Beta Testers: a couple questions for ya

[CPA]

So, I'm contimplating backing Grim Dawn at the $50 level in order to get Alpha and Beta access. I have never been in a beta test and now wonder what it could do to my level of excitement and interest in the final product.

If you've been in beta tests, have you generally found that you have less or little interest in the final version of the game?

Generally, is the full game available as part of the beta or just parts? Does the developer usually open all "secrets", "easter eggs", special sections to beta testers?

 

[dougp]

It really depends on the type of game / developer. I've done alpha/beta testing of most MMOs, and it really just depends. Since Grim Dawn is more of a single player games, you'll probably have access to small portions of the project at once, maybe not all of the skills or classes will be available, etc. It might actually spoil it for you, depending on how you play through a game. That might be why things are broken up, or you'll only see phases of the game so you've never actually played through it.

 

[troy10]

There will mostly like be an area and lvl cap similar to the Diablo 3 beta. I'm sure some tidbits will be spoiled, but not much.

 

[imaheadcase]

Beta gives you a idea of what final product is like, as with a lot of games you find out quick if its going to suck. Diablo3 and GW2 for example was terrible to me.

 

[gorcorps]

It entirely depends on how the game is shaping up at this point. While it technically shouldn't be taken as a demo of the final product, it's fairly close. I beta tested Diablo 3 and will not be buying it after my experience... and then finding out I wasn't the only one. It hasn't improved since they moved to open beta so it seems like problems they won't be fixing anytime soon.

 

[fixbsod]

They should be paying you to beta test, not the other way around...

 

[Schfifty Five]

So, I'm contimplating backing Grim Dawn at the $50 level in order to get Alpha and Beta access. I have never been in a beta test and now wonder what it could do to my level of excitement and interest in the final product.

If you've been in beta tests, have you generally found that you have less or little interest in the final version of the game?

Generally, is the full game available as part of the beta or just parts? Does the developer usually open all "secrets", "easter eggs", special sections to beta testers?

Honestly, if you want to have the full surprise/shock factor of a brand new game, don't beta test as that will take away from the excitement of playing a brand new game for the first time.

 

[nanobreath]

I learned awhile ago I don't particularly care to beta test a game. I might play some as a demo, to decide if I wanna purchase the game. I don't replay games very often at all, and do not like having to replay content I have already completed. So doing it in beta then doing it again in final release sucks. But that is me, and everybody is different.

 

[Red Storm]

Getting in on a beta is a great way to know if a game will be worth buying when it's released. It has saved me ~$50 several times.

 

[CPA]

I think I may let my 15 year old son do the beta testing. He would probably get a kick out of it and have more thoughts on issues then I would. Plus, like Schfifty stated, it wouldn't ruin the surprise, which I always like.

 

[Schfifty Five]

I think I may let my 15 year old son do the beta testing. He would probably get a kick out of it and have more thoughts on issues then I would. Plus, like Schfifty stated, it wouldn't ruin the surprise, which I always like.

you mean "would" right?

I mentioned that it would ruin the surprise.

 

[CPA]

you mean "would" right?

I mentioned that it would ruin the surprise.

sure, though I was taking it from the perspective that having my son do the beta testing wouldn't ruin the surprise for me.

 

[greenhawk]

generally I avoid it now. It was great to see the game before release, but it takes a lot of the mistery from the game, then you have to replay areas ect.

Alpha is worse in that things can change drastically or be unplayable with game breaking faults.

Heck, Since getting "burnt" with "Masters of Orion 3" from following the development / "aquiring" a alpha release, all resulted in a massive letdown when the game did actually get released.

In a way, it is like watching a movie you have been looking forward to without special effects put it (ie: can still see the stunt wires ect). Definitly not something you want to do twice.

 

[FallenHero]

I don't mind it. Did SC2, Diablo 3 before the mass release, WOW (vanilla beta and now mists beta), Hellgate London and a couple others I can't remember. I play the game on and off and since I am not too good at finding game-breaking bugs, I try to push limits in other ways. I run random common programs in the background to see if any crazy errors occur, I run older video card drivers and crank up the effects to max (or even past the normal settings I have) just to see what happens. Some of the games crash, some dont. Mists for me has been HELLISH on my system. I keep getting game crashes without even pushing limits. Hopefully I am helping. I try not to delve too deep into the quests though as I want to still play it through on live.

Hellgate london sucked. The game wasn't fun to test or play, it had bug after bug that wasn't even fixed in beta. Saved me a ton of money as I had planned on buying it at the time too.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

Alpha is worse in that things can change drastically or be unplayable with game breaking faults.

Heck, Since getting "burnt" with "Masters of Orion 3" from following the development / "aquiring" a alpha release, all resulted in a massive letdown when the game did actually get released.

Ya, I would avoid alpha testing unless you're over the top fanatic about the game or really want to give input on design decisions. There's a good chance it would negatively color your impressions of the game making you less interested in playing, despite the fact it might change enough between then and release you'd have no problem with the game otherwise.

Also, lol MOO3. I think I was more hyped for that game than any game in history. When it came out I got it for my birthday or something but was soooooooo let down by all the insanely negative reviews I didn't even open the box for several months. Eventually I played it a couple times but that was it, it was such a steaming pile.