Darkfall

Originally posted by mklinic

 

Originally posted by kaydinv

Name 5 consoles games you have "beta" tested as a public release.

 

Yeah, game development is a lot different from standard software testing. Whether or not you want to acknowledge that fact is irrelevant. PC's can be very different from consoles. MMORPG's can be even more different. Computer applications are another realm entirely. That was my original point. There is no "golden standard" for any of this testing crap. There's only conventions and, honestly, the game testing world doesn't have many because it is still relatively young.

 

I am sure I am coming into this late, but I'll admit I have not ever beta tested a console game. Hell, I've never seen any request ot beta test a console game. That said, I can't seem to visit this site without seeing a new ad to Beta test a game or people discussing the current Beta test of another game. That seems like one hell of a 'convention'.

That said, any developer will understand that lessons learned are often reusable. This is much akin to the idea  of reusing segments of code, or classes in OOP, in different scenarios that require similar pieces of functionality. Sure, I didn't develop this specific class for this specific type of app, but that does not mean the class is not usable. Let's look at an example: I write a class that filters special characters out of words as part of an Active Directory user creation application. This class just might be a perfect fit for a character name test to ensure names follow specified rules. Look at that IT and Gaming..together at last.

 

So, this is a literal, and hasty, example of how coding concepts can transcend industries. Now, looking at developers choice of reading preferences, sure, there may be more graphics related programming (i.e. DirectX, OpenGL, etc) in the game programmers library, but then, both programmers are likely to have a book such as Code Complete by Steve McConnell. Why? Because the lessons learned in a book like that apply to programming and not just game or IT programming.

Now, I am sure  there is plenty to attack in my statements. After all, I don't develop games, much less MMO's. I don't pretend to be an expert in those areas, however, I do know a thing or two that I have picked up over the years and they certainly seem to apply across the board...I think that might be referred to as abstraction, or perhaps polymorphism, to some extent...a couple more good OOP buzz word....

So yeah...After typing all that, perhaps this portion of the conversation belongs in the developer's corner forum where a more relevant and informed audience can lend their expertise. At this point, we have a few people who code in other industries (myself included) and a QA Tester. I am pretty sure none of us have it right.

I agree with much of what you have written here, well said.  Yes, if you want to address an audience of programmers, this is not the best forum.  If you want to discuss Darkfall's beta strategy, you are in the right place.

Originally posted by Theodgrim

I agree with much of what you have written here, well said.  Yes, if you want to address an audience of programmers, this is not the best forum.  If you want to discuss Darkfall's beta strategy, you are in the right place.

is that what this thread was about? Damn....I lost track a few pages ago....

I guess more to the topic at hand then; Darkfall has a 'beta strategy'? When did this happen?

at this point, if a person can't at least laugh about it, they are taking it too seriously.

Alright Chryses, I went to their website.  What did I find?

http://www.aventurine.gr/

I found the most unprofessional looking website of any AAA MMORPG company.  I found the most unprofessional looking website of any MMORPG game listed http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm

If they chose to make themselves look like the most unprofessional looking MMORPG company around, then why should any of us take anything they say seriously?

Originally posted by Shannia

Alright Chryses, I went to their website.  What did I find?

http://www.aventurine.gr/

I found the most unprofessional looking website of any AAA MMORPG company.  I found the most unprofessional looking website of any MMORPG game listed http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm

If they chose to make themselves look like the most unprofessional looking MMORPG company around, then why should any of us take anything they say seriously?

 

And since when does the look of a website predict the quality of a game? A small indy company like Aventurine with little resources that put all workload and funds on the only thing that counts, making the game as good as possible. Thats what counts. Not PR, videos and whatever hype tricks some other game companies uses to fool the unaware buyers.

Funcoms Age of Conan [nice website] sure failed with their overhyped game. They managed to lure people buying their crap product by having just about no information whatsoever on their product before release. They is a perfect example of a overhyped game with massive PR and hahaha- a nice website. And that didnt seem to help alot. Actually it destroyed alot of credibility for the whole MMORPG genre.

Aventurine made it clear for anyone thats interested in reading Dev Journals that expensive PR campaigns isnt for them. Prioritating on making as a good game as possible isnt unproffesional to me, its the opposite, a very professional approach.

You gotta remember not all game companies have the funds making these expensive PR campaigns. And DF devs never hyped their game, its us the followers that do that. Letting us play their game before buy is also a very honest approach to us buyers. You can actually test the full game before buying it. I dont think greedy game companies like Funcom thought about that for a second. Darkfall Devs have as i see it been very honest to us the players about their intentions and information.

Darkfall will be released 2008 and thats the only official release date they ever delivered to us.

<modedit>

Shoot man, if this is a discussion then I would fear for my life if you guys ever got in an argument.

But as for whether or not this game comes out, does it really matter? I mean if it comes out and turns out crappy, Hey you guys were right the way they are testing it is complete garbage. Don't buy the game. But if it comes out and is really good then they must have done something right or they just got lucky. Either way if it is really good buy it and play it. Or if for whatever reason, this game doesn't come out. Does it really make a difference? You all are saying it is garbage, bologna, rubbish. So if it doesn't come out then it shouldn't really matter to you because you already thought it was crap and didn't want it.

    So I guess basically just wait and see. If it comes out and is good then kudos they made a good game I might have to try it. But if it comes out and is complete garbage than the majority of you were right. In short if turns out to be good buy it. If it turns out badly don't buy it, and if it doesn't turn out at all then for god's sake don't buy it.

Originally posted by mklinic

 

Originally posted by Theodgrim

I agree with much of what you have written here, well said.  Yes, if you want to address an audience of programmers, this is not the best forum.  If you want to discuss Darkfall's beta strategy, you are in the right place.

 

is that what this thread was about? Damn....I lost track a few pages ago....

I guess more to the topic at hand then; Darkfall has a 'beta strategy'? When did this happen?

at this point, if a person can't at least laugh about it, they are taking it too seriously.

Had to go check the OP for myself, but indeed, beta discussion was on topic!

Originally posted by chryses

As for the open beta test, I don't blame them not having one so early since every other MMO that has gone down that route end up getting bashed and spawning 1000's of trolls shouting how crap their game is.  When will people understand that BETA = testing, not final product!

 

After seeing a video of someone playing Duke Nuke'm Forever, I've concluded that it is completely possible for Darkfall to come out of development (as well as DNF).

Originally posted by Aragon100

 

Originally posted by Shannia

Alright Chryses, I went to their website.  What did I find?

http://www.aventurine.gr/

I found the most unprofessional looking website of any AAA MMORPG company.  I found the most unprofessional looking website of any MMORPG game listed http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm

If they chose to make themselves look like the most unprofessional looking MMORPG company around, then why should any of us take anything they say seriously?

 

And since when does the look of a website predict the quality of a game? A small indy company like Aventurine with little resources that put all workload and funds on the only thing that counts, making the game as good as possible. Thats what counts. Not PR, videos and whatever hype tricks some other game companies uses to fool the unaware buyers.

 

Funcoms Age of Conan [nice website] sure failed with their overhyped game. They managed to lure people buying their crap product by having just about no information whatsoever on their product before release. They is a perfect example of a overhyped game with massive PR and hahaha- a nice website. And that didnt seem to help alot. Actually it destroyed alot of credibility for the whole MMORPG genre.

Aventurine made it clear for anyone thats interested in reading Dev Journals that expensive PR campaigns isnt for them. Prioritating on making as a good game as possible isnt unproffesional to me, its the opposite, a very professional approach.

You gotta remember not all game companies have the funds making these expensive PR campaigns. And DF devs never hyped their game, its us the followers that do that. Letting us play their game before buy is also a very honest approach to us buyers. You can actually test the full game before buying it. I dont think greedy game companies like Funcom thought about that for a second. Darkfall Devs have as i see it been very honest to us the players about their intentions and information.

Darkfall will be released 2008 and thats the only official release date they ever delivered to us.

<modedit>

LMAO.  Your Precious DFO is six months and counting from launch.  We see nothing from them that leads us to believe they are getting ready for launch.  There is no publisher.  There is no advertising.  There is nothing coming from Aventurine except Tasos saying they will be launching by the end of the year.  No company has announced an agreement with Aventurine for server banks or anything.  Where is the hiring that leads up to launch?  Still on their website are the same two job ads that have been there for over three years.  There is nothing new.  Where is the proof of anything?  The clock is ticking and there is way too much to do and no proof anything is getting done.