A problem with allowing beta and alpha access...
glimmerman
Join Date: 2004-04-29 Member: 28300Members, Constellation
Join Date: 2004-04-29 Member: 28300Members, Constellation
Well, since the majority of people seem to be buying the SE (well spent $40 btw), one of the problems will be leaking footage... By allowing pre-orders AND beta/alpha access, the game is basically for sale now!
With other games, heaps of hype builds up over it and then everyone rushes out and buys all the copies all at once when it is released. With NS2, since most people who played NS1 (and some who have just seen the new trailer) will already have bought it, there will be less of a rush, and more of a......bump in sales.
Plus most of the game will be spoilt by all the youtube vids and whatnot that would have been out since alpha/beta releases.
Opinions?
With other games, heaps of hype builds up over it and then everyone rushes out and buys all the copies all at once when it is released. With NS2, since most people who played NS1 (and some who have just seen the new trailer) will already have bought it, there will be less of a rush, and more of a......bump in sales.
Plus most of the game will be spoilt by all the youtube vids and whatnot that would have been out since alpha/beta releases.
Opinions?
Comments
Ideally it should have only been beta, by buying yourself into the alpha you'll get possibly bad hype, and honestly although many of us are dying to get our hands on this game, we may very well make things worse too. Just as you say about YouTube.
In my opinion the alpha part should have been cut out, and instead offer the developer tools (making levels anyone?) and something to make up for disallowing everyone access to the alpha.
Just don't let everyone be part of the crucial part in the development process called balancing and experimentation.
I think they're not giving uns the total Game, that lacks on every corner.
For me it looks like: You get an simple, small level where you can do something.
Hope iam right.
OHHH and brown blur just ate a land mine! we're gonna have trouble cleaning that up!
Of course there's potential for a bad reputation to be built up around any alpha release, but assuming issues that are brought up by players are listened to, discussed and actioned then there's no reason why we can't all help to make it a super game.
With other games, heaps of hype builds up over it and then everyone rushes out and buys all the copies all at once when it is released. With NS2, since most people who played NS1 (and some who have just seen the new trailer) will already have bought it, there will be less of a rush, and more of a......bump in sales.
Plus most of the game will be spoilt by all the youtube vids and whatnot that would have been out since alpha/beta releases.
Opinions?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
While I agree there are some limitations to doing a pre-order for alpha/beta access, I do believe it is in the interest of the developers to do so for a few reasons.
1) to raise capital. While ZoS is a great game, but probably not selling so many copies anymore; they are probably feeling some of the financial pain from the economy and need to raise some money.
2) To entice seasoned community members to test the game. Granted a lot of the people who pre-order probably will not become "quality" testers (i.e. they just want to play the game early, not help with development). However, there are some seasoned community members (like myself) who have a huge interest in helping out with the playtesting as much as I can. This could lead to better quality testers than if they were to hire and outside company to balance the game (they may still be doing this).
3) Capitalize on some hype. A lot of community members have been waiting desperately for SOMETHING. This is definitely the something that the community needed: A nice trailer and the ability to get into alpha/beta testing. My guess is that this testing will probably start in June sometime (I have no proof of this whatsoever; Just speculation).
Also, I was member of the constallation in NS1. Will I have a Constellation ICON in NS2 ?
Also, I was member of the constallation in NS1. Will I have a Constellation ICON in NS2 ?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
They have said the alpha will be available this Summer, so my guess is you only have a month or two to wait at most.
As for your second question, I always thought Constellation was more a UWE supporting thing, and I don't believe it's isolated to just the first game.
So yes, you should have Constellation recognition in NS2, if they're still doing that.
I agree that this was perhaps their best possible move. $20 to get access to alpha and a black suit of armor is enough of an incentive for the more quasi-interested player to shy away from it. SE buyers are more likely to be the hardcore fans from the days of olde. Thus, alpha testing with these folks, even if it merely comes down to early stress testing, seems completely legit.
Of course, we have absolutely no definitions for what stage of the game we will see for either alpha or beta. It could be Global Agenda and Civ4 alphas where it's not quite feature complete. Or, it could just be code for early playtesting versus later stress testing. Since the devs haven't notified us of anything like that, it's all mere speculation at this point.
It would be interesting to hear what they have in mind *nudge dev team*. Then again, would they tell us? ^_^
And skulk races sound like win <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />
Honestly, I reckon most alpha people will be spending most of their time on forums making fine tuning suggestions.
As for releasing tools with the alpha.... might be a handy way for players to say "Hey NS2 team... I think you should do this <uploads example from toolset>", NS team says "I like that.... <Copy - Paste>"
No such thing as bad publicity. The more people that hear about NS2, the better. You can be fairly certain that the vast majority of coverage will be overwhelmingly positive. Anyone that's been willing to pay the 100% premium to get in on the alpha is someone that's likely to have a rational head about the fact they're playing an alpha.
--Scythe--
If you wanna see what is a "TR" I've found a nice video about the NS1TR : <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKWYGTwGctI&feature=channel_page" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKWYGTwGctI...re=channel_page</a> As you can see there is not a lot to show.
The people that jump on the "OMGNS2SUCKS" bandwagon after seeing some leaked alpha footage are the ones I'd rather not have to play with when the game is released <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" />
I do, nevertheless, also expect that people who have purchased the special edition wants to help build a better game. I read on another post that 95% bought the SE. Where is it possible to find such numbers?
I wonder how many total they've sold. I'm guessing in the hundreds or lower thousands, in which case they might have themselves a nice capital injection to keep on trucking <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />. I do remember them having angel investors though.
Since we are paying for NS2, constellation will most likely no longer show up. Especially since doing so would make the developers look kind of chincy, in that people who bought the game will feel they are not getting the whole experience unless they fork over MORE cash.
Since we are paying for NS2, constellation will most likely no longer show up. Especially since doing so would make the developers look kind of chincy, in that people who bought the game will feel they are not getting the whole experience unless they fork over MORE cash.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
What?
I donated especially to make NS2 happen, so why is the Constellation Icon no longer valid? And what does an icon have to do with more game experience?
I mean, I dont really care about the icon anyways, but it surely feels odd when a large factor in UWEs company history (fans donating) just gets forgotten.
In return you got an icon in that particular game.
But I don't see why this should be valid for Natural Selection 2 since it's a different game. The concept may be basically the same but it's neither a mod nor is it free.
I wouldn't mind my Constellation Icon showing up in Natural Selection 2, too, but it would be totally understandable if it didn't.
MMORPG's are classic for allowing the majority of their pre-launch fanbase in to open beta's; it's a business strategy.
In return you got an icon in that particular game.
But I don't see why this should be valid for Natural Selection 2 since it's a different game. The concept may be basically the same but it's neither a mod nor is it free.
I wouldn't mind my Constellation Icon showing up in Natural Selection 2, too, but it would be totally understandable if it didn't.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yeah I have to agree, that constellation was for NS1, not for NS2. Either way if you donated then you will have supported the developer team, and you will have your constie icon for NS1.
I spent $40 and there was no mention of a Non-Disclosure Agreement.
If it is the case that there is a NDA then I'm sorry, I may not play this game at all. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" />