Alpha Release date speculation thread

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Lestat

Banned
Lestat
One trick I did was not spend all my money on the elite. Each month I put in some money until I was design forum member. Then I work on another game Star Citizen. For two different reasons. :eek:
 

Comandante

Comandante
I hope alpha and beta testing lead to some awesome FD-endorsed movie clips for everyone to see... Talking about wetting the apetite...
 

Ubiquitous Che

Ubiquitous Che
If I had alpha access, I'd totally use it.

I'm a software developer. Not a games developer, but still: I already know how the sausage gets made, it isn't going to put me off to see someone else doing it.

I'd be interested to see the bare-bones cut of the software, just so I can compare it against the betas and release to see how far they jump in that timeframe.

Also, it would be refreshing to be on the client side of an alpha test for a change. ^_^
 
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Nicodemus

N
I look at participating in the Alpha as a responsibility to try and break the game, to find the things that don't work and to abuse the things that do to find loopholes. Then report the lot for the Devs to amend.

Beta is more of a stress test, have more people playing and seeing how things hold up. Too often games try and do game breaking and stress testing at the same time and it can go horribly wrong.

I've been lucky enough to do Beta testing for some decent games before it became all the rage to use beta admission as part of a pre order perk. From some of those games you knew that the game wasn't ready for launch and from others that they were.

For those not thinking of doing the Alpha I'd say think of it more as a public service. What you find and bring to the attention of the Devs will make the game better for everyone at release, and you can feel proud that your contribution made other people smile in pleasure as they play the game.
 

Bikky

Bikky
Yeah, I see the same with the beta's although that's more to confirm breakages discovered in the alpha have been closed.

can't wait.
 

Barns

Barns
I used to team lead a software test group so know just how important alphas and betas and structured testing approaches are. I'd love to take part in the Alpha but the extra £50 just for that month-ish is a bit too steep for me. I'll look forward to Beta-ing instead!

I know (and applaud) that there will be multiple wipes and definitely a final one before launch, but it's always nice when there's a little (cosmetic) something to thank the effort of the testers. Maybe a special ship? One that randomly breaks down every 10 minutes, is missing half the required features, and has no textures. Appropriate for commemorating test phases :)
 

Zplintz

Zplintz
I can understand why playing an alpha or beta of an RPG storyline game might spoil the game at release but not a sandbox game like ED.
 

Pyros

P
Juniper said:
Anyone (higher pledgers) considering waiting until actual release or maybe 2nd beta before playing?

I'm very much torn. I've pledged high enough so I can participate in the alpha, but - it wasn't the reward I wanted. It just came "free". Thinking about what Styggron said about savouring the moment, and knowing how alpha some alpha can be (if that makes sense) I wonder if it will be better to wait a bit... experience the game in all it's (hopeful) glory nearer or at release.

Or am I just talking nonsense & of course everyone will be on it like a car bonnet as soon as the alpha lids are taken off? :p
Click to expand...

I wonder about that myself. Maybe it will depend if I have the new PC by then or not. Like you, alpha came "free" with my desired reward, and I usually do not have the time nor the inclination to test games. But Elite... :eek:
 

Patrick_68000

Patrick_68000
Pyros said:
Like you, alpha came "free" with my desired reward, and I usually do not have the time nor the inclination to test games. But Elite... :eek:
Click to expand...

Yes I am in the same situation. Well I do not have access to alpha but I have access to betas. But it was the reward. I did not ask. I do not think to work on the beta but I will watch, of course. I will stroll, quietly in space for fun.
 

Aewarin Jameson

Aewarin Jameson
Patrick_68000 said:
Yes I am in the same situation. Well I do not have access to alpha but I have access to betas. But it was the reward. I did not ask. I do not think to work on the beta but I will watch, of course. I will stroll, quietly in space for fun.
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As is your right to do so.

I still to this date don't know whether to help during Alpha / Beta or not, however there are a couple of big names (David - FD & Chris - RSI & Notch - MS) who will be playing Alpha and the thought of being able to blow them up appeals :D

Plus, I think it's wise to take a look to see if the game is fun .. Over time what you think about games from the past can be distorted and nostalgia comes into play. Not many people today still play Elite / Frontier (only the dedicated) so I am left with memories and the thought "why did I stop playing Elite ?" - was it that I grew tired of the game, or was it that bigger and better things came along ? Alpha / Beta then is a way to test that theory before launch and rekindle the flame, or at least to prepare just in case :)
 

psykokow

psykokow
Help or Hinder its chicken dinner...

I have NO IDEA what I mean....

Well I do.. but the other I's don't..

By playing the Alpha you generate stress testing.. by trying to load it you bug check.. by installing it you are helping..

If a feature bugs you, then you moan constructively in the forum.... I am confident you will be an amazing alpha.. even if reluctant..

And You'll need to beat me to those 'hi profile' targets!!!

Team DB
 

Patrick_68000

Patrick_68000
Liqua said:
As is your right to do so.

I still to this date don't know whether to help during Alpha / Beta or not, however there are a couple of big names (David - FD & Chris - RSI & Notch - MS) who will be playing Alpha and the thought of being able to blow them up appeals :D

Plus, I think it's wise to take a look to see if the game is fun .. Over time what you think about games from the past can be distorted and nostalgia comes into play. Not many people today still play Elite / Frontier (only the dedicated) so I am left with memories and the thought "why did I stop playing Elite ?" - was it that I grew tired of the game, or was it that bigger and better things came along ? Alpha / Beta then is a way to test that theory before launch and rekindle the flame, or at least to prepare just in case :)
Click to expand...


For my part, for sure, a priority, I will be a tourist in the betas and if I see a bug by chance, I will point out, of course. But principally I want delight my eyes without stressing.

For me it is inconceivable that Liqua, the big backer and the Ironman player does not fully participate in Alpha testing. Frontier need all his Elites.

:p
 
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OneoftheLost

OneoftheLost
I believe that people who download the beta and just mess around are still helping. Even if you enter a beta with the firm idea to just 'play the game early' instead of actually testing it, you can be a big help. An important thing that ALOT of people overlook, is system requirements. Game developers RARELY have a clue as to what the minimum requirements should be. Just installing the game and running it on a variety of computers helps the devs see what the requirements are, as well as what they can do to make the game playable on a large variety of computers. Even if you just log into the beta to shoot Mr. Braben, you are still helping.

Granted I'd rather folks searched for bugs and found ways to break the game, as well as give feedback on actual fun factor, but I won't hate on those who just want to play it early. ;)
 
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