The "Beta Effect" ...

[Zepath]

Below is a link an article on MMORPG that is one of the best I've every seen them post.

And it is so appropriate to the discussion of STO and these forums ...

The Beta Effect ... (http://www.mmorpg.com/showFeature.cfm/loadFeature/3619/page/1)

[satek06]

haha nice that was verry interesting to see what was said about the beta hype, good post.

[BaakCha]

Wow, he pretty much nailed on the head what has happened with just about every mmo that released in the last four years.

[Zandtar]

Nice article. I agree with it, and wonder if the companies (in general) also haven't contributed to the effect with releasing shoddy games as production releases? After a customer plunks down a good amount of money for a game that leaves them with the "How did this get out of beta?" feeling, I can see why people would want to use the Beta stage as a 'free eval' before spending money.

[mufti09]

Thanks Zepath, that was a good read, and yeah, it is sad that Beta's became a marketing tool instead of making sure things work.

[Loekii]

Wow, he pretty much nailed on the head what has happened with just about every mmo that released in the last four years.

I agree. Good read.

In the end I think the hype machine and the consequences it brings, creates itself. Expectations are too high, announcements come too early and fans have become so hardened on MMOs that we are way too critical sometimes. Heck just read our forums. Hopefully in the future the hype will die down and we will see better games made and less overhyped junk.

In my experience, it tends to be the games that I happen upon after release, that I find the most enjoying. Following games in development seems to kill some of that enjoyment.

The lesson to be learned from this article, as a fan, is:

Learn to manage you expectations and recognise hype for hype.

[RowdyDurango]

Thats a really good read, thx for the link!

[Kayos]

Good article, thanks

[dshawve1]

Nice article. I agree with it, and wonder if the companies (in general) also haven't contributed to the effect with releasing shoddy games as production releases? After a customer plunks down a good amount of money for a game that leaves them with the "How did this get out of beta?" feeling, I can see why people would want to use the Beta stage as a 'free eval' before spending money.

I think this is a big part of it for alot of people, along with the "i wanna get ahead group". Games aren't cheap, and with no refunds the policy, alot of people wanna decide if it's worth the investment.

[Tribbler]

Its about time, someone was able to write about what some of us have been trying to explain.

Good find!

[Rgoodfel]

Really good read, thanks for linking it.

[MikeJ]

Amen to that.......

"Why MMO companies start setting their fans' expectations three or four years before they are ready is baffling."

[Loekii]

Imo, Development 'PR' cycles are too long.

I think that if they had announced STO this July, instead of last July, the game hype would still be as high, but it would seem like we were getting a lot of information.

Think about it.

JUL 09 - STO MMO announced and Website goes up
DEC 09 - It goes into Beta
MAR 10 - It goes retail

(*dates just speculative)

So basically, the game goes to retail when people are still 'amped' about the game. They are excited and have not had time to become jaded by 'waiting' so to speak.

[karl-just-karl]

"Originally, beta tests were meant as a time for developers to put their games in the hands of players for testing. It was, and always has been, a crucial process in the design of a game and should allow for companies to make the changes needed that will help the player experience. The problem is that this isn't what beta tests are about anymore. Do you think players actually fight for Beta keys because they want to help you? Probably not. They want betas to play the game because they have to wait three to four years for it to actually launch. After that amount of time, they just want to try it out. They want to get a head start. We, as gamers, want beta keys so we can learn your game before anyone so when it comes out we are already masters. I know people will disagree with me on this, but I'm sorry, by and large, it's true. This, is "The Beta Effect."

I think he is really selling people short here. I ask any one of my friends what thier intentions are for the STO beta and they respond: "To make the game better at launch". I feel the same way. I guess the writer would say we were all lying. W/E, never heard of him anyways.

[Nastee]

nice post mate good read ;)

[mprhead5]

all in all cryptic hasn't had us on the leash for that long. many games are over hyped and thus under deliver in the end.

at this point you can't hide information from the masses. the internet has made it impossible to keep everything to yourself. once you start the PR you are locked in because thousands of people will be demanding more and more information.

yes lots of peolpe only want into beta because they want a head start. Some of us though actualy enjoy helping with the process.

[Nastee]

yea i agea with the beta point most gamers that follow dev forums are dedicated ones that will help the game in beta stages. i have before was the first time i enjoyed a few crashs and falling through maps then egaly contacting dev team with info, i really enjoyed it and looking foward to doing again some time.

[lordpenquin]

While I agree that SOME people want to help improve the game, the majority of beta "testers" are either looking for a free ride and or forknowledge of the content and game mechanics. They are the ones that rage on the forums about the server being down or the bugs or the game and probably don't submit a single bug report. It's a free ride for them and they don't care. We responsible beta testers sadly are the minority.

Another thing to consider is how horrible Cryptic used the "open" beta of Champions online as a marketing ploy to sell fileplanet accounts. You could only get the beta if you were a subscriber, and the open beta lasted only a week. A WEEK!

I remember "back in the day" when open beta would last at least a MONTH and sometimes longer if the bugs / client performance warrented it. I have a feeling that STO open beta will also be a fileplanet exclusive and it will also last a week. Then the game will be released even if it isn't ready. I hope they prove me wrong.

[Eclipse1987]

excellent read.

should be required reading to help reduce players who beta for the wrong reason's

[Koba]

I think he is really selling people short here. I ask any one of my friends what thier intentions are for the STO beta and they respond: "To make the game better at launch". I feel the same way. I guess the writer would say we were all lying. W/E, never heard of him anyways.

I disagree. This is why Cryptic is polishing the game more before beta. They know people just want to play it, and are not interested in contributing a lot to helping them solve bug problems. Which is why (according to someone in IRC today) Cryptic said beta is more about finding balance over finding bugs. Because if the game is too buggy, people will just stop participating in beta, and then never buy it at launch. ESPECIALLY with people getting in beta just for CO subscriptions.

I know people will disagree with me. There are a FEW out there that would test the game, but I think the trend has changed. With so much hype, and so much waiting, people want to play, not test.

Honestly, when you market CO subscriptions with, "get into closed beta with a 6-month or lifetime subscription," do you think that was marketing to boost hype and CO subs, or do you think they thought, I bet the people who would pay this would be the exact type of player we were looking for to help us with STO beta. Doubtful. There is no correlation whatsoever between dropping a few hundred bucks and good beta participants.

If anything, it encourages only those who are so hyped on the game, they want to play it now rather than later.

[amphigory]

The article was quite interesting and true.
I admit I got the 6mth CO cos of the STO beta slot.
But for me, I do want to have a good Star Trek game! (I'm sick of stupid boring Trek games)
For me, the "preview" or "demo" time is Open Beta.
Closed Beta is still a "testing" stage in my eyes. I'll be trying to find bugs and issues and report them to Cryptic.
I don't consider myself one of those players who must know every single detail and math of the game to take advantage over people. Frankly, that was one of the other reasons I left WoW - the whole min/maxing and "you must be geared/talented this way" crap.
As naive and cliche as it may sound, I do want to contribute to make the game a great game :)

[njdss4]

Great article. It'd be nice for betas to actually be betas again, but you know people are gonna leak footage of the game before they should and people will take it as being the final release and raise hell. Technology, mainly the internet, has taken away companies ability to properly beta test with anyone outside of their company.

It'd help to not announce MMOs so early, sure, but even before Cryptic officially announced STO we had already found job postings saying Star Trek Online was being made by Cryptic. You just can't beat the internet.

[Banar]

I think he is really selling people short here. I ask any one of my friends what thier intentions are for the STO beta and they respond: "To make the game better at launch". I feel the same way. I guess the writer would say we were all lying. W/E, never heard of him anyways.

Celebrity fallacy FTL.

[SenatorPardek]

An excellent article. I feel it accurately describes the evolution of the beta test, and in marketing for video and computer games in general.

[ODST_General]

I think he is really selling people short here. I ask any one of my friends what thier intentions are for the STO beta and they respond: "To make the game better at launch". I feel the same way. I guess the writer would say we were all lying. W/E, never heard of him anyways.

Gotta disagree, my buddy got into the CO beta and he really just used it as an excuse to play more or less. Like he would find a bug and just be like eh someone else probably already reported it. The hype thing really does hurt the beta because everyone wants it to be the best game it can be, but as was said after 3 years plus you really just want to play.

[Kurok]

Pretty accurate read. But that doesn't mean you *don't* get a lot of folks who honestly want to improve on the game and contribute to do so... even if it's in addition to their own agenda(s).

[Loekii]

Another thing to consider is how horrible Cryptic used the "open" beta of Champions online as a marketing ploy to sell fileplanet accounts. You could only get the beta if you were a subscriber, and the open beta lasted only a week. A WEEK!

I got into CO Open beta and did not have to buy a Fileplanet account.

I think you might be confusing one option as the 'only' option -- sort of like saying that Gamestop's Pre-Order is the 'only' pre-order.

[karl-just-karl]

Celebrity fallacy FTL.

What? I should consider his opinion reputable? Read his bio. pfft.

[ODST_General]

What? I should consider his opinion reputable? Read his bio. pfft.

Does not make him any less correct.

[Sullen]

That article almost made me wish that I didn't have a join date of August 2008 on my profile. I'm trying to keep my expectations low, but there's just so much I'm excited for in STO. I also completely agree with what he said about beta. STO needs to be the best game it can possibly be... you know, for my sake. ;)

[karl-just-karl]

Nothing that the guy said that was correct wasn't also correct in April (http://www.tentonhammer.com/node/66885) and the stuff that he says that is incorrect is...well...incorrect.

[indigowhale345]

Another thing to consider is how horrible Cryptic used the "open" beta of Champions online as a marketing ploy to sell fileplanet accounts. You could only get the beta if you were a subscriber, and the open beta lasted only a week. A WEEK!

That's not entirely true. CO open beta was initially for fileplanet subscribers but they did open it up to everyone for the last few days. I never would have gotten into the beta if they hadn't, and then never spent my taco money on the game after seeing that I liked it.

They also sort of extended the beta a couple days. But CO also spent like 8 months in closed beta or something like that, so the worst engine and game breaking bugs were pretty well long gone.

I guess STO open beta would probably be done the same way, but who knows?

[Archangelwoghd]

Zepath, you hit a home run on this.
Excellent artivle and post.

[Greenomen]

NIce. Good find.