Hyborian Beta Tester Guide

Martuk · 02-07-2008, 11:20 AM

Beta testing is a chance for players to help shape the gaming world for those that will follow when the game goes live. Beta testing is not an easy task and it requires patience and the ability to solve and recreate problems. To aid our future and closet beta testers in effectively helping to shape Hyboria, we at Ten Ton Hammer give you the Hyborian Beta Tester Guide. May it server you well should you be called to aid the Dev's.

Do you have your own tips for successful beta testing? Add them here. Just remember, no NDA breeches.

ranalin · 02-07-2008, 12:54 PM

Nice write up. Not much to add.

People tend to forget that Beta's are for testing and not playing a game for free.

Martuk · 02-07-2008, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ranalin

Nice write up. Not much to add.

People tend to forget that Beta's are for testing and not playing a game for free.

Thanks and I couldn't agree more. When I joined Vanguard in Beta phase 2 I saw something that made my eyes bleed.

One of the first things I saw during my testing time there was a guy log on during a new batch of invites during phase 3. The first thing he said was, "This game sucks. Its to laggy. They need to fix this crap." Now that person, really doesn't need to be testing anything. For obvious reasons.

TheMajesticJC · 02-07-2008, 11:34 PM

I have been a beta testers for many games. I am not a kid (34yrs old) so you never have to worry about me giving out beta information to anyone besides the developers.

I am very detailed in my work and thus have been sent many free games due to the fact I pay attention to detail, and since I have the luxury of working for myself at home, I can devote over 14 hours everyday to the game. Please consider me and my new computer specs.

This is what I wrote in the beta test forum and tried to sign up again since I built a new computer specifically for this awesome game.

I hope that they do consider me to test and find all the bugs. I want everyone that is as detailed as me to test so that when we do get the game, we can rest assure that the game play will be second to none.

And please people, if you are selected DO NOT tell friends, wives, girlfriends, enemies, the president or anyones else besides the devs. I have seen this problem occur and be brought to our attention in the forums and I hope that these people are dealt with appropriately. (just my 5 cents)

New computer specs are as follows: (Built to handle AOC)

MSI K9A2 Platinum
AMD 6400+ @ 3.7ghz
Patriot Extreme 8gigs 4-4-4-12
Enermax PSU Galaxy 1000W (ya baby)
XFX 8800 GTX 768mb
Asus Silent Knight 2 CPU fan
Windows Vista 64 Ultimate
Logitech G-9
ViewSonic 22" LCD
Zboard Gaming Keyboard (sooo awesome)
Full Tower with 12 fans

Based on your answers, you are EASK.
Breakdown: Achiever 46.67%, Explorer 60.00%, Killer 46.67%, Socializer 46.67%

EASK players often live by the phrase 'The journey is often more enjoyable than the destination.' They are motivated by meeting the challenges of the world, but they are usually in no rush--because seeing the creatures and places of the world is even more fun.

FrontalLobe · 02-08-2008, 08:28 AM

Nice guide, Martuk. I like reading your posts on the official forums as well.

I've seen some very good input from people with quite a lot of experience and it's a shame they're not actually testing the game. I would say about one half of testers in most betas treat the process as if they were playing a demo. Most do not participate in the beta forums. A small minority consistently test the game and provide detailed, constructive feedback.

I like closed betas, but I just want people testing a game you've been following to be doing the best they can. So I hope those who do get in manage to find your guide if they've got no prior experience. Who knows, it might prevent the odd negative leak coming out from a player who wonders why the game looks unfinished.

Martuk · 02-08-2008, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrontalLobe

Nice guide, Martuk. I like reading your posts on the official forums as well.

I've seen some very good input from people with quite a lot of experience and it's a shame they're not actually testing the game. I would say about one half of testers in most betas treat the process as if they were playing a demo. Most do not participate in the beta forums. A small minority consistently test the game and provide detailed, constructive feedback.

I like closed betas, but I just want people testing a game you've been following to be doing the best they can. So I hope those who do get in manage to find your guide if they've got no prior experience. Who knows, it might prevent the odd negative leak coming out from a player who wonders why the game looks unfinished.

Thanks. The so called leaks (I say so called because I can't say if they are actual leaks or someone just being a tool) make my eyes bleed. Here you have someone screaming the game is bad, terrible, not working. HELLO BETA!!!

Things don't always work right. might have something to do with that whole still in development thing.

FrontalLobe · 02-08-2008, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martuk

Thanks. The so called leaks (I say so called because I can't say if they are actual leaks or someone just being a tool) make my eyes bleed. Here you have someone screaming the game is bad, terrible, not working. HELLO BETA!!!

Things don't always work right. might have something to do with that whole still in development thing.

True, true. The videos are a little more grating, because they can put people off. I'll admit to watching them when I come across them though, it's like my own special brand of beta voyeurism. I'm certainly not worried about it becoming another Vanguard, put it that way - my brother tested that. Ho hum.

Considering the leaks I've read, I'm feeling pretty optimistic about the game, since they're common complaints across the board. Could be a lot worse. Nice they've finally got the female avatars in though, I was beginning to wonder if they'd be patched in after release. Pirates of the burning sea, in my opinion, looks like a game which should still be in the mid stages of closed beta. I'm sure I bought that to indulge my sense of masochism...

I'm not really a fan of open betas. I prefer the closed ones, where you can go through areas without much texturisation and watch them get developed. It reminds me a bit of expansion packs you could buy for old PC games where you could design your own zones. But leaks generally make my eyes bleed because they're poorly written, unconstructive flames. I feel a little bit of righteous indignation - revoke the spot and give it to anyone who can do better. Maybe my border collie.

Anyhow, I'm off to play LoTRO.

Have a good day and as an aside, I hope you make it into the beta yourself....and swing your sword at a few of the folks you mentioned in your post if you do please. Happy times!

Martuk · 02-08-2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrontalLobe

True, true. The videos are a little more grating, because they can put people off. I'll admit to watching them when I come across them though, it's like my own special brand of beta voyeurism. I'm certainly not worried about it becoming another Vanguard, put it that way - my brother tested that. Ho hum.

Considering the leaks I've read, I'm feeling pretty optimistic about the game, since they're common complaints across the board. Could be a lot worse. Nice they've finally got the female avatars in though, I was beginning to wonder if they'd be patched in after release. Pirates of the burning sea, in my opinion, looks like a game which should still be in the mid stages of closed beta. I'm sure I bought that to indulge my sense of masochism...

I'm not really a fan of open betas. I prefer the closed ones, where you can go through areas without much texturisation and watch them get developed. It reminds me a bit of expansion packs you could buy for old PC games where you could design your own zones. But leaks generally make my eyes bleed because they're poorly written, unconstructive flames. I feel a little bit of righteous indignation - revoke the spot and give it to anyone who can do better. Maybe my border collie.

Anyhow, I'm off to play LoTRO.

Have a good day and as an aside, I hope you make it into the beta yourself....and swing your sword at a few of the folks you mentioned in your post if you do please. Happy times!

Videos can go both ways if leaked and can depend on a lot of factors. State of the game, server stability am, cpu setting and cpu specs. Could look good or awful.

I need to get back into Middle-earth myself. There is a certain Balrog that needs smiting. What server do you call home there?

FrontalLobe · 02-08-2008, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martuk

Videos can go both ways if leaked and can depend on a lot of factors. State of the game, server stability am, cpu setting and cpu specs. Could look good or awful.

I need to get back into Middle-earth myself. There is a certain Balrog that needs smiting. What server do you call home there?

True, true. I'm on Evernight but am only level 14 at the moment - elven hunter called Unicorniel. Doesn't seem like a bad game so far. It's distracting enough from WoW but I also play WoW for the battleground PvP.

Martuk · 02-08-2008, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrontalLobe

True, true. I'm on Evernight but am only level 14 at the moment - elven hunter called Unicorniel. Doesn't seem like a bad game so far. It's distracting enough from WoW but I also play WoW for the battleground PvP.

Ah, I play on Landroval. I was the CM for the Lord of the Rings community site here at Ten Ton hammer before getting the call to step up here to the AoC site. If you haven't tried the Monster play give that a go. You might enjoy it. You can't take your character there until after lvl 40, but you can create a monster and enter now. They have some rather interesting battles at times in there.