Long beta (2013 release?) is win-win.

General M · 2012-02-20, 02:01 PM

Obviously, like many others, I was a bit disappointed when I read "somewhere" that it appears PS2 is a 2013 release. However, unless SOE are evil beyond belief, the fact that there is more and more beta release build up can only mean that it is coming soon which leaves us with a long time in beta before release. In my opinion this is a perfect solution for all because:

- We get to play the game.
- Game gets fully tested
- Generates hype for the game
- Can point to "only in beta" if massive grievances come up

The biggest thing here is that (as far as I know) there will be a form of microtransaction system in place and the game is destined to be F2P anyway. This mean that SOE not only aren't losing any money through people playing the free beta and ignoring release, but also should have a fairly nice source of income (presuming the beta is fairly large).

Roll on beta!

Magpie · 2012-02-20, 02:09 PM

I just wanta play.

Mastachief · 2012-02-20, 02:11 PM

Depends how they run the beta really.

Could go:

2 to 3 months of 2-3 set playtests per week
1 to 2 months gap to take what they learnt and implement required changes
then full on beta for the remaining 4 months or so

Bags · 2012-02-20, 02:13 PM

Guy based 2013 estimation off of an hour of play testing.

dachlatte · 2012-02-20, 02:18 PM

just cause teh game might be released in 2013 doesnt mean there is going to be a long beta. why do people always jump to conclusions?

LZachariah · 2012-02-20, 02:19 PM

Yeah, I'm not too convinced that this game is a 2013 release based just on Evan's appraisal. Is it possible? Sure. I loved his playtest; he was very thorough and had some fantastic insights. However, he certainly did not "quote" Higby or anyone else saying that it was a 2013 release.

I'm thinking it will be sooner than 2013, but we'll see.

~Zachariah

ThGlump · 2012-02-20, 02:20 PM

Let me play for an hour. I want to make my estimation. And then another hour and another...

I never expected ps2 sooner than 2013, and still expect proper beta to start in summer. Few chosen ones will be in before that, but that will be only small scale testing, nothing like 1000+ players per continent.

General M · 2012-02-20, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by dachlatte

just cause teh game might be released in 2013 doesnt mean there is going to be a long beta. why do people always jump to conclusions?

You're right, especially considering how so much of this forum is based upon hard evidence and facts.

Garem · 2012-02-20, 02:34 PM

If most folks on this forum buy a beta key magazine, and I'm assuming the vast majority will, which kicks off in April, I don't think the PS2 Dev Team will give the players a key to a door that doesn't (mostly) function.

Maybe I'm crazy, but I think it's safe to say that we'll see a significant portion of the future that is PS2 in April if they're confident enough to give keys away to damned near everybody who just buys a magazine.

Coreldan · 2012-02-20, 02:38 PM

It's a tad questionable if they open cash shop while in beta. Most people will refuse to take it as a beta anymore when they pay for it already.

That said, Minecraft is/was a pretty good example of beta that costs, but still.

That said, Evan might have a point. He was referring to primary content lacking, to which I feel refers to the different continents. I'd say there is a reason to why we havnt really seen much in addition to Indar. And handcrafting a few more maps like Indar sure aint no small task.

dachlatte · 2012-02-20, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by Coreldan

That said, Minecraft is/was a pretty good example of beta that costs, but still.

you didnt just pay for the beta. you bought the full game for a very good price and in addition got access to the beta.

Graywolves · 2012-02-20, 02:54 PM

They have always been saying "When it's ready." I think that 2013 is the worst case scenario if we get in beta and the game is aweful and everything needs to be changed or it has more bugs that an ant colony.

wasdie · 2012-02-20, 02:55 PM

A long beta will be good for them. Since the game is F2P they can use all of us for the majority of the big beta testing. That would save them from having to use 3rd parties or bring people in which could cost money.

UnknownDT · 2012-02-20, 02:58 PM

I'd be surprised if Beta isn't within the next 2 months. Seems silly to be releasing the information/updates they have recently to only be months away from anything significant in terms of progress.

sylphaen · 2012-02-20, 03:03 PM

Still waiting for the VS weapons dominance week...