When will Alpha and Beta testing start?

[eisprinzessin]

yes, we are

Update #17: What happens next?: When will the alpha / beta be ready?!
Our current estimate is that alpha may be ready by the end of this year or early next year. We're working our hardest to make this happen as soon as possible but we need to produce a certain amount of continuous, playable content and complete certain technical tasks before this can happen.

We expect beta to follow 4-6 months after alpha and then estimate August 2013 for the full release.

[Exxidus]

What exactly can i expect from an Alpha Version? ... the "full game" with this bugs and so on ... or is it like just a small part of the game ... and the "alpha content" will change from time to time ... so for example first 2 weeks - start area max lvl 15 ... 2nd 2 weeks - lvl 15-30 areas .... or is the Alpha Version really a playable Version like the Company guys to test the programmed content?

[mamba]

Originally Posted by Exxidus

What exactly can i expect from an Alpha Version? ... the "full game" with this bugs and so on ... or is it like just a small part of the game ... and the "alpha content" will change from time to time ... so for example first 2 weeks - start area max lvl 15 ... 2nd 2 weeks - lvl 15-30 areas .... or is the Alpha Version really a playable Version like the Company guys to test the programmed content?

Generally speaking (and obviously not for GD) alpha means the game is not complete, e.g. you only have three masteries and they can still change, some / most regions are still locked, some / most quests still missing, some monster types missing, some items missing, you get the idea.

Beta means that the content is complete, but there are still bugs and balancing issues, skills can still be changed / added / removed, but overall the content is finished.

As far as GD is concerned I would expect bugs to be rare, as the codebase was taken from TQ, so it should be in better shape than alphas usually are. All the other issues (above) still apply however.

[Exxidus]

well im used to kinda this ...

Alpha Version gets access to every finished part - beta tester only have access to a limited area - probably changing likewhise

[mamba]

Originally Posted by Exxidus

well im used to kinda this ...

Alpha Version gets access to every finished part - beta tester only have access to a limited area - probably changing likewhise

That probably is because nowadays betas are more like demos. The definition of a beta is that it is feature complete, so all areas should be accessible, how else would you test them

[PCDania]

Originally Posted by mamba

That probably is because nowadays betas are more like demos. The definition of a beta is that it is feature complete, so all areas should be accessible, how else would you test them

Alpha means testing some basic game mechanics and make sure they works. Beta means all or most features are complete and some areas are accessbible but rarely all areas. Beta means finding as many bugs as possible and make sure the worst bugs are found and fixed. Because of the amount of code and limit in time for testing and fixing it's impossible to find and/or fix all bugs so minor bugs might slip through, but the nasty ones should preferably be found and fixed.

Unfortunately, as you noted mamba, beta testing today is often at least as much a demo (marketing stunt) as it's testing. It's unfortunately slowly getting more and more common that the developer offers access to the beta if one pre-orders a game. This leads to lots of people sampling the game and very few actually testing it. If there is a beta-forum it also leads to some degree of chaos as the samplers mingle with the actual beta testers.

[triffixrex]

Originally Posted by DragonWolf

Those who are waiting are also granted automatic membership to the Cult of Crate and a care package that contains your ceremonial robes, sacraficial knife and a copy of the Necronomicon and cookies.

oohh cookies, yea!

[spawncap]

I'm really looking forward to GD release. Haven't purchased it yet because wife screwed up our money and had to close joint account and open new account in my name only. But as soon as money is straightened out will purchase alpha or beta package.

Really enjoying TQIT. Looks like this is going to be what D3 should have been. Have been telling everyone about game and to look up your website.

Can't wait!!!!!

[Shoganai]

Originally Posted by PCDania

Alpha means testing some basic game mechanics and make sure they works. Beta means all or most features are complete and some areas are accessbible but rarely all areas. Beta means finding as many bugs as possible and make sure the worst bugs are found and fixed. Because of the amount of code and limit in time for testing and fixing it's impossible to find and/or fix all bugs so minor bugs might slip through, but the nasty ones should preferably be found and fixed.

Unfortunately, as you noted mamba, beta testing today is often at least as much a demo (marketing stunt) as it's testing. It's unfortunately slowly getting more and more common that the developer offers access to the beta if one pre-orders a game. This leads to lots of people sampling the game and very few actually testing it. If there is a beta-forum it also leads to some degree of chaos as the samplers mingle with the actual beta testers.

Beta testing is also a good time for MMO developers to stress test networks/server farms/clusters/bandwidth. it's also a good time to witness dynamics between classes and abilities. With an Alpha or inhouse testing your sample size is very small... more things are likely to be found when you have a large sample size. So yes, the game is mostly complete, and no doubt some of it is marketing (to get people to pre-order for example), but don't discount the "beta" stage wholely.

[ryunp]

Originally Posted by PCDania

This leads to lots of people sampling the game and very few actually testing it. If there is a beta-forum it also leads to some degree of chaos as the samplers mingle with the actual beta testers.

That's a good point. Many times forums will get convoluted with flaming and erroneous content while in beta stages. Some people expect beta software to be an early fix for the incredible anxiety they build waiting for the actual release.

I suppose it's just a matter of filtering feedback in a way that mostly intelligent criticism/bug reports come back or creating a proven core group of testers that gets a higher priority on feedback.

I can't believe how well Crate is doing on this software with the limitation of staff. I am excited to help out with alpha/beta for the greater good of this ARPG! Like most here, heh.