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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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 ).

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

[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

[SKYeXile]

Lol for sure

unless beta has cash shop, then it may carryover.

[Coreldan]

Originally Posted by SKYeXile

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

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.

[kaffis]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

[Goku]

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

[Coreldan]

Originally Posted by Goku

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?

[Goku]

Originally Posted by Coreldan

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?

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.

[Coreldan]

Originally Posted by Goku

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.

[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 ^^