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Hedek
Head Merchant
Joined: 06 Jul 2001
Posts: 50
Location: France |
Most MMO developers don't use beta testing for the feedback beta testers could provide. They mostly only care about your "presence" : there is something internal/paid testers can't test : it's "server load", and it's not something that depends on your "quality" as a tester. Basically beta testers are only here to log in big numbers to see how their hardware and networking reacts. WoW's "stress test" is a very good example of that, and even then it wasn't enough to avoid lag, stability and other server load related issues.
Betas also serve as "hype meter", the more people apply to join the beta, the better, and actually the more people that keep playing throughout the beta is a good sign.
So yes the article is right that most beta testers aren't real testers, beta tests are used to test the "massively multiplayer online" aspect in MMORPGs not the "role playing game". I also agree with the article and hope the dev team doesn't waste too much on selecting their beta testers.
I like the way Turbine will be handling beta applications : long time subscribers (players of AC and AC2) will get priority access to the betas of D&D Online and LOTR Online, that's of course something 1st MMORPG companies such as Sigil or Blizzard can't do.
_________________
Retired Editor @ RPGDot
Ex Guru @ HK's Torment (dead Planescape Torment fansite) |
Wed Oct 19, 2005 1:32 pm |
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