Difference Alpha > BETA > release
- Thread starter RedHair
- Start date
Generally alpha software is feature incomplete and still in development. Beta is feature complete but still in development (typically bug fixes, optimizations).
First of all its different from studio to studio. In general alpha is the first working version of the game. During alpha you implement alle the basic features (like coaster builder, terraforming tool, management, etc.). Frontier made this in 3 steps (alpha 1-3). When the game goes into beta status no big basic features are added anymore. The core game is finished in beta and now the adding of smaller parts, the balancing, bug fixes etc. start (ok bug fixing is always going on).
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The "dictionary definition" of each is that a game is in Alpha when it is "feature complete" (i.e. has all of the intended gameplay mechanics in place, albeit in an unpolished manner). A game reaches Beta when it is "content complete", or when all of the game's content and systems are in place, again, likely unpolished. A Beta is most often used for a basically finished game to balance, root out bugs, stress test, and optimize the game before release, such as the recent Overwatch beta.
Of course this differs from studio to studio, and Planet Coaster's Alpha appears to be more of a controlled playtesting of specific mechanics than a standard Alpha phase. That being said they likely have a feature complete Alpha in-house that they are doing work on constantly that differs from the public Alpha.
Of course this differs from studio to studio, and Planet Coaster's Alpha appears to be more of a controlled playtesting of specific mechanics than a standard Alpha phase. That being said they likely have a feature complete Alpha in-house that they are doing work on constantly that differs from the public Alpha.
I believe each company is different, but the way i see it is like this:
Alpha - offers no online functionality (workshop is sort of inbetween)
Beta - offers some multiplayer features that require extra stabilization of online servers for latency testing
Demo - an incomplete version of a game with limitations for trial purposes (usually free)
ALL of these are meant for TESTING and BUG REPORTING before a final product is released
In the case of PC, the beta will most likely have almost 100% of the game completed but with minor behind the scenes technical fixes before the full launch and stabilization of the servers
Alpha - offers no online functionality (workshop is sort of inbetween)
Beta - offers some multiplayer features that require extra stabilization of online servers for latency testing
Demo - an incomplete version of a game with limitations for trial purposes (usually free)
ALL of these are meant for TESTING and BUG REPORTING before a final product is released
In the case of PC, the beta will most likely have almost 100% of the game completed but with minor behind the scenes technical fixes before the full launch and stabilization of the servers
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The general consensus,
pre alpha: is where you create the ideas, use story boards and concept art to come up with an idea before you start,
alpha: is the first working version of the game, something thats playable but not finished, this is generally when companies add major content and systems, bug fixes and other things can happen in this stage too, it all depends on the projects need. next is beta,
beta: normally has most major content in the game, though these systems can still change in beta, beta is normally for small tweaks, bugs, and optimizing the game for different hardware setups to run smoothly, some major things can change in beta, if they are problematic to a point where they cannot be delt with before release or a better idea emerges that wont take too long to implement, beta is generally much shorter than alpha, as obviously content and design take much longer than bugs, tweaks and optimization, but as mentioned above, this phase can be extended due to issues or major flaws, which would technically be an alpha revert, but most developers just keep the beta tag.
release: is obviously the final game.
this is a principle followed not only in game design, but in any software development that exists, hardware too actually does the same process.
many will say that its different from studio to studio, but it really isnt, they may call it something else, or they may do some little things here and there in different orders, but this process is usually followed pretty closely with most studios, as its the industry standard because its been found as the most efficient process to handle software(games)/hardware development.
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online functionality has little to nothing to do with what is considered alpha or beta. well it can, but that entirely depends on the project, but, online functionality doesnt dictate what stage the game is in.
for instance, if you had software or a game, thats sole purpose is online features, you would want to start testing those systems in the alpha stage.
pre alpha: is where you create the ideas, use story boards and concept art to come up with an idea before you start,
alpha: is the first working version of the game, something thats playable but not finished, this is generally when companies add major content and systems, bug fixes and other things can happen in this stage too, it all depends on the projects need. next is beta,
beta: normally has most major content in the game, though these systems can still change in beta, beta is normally for small tweaks, bugs, and optimizing the game for different hardware setups to run smoothly, some major things can change in beta, if they are problematic to a point where they cannot be delt with before release or a better idea emerges that wont take too long to implement, beta is generally much shorter than alpha, as obviously content and design take much longer than bugs, tweaks and optimization, but as mentioned above, this phase can be extended due to issues or major flaws, which would technically be an alpha revert, but most developers just keep the beta tag.
release: is obviously the final game.
this is a principle followed not only in game design, but in any software development that exists, hardware too actually does the same process.
many will say that its different from studio to studio, but it really isnt, they may call it something else, or they may do some little things here and there in different orders, but this process is usually followed pretty closely with most studios, as its the industry standard because its been found as the most efficient process to handle software(games)/hardware development.
- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -
online functionality has little to nothing to do with what is considered alpha or beta. well it can, but that entirely depends on the project, but, online functionality doesnt dictate what stage the game is in.
for instance, if you had software or a game, thats sole purpose is online features, you would want to start testing those systems in the alpha stage.
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