I disagree with how they're handling beta invites.

[VioletZero]

Notably, how they're giving priority to dedicated fans of the game.

Before anyone tries to accuse me of jealousy, I have my PC gamer key redeemed already. So I'm in priority access. More likely than not, what I'm arguing for would mean that I would get in later. This is just here to let you know that this isn't about when I personally do or don't get into the beta. This has to do with the game's quality in the long run.

Given how Planetside 2 is hoping to stretch beyond just being a love letter to the fans and reach the FPS and MMORPG market at large, I think it was a mistake to prioritize dedicated fans over everyone else. Whether that be people who would spend the time and money going to the con, veterans of the first game or just people who got the copy of PC gamer to get in, it really does prioritize fans over everyone else.

One of the, if not THE best reason to hold an external beta like this is to see the feedback on your mechanics and see if it is fun. Sure, we all like to talk up finding bugs. And that's important too. But the most important reason to hold a large scale beta is definitely to see what works and what doesn't.

A big problem with how they're handling the beta is that, during the earliest stages, the entire testgroup is going to have a singular mindset going in. And that is that you are familiar and at least like the idea of Planetside enough to spend money on it before going into it. And that's putting it mildly as a majority of the early testers will be Planetside 1 veterans.

This will almost guarantee a majority of the feedback to be in favor of changing the game to be more like Planetside 1. No matter how good or bad it might be for Planetside 2.

I'm not saying you shouldn't listen to Planetside 1 fans. But what I am saying is that you shouldn't organize your beta so that they are guaranteed to be the popular opinion. This is especially the case if there happens to be an issue that would come up that would confuse new players, but Planetside 1 fans would be fine.

What I am saying is that instead of prioritizing fans of the game, it should have picked players at random. This way they would have a much more diverse pool of player feedback, both from the fan and the newcomer. Which could iron out issues

Again I must stress, this isn't about when I get into the beta. I want to see this game flourish among PS1 fans and newcomers alike. Good, diverse feedback is critical to achieving this goal. By prioritizing fans first, you are limiting the amount of time that is given to the diverse pool of players to develop good, constructive feedback from their background.

TL;DR version: Invite less fans and veterans and invite more newcomers to the franchise for more diverse feedback for a longer period of time.

[Sirisian]

TL;DR version: Invite less fans and veterans and invite more newcomers to the franchise for diverse opinions.
There's less than 100 Planetside fans in the world. (Trust me I counted). The continents hold 2K people each. For testing they are probably going to need a lot of people. It'll be fine. :)


This will almost guarantee a majority of the feedback to be in favor of changing the game to be more like Planetside 1. No matter how good or bad it might be for Planetside 2.
That is a problem I have too. That's why I'm biding my time and waiting to gather a larger mech and creatures community. Soon...

[WiteBeam]

The number of none PS fans with a PCGamer beta key greatly out numbers players like us who bought the magazine for beta or still play PS1 for access.

So would your concern now be when each group is allowed to start beta and give the deva feedback? I'd bet they would all be thrown in the same pot and it wouldn't be an issue of bias.

[Raymac]

They haven't given any details on how beta is going to work. You are making a criticism based on an flimsy assumption. I highly doubt only Planetside fans will be early beta testers.

[VioletZero]

They haven't given any details on how beta is going to work. You are making a criticism based on an flimsy assumption. I highly doubt only Planetside fans will be early beta testers.

They will, without a doubt, be the majority of testers at first.

[Raymac]

They will, without a doubt, be the majority of testers at first.

Without a doubt, eh? You know something the rest of us don't?

[Vash02]

I know right? They still haven't sent invites to veterans yet!

Oh wait, is that not what this topic is about?

[WiteBeam]

They will, without a doubt, be the majority of testers at first.

Dude. Do you really think they will start beta with only 500 players?

[WiteBeam]

I know right? They still haven't sent invites to veterans yet!

Oh wait, is that not what this topic is about?

Thats not what he is saying at all if you read any of his post.
And any vet that cares enough about beta already has a beta key from PCgamer.

[DayOne]

And any vet that cares enough about beta already has a beta key from PCgamer.

Except the ones in Europe!

[RedKnights]

Not all of us still play Planetside because we like Planetside, but because we like what it could have been and we like playing with tons of people.

I mainly play a lot of BF3 and other shooters, and I imagine most PS vets do too, so I don't think your concerns are that serious, we know what is fun, and there is more than one kind. ^^

[SuperMorto]

This will almost guarantee a majority of the feedback to be in favor of changing the game to be more like Planetside 1. No matter how good or bad it might be for Planetside 2.

Being like PS1 will not be a bad thing. Planetside 1 was way before its time, and could of done so much better. It is the game that PS2 will be based off. And that is the best thing they can do to make it a success.

Planetside 1 would of been a massive hit if things had gone a different way. Look now, its still has active users enjoying it everyday, even after all of this time.

Of course we don't want it to be PS1, but we do want the "PS1" feeling in the game or something better. PS1 was a milestone in gaming (I know it wasn't the biggest/best) but it was an achievement that PS2 should be very similar to. Or it just wont be Planetside and you will see new and old folks leaving in the masses.

Thats my lil bit.

Morto.

[Gaff]

I doubt you will find many people here that will agree with you.

The fact is that current and former PlanetSide players are going to be extremely picky and judgmental. If something works (or doesn't) they will have no problem saying exactly how and why, and what they think should be changed.

I happen to think that there wasn't much wrong with the first game (other than some technical and server issues) so what isn't broken doesn't need fixing, but there are plenty of new features in the sequel (dynamic missions, classes, resources, etc.) that both appeal to former PS1 vets as well as making it more inclusive for a newer player to pick up.

Don't forget that at its height, at the very peak of its popularity, PlanetSide had perhaps 80,000 active subscribers (and that might be erring a little on the generous side). Let's say half of those people still have access to their SOE station account, and half of them actually have the time / inclination to participate in the PlanetSide 2 beta, that's maybe 20,000 people. Given that they will probably need in excess of 100,000 testers (to fully test as many hardware configurations as they can) then the vast majority of testers are going to be people who did not play the original game.

In essence, they will be "rewarding" former players of the first game by giving them a sneak-peek for PS2, but that's about it. Make no mistake, they seem to be in this for the long haul (hence PS2 becoming a full sequel in its own right, and not just a graphical overhaul of the original game, as was the original plan a couple of years ago) and they know they have to appeal to a substantial cross-section of players.

I have no doubt that they will do key giveaways and competitions for people to get into the beta as it advances in order to help diversify their beta base, but in the beginning it's going to be concentrated on former PlanetSide vets and PCG keys because they know those people can be relied on to a) play, and b) give feedback (vocally!)

TL;DR: it's going to be fine, and SOE just want to hit the ground running with the initial couple of waves in the beta with people they can rely on, before expanding it to other, less PlanetSide-y, people.

[VioletZero]

Being like PS1 will not be a bad thing. Planetside 1 was way before its time, and could of done so much better. It is the game that PS2 will be based off. And that is the best thing they can do to make it a success.

Planetside 1 would of been a massive hit if things had gone a different way. Look now, its still has active users enjoying it everyday, even after all of this time.

Of course we don't want it to be PS1, but we do want the "PS1" feeling in the game or something better. PS1 was a milestone in gaming (I know it wasn't the biggest/best) but it was an achievement that PS2 should be very similar to. Or it just wont be Planetside and you will see new and old folks leaving in the masses.

Thats my lil bit.

Morto.

I get that Planetside 1 was a good game, but Planetside 2 is going to be completely different. And just because it worked in that game doesn't mean it'll work in its sequel too. And just because an idea didn't work in PS1 doesn't mean it can't work in PS2.

[Mastachief]

Bollocks. Violentzero, have you even played the original game?

[VioletZero]

Bollocks. Violentzero, have you even played the original game?

I don't see what this has to do with the thread.

EDIT: Upon re-reading the thread. I realize that the wording might have singled out fans too much.

What I am saying is that one background shouldn't dominate the feedback. It's similar to the issue of baby boomers in the U.S. dominating the voice in government and resulting in bills like SOPA.

[Graywolves]

Wether you agree with it or not. Veterans are more ready and more likely to bring the game to the limits than others. Newcomers need to overcome a larger learning curve and discover how the game works.

A game like Planetside 2 is very different from other MMOs and FPS games.

As beta progresses, we will get more newcomers in. The PS2 team is probably a little more intelligent than to let the game drift whatever way other people tell them to.

[Mastachief]

A lot.

You are forming opinions based on no actual experience of the planetside world in action. This is planetside2 you are correct, however it is still planetside.

How do you expect new to the franchise testers to have proper bearing on the games beta development when they have never played a game like this. It is after all unique.

Weapons, vehicles, hacking mechanics are based on engagements involving hundreds of players (not 32 Vs 32) only the planetside veterans have experience of this. Lots of us having near a decade of said experience.

The veterans should have overall priority to all others.

[Raymac]

Plus, VioletZero, your logic is supremely flawed. If the developers were taking fan input as the end all be all gospel of what is the absolute best thing, they would have done away with classes, and changed tank drivers gunning, etc. etc.

The devs aren't just mindless robots that just take our input and put it directly into the game. They use their brains and their own vision along with our feedback.

[ThGlump]

Worst that can happen is that beta will be filled with ppl that prefer bf/cod, and warp ps2 to that direction with their feedback.
Even with major changes to game pace, weapons, classes, core gameplay of planetside is the same. You need feedback from ppl who are familiar with that gameplay to give proper feedback, not turn something down because new players dont understand whats planetside about.

If you want completely different game, dont call it planetside.

[Aurmanite]

There is hardly consensus among veteran Planetside players. Just look at some of the threads here.

Planetside 2 isn't a majorly anticipated title like say, Diablo 3. In the beginning, until things get rolling, veterans and people who otherwise are aware of Planetside are going to make up the bulk of people in the beta. People like us will be necessary to actually take up spots.

You can't give the beta to people who didn't sign up for it.

[VioletZero]

Plus, VioletZero, your logic is supremely flawed. If the developers were taking fan input as the end all be all gospel of what is the absolute best thing, they would have done away with classes, and changed tank drivers gunning, etc. etc.

The devs aren't just mindless robots that just take our input and put it directly into the game. They use their brains and their own vision along with our feedback.

Maybe I didn't bring this fact across, but I trust the developers not to let fans drive the game in a certain direction.

I'm less worried about it being driven towards one direction and more worried that certain issues that particularly affect newcomers to the franchise will go unnoticed for too long and by the time it is found out in later stages of the beta, it is too late to fix before launch.

[SuperMorto]

I don't see what this has to do with the thread.

EDIT: Upon re-reading the thread. I realize that the wording might have singled out fans too much.

What I am saying is that one background shouldn't dominate the feedback. It's similar to the issue of baby boomers in the U.S. dominating the voice in government and resulting in bills like SOPA.

He has a point violet. Notice anything about these 2 names:

Planetside
Planetside 2

they have something in common. but if they looked like this your thread might get a better response.

Planetside
(NOT PLANETSIDE)

Fact is, Planetside 2 is Planetside just more modern. It should be as close to the original as possible without "being the original" and without limiting new features. It should be PS1 on roids! :D

Another lil bit by me.

Morto.

[VioletZero]

I just think that if we hope to attract newcomers, we need to give newcomers ample time to play the beta and formulate a good opinion of the game from someone who hasn't played Planetside.

[UnknownDT]

You haven't played PS1?

I don't think I need to know anything else. Goodbye Thread.

[Aurmanite]

This community has a really bad habit of blowing this game out of proportion, building it up and anointing it some mythic status. It was just a shooter. The learning curve was not all that high unless perhaps you were very young and Planetside was your first MMO.

Bad feedback is bad feedback no matter if it comes from a veteran or a new player. Once the beta begins we will have a sense of how the devs handle feedback. They are the experts in game design, we are not. I imagine they will be keeping that in mind.

[Graywolves]

I just think that if we hope to attract newcomers, we need to give newcomers ample time to play the beta and formulate a good opinion of the game from someone who hasn't played Planetside.

They would be playing an unfinished game with poor knowledge of its direction.

[ThGlump]

I just think that if we hope to attract newcomers, we need to give newcomers ample time to play the beta and formulate a good opinion of the game from someone who hasn't played Planetside.

And best to attract them is to play with veterans so they see how game can be different. Its mostly about gamers. If they play it like any other mindless shooter, ignoring core mechanics and only play it to shoot somebody, thats not what newcomers should see. Thats what would scare them away as it would be same as any other game.

[Xaine]

What you're saying certainly has merit, but by and large the PS1 vets are experienced MMO/FPS gamers and are also a fair bit older than the average MMO crowd. I'm probably one of the younger people here at 21, most other people are a bit older as they probably played PS1 when they were my age now.

With that older/more experienced player base comes the virtue of, well, having an older/more experienced player base. I think we're all smart enough to see what works, what doesn't, and what needs changing. We're not going to start throwing our toys out of the pram because it isn't exactly like PS1.

What you're saying could certainly be an issue, but i have faith in the PS1 vets to be more rational than your average bunch of MMO players.

[Hamma]

Honestly im sure there will be an open beta phase. Eventually everyone will get a chance to play it in beta I don't think when you get in makes any difference.

[Raymac]

I just think that if we hope to attract newcomers, we need to give newcomers ample time to play the beta and formulate a good opinion of the game from someone who hasn't played Planetside.

That's the point. If the devs have a brain at all, they won't be limiting the beta to Planetside vets only, and they will most certainly be looking at fresh points of view. Your fears are unfounded. Chill.

[VioletZero]

That's the point. If the devs have a brain at all, they won't be limiting the beta to Planetside vets only, and they will most certainly be looking at fresh points of view. Your fears are unfounded. Chill.

Well, if the "priority access" is short then yes, my fears are unfounded.

[Aurmanite]

Honestly im sure there will be an open beta phase. Eventually everyone will get a chance to play it in beta I don't think when you get in makes any difference.

That's how it worked with Planetside.

When they opened beta up the population skyrocketed. I remember waiting for half an hour to get on Cyssor, it was awesome.

This was also before Facebook and twitter and going viral.

[ThGlump]

It was just a shooter.

Well thats the thing. It wasnt just a shooter. If it was dont you think ppl would abandon it years ago. Who would pay montly fee for just a shooter (and very old on top of that), when there are now tons of better shooters for free.

If you scratch all that what make planetside, and make it just a shooter, then ps2 will die in 2 years when new bf/cod come out. That why we want to keep whats unique about ps.

[Aurmanite]

Well thats the thing. It wasnt just a shooter. If it was dont you think ppl would abandon it years ago. Who would pay montly fee for just a shooter (and very old on top of that), when there are now tons of better shooters for free.

If you scratch all that what make planetside, and make it just a shooter, then ps2 will die in 2 years when new bf/cod come out. That why we want to keep whats unique about ps.

There's lots of reasons people stuck around. Community, lack of interest in other stuffs, just for kicks. It's certainly not because Planetside is a solid game.

There's a reason why WoW was the most popular and lasting MMO to date. If you took away the MMO aspect of it, WoW would still be a great game.

People still play Ultima Online. It's just a fantasy MMO.
People still play the shit out of Quake. It was just a shooter.

Because people are still doing it doesn't really change what...it...is.

[Gaff]

If you scratch all that what make planetside, and make it just a shooter, then ps2 will die in 2 years when new bf/cod come out. That why we want to keep whats unique about ps.No other modern shooter, BF / CoD / MW included, can compete with PlanetSide's scale.

The best you can do is something like MAG on the PS3, which is capped at 256 v 256.

[Graywolves]

There's lots of reasons people stuck around. Community, lack of interest in other stuffs, just for kicks. It's certainly not because Planetside is a solid game.

There's a reason why WoW was the most popular and lasting MMO to date. If you took away the MMO aspect of it, WoW would still be a great game.

People still play Ultima Online. It's just a fantasy MMO.
People still play the shit out of Quake. It was just a shooter.

Because people are still doing it doesn't really change what...it...is.

It's the persistent never ending competitive conquest for me. (which is very rare)

[ThGlump]

Ask them. Im sure they dont answer its just fantasy mmo/shooter. They keep with that game because it brings them something unique that they dont found in any other game.
Sure for you planetside can be just shooter, but for many players wasnt and they want keep spirit of planetside in his successor.
If ps is just a shooter for you, then probably ps2 will be too, and you leave it for another shooter what will come after. What you think developers should listen to? To ppl that thinks ps is something more and want it to live long, or someone who jump boat next year for something else?

[Aurmanite]

Ask them. Im sure they dont answer its just fantasy mmo/shooter. They keep with that game because it brings them something unique that they dont found in any other game.
Sure for you planetside can be just shooter, but for many players wasnt and they want keep spirit of planetside in his successor.
If ps is just a shooter for you, then probably ps2 will be too, and you leave it for another shooter what will come after. What you think developers should listen to? To ppl that thinks ps is something more and want it to live long, or someone who jump boat next year for something else?

This is exactly what I was saying. Planetside was an MMO shooter. 9 years later, people are putting it on a pedestal, building it up into some greek goddess...Their fond memories and nostalgic reasoning are getting the better of them.

I loved Planetside. It is one of my favorite games of all time. I remember it as it was though; A shooter that felt 3 years old when it came out but was awesome cause there were 100's of people for me to shoot.

My point about feedback and who the devs listen to is simple. Good feedback is good feedback. It doesn't matter if it's coming from someone who will be gone in a year or someone who plans to play for-ev-er. Same with bad feedback.

What's important is how the devs filter this information and put it to use.

[Lonehunter]

You're making quite a lot of assumptions. You'r assuming 100s of people you haven't met want PS2 to be more like PS1....really?

Planetside is the most unique franchise in the world in my opinion. Having beta testers familiar with this would be very valuable.

Who can judge how well three teams of 50-100 infantry compete over one base?
Who can judge how hard/easy it is to get 20 tanks from one side of a continent to the other with air cover?
Who can judge how hard/easy it is to coordinate with other outfits of 100+ people and launch and attack en masse?

The ONLY people in the world with this kind of gaming experience are PS1 vets

BUT, seeing as how PS1 was made in 2003, I can understand needing to bring in fresh faces. But not as many as there are vets

[Mastachief]

As a gaming community that started in Operation flashpoint we play/have played:

OFP
OFP2
ARMA
ARMA2
Planetside
Star Trek online
World of tanks
Battlefield 3
Battlefield bad company2
Rift
APB
Global Agenda
EVE
Brink

Out for all those games the one constant presence since its release has been Planetside so it is not just another shooter else we would not keep coming back.

Our outfit is not alone is this sort of variety of experience and i dare say that the majority of outfits play more than one game.

This brings everything you could want from Beta testers.

[Dov]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76p_ncbffCE

[Effective]

Yes, let's not give dedicated planetside players (people who have gotten the short end of the stick from SOE for years) beta access, that will go over brilliantly.

No, no it won't. I'm not opposed to letting non-PS players into beta. I am opposed to the majority NOT being PS 1 players.

[VioletZero]

Yes, let's not give dedicated planetside players (people who have gotten the short end of the stick from SOE for years) beta access, that will go over brilliantly.

No, no it won't. I'm not opposed to letting non-PS players into beta. I am opposed to the majority NOT being PS 1 players.

I'm saying don't give them PRIORITY access over everyone else. Give PS1 vets the same chances as someone who only signed up without knowing what Planetside even is.

Because it is important to get diverse opinions and not let one background be the overwhelming majority.

[Bags]

I'm saying don't give them PRIORITY access over everyone else. Give PS1 vets the same chances as someone who only signed up without knowing what Planetside even is.

That's exactly how it is, as far as I can tell.

[Graywolves]

I'm saying don't give them PRIORITY access over everyone else. Give PS1 vets the same chances as someone who only signed up without knowing what Planetside even is.

Because it is important to get diverse opinions and not let one background be the overwhelming majority.

It's important to show some form of loyalty to dedicated fans.

Previous posts give plenty of other reasons why PS1 Veterans are more qualified to test for the game sooner than newcomers.

[Bags]

I thought everyone got equal chance to get in, PS vets and magazine owners alike?

[VioletZero]

It's important to show some form of loyalty to dedicated fans.

Previous posts give plenty of other reasons why PS1 Veterans are more qualified to test for the game sooner than newcomers.

Because PS1 vets are the ONLY people who are going to be playing right?

[Bags]

I thought everyone got equal chance to get in, PS vets and magazine owners alike?

I thought everyone got equal chance to get in, PS vets and magazine owners alike?

[Miir]

I thought everyone got equal chance to get in, PS vets and magazine owners alike?

That's pretty much what the dev's have said.

[Hamma]

That is correct.

And Fan Faire 2011 attendees, all 20 that will actually try PlanetSide 2. :lol:

[VioletZero]

I thought everyone got equal chance to get in, PS vets and magazine owners alike?

Correct, but the people who get in through being a vet will outnumber the people get in through the magazine by a lot.

[Whalenator]

That is a problem I have too. That's why I'm biding my time and waiting to gather a larger mech and creatures community. Soon...

ಠ_ಠ Give it up
Also, on an actually constructive note, SOE is trying to make up for 7 years of most people's patchless, tortured planetside lives. It's the least they could do.

[Bags]

Correct, but the people who get in through being a vet will outnumber the people get in through the magazine by a lot.

Source?

[Knocky]

Correct, but the people who get in through being a vet will outnumber the people get in through the magazine by a lot.

They probably sold more Mags in my county alone, then the current active player base.

[VioletZero]

There are other ways to show appreciation to PS1 vets.

I like the idea of giving them bonus starter CERTs. Since they had experience in PS1, they have a much less learning curve and it would be appropriate to give them a head start.

[Whalenator]

There are other ways to show appreciation to PS1 vets.

I like the idea of giving them bonus starter CERTs. Since they had experience in PS1, they have a much less learning curve and it would be appropriate to give them a head start.

Or just visual features.
No need to unbalanced the game and create unnecessary raeg. :groovy:

[VioletZero]

Or just visual features.
No need to unbalanced the game and create unnecessary raeg. :groovy:


That won't unbalance the game.

[Eyeklops]

Correct, but the people who get in through being a vet will outnumber the people get in through the magazine by a lot.

That is ALLOT of speculation...allot. Do you know how many subscribers PC Gamer has? "The magazine has a circulation of approximately 210,000." (reference) (http://www.gaebler.com/PC+Gamer-magazine-advertising-costs++30017).

[Bags]

There are other ways to show appreciation to PS1 vets.

I like the idea of giving them bonus starter CERTs. Since they had experience in PS1, they have a much less learning curve and it would be appropriate to give them a head start.

So we shouldn't be allowed in beta because we played the first?

ARe you retarded?

[VioletZero]

So we shouldn't be allowed in beta because we played the first?

ARe you retarded?

No, you should definitely get in the beta. Just not given special priority.

[Eyeklops]

Ohh, and while I am here. If SOE did a poll about ironsights & quick knife, and 500 screaming PS1 vets rage and stomp about them being put into the game, but a large majority of the COF/MOH/BF crowd (which will outnumber us by a large margin) say they love them, guess what? Business is business, and we will lose. That is life. Adapt and move on.

[Graywolves]

This thread feels like "My demographic doesn't have priority so I'm disapoint."

Guild Wars 2 had a time when people were saying the true fans weren't getting into beta and that they shouldn't be doing press exclusive period.

Turned out they did have some GW1 players but obviously they couldn't share from NDA (informed from blue post on forums in a thread like this)


As stated in the Tales of Tyria podcast that they were talking about this. If priority was given to anyone else, we'd be having the same conversation from another point of view.

This has little to do with the Beta itself. More to do with "Me" not having priority over "them"

[Warborn]

I actually agree that Planetside 1 veterans should not get priority. The last thing we need is for their beta forums or whatever to be clogged with a million threads cumulatively demanding the game be turned into a prettier version of Planetside 1. They could do worse things than distance themselves from the people who liked the original. Anyone who managed to play a game that bad for as long as some of us did are clearly brain damaged.

[Bags]

No, you should definitely get in the beta. Just not given special priority.

We're not being given special priority.

[Whalenator]

Warborn you're typing angrily again

[Hamma]

Let's try to discuss in this thread without ripping eachothers heads off mkay?

[Bags]

Oh yes, the players are the reason planetside 1 died. It was our fault it got almost no support~

[Eyeklops]

And while I am at it. For all the people against a "region lock" because "I can't play wit my friends and I am afraid to make new ones, boo hoo, snif, cry, moan." Learn to make new friends. Do you really think newcomers will appreciate the degradation in game play because of the lag? Hell no, you will see pro write up's about "its fun, but the lag is bad compared to moh/cod/bf..bla bla bla." "died around a corner bla bla bla."

The merging of the US and EU servers was a HUGE, GREEDY mistake for this reason alone. When the pops got that low they should have just shut down PS1 and started hyping people for PS2. Now we have these babies crying about the region lock and actively working to make the gameplay WORSE.

If you REALLY loved the game and wanted to make sure it was a GOOD PLAYING GAME, you might think "I am going to miss playing with some of my old buddies, but it does make a better FIRST PERSON SHOOTER game when people play on the right server."

You can all hate me and flame me for this, but it's my opinion.

[EVILPIG]

The original post is nothing but speculation. You do not know how they will handle Beta, who will get in when nor how much Planetside experience they have.

I will say that this Planetside team is mostly fresh faces who have a fresh perspective on building a MMOFPS. They are not looking to recreate Planetside, but build a modern experience based on Planetside's genre.

[Mightymouser]

I'm just going to copy my response to this same 'problem' from the PC Gamer thread from weeks ago; since it's basically the same issue:


You've got balls to talk about ego. You think that a PS1 player's opinion should be given more weight than the unwashed masses? That's the thought process I see here. A different feedback path? My God. You really think a lot of yourself. Self important dicks give forum communities a bad rap.

Everyone's feedback is equal. Because you played a decade old game has no bearing on your ability to properly test a new one. Your opinion matters exactly as much as everyone else who may spend money on PS2. They're doing you a favor and stroking your little ego by ensuring you get in along with everyone else. You are not a beautiful and unique snowflake and you are no more qualified to test and give feedback than anyone else.

And that's coming from a PS1 vet, for the record.This absolutely needed to be said. This community is great, but the sense of entitlement some people have here is really starting to get on my nerves.

For the record: Soe/the PS2 Dev team dont owe you ANYTHING. You paid for PS1, possibly for many years, fair enough. But you havent paid so much as a penny for PS2. You are entitled to nothing but what SOE chooses to give you. It sucks, but there you are

From a 'what we're owed' stand point I'd agree. I don't think anyone (worth listening to) is actually claiming we have some legal right to special treatment in PS2. On the other hand, in terms of ability to play test the game, and understand it's particulars, long time PS players certainly have insights which non-PS players likely do not. I'm not saying that every PS1-vet's feedback should outweigh any non-vet's feedback; rather I'm noting that there are many players from PS1 who have a great deal better understanding of how the only game like PS2 (i.e., PS1) works, than someone off the street. Also, long time vets have proven a devotion to the game which is important when considering a playtester's feedback. Many playtesters play the beta and never even buy the released game; these folks shouldn't be determining the style of the game for die-hard PS players who have proven a devotion to the PS franchise.


Yes, PS2 is going to be different from PS1; however, since the latter is largely based off the former, it's reasonable to assume there are going to be many overlapping areas. Therefore it is certainly reasonable to say that veteran PS1 players will have greater insight into how PS2 should be developed. I'd draw an equivalency to two CR5's arguing over how a fight should go in PS1; one who is a multi-year veteran CR5, and the other who just got his backpack. The older CR5 likely has a much greater understanding of how the fight will progress, and can foresee how certain events will unfold much better than the new CR5. I think that same idea can carry over to the new game, in that older vets can look at a situation and have a better idea how that situation will work out in the long run, as opposed to someone who has only played standard FPSes (or standard MMORPGs). Obviously, you get good players and bad in both cases; but I think on the whole, long time PS1 vets are more likely to provide insightful feedback.


All of that said; we don't really know what they're going to do until they tell us more, so we'll just have to wait and see...

The point is: While it does not seem likely the PS1 vets are going to be given much 'Priority' over other people with beta keys; if such a priority did indeed exist, there would be an understandable reason for it. We better understand the game and it's context; we can (likely) better predict various situations, and make (often) better suggestions for balance and changes. As for PS1 players not being about to appropriately gauge the newbee-friendliness of the game; PS2 is going to be a new game to all of us, we'll all have new things we need to learn in the game...

That said; there can be no doubt there will be more people in the beta throughout it's run than PS1 vets available to fill all the slots; all voices will be heard, never fear...

[Warborn]

Edit: Nevermind, we didn't agree on shit.

You're a fucking Troll. You have too much hate in your life dude. Go jack off.

This isn't a troll. I'm serious. I think PS1 players are so set in their thinking that this game should be like PS1 it would be problematic to have them given any sort of central position in beta testing. I genuinely believe that there are too many PS1 players so obstinate in their aversion to stuff that is different from PS1 that the entire demographic would cause more of a hassle than they'd contribute. I'm sorry you don't agree with me, but that doesn't mean I'm a "fucking Troll" (capitalized? really), it just means you disagree with my position.

Warborn you're typing angrily again

Oooh these fingers just can't contain their anger! Careful now!

[VanuMAXGuy]

SOE isn't going to do everything the PS1 vets say, and not all PS1 vets are for "PS1 with OMGRAPHICS".

Just relax and see how it goes :|

[Whalenator]

never fear...

Not the best track record here;
One (http://amplicate.com/hate/sony-online-entertainment?sort=featured)
Two (http://forums.g4tv.com/showthread.php?t=170293)
Three (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2011-05-04-sony-breach-congress_n.htm)
Four (http://www.sony-sucks.com/)
Five (http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/sony-online-entertainment-confirms-layoffs-studio-closings/)
Six (http://n4g.com/news/732916/ign-the-agency-cancelled-layoffs-at-soe)
Seven (http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=505321&post_id=5611856)
Eight (http://www.gamespace.com/discussion2.cfm/post/2760550#2760550)
Nine (http://www.planetside-universe.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=642612)
Ten (http://notorious9.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=2429)

[Vash02]

chop
Just warning, even with this forums lax moderation someone has been banned for this kind of douchebaggery.

[Mightymouser]

Not the best track record here;
One (http://amplicate.com/hate/sony-online-entertainment?sort=featured)
Two (http://forums.g4tv.com/showthread.php?t=170293)
Three (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2011-05-04-sony-breach-congress_n.htm)
Four (http://www.sony-sucks.com/)
Five (http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/sony-online-entertainment-confirms-layoffs-studio-closings/)
Six (http://n4g.com/news/732916/ign-the-agency-cancelled-layoffs-at-soe)
Seven (http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=505321&post_id=5611856)
Eight (http://www.gamespace.com/discussion2.cfm/post/2760550#2760550)
Nine (http://www.planetside-universe.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=642612)
Ten (http://notorious9.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=2429)

Well from that standpoint; it wouldn't really matter who they had in beta would it?

[Whalenator]

Not trying to be a downer, just don't set your expectations too high.
I'm surprised they got this far... But the team seems pretty enthusiastic about their work.
Keep in mind they don't control financial decisions. Smedley could order them to offer bullets for cash.

[Hmr85]

Oh yes, the players are the reason planetside 1 died. It was our fault it got almost no support~

./agree

The original post is nothing but speculation. You do not know how they will handle Beta, who will get in when nor how much Planetside experience they have.

I will say that this Planetside team is mostly fresh faces who have a fresh perspective on building a MMOFPS. They are not looking to recreate Planetside, but build a modern experience based on Planetside's genre.

QFT

[VioletZero]

The fact that all Planetside veterans get priority access is not speculation.

[EVILPIG]

The fact that all Planetside veterans get priority access is not speculation.

Really? Can you show us your source? I could argue that the priority access the PS Gamer codes advertise overrides that. However, Both Planetside "vets" and PC Gamer codes could both be early access and in the same pool. I challenge you to provide proof of your statement. Without it, you're just adding to the speculation.

Everyone just needs to chill and wait and see. "Early", "Priority" and "Exclusive" imply nothing more than getting into the "closed" phase of Beta. Personally, I don't see what everyone is soo upset about. It is coming soon enough.

[VioletZero]

Really? Can you show us your source? I could argue that the priority access the PS Gamer codes advertise overrides that. However, Both Planetside "vets" and PC Gamer codes could both be early access and in the same pool. I challenge you to provide proof of your statement. Without it, you're just adding to the speculation.

Everyone just needs to chill and wait and see. "Early", "Priority" and "Exclusive" imply nothing more than getting into the "closed" phase of Beta. Personally, I don't see what everyone is soo upset about. It is coming soon enough.

I never said that they get in over people who got priority access with the PC gamer article.

I said they got priority access because that's what the developer said.

[Vash02]

I never said that they get in over people who got priority access with the PC gamer article.

I said they got priority access because that's what the developer said.

Both get priority access over people who just simply sign up for beta.

[SuperMorto]

I just think that if we hope to attract newcomers, we need to give newcomers ample time to play the beta and formulate a good opinion of the game from someone who hasn't played Planetside.

It will be free to play forever. You cant get a better test than that! :)

[IronMole]

So from what I've gathered from reading this thread is that; VioletZero and Eyeklops are just a bunch of cry babies?

[Gandhi]

What a ridiculous thread...

[Canaris]

What a ridiculous thread...

I'm with you on this Ghandi, let's go get some ice cream! :)

[Hydra]

This thread is retarded and pointless; whats done is done.
Planetside isn't your typical Call of duty or battlefield aim assist FPS, its a unique game that has not been imitated for over almost 9 years and was wonderful experience.

The average Joe that will play Planetside 2 is there to make sure Plansetside 2 reaches an agreeable standard for the modern FPS while the few veterans are there to make sure it doesn't turn into Call of Battleside 2.


Its called Balance.

[BlazingSun]

I guess everything that had to be said about this topic was said already.

I'd just like to add, that I personally wouldn't want to play a carbon copy of the first game (with updated graphics). It's 2012 and what we expect from games these days has changed. Therefore PS2 needs to be different as well in order to be successfull. I don't think that anyone minds changes from the first to the second game in general. But that doesn't mean that everyone will agree with every change, which is only natural. Ofcourse PS1 players will have a slighty different viewpoint on some of those changes, but calling them biased goes a bit too far, as PS1 isn't the only game that we have played in all those years ... imagine that!

Bottom line is: even if PS1 players get a beta headstart and even if they tried to turn the game into PS1 it wouldn't work, because the headstart wouldn't be long enough for our corrupting powers to take effect. :groovy:

Besides .. the beta will run for several months I think. Plenty of time to get your feedback in as well.

[Eyeklops]

So from what I've gathered from reading this thread is that; VioletZero and Eyeklops are just a bunch of cry babies?
You made me lol! Can we be friends?

[Psiclone]

Keep in mind that the majority of the developers are fans of PS1. Right out of the gate they are going to try to make the game be PS1 but better.

[EVILPIG]

Keep in mind that the majority of the developers are fans of PS1. Right out of the gate they are going to try to make the game be PS1 but better.

Do you have a source?

[Hamma]

I'd say the majority of the ones we know about are.. but there are plenty more. ;)

[Redshift]

well tbh we're the only people in the world that have ever played a game of this size, so we're far more qualified to give feedback on it :P

[Crator]

It's a well known fact from many videos with PS devs in it, including Smedly, that they all enjoy playing PS1 and have also said PS is a game they want to play.

[Yago]

It's a well known fact from many videos with PS devs in it, including Smedly, that they all enjoy playing PS1 and have also said PS is a game they want to play.

I'd say fact is pushing the point .
I know a few did , but Smed , I wouldn't believe that guy if he said he breathed .
"all PS1 vets will get a beta access" or something like that wasn't it ?

[Coreldan]

I'd say fact is pushing the point .
I know a few did , but Smed , I wouldn't believe that guy if he said he breathed .
"all PS1 vets will get a beta access" or something like that wasn't it ?

They have still confirmed that to be the case. 2-3 SOE employees in addition to Smedley, including the devs, not just PR people.