SE5 progress

[Phoenix-D]

Beta demos are dangerous because they don't represent the completed game and people often ***** about bugs.

EDIT: especially early in the beta process when the game tends to be well neigh unplayable.

[ June 16, 2004, 00:25: Message edited by: Phoenix-D ]

[David E. Gervais]

There is no such creature as a "Beta Demo". A Beta 'Version' is sent out to all accepted beta testers and ALL testers sign an NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement) The so called "Beta Demo's" are usually what is refered to as "Warez". (stolen copies or otherwise 'leaked' copies that have no business being circulated to the public.)

As was mentionned, there are many, MANY changes that occure during beta development and it's not just bug fixes. Gameplay balancing and often new features are added in the beta stage. It would be a very bad thing to have unfinished, unpolished, untested software floating around the net.

Don't feel bad, just make sure you apply for the beta when Aaron puts the word out that the beta is about to start. Yes there are some regulars that can be called "the IN crowd" but Aaron always likes to infuse his beta testing with fresh blood. THings to keep in mind when applying for a beta position, Experience and or high Interest in 'Modding' is a definate plus. Aaron also looks for a wide variety of system specs to get a good idea of what the min/reccomended system will be for playing the game. (Look at the system specs for Starfury and you'll have an idea of the range he will be looking for.)

So, the bottom line is.. don't expect a "Beta Demo" (it is not forthcomming) and be sure to apply for the beta test when the time comes. (probably closer to fall than winter 2004)

Cheers!

[DeadZone]

Just to let you know David, some companies do release "Beta Demos"

Jowood, for example, released the Soldner Beta Demo
http://soldner.jowood.com/?RubrikIdentifier=726&lang=en
Look down the page to where it says "US Beta Demo"

Now to the most extent you are right however, as most companies wont publicly release beta demos (unless they are apart of the MMORPG world, but they call that "Open testing") and most of these that are found have been leaked by a beta tester

[Puke]

can we expect beta screenshots, (possible) feature lists, and such? maybe sanctioned beta logs from a couple of the testers?

or is there too much fear of other companies cribbing MM's ideas?

[Paul1980au]

An "offical" update - say twice a month with feature lists, direction updates and screenshots would be good - it would just help with these discussions in terms of thoughts, feedback and new ideas that could be included at a late stage or a brainstorming session on how best to implement new ideas.

[Ed Kolis]

Originally posted by Puke:
can we expect beta screenshots, (possible) feature lists, and such? maybe sanctioned beta logs from a couple of the testers?

or is there too much fear of other companies cribbing MM's ideas?

That's pretty much what we had from Starfury, isn't it? So I'd personally expect something similar for SE5...

[Baron Munchausen]

Originally posted by Puke:
can we expect beta screenshots, (possible) feature lists, and such? maybe sanctioned beta logs from a couple of the testers?

or is there too much fear of other companies cribbing MM's ideas?

It's probably more a fear of announcing things that then don't show up in the published game. Look at all the features listed for SE IV that never actually appeared. The ship_sizes file is full of unused options. It sure would have been great to have all those unimplemented fancy 'exclusions' and extra abilities for ships, wouldn't it? We had to wait for the Gold Version before we even got drones. If he goes announcing all his grand plans for SE V and then finds out they are too hard to implement, what then?