17 replies to this topic

[Volume]

Simply put, a suggestion to allow public testing of upcoming/possible changes.

We know that certain items are being tuned in internal testing, but I think everyone would benefit if certain balance changes could be tried on a public test server. It would've prevented the missile damage debacle, for example, and allow more direct feedback before pushing through a change that could have unintended effects.

If possible, allow us to clone our current profile to the testing-only server - 'Mechs, XP, GXP, etc. Charge MC if you must, but the only other viable option is to

Some players would gladly run 2 or more installs to do this.
Some players would gladly pay MC to access this.

Obviously keep internal testing, I just mean have another build that's closer to the one that the devs are using before changes are pushed to the live ("open beta") realms where most paying customers would be.

[Chavette]

Great idea, and a forum section dedicated to it.

[Sug]

A separate server to test features and patches before they're implemented?

MADNESS!!

[xxx WreckinBallRaj xxx]

You're basically playing on a test server already and using its forum. I fail to see the point of what you're asking for. They drop stuff on us just with the intent of testing it or fixing it later. This means the whole game is a public test server, but then again, they're still calling it a "beta". You're asking for beta access to stuff before it gets to the beta server. I don't think that's going to happen. Maybe once the game is "finished", they might have such a thing. But right now... this is the public test server.

[Volume]

Bluten, on 23 March 2013 - 01:27 AM, said:

You're basically playing on a test server already and using its forum. I fail to see the point of what you're asking for. They drop stuff on us just with the intent of testing it or fixing it later. This means the whole game is a public test server, but then again, they're still calling it a "beta". You're asking for beta access to stuff before it gets to the beta server. I don't think that's going to happen. Maybe once the game is "finished", they might have such a thing. But right now... this is the public test server.

Think a separate server that's sort of a beta-to-the-beta, before stuff gets pushed onto the realm where people are actually paying real money for broken buggy stuff.

Pretty much instead of the path of

Internal testing --> Live Servers

It would go

Internal testing --> Focus Group (PTS) --> Live Servers

Like, they're testing ECM changes right now. I'd like to see them before they go live in 4 weeks. I'd like to try them, see how it works see how it feels, see if there's a way to improve it before it's one of those "We implemented this, and we'll look it over, and it'll be another ~2 months before a change we think of gets implemented" things.

It would allow PGI to react faster and overlook less.

[Terror Teddy]

Im sorry but do we really need a server to test the effectiveness of our pubic hair?

Or perhaps you meant PUBLIC and not PUBIC?

[Hayashi]

Terror Teddy, on 25 March 2013 - 02:44 AM, said:

Im sorry but do we really need a server to test the effectiveness of our pubic hair? Or perhaps you meant PUBLIC and not PUBIC?

Thread renamed. Testing the effectiveness of your pubes in a server would necessarily entail converting it to adult content.

[Terror Teddy]

Hayashi, on 25 March 2013 - 02:56 AM, said:

Thread renamed. Testing the effectiveness of your pubes in a server would necessarily entail converting it to adult content.

Not to mention that I had no idea our mechs HAD pubes - I'll never look at mechs the same way ever again...

[AlexEss]

I have to agree with Bluten on this, this is the test server... that is what a BETA is and if that shoe does not fit then you should not be putting money in to this game. I put money in well and knowing that things will be buggy and perhaps broken. Heck i am playing with the full knowledge that something might happen that will force a full reset of the server. Yes it is very very very unlikely but it might happen.

A "PTS" right now would only add another step and further delays in the development. I am sure we will see a PTS once the game goes live in the fall-ish.

[Sephlock]

Quote

Think a separate server that's sort of a beta-to-the-beta, before stuff gets pushed onto the realm where people are actually paying real money for broken buggy stuff."

They have this already. its what they use to filter out and withhold the best stuff, like true double heat sinks.

[Ilwrath]

Sephlock, on 25 March 2013 - 03:11 AM, said:

They have this already. its what they use to filter out and withhold the best stuff, like true double heat sinks.

The internal test server. The hidden mystical server where only the most die-hard yes-men get access. I had the pleasure of getting a look on how it worked just as the first version of Artemis was tested. Some dev asked if the Artemis was fine and all the yes-men said loud and clear: YES. OUR TESTING SHOWS THAT THIS IS READY FOR LAUNCH! the rest is history.

[Terror Teddy]

Sephlock, on 25 March 2013 - 03:11 AM, said:

They have this already. its what they use to filter out and withhold the best stuff, like true double heat sinks.

I wonder how well they playtested the Machineguns on the Spider...

[AlexEss]

Ilwrath, on 25 March 2013 - 03:17 AM, said:

The internal test server. The hidden mystical server where only the most die-hard yes-men get access.

Ilwrath, on 25 March 2013 - 03:17 AM, said:

I had the pleasure of getting a look

So why are you a yes-man... And since you are a yes-man why do you keep up such a rancid disposition... why not just show your right colours. =P

On a more serious note it is true that you can never have to many way of testing something. But have a beta test in the beta test sounds like crossing the stream to get some water.

[Ilwrath]

AlexEss, on 25 March 2013 - 03:36 AM, said:

So why are you a yes-man... And since you are a yes-man why do you keep up such a rancid disposition... why not just show your right colours. =P

On a more serious note it is true that you can never have to many way of testing something. But have a beta test in the beta test sounds like crossing the stream to get some water.

Pure hate and pure love is equally useless as feedback. Constructive and balanced criticism is needed. People get agitated when they hear about stuff like 3rd person view getting worked on while the game still lack any real new game modes. Constructive criticism is needed in such cases. Also a little yelling to be frank.

I think people are comparing it to WoT. That game use a test-server as described in this thread. Its Russian but you can join it and test stuff before it get implemented on the real servers. Also playing with Russians that hate you if you use non-Russian in chat. That is a bonus though.

[Moromillas]

Nah. It's too much work for too little gain. It might be better to have screenshots of their progress instead, I think the bulk of the testing should remain where it is.

[Ilwrath]

Moromillas, on 25 March 2013 - 04:04 AM, said:

Nah. It's too much work for too little gain. It might be better to have screenshots of their progress instead, I think the bulk of the testing should remain where it is.

Secret **** moon base?

[Moromillas]

Ilwrath, on 25 March 2013 - 04:11 AM, said:

Secret **** moon base?

Yeah, you know, on the moon.

[Eternal Hunter]

The reason for a test server would be to give REAL constructive feedback, instead of just assuming something when they ask our opinion. How the hell can you properly give feedback when you have never tried the system?

You can guess and assume, but you all know what they say about that.