Love this! Also believe it's very true. I was telling a friend, who is massively into video games, about the Beta recently and his response was that the beta should be the finished game with only minor bugs and stress testing. I haven't done a beta before, only 1 early access experience, but my understanding was that betas are there for testers to hopefully help work out a lot of issues so the finished version is a great game.
What's with the mood shift?
- Thread starter Masteradstriker
- Start date
Love this! Also believe it's very true. I was telling a friend, who is massively into video games, about the Beta recently and his response was that the beta should be the finished game with only minor bugs and stress testing. I haven't done a beta before, only 1 early access experience, but my understanding was that betas are there for testers to hopefully help work out a lot of issues so the finished version is a great game.
Being someone who is accustomed to beta testing in general, I understand the shift, some people just don't really understand the concept of a beta, and the way planet zoo gave us the watered down stress test beta for fun for a while to give us a tiny dip into the actual game and also give us a little feel of we are helping make the game better in a way, is really great, i am so happy to have been able to play the game in this early stage and It will be so nice to finally get to play the full version come release and think back to 'hey remember in the beta when every thing was broken xD" It has brought me 122 hours of fun regardless, and that was well worth my money, and I only expect to get to enjoy it for many many more hours come the full release 
Beta gonna beta and it wont please everyone, especially people unfamiliar with a beta, it is usually a means of testing servers gathering info, doing miner edits here and there about major features that are core elements to the game, I enjoy that we got to test it and help shape the core aspect of the game. They did not need to share this with us, but they did, and I appreciate it
Beta gonna beta and it wont please everyone, especially people unfamiliar with a beta, it is usually a means of testing servers gathering info, doing miner edits here and there about major features that are core elements to the game, I enjoy that we got to test it and help shape the core aspect of the game. They did not need to share this with us, but they did, and I appreciate it
Tbh, I thought this Beta would be more complete.. Felt more like a demo version. Then i looked up the wiki entry on Beta and this Beta is a Closed Beta
I think it has to do with the various amounts of Beta games nowadays. They all call it beta but are from a different phase of development.
It's confusing and brings different expectations.
Wiki:
BETA: Beta phase generally begins when the software is feature complete but likely to contain a number of known or unknown bugs
Perpetual BETA: Some software is kept in perpetual beta, where new features are continually added to the software without establishing a final "stable" release
Open and closed beta: Private beta could be suitable for the software that is capable to deliver value, but is not ready to be used by everyone either due to scaling issues, lack of documentation or still missing vital features. The testers report any bugs that they find, and sometimes suggest additional features they think should be available in the final version.
I think it has to do with the various amounts of Beta games nowadays. They all call it beta but are from a different phase of development.
It's confusing and brings different expectations.
Wiki:
BETA: Beta phase generally begins when the software is feature complete but likely to contain a number of known or unknown bugs
Perpetual BETA: Some software is kept in perpetual beta, where new features are continually added to the software without establishing a final "stable" release
Open and closed beta: Private beta could be suitable for the software that is capable to deliver value, but is not ready to be used by everyone either due to scaling issues, lack of documentation or still missing vital features. The testers report any bugs that they find, and sometimes suggest additional features they think should be available in the final version.
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This. I'm glad someone else pointed it out.
The issue I think is the timing of the beta. If the beta was set months prior, then I would understand the need for bug testing and game crashes etc. The issue is beta has become synonymous with "early demo", especially when it's released only a month before the full release. Because this has become part of gaming culture nowadays, it's somewhat Frontier's fault for not marketing this beta properly as a true beta test, rather than a full demo. If they had made it obvious early on that they wanted a proper beta test from this, then less people would have been disappointed.
For me, I'm disappointed in the stability of the beta. I say this quite often and people like to tell me I'm wrong, but -- as a game developer myself, I wouldn't consider the current build a beta. It would be alpha at best. Betas aren't supposed to have game breaking bugs, especially concerning core features such as buying animals, zookeepers feeding animals, animals taking care of themselves, etc.
What a beta build is, is actually the minimum viable product that can be released to the market. That means that while it's not perfect, or polished, or bug-free, it should still be a build that you could release today as a full game and people can still be able to play it. Do I consider PZ's current build a viable market product? ... No, not when core functions are broken.
I've been pretty critical of the beta, but it comes from a place of understanding game development, and just wanting this game to be the best it can be. Like I mentioned before, if this happened months ago I wouldn't be as hard with some of my feedback as I have been only a month out. But at the end of the day I'm still excited for the game, and I do trust Frontier to get it right. They always listen to community feedback and that's what makes them one of my favourite game companies right now.
Well, my mood actually shifted from happy to sad just because beta is coming to a close.
I do not mind all the negativity other people are saying towards this game, and I still trust Frontier to polish this game until launch and post-launch.
I have also learned not to put so much expectations (maybe because I know for a fact that no software/app is 100% bug-free). Hype is good, especially for all the good things that are working as intended in the game. Also kudos to the community who are supportive and very civilized when communicating all things positive and negative.
Cheers!
I do not mind all the negativity other people are saying towards this game, and I still trust Frontier to polish this game until launch and post-launch.
I have also learned not to put so much expectations (maybe because I know for a fact that no software/app is 100% bug-free). Hype is good, especially for all the good things that are working as intended in the game. Also kudos to the community who are supportive and very civilized when communicating all things positive and negative.
Cheers!
It's been an absolute pleasure reading everyone's feedback and experiences. We have received so much helpful information and we cannot wait to bring you the full game experience on 5 November
Also, as a comms specialist, this thread was a very interesting read - thanks for the polite discussion!
Enjoy the last few moments of Beta! <3
Also, as a comms specialist, this thread was a very interesting read - thanks for the polite discussion!
Enjoy the last few moments of Beta! <3
Wow, Bo. Didn't expect you to pop in to one of my threads.It's been an absolute pleasure reading everyone's feedback and experiences. We have received so much helpful information and we cannot wait to bring you the full game experience on 5 November
Also, as a comms specialist, this thread was a very interesting read - thanks for the polite discussion!
Enjoy the last few moments of Beta! <3
Thank you Frontier for taking the time to read every single post about the Beta. I hope you didn't get downhearted by some of the meaner users and annoyed by a few of the people arguing over small matters. I personally think you did an excellent job of making the Beta enjoyable for your customers (sorry for the bug and crash victims). Hopefully you can take their requests+rants to better improve Planet Zoo.
Go on. Improve the game. We'll be waiting for full release on the 5th of November.
Thank you.
Aw thank you!! We're always around
Honestly the feedback has been nothing but helpful ❤ thanks again for your kind words.
Sorry to resurrect this thread, but it would appear that despite this game is officially released (yay!), there's still a bunch of negativity hanging about, particularly impatience. Game's out a few minutes ago and there are STILL some 'requests' that seem to be more on the nagging side. I mean, I respect why they want to request A, and give some useful feedback, but it feels more like complaining like wretches than helpful suggestions. Besides, if you keep constantly post the same topic over and over again, wouldn't people feel annoyed? Especially if it's a very volatile one, i.e. time in PZ.
(Do NOT even think about bringing that topic here)
(Do NOT even think about bringing that topic here)
Games change through feedback. Games , even great ones, improve through feedback. Not everyone who offers feedback that is more than "this game is great!" is a negative nelly.
I saw threads with critique on high level. Some are really too much leveld up for me, some are not. It will always be like this, because everybody searches different things in a game. There will never be a game that makes everyone happy. But we can all try, by giving helpful feedback, to make as much players happy as possible.
If you are completly happy with planet zoo, sit back and enjoy. That state won't go away ny negative feedback. but it might go away when you get angry or frustrated with people who do not share your happiness. People are and play different and that's an awesome thing.
The only complain I have so far is, that the game didn't came with sleep in cans. Really, Frontier should have found a way to let us play 24 hours without sleeping or eating. WHY WASN'T THAT PROGRAMMED INTO THE GAME?! I'm considering a refund.
I saw threads with critique on high level. Some are really too much leveld up for me, some are not. It will always be like this, because everybody searches different things in a game. There will never be a game that makes everyone happy. But we can all try, by giving helpful feedback, to make as much players happy as possible.
If you are completly happy with planet zoo, sit back and enjoy. That state won't go away ny negative feedback. but it might go away when you get angry or frustrated with people who do not share your happiness. People are and play different and that's an awesome thing.
The only complain I have so far is, that the game didn't came with sleep in cans. Really, Frontier should have found a way to let us play 24 hours without sleeping or eating. WHY WASN'T THAT PROGRAMMED INTO THE GAME?! I'm considering a refund.
Gosh. You know what, normally I hate the word "ungrateful" when it comes to customers. In the end, customers pay for a game and therefore have every right to demand quality, demand what was promised etc.
However, I must admit, that the last few days, even if I follow my own advice and just enjoy the game, the tone in some threads is incredible and it was the first time, that "ungreateful" came to my mind.
I understand this game has issues and bugs. I am completly fine when people point out aspects were marketing promised something that's currently not there. I also understand that no game in the world can't cater all playstyles perfectly. I understand those players who do request features.
BUT:
However, I must admit, that the last few days, even if I follow my own advice and just enjoy the game, the tone in some threads is incredible and it was the first time, that "ungreateful" came to my mind.
I understand this game has issues and bugs. I am completly fine when people point out aspects were marketing promised something that's currently not there. I also understand that no game in the world can't cater all playstyles perfectly. I understand those players who do request features.
BUT:
- I saw users blaming frontier for "taking vacation" after beta, when clearly they worked their butts off.
- I saw users whining about OVER 70 animals being not enough. We got around 20 in similar base games.
- I saw the devs being called liars and not listening to feedback.
- I saw them whine that not every "I go the the zoo picture book" animal is included and that indeed some big ticket animals might be saved fo DLCs.
I hope these players get a grip. Like, REALLY. Go play that game with the green diamond and then talk again about not listening to feedback. Go work on deadlines and then talk about "vacations". Program a game that in the end must not be too expensive and have good sales and then say, there are not enough animals in the game and we are milked with dlcs.
Work with cusomers and then be treated with disrespect, to see what it feels like. And STOP being ungreatful.
It's like most things in life I find, if you are happy you say nothing most of the time. If you are unhappy or have a perceived awful service you will shout and stomp your feet until something is done.
Just because people experience some issues or want something different they may shout the loudest but it doesn't mean there isn't an awful lot of happy people right now remaining quiet. People who are posting and getting disappointed I am sure have mostly valid reasons so should be listened too and not dismissed but there is a balance.
Just because people experience some issues or want something different they may shout the loudest but it doesn't mean there isn't an awful lot of happy people right now remaining quiet. People who are posting and getting disappointed I am sure have mostly valid reasons so should be listened too and not dismissed but there is a balance.
Hey Guys, hey Devs.
It kinda seems like im writting a lot of critics, but i need to say something: All this is critism on a really, really high level.
You made a really great game out of planet zoo! I played Planet Coastet and Jurassic World as well for hundreds of hours, so i knew the day you announced the game itll be great. No doubt i preordered it right on the first day on steam. And no wonder, i didnt get disappointed! I love playing Planet Zoo!
There are just a few things, that could make the game even better and even more enjoyable. I also appreciate your relation to the community like in this forum. Its (sadly) not self-evident!
You all made a great job, but there are still some problems that need to be fixed, some things need to get balanced and some other things maybe need a change after a while.
But its ok, when youll support the game as good as planet coaster or jurassic world after release. All of them got better and better time after time (i know games of other developers where the opposite is happening...)
And your support to the game makes me support you. I normally dont like dlc. It sometimes feels like the developer took parts out of the final game to release it later for some more money. But when the developer is doing a good job and i really enjoy playing the game, i like buying the dlcs too, just to support you devs improving the game. Because i know: youre making the game even better and especially you are open to your community.
So keep going frontier. The game is great, but there are still some things to do and improve. But youll do this!
It kinda seems like im writting a lot of critics, but i need to say something: All this is critism on a really, really high level.
You made a really great game out of planet zoo! I played Planet Coastet and Jurassic World as well for hundreds of hours, so i knew the day you announced the game itll be great. No doubt i preordered it right on the first day on steam. And no wonder, i didnt get disappointed! I love playing Planet Zoo!
There are just a few things, that could make the game even better and even more enjoyable. I also appreciate your relation to the community like in this forum. Its (sadly) not self-evident!
You all made a great job, but there are still some problems that need to be fixed, some things need to get balanced and some other things maybe need a change after a while.
But its ok, when youll support the game as good as planet coaster or jurassic world after release. All of them got better and better time after time (i know games of other developers where the opposite is happening...)
And your support to the game makes me support you. I normally dont like dlc. It sometimes feels like the developer took parts out of the final game to release it later for some more money. But when the developer is doing a good job and i really enjoy playing the game, i like buying the dlcs too, just to support you devs improving the game. Because i know: youre making the game even better and especially you are open to your community.
So keep going frontier. The game is great, but there are still some things to do and improve. But youll do this!
I'll gladly second this sentiment. It's still quite rough around the edges, but the game oozes passion.Hey Guys, hey Devs.
It kinda seems like im writting a lot of critics, but i need to say something: All this is critism on a really, really high level.
You made a really great game out of planet zoo! I played Planet Coastet and Jurassic World as well for hundreds of hours, so i knew the day you announced the game itll be great. No doubt i preordered it right on the first day on steam. And no wonder, i didnt get disappointed! I love playing Zoo!
There are just a few things, that could make the game even better and even more enjoyable. I also appreciate your relation to the community like in this forum. Its (sadly) not self-evident!
You all made a great job, but there are still some problems that need to be fixed, some things need to get balanced and some other things maybe need a change after a while.
But its ok, when youll support the game as good as planet coaster or jurassic world after release. All of the. Got better and better time after time (i know games of other developers where the opposite is happening...)
And your support to the game makes me support you. I normally dont like dlc. It sometimes feels like the developer took parts out of the final game to release it later for some more money. But when the developer is doing a good job and i really enjoy playing the game, i like buying the dlcs too, just to support you devs improving the game. Because i know: youre making the game even better and especially you are open to your community.
So keep going frontier. The game is great, but there are still some things to do and improve. But youll do this!
Personally, my negativity comes from one point:
The animals we were promised were realistic and diverse. They had different coat colours/markings, intelligence and personality differences, they had bonds with one another and displayed realistic behaviour, interacting with one another. I was so excited and looking forward to this amazing game!
At beta, that turned out to be untrue. Animals were identical, completely ignored each other and had no maternal activity whatsoever. I was very concerned but was assured that these features were simply turned off for beta, but would be in the full game.
Come full release: no animal variation except for albinos (which should be the least common variation), no social behaviour at all, no maternal behaviour, no juvenile behaviour, no personality or character at all.
For me, building is secondary. The entire reason to create a great and beautiful zoo, the reason to work for great management, is to have happy animals that act realistically like those we were promised. Planet Zoo was always supposed to be about the animals. Animals who would bond with one another, who we would recognise by their behaviour and personalities. But they’re hollow animatronics.
As a real life keeper, veterinary bioscientist and animal behaviourist, that makes me pretty damn disappointed and kinda mad.
I’m hoping that these features are simply bugged, and will be fixed, because the team seemed so driven and have obviously produced an amazing building simulation. I just need to see some evidence that these features will be fixed, because right now I feel disillusioned and lied to.
I understand people who are fine, even happy, with the game as it is. People who love the building aspect of it will be delighted. People who aren’t necessarily “animal people” will think the animals are great - they run, they sleep, they look the part. But for anyone who expects the animals to at least be capable of functioning at a Zoo Tycoon 2 level of behaviour and interaction, you’ll be disappointed.
The animals we were promised were realistic and diverse. They had different coat colours/markings, intelligence and personality differences, they had bonds with one another and displayed realistic behaviour, interacting with one another. I was so excited and looking forward to this amazing game!
At beta, that turned out to be untrue. Animals were identical, completely ignored each other and had no maternal activity whatsoever. I was very concerned but was assured that these features were simply turned off for beta, but would be in the full game.
Come full release: no animal variation except for albinos (which should be the least common variation), no social behaviour at all, no maternal behaviour, no juvenile behaviour, no personality or character at all.
For me, building is secondary. The entire reason to create a great and beautiful zoo, the reason to work for great management, is to have happy animals that act realistically like those we were promised. Planet Zoo was always supposed to be about the animals. Animals who would bond with one another, who we would recognise by their behaviour and personalities. But they’re hollow animatronics.
As a real life keeper, veterinary bioscientist and animal behaviourist, that makes me pretty damn disappointed and kinda mad.
I’m hoping that these features are simply bugged, and will be fixed, because the team seemed so driven and have obviously produced an amazing building simulation. I just need to see some evidence that these features will be fixed, because right now I feel disillusioned and lied to.
I understand people who are fine, even happy, with the game as it is. People who love the building aspect of it will be delighted. People who aren’t necessarily “animal people” will think the animals are great - they run, they sleep, they look the part. But for anyone who expects the animals to at least be capable of functioning at a Zoo Tycoon 2 level of behaviour and interaction, you’ll be disappointed.
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There are some, rare social interactions but other than that I agree with these sentiments.
To make this clear: I wasn't talking at all about critisism that is brought up in a civil manner and basically follows the rule: "I do not like this, because" or "I'm not satisfied with this, because...". Critisism without personal attacking the devs and without asking for anything that was NOT promised is totally fine, in my opinion.
That said, while I had my moments before beta where I was also pretty angry with the communication, I am MORE than sure now, that well formed critisism and feedback will be heard and listent to by Frontier. I saw where JWE headed in a year and I KNOW we have a company here that care for their player base and will not simply dismiss civil critique.
But honestly, the people who rage often only provoke one reaction: "Haters gonna hate."
If you through at a hard working dev that they probably "went on vacation" during the time between beta and release, chances are you won't be taken serious anyway.
I can tell you, when my customers tell me I'm unprofessional and lied about my profession, when they find one typo in my articles, I completly dismiss them as ignorant people who just want everything for free. If they say to me "Hey, I'm used better quality of you, could you check this, please?" I feel in charge and actually WILL listen to them.
That said, while I had my moments before beta where I was also pretty angry with the communication, I am MORE than sure now, that well formed critisism and feedback will be heard and listent to by Frontier. I saw where JWE headed in a year and I KNOW we have a company here that care for their player base and will not simply dismiss civil critique.
But honestly, the people who rage often only provoke one reaction: "Haters gonna hate."
If you through at a hard working dev that they probably "went on vacation" during the time between beta and release, chances are you won't be taken serious anyway.
I can tell you, when my customers tell me I'm unprofessional and lied about my profession, when they find one typo in my articles, I completly dismiss them as ignorant people who just want everything for free. If they say to me "Hey, I'm used better quality of you, could you check this, please?" I feel in charge and actually WILL listen to them.
Community Managers? Sounds like influencers to me who are nothing more than sheep dogs leading the sheep down the paths their masters desire.
Might be an okay path for some but totally disgusting to me.
So "no longer set by trained narrative makers" is a GOOD thing.