<!--quoteo(post=1711460:date=Jun 9 2009, 03:43 PM:name=mf-)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mf- @ Jun 9 2009, 03:43 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1711460"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->This is not an alpha, its called an alpha but it more of a public beta test. That is why i believe it will be of such high quality. First impressions count alot these days. If it truely was an alpha, it would not be open to the public.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> <!--quoteo(post=1711476:date=Jun 9 2009, 04:54 PM:name=Razagal)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Razagal @ Jun 9 2009, 04:54 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1711476"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->They announced an alpha and a beta release. Based on the little information we have, there's no reason to believe the alpha will be very polished in any way.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yeah, I don't see how some people got this notion of NS2 Alpha being better than another other Alpha.
<!--quoteo(post=1711477:date=Jun 9 2009, 03:27 PM:name=WhiteZero)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (WhiteZero @ Jun 9 2009, 03:27 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1711477"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Yeah, I don't see how some people got this notion of NS2 Alpha being better than another other Alpha.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
From what I understand, UWE has the combined knowledge of the Borg and the skills of Chuck Norris...
I just hope I don't have to use my Bugspray that often... <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" />
i assume it will be very close to the beta ( visually ) or very far away, as there will be screenies taken and i assume the UW team dont want bad press before they actually release.
I think its very obvious that NS2 is obviously not taking the usual development cycle compared to other games, so i dont know how you can say alpha's will be similar. I've played alpha's that were great, and others that the game was only 20% completed.
<!--quoteo(post=1711527:date=Jun 9 2009, 08:43 PM:name=mf-)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mf- @ Jun 9 2009, 08:43 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1711527"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I think its very obvious that NS2 is obviously not taking the usual development cycle compared to other games, so i dont know how you can say alpha's will be similar. I've played alpha's that were great, and others that the game was only 20% completed.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> I'm obviously missing these obvious signs that NS2's development cycle is obviously not like others. Could you explain the obvious?
I agree that NS2's development isn't "usual", but considering the relative little we've seen of the game, I still don't see how you guys are expecting so much from Alpha.
<!--quoteo(post=1711529:date=Jun 9 2009, 07:31 PM:name=WhiteZero)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (WhiteZero @ Jun 9 2009, 07:31 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1711529"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I'm obviously missing these obvious signs that NS2's development cycle is obviously not like others. Could you explain the obvious?
I agree that NS2's development isn't "usual", but considering the relative little we've seen of the game, I still don't see how you guys are expecting so much from Alpha.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
That has to do with the fall 2009 release date they gave. If the alpha was not already a good deal of the way to what is called a beta version, I do not expect they could make that date at this point in time. Therefore I do expect the alpha to be more seeing if the mostly done engine will run fine on what people will throw at it, and the beta is more for making the game balanced.
I personally expect that the alpha testing will be about 3 weeks long, and the beta will run to release date.
<!--quoteo(post=1711561:date=Jun 10 2009, 12:01 AM:name=Eternaly_Lost)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Eternaly_Lost @ Jun 10 2009, 12:01 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1711561"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->That has to do with the fall 2009 release date they gave. If the alpha was not already a good deal of the way to what is called a beta version, I do not expect they could make that date at this point in time. Therefore I do expect the alpha to be more seeing if the mostly done engine will run fine on what people will throw at it, and the beta is more for making the game balanced.
I personally expect that the alpha testing will be about 3 weeks long, and the beta will run to release date.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Yes, thats <b>if</b> the game makes it out this year. Ya know, because games are never delayed or anything... o_O It's perfectly possible the guys overestimated their speed to get the game to a release-quality build. We'll just have to see what happens I guess. It's all speculation until we actually get our hands on the game.
I think the game will be playable, but not all features (aliens, weapons, structures, models, textures) will be fully implemented. Plus, ofcourse, bugs bugs bugs bugs.
They said 95% of the pre-orders were for the special edition. That makes it so that the alpha release is basically the beta release as well, because there is only 5% of the people who aren't getting the alpha. Since the alpha isn't going to be "exclusive" or anything, it is obvious that the game needs to have some level of polish on it, otherwise people will NOT be pleased. Because the alpha is so big, I'm sure its more like a beta, just without some content.
If I remember correctly they wanted to get the base game working, so they could release the map-making tools and people could create maps for them. So, my guess is there is probably one, maybe two maps that will be included in the alpha. I would be very surprised if there was more than just a few maps.
In terms of the actual game, not the maps, I predict that there will be some aspects missing, like perhaps a few weapons or something, but for the most part I expect the majority of things to be there, especially core game content.
The balance is most certainly going to be off. There's bound to be a broken weapon that is just completely unfair, or a weird exploit that breaks the game balance.
If you haven't seen the original NSTR or NSTR2, that really is the base of a game. You will not be getting the most high quality product with an alpha, it's not like getting a game early. The idea of the alpha is <b>testing</b>.
<!--quoteo(post=1711576:date=Jun 9 2009, 11:51 PM:name=Thaldarin)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Thaldarin @ Jun 9 2009, 11:51 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1711576"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->If you haven't seen the original NSTR or NSTR2, that really is the base of a game. You will not be getting the most high quality product with an alpha, it's not like getting a game early. The idea of the alpha is <b>testing</b>.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
For sure. But the majority of the "testers" aren't really there to test. They just want to play the game early. I think the developers are smart enough to realize that fact and they won't release the alpha until it has some level of playability. There might be NS1 placeholder stuff, but I think most of the core game elements will be present.
Sure, there will be a dedicated core group of players who really want to iron out all the bugs, but there's a lot of people who just see it as an early way to get the game.
Nah, I doubt that all the preorderers think they are getting a fully working game. People can't be that dumb. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
<!--quoteo(post=1711603:date=Jun 10 2009, 05:13 AM:name=Razagal)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Razagal @ Jun 10 2009, 05:13 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1711603"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Nah, I doubt that all the preorderers think they are getting a fully working game. People can't be that dumb. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> One person can be smart, once you add another person however each one act stupider, and gets more and more so the more people you add to the group. This is why large masses of people do stupid things, because everyone thinks it ok, because everyone else they are with are doing it.
The closest we will get to the game early is beta, and that is for more balance.
If NS2 Alpha is going to be a working game that's as close to completion as OP says, they wouldn't need that Beta stage that follows and can just rename the Alpha as Beta. My guess is they're allowing the public to join in the alpha testing because
1) lots of people want to play it early 2) save costs and time by not hiring professional testers, which would also provide them with feedback from the real players.
Right from the start, they've been saying that their strategy is to release as much information as they can to everyone. It began with the release of concept art pictures and it is going to end with an Alpha that everyone who bought the Special Edition can play.
I'm expecting something like this, from their lighting podcast <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJMf7-HKw6A" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJMf7-HKw6A</a>
Notice the nice new shiny LMG and marine? I'm happy with just that.
<!--quoteo(post=1711627:date=Jun 10 2009, 08:10 AM:name=Prefix)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Prefix @ Jun 10 2009, 08:10 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1711627"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->You realize that's the old lmg model used as a place holder, right?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Evidently he did not.
<!--quoteo(post=1711627:date=Jun 10 2009, 01:10 PM:name=Prefix)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Prefix @ Jun 10 2009, 01:10 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1711627"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->You realize that's the old lmg model used as a place holder, right?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well, I guess I do now hahah. I guess the engine lighting makes it look better, looks more... round.
But you can't say the new marine model is from ns1.
<!--quoteo(post=1711605:date=Jun 10 2009, 11:34 AM:name=Eternaly_Lost)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Eternaly_Lost @ Jun 10 2009, 11:34 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1711605"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->One person can be smart, once you add another person however each one act stupider, and gets more and more so the more people you add to the group.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Just say it straight: One person may be smart / intellegent, a group of persons is as dumb as an empty bucket of water.
<!--quoteo(post=1711970:date=Jun 12 2009, 03:09 AM:name=RobB)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RobB @ Jun 12 2009, 03:09 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1711970"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Just say it straight: One person may be smart / intellegent, a group of persons is as <b>dumb as an empty bucket of water</b>.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Wow... allready too many people expecting way too much. I hope the games publicity won't suffer from all the people that will be like "waah waah i paid money for this i expect a fully working game, i don't care if it's called an alpha!11"
It doesn't matter how many people bought the SE, the alpha will still be an alpha and not some kind of "promotional open beta". UWE is a small company, they need the players feedback for balance and bugstomping. They are not some giant EA like company that use "betas" as demos, people expecting something like that certainly ordered the wrong thing.
"Since the alpha isn't going to be "exclusive" or anything, it is obvious that the game needs to have some level of polish on it, otherwise people will NOT be pleased."
Anyone who bought the special edition pack and would actually not be pleased if the Alpha isn't a fully functional game should look in the mirror and say this:
"I'm a spoiled brat"
You should be grateful the devs are even offering an open alpha for the people who bought SE, why don't you be humble instead and thank the devs for their hardwork besides monetary compensation. That comment that people won't be pleased if its not polished made my blood boil, I hate people who expect ###### on a silver platter and then cry if they don't get it.
locallyunsceneFeeder of TrollsJoin Date: 2002-12-25Member: 11528Members, Constellation
<!--quoteo(post=1712292:date=Jun 14 2009, 04:32 PM:name=5emtex)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (5emtex @ Jun 14 2009, 04:32 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1712292"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Anyone who bought the special edition pack and would actually not be pleased if the Alpha isn't a fully functional game should look in the mirror and say this:
"I'm a spoiled brat"<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> What posters are talking about is the relatively large proportion of alpha players that there will be. Everything that is shown to the public should have a certain level of polish and UWE has never skimped on this polish before, even in constie releases. I don't think this will be a problem because even though they might not have expected so many alpha players, these people are "the faithful" and at least predisposed to liking the game. They will get some cushioning there.
A Grey box with a spawn portal for each team and bare minimum 1 working weapon per team is the least that I expect for an alpha anything else is gravy. delicious gravy.
Ohh and an ammo belt that hold my many cans of bug spray.
Comments
<!--quoteo(post=1711476:date=Jun 9 2009, 04:54 PM:name=Razagal)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Razagal @ Jun 9 2009, 04:54 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1711476"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->They announced an alpha and a beta release.
Based on the little information we have, there's no reason to believe the alpha will be very polished in any way.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yeah, I don't see how some people got this notion of NS2 Alpha being better than another other Alpha.
From what I understand, UWE has the combined knowledge of the Borg and the skills of Chuck Norris...
I'm obviously missing these obvious signs that NS2's development cycle is obviously not like others.
Could you explain the obvious?
I agree that NS2's development isn't "usual", but considering the relative little we've seen of the game, I still don't see how you guys are expecting so much from Alpha.
Could you explain the obvious?
I agree that NS2's development isn't "usual", but considering the relative little we've seen of the game, I still don't see how you guys are expecting so much from Alpha.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
That has to do with the fall 2009 release date they gave. If the alpha was not already a good deal of the way to what is called a beta version, I do not expect they could make that date at this point in time. Therefore I do expect the alpha to be more seeing if the mostly done engine will run fine on what people will throw at it, and the beta is more for making the game balanced.
I personally expect that the alpha testing will be about 3 weeks long, and the beta will run to release date.
I personally expect that the alpha testing will be about 3 weeks long, and the beta will run to release date.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yes, thats <b>if</b> the game makes it out this year. Ya know, because games are never delayed or anything... o_O
It's perfectly possible the guys overestimated their speed to get the game to a release-quality build.
We'll just have to see what happens I guess. It's all speculation until we actually get our hands on the game.
Here's to hoping I'm wrong.
They said 95% of the pre-orders were for the special edition. That makes it so that the alpha release is basically the beta release as well, because there is only 5% of the people who aren't getting the alpha. Since the alpha isn't going to be "exclusive" or anything, it is obvious that the game needs to have some level of polish on it, otherwise people will NOT be pleased. Because the alpha is so big, I'm sure its more like a beta, just without some content.
If I remember correctly they wanted to get the base game working, so they could release the map-making tools and people could create maps for them. So, my guess is there is probably one, maybe two maps that will be included in the alpha. I would be very surprised if there was more than just a few maps.
In terms of the actual game, not the maps, I predict that there will be some aspects missing, like perhaps a few weapons or something, but for the most part I expect the majority of things to be there, especially core game content.
The balance is most certainly going to be off. There's bound to be a broken weapon that is just completely unfair, or a weird exploit that breaks the game balance.
<b>I can't wait!</b>
For sure. But the majority of the "testers" aren't really there to test. They just want to play the game early. I think the developers are smart enough to realize that fact and they won't release the alpha until it has some level of playability. There might be NS1 placeholder stuff, but I think most of the core game elements will be present.
Sure, there will be a dedicated core group of players who really want to iron out all the bugs, but there's a lot of people who just see it as an early way to get the game.
People can't be that dumb. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
People can't be that dumb. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
One person can be smart, once you add another person however each one act stupider, and gets more and more so the more people you add to the group. This is why large masses of people do stupid things, because everyone thinks it ok, because everyone else they are with are doing it.
The closest we will get to the game early is beta, and that is for more balance.
1) lots of people want to play it early
2) save costs and time by not hiring professional testers, which would also provide them with feedback from the real players.
Right from the start, they've been saying that their strategy is to release as much information as they can to everyone. It began with the release of concept art pictures and it is going to end with an Alpha that everyone who bought the Special Edition can play.
Notice the nice new shiny LMG and marine? I'm happy with just that.
Can't wait to map with this.
Notice the nice new shiny LMG and marine? I'm happy with just that.
Can't wait to map with this.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You realize that's the old lmg model used as a place holder, right?
Evidently he did not.
Well, I guess I do now hahah. I guess the engine lighting makes it look better, looks more... round.
But you can't say the new marine model is from ns1.
Just say it straight: One person may be smart / intellegent, a group of persons is as dumb as an empty bucket of water.
LOL, that made my day
I hope the games publicity won't suffer from all the people that will be like "waah waah i paid money for this i expect a fully working game, i don't care if it's called an alpha!11"
It doesn't matter how many people bought the SE, the alpha will still be an alpha and not some kind of "promotional open beta". UWE is a small company, they need the players feedback for balance and bugstomping.
They are not some giant EA like company that use "betas" as demos, people expecting something like that certainly ordered the wrong thing.
Anyone who bought the special edition pack and would actually not be pleased if the Alpha isn't a fully functional game should look in the mirror and say this:
"I'm a spoiled brat"
You should be grateful the devs are even offering an open alpha for the people who bought SE, why don't you be humble instead and thank the devs for their hardwork besides monetary compensation. That comment that people won't be pleased if its not polished made my blood boil, I hate people who expect ###### on a silver platter and then cry if they don't get it.
"I'm a spoiled brat"<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
What posters are talking about is the relatively large proportion of alpha players that there will be. Everything that is shown to the public should have a certain level of polish and UWE has never skimped on this polish before, even in constie releases. I don't think this will be a problem because even though they might not have expected so many alpha players, these people are "the faithful" and at least predisposed to liking the game. They will get some cushioning there.
Ohh and an ammo belt that hold my many cans of bug spray.