Beta Question

[Senyu]

So when the beta does start, and we have access to all the crazy number of skills that will take a long time to learn them all. And I'm sure there will be changes to the skills themselves.

Question is, if it is set up as learning skills normally like in release version, we the beta testers characters retain the skills learned and not removed from the beta, or start anew at a level 1 status.


And what would you all prefer? Keeping skills or starting fresh?

[exLupo]

I'm sure the beta that the majority of us (all of us?) that get into is going to be a start-from-scratch extended stress test in late closed or open. I'd prefer if we all start launch tabula rasa. Beta players will have enough of a functional play experience lead (and possibly PS1 players more than that) so the extra skills would be excessive. Simply having tested a basic skill build order will put beta players ahead on the time scale as they won't necessarily be so apt to waste time skilling this and that, testing what they want to use.

That and I can't think of a single game that has let players keep beta progress. Headstart, sure, but that's only a few days.

[FastAndFree]

Well of course I would like keeping my progress, I mean who wouldn't.

Still, they should, and probably will start again from zero

[Coreldan]

I'm sure the beta that the majority of us (all of us?) that get into is going to be a start-from-scratch extended stress test in late closed or open. I'd prefer if we all start launch tabula rasa. Beta players will have enough of a functional play experience lead (and possibly PS1 players more than that) so the extra skills would be excessive. Simply having tested a basic skill build order will put beta players ahead on the time scale as they won't necessarily be so apt to waste time skilling this and that, testing what they want to use.

That and I can't think of a single game that has let players keep beta progress. Headstart, sure, but that's only a few days.

There is one!

APB Reloaded kept everything from a certain point of late closed beta to open beta and there will be no more wipes even from open beta to launch.

And in all honesty, it wasn't a bad idea. Game knowledge goes so far in that game, not to mention there was huge amounts of vets from RealTime World's APB who simply steamrolled every non-vet, so when open beta started, having the vets already higher up in the game meant that they wouldnt be fighting the new guys so much, but each other.

It has a matchmaking system, unlike Planetside (not saying Planetside needs one or anything, though :D).

That being said, I'd be looking for a fresh start in Planetsides case. Although on one hand, I'm sure it could be beneficial to have commanders who already know the game a bit more, the first few days will probably be somewhat chaotic :D

[captainkapautz]

Definitely start over for retail.

Maybe do an early access kinda thing, but definitely no keeping skills from beta.

[Desoxy]

Since beta != demo, I would prefer I a clean slate for retail launch.

That way you can test more efficiently.. plus you would not alienate newcomers.

[Timey]

Absolutely there must be a skill reset after beta, also lol @ 100% for reset :p

[SKYeXile]

Lol for sure

unless beta has cash shop, then it may carryover.

[Coreldan]

Lol for sure

unless beta has cash shop, then it may carryover.

Once again to pull APB in to this. They had this refund promotion to encourage testing the cash shop. You would still need to buy the G1 points, but when you bought stuff with them, you actually got to keep all the stuff you bought for hte durations, but they also gave you a 100% refund. Just giving out the stuff from the cash shop would test the items themselves, but not the functionality of the transactions.

So, you for example bought 2000 points worth of premium (lets say it lasts 6 months), so you then had the premium for 6 months, but you got the 2000 points back :D

Given, they still didnt reset it, but what I guess SoE could do is make a similar kind of refund-promo and even if characters would get wiped, your account after the wipe could still carry over the cash shop benefits you bought.

[Goku]

Cash shop in a beta? Honestly? Sounds like a total scam if you have to pay for it lol.

[Coreldan]

Cash shop in a beta? Honestly? Sounds like a total scam if you have to pay for it lol.

You don't. The game is totally free to play and the only stuff you don't have full access to without paying is the customization (you get a limited amount, but still get fairly much to customize).

Also, Minecraft? :rolleyes:

[Goku]

You don't. The game is totally free to play and the only stuff you don't have full access to without paying is the customization (you get a limited amount, but still get fairly much to customize).

Also, Minecraft? :rolleyes:

I am referring to a real beta. One where it is closed and meant specifically for testing. Minecraft, APB, and LoL are 'beta' labeled, but are there to make people play and earn money for the game. If a player is there in a real beta it stupid of a company to make them buy stuff from a cash shop to test the item.

[Lunarchild]

I expect them to close down the beta servers at the end of beta... Especially cause I also expect them to have some chances to make it easier to get through the tree to test it all ^^

[Goku]

I expect them to close down the beta servers at the end of beta... Especially cause I also expect them to have some chances to make it easier to get through the tree to test it all ^^

This. Sounds like it will take ages to max out your char in PS2, so this won't work in beta. Maybe they will even let you select X amount of skills at one time in order to test them instead of training and also allowing you to get rid of those to try others.

[killergopher]

Closed beta reset when retail drops. Keep it simple and fair, ive never been a fan of head start. I have been on both ends of that coin and its nice to have a jump on lvling and skills but its lame if you're a new comer or a casual player like my self. it just makes the gap between you and the hardcore players that much bigger and harder to overcome.

[Coreldan]

I am referring to a real beta. One where it is closed and meant specifically for testing. Minecraft, APB, and LoL are 'beta' labeled, but are there to make people play and earn money for the game. If a player is there in a real beta it stupid of a company to make them buy stuff from a cash shop to test the item.

Indeed. APB Reloaded isnt really a real beta, cos the game has already once been in beta and released and then bought by another company.

They are planning to stay in open beta fairly long, probably to slowly polish the game and to avoid the reviewers being so harsh, but also naturally the game needs to start paying the bills soon, as theyäve probably put a few millions into the game by now.

[basti]

Complete Wipe, as usual. Nessesary anyway, because with release there will be alot more servers than during beta.

[Death2All]

I think the poll speaks for itself.

It doesn't make any sense to keep everything you've done in a test version of the game.


Just because you scored 30 points in a practice game before the tournament doesn't mean they should give you those 30 points in the real thing.

[Lunarchild]

This. Sounds like it will take ages to max out your char in PS2, so this won't work in beta. Maybe they will even let you select X amount of skills at one time in order to test them instead of training and also allowing you to get rid of those to try others.

If I was to set up the tests, I would even, somewhere in the middle of test, give all existing testers everything. Just unlock the entire tree for everyone. Then, after a week or two more testing, invite a new wave of testers that start out fresh. Just to test that 20% rule of them, and that it is indeed still fun if you're a newb between all those maxed out characters ^^

[Baneblade]

Considering that Beta will no doubt have accelerated experience, I hope they wipe it clean. The only thing a Beta player should get is a merit.

[Goku]

If I was to set up the tests, I would even, somewhere in the middle of test, give all existing testers everything. Just unlock the entire tree for everyone. Then, after a week or two more testing, invite a new wave of testers that start out fresh. Just to test that 20% rule of them, and that it is indeed still fun if you're a newb between all those maxed out characters ^^

Depending on how these trees work I don't know if that is doable. Sounds like you there is more choice then just going skill after skill. In that you can actually split off into different areas with in a skill tree. A player having everything to be able to modify say a single weapon may well be over powered, but such a possibility maybe slim in the real game.

[kaffis]

Since beta != demo, I would prefer I a clean slate for retail launch.

That way you can test more efficiently.. plus you would not alienate newcomers.
This, plus I anticipate accelerated skill tree learning in beta so more can be tested. If you do that, you *definitely* can't keep progress.

[Lunarchild]

Depending on how these trees work I don't know if that is doable. Sounds like you there is more choice then just going skill after skill. In that you can actually split off into different areas with in a skill tree. A player having everything to be able to modify say a single weapon may well be over powered, but such a possibility maybe slim in the real game.

In that case they could also put on instant skill-ups for two weeks instead ;)

[exLupo]

Another point in favor of wipes is that sometimes characters from beta end up with junk data attached to them from changes. The wipe serves to remove all of those potentially hazardous toons from circulation.

[CutterJohn]

The skills will likely have some crazy fast training on them so we can actually test the things they unlock. I doubt they'd let people carry that over.

Maybe a small parting gift for beta participation.. A free cert maybe, that puts you a couple days ahead.

[Vancha]

I must say, I like the idea of people learning dropship/squad spawning however many months after release and making all the new PS2 players ask a collective "what the fuck?"

The skill system almost doubles as a content-delivery system, like a very slowly released patch.

I know this was somewhat unrelated, but I was trying to think what reason SOE could possibly have not to reset the skills upon release and the above was the only thing I could come up with (new things suddenly appearing X months down the line), but so long as there's enough immediately/quickly accessible equipment that battles aren't lacking diversity, then it shouldn't be a problem.

[exLupo]

Maybe a small parting gift for beta participation.. A free cert maybe, that puts you a couple days ahead.

My money is on a beta ribbon, assuming the medal system makes a return.