the dates just the same, or they will never be done with the project. :)


The NDA will guarantee that we don't know when beta testing is occurring. Still the rumor will get out eventually, but by then the choices will have been made. The last thing anyone wants is for a bunch of kids begging to be beta testers because they think it's some kind of sneak peek or game advantage. Anyone who's ever done beta testing knows that it's monotonous, tedius work that requires detailed descriptions of any bugs found. Honestly, I can't say that I'd personally ever do it again, it really isn't fun.

[Loekii]

So true ... when we start seeing the more informed members of our community stop posting, and some of the loudest complainers stop complaining .... you can be pretty sure something is going on behind the scenes.

Although I'm not so sure Cryptic will just take people because they are constantly posting or complaining.

I don't know the company, so consider the source. Its just my observation.

Well I can only speak for myself, but I am more concerned with the quality of the end product, than being in beta, or even 'liked' by Cryptic.

The NDA will guarantee that we don't know when beta testing is occurring.

It actually depends upon the wording of the agreement. I have been in a few where it was okay to confirm you were in Beta.

[Zepath]

The NDA will guarantee that we don't know when beta testing is occurring. Still the rumor will get out eventually, but by then the choices will have been made. The last thing anyone wants is for a bunch of kids begging to be beta testers because they think it's some of sneak peek or game advantage. Anyone who's ever done beta testing knows that it's monotonous, tedius work that requires detailed descriptions of any bugs found. Honestly, I can't say that I'd personally ever do it again, it really isn't fun.

Well, unless they lie (and man, they better never get caught) ... no one under 18 can be a beta tester anyway.

You have to be 18 to legally sign a contract (NDA).

[Dooley422]

I'm Doing Open Beta, Because Anyone Can Do That Once It Opens. Must I Draw You Guys A Picture

[dyvimtorm]

I think they're in Post-Alpha, Omega Simga . That's really just my personal opinion.

Marytha

I thought they were in Riker Alpha 6-0 stage....kaboom.

[Marytha]

The NDA will guarantee that we don't know when beta testing is occurring. Still the rumor will get out eventually, but by then the choices will have been made. The last thing anyone wants is for a bunch of kids begging to be beta testers because they think it's some of sneak peek or game advantage. Anyone who's ever done beta testing knows that it's monotonous, tedius work that requires detailed descriptions of any bugs found. Honestly, I can't say that I'd personally ever do it again, it really isn't fun.

Most of my beta experience has been to do all that, join with lots of other testers saying the game isn't ready for release, and watch the game get released anyway. Most disheartening. To complain about bugs that are truly game affecting, and watch them not get fixed for months, and the game release with them. *shrugs* So I'm not certain how companies are really using us as beta testers.

Marytha

[Loekii]

I have also seen beta tests, where they cannot even get enough people to log into the game for specific focus tests.

[Zepath]

Well I can only speak for myself, but I am more concerned with the quality of the end product, than being in beta, or even 'liked' by Cryptic.


I'm with you 100% there. I'd love to be in beta ... but I'd rather not be in beta and have them get the people they need, that allows them to test what they need, and are serious beta testers for them, not people just looking to get a free peek at the game. Which unfortunately is the case for most people who apply.

[Davorn]

I Mean Around The End Of July-august.

Of 2010. That is probably doable. ;)

[Loekii]

Most of my beta experience has been to do all that, join with lots of other testers saying the game isn't ready for release, and watch the game get released anyway. Most disheartening. To complain about bugs that are truly game affecting, and watch them not get fixed for months, and the game release with them. *shrugs* So I'm not certain how companies are really using us as beta testers.

Marytha

I agree.

The problem is that I think Beta Testing, is not about Feedback, but rather it is simply:

polishing their product
Bug hunting
Load Testing


The Devs consider beta testers to be ignorant or too hardcore. For the most part, testers might influence a thing or there, but nothing substantial -- as in delaying release, changing poor mechanics, etc.

Again, I point to the number of poor games out there as an example. Most of the time, you will find that people brought up issues in Beta, only to have it fall upon deaf ears and the 'The devs know better.'.

Testers and posters, should be like like little smoke alarms -- if they squeek, go make sure there is no fire and find the source of the smoke. The problem is that too many developers are the types that decided to not put batteries in the alarm and than stand dumbfounded that their game is getting flammed at release.