How to get into the alpha test?

[borgonater]

I'm wondering how to get into the alpha test because i've been reading about it and stuff and want to join.
So if somebody could tell me i would be grateful :D

[Rgoodfel]

No one is joining alpha or bata at this time. Details will be posted here when they come publicaly available.

oh and a possible lock incoming on this tread.

[Spire]

Get a job at Cryptic? Anything short of that and your not getting in Alpha. And for the begging your probably now on the bottom of their beta testers list.

[Eureka]

well idk about alpha, but for beta they said they might look to the forums: however, i dont think the developers want us talken about this stuff. due to posts becoming centered on the subject (alpha or beta) so for now i suggest you not worry about it yet im sure they lets us know later:D

[LordDave]

Get a job at Cryptic? Anything short of that and your not getting in Alpha. And for the begging your probably now on the bottom of their beta testers list.

^^ Yep. Only way to get into the alpha is to get a job at Cryptic and work on the STO project.

[hellodali]

I would love to test this game! I've been following the progress every since I first found out about it a couple of years ago. I've been playing mmorpgs since about 2001.

[Varrangian]

I've been in two Alphas and it was all because I knew people in the industry who were working on the project. Even then it is pretty darn rare.

[LordDave]

I'd hate to test this game.
It would make me sick of it before I played the finished version.

[eNDIE]

The developers usualy keep alphas for them selfs and maybe the familys and friends of the emplyes atleast that was the case when i was in a alpha test. and a warning alpha is realy basic the one i played didnt even have all the models in yet, strange feeling to be killed by a little cube:)

[Varrangian]

I'd hate to test this game.
It would make me sick of it before I played the finished version.

I have to agree, I have become burnt out on testing. For several years I tested nearly every new MMO or expansion and it was fun at first, but honestly looking for bugs, reporting them in a way that will help the devs. It changed the way I even played MMOs and made it hard to have fun.

[Bladedge]

Alpha testing is usually limited to the developers and their friends and family.

Unless you work for Cryptic or are a close friend / family member you just have to wait till beta.

[Trekkie]

As others have stated, nothing is known at this time about how the game will be tested but if you keep checking the main Star Trek Online website I am sure the details will be posted there eventually.

[thegeneral452]

it would be awesome to beta test ive never did anything like it

[Varrangian]

it would be awesome to beta test ive never did anything like it

Be careful what you wish for. Testing is not the same as playing, and in my experience testing can burn you out on a game long before you get the chance to buy it.

[damo]

Be careful what you wish for. Testing is not the same as playing, and in my experience testing can burn you out on a game long before you get the chance to buy it.

This is very true. It can also kill the excitement of new developments and add ons. When I was alpha testing for 4 years, I created as well as saw all the new stuff. When it came out it wasn't as exciting.

In a great game like this, maybe a mystery is better for your excitement than to see what's coming!

[boydyma]

i wouldnt volunteer for anything normally, but i want the BEST for this game... and im willing to put myself out there to find those darn bugs and kill em.

i doubt i'd burn myself out on a beta. ESPECIALLY on a subject i have and do regularly go to sleep thinking about (dont we all fantasise about being in starfleet at one point in time or other?)

mainly i just cant wait for the game to get out. so roll on next year.....

[No1UKnow]

i doubt i'd burn myself out on a beta. ESPECIALLY on a subject i have and do regularly go to sleep thinking about (dont we all fantasise about being in starfleet at one point in time or other?)

all i can picture is Wil Wheaton as a young lad, lying on his bed with his eyes closed, with a big ol grin on his face.

please do not do that again :eek:

[admriker444]

its been my experience that beta (never been in alpha) usually leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The game is usually buggy, always incomplete, and missing a ton of features. Graphics always need tweaking and its lag city until they optimize the servers.

I know some like to get in to a beta to save themselves the monthly fee and $50 for the box but its rarely a good experience as far as fun goes.

Beta serves one purpose and thats to see what works and what doesnt work. Unfortunately teens with limited income and others who just dont want to pay a monthly fee only sign up and participate in beta because its free. And if your just out to save the $50 in case the game stinks wait till open beta and reviews.

Ive beta tested Star Wars Galaxies, City of Heroes, EQ2, WoW, Matrix, Face of Mankind, Roma Victor, Lord of the Rings, and many others and Im guessing 80% of the players in there werent interested in doing their job...actually testing things.

[ravenkind2]

Alpha is almost always exclusively for the developers of the game and possibly friends and family. In alpha there are a ton of bugs that could be game breaking so they don't want people getting a bad impression and not playing it. Even beta could have some major bugs, but the game is stable enough for people to test and help the developers find all the bugs and squash them. Want in an alpha? Become a game developer. Want in the beta? Buy someone off, else is just luck.

[warbot7777]

Hey I need a new job!

[Allardyn]

I hear dating someone in Cryptic is also a good 'in' and Razor is available and on the prowl. haha jk

[Thibor]

The developers usualy keep alphas for them selfs and maybe the familys and friends of the emplyes atleast that was the case when i was in a alpha test. and a warning alpha is realy basic the one i played didnt even have all the models in yet, strange feeling to be killed by a little cube:)

/agree

Late stage alpha / early stage beta is often referred to as "friends-n-family".

Then a closed beta with any of a variety of methods used to select participants.

Followed potentially by two different types of beta ... "stress test" and "open".

Both of the latter two maybe capped (ie. 10k, 25k, 100k) or they maybe open ended completely.

Nothing official has been stated about a time line for any of these yet.

[Kelesh]

whats the difference between alpha and beta ?

[Thibor]

whats the difference between alpha and beta ?

mostly, just a different level of completeness and polish. Different developer studios may have different guidelines for what they consider something to be in alpha vs. beta.
However, one of the more universal concepts is that unless you know someone on the inside, you're only visual access to the game while it's in any stage of alpha will likely come from sanctioned interviews/demos with publications and what the dev studio themselves post on their site.
The general public don't gain any access usually until at least closed beta.