21 replies to this topic

[SoundTech]

I have to be the first to admit that this is my first try at beta testing, but being such a huge fan of the whole MW series I simply could not resist.

That being said, for those of you who have done plenty of beta testing... how much does your System Spec's play into being selected? I have a rather tame system compared to hard core gamers and was wondering if this affects your chances on being selected. I ask in a broad sense not only MW (I understand selection is mostly "random")

[brn4meplz]

Not to much unless you have a highly unusual operating system and driver combination.


Some of the more 'Public' closed beta tests rely solely on system specs but what typically happens is that most of the world uses Windows(and the most recent or 2nd most recent generation of Microsoft) so the developers know what will happen there.


The people that actually get picked(beyond the random chance lottery) for testing are the people who run Linux or other unconventional operating systems. This lets developers and users trouble shoot any issues that might arise on those types of systems.

As far as performance goes. Developers know it will run good on high end systems, they know it will run worse on worse systems. while exact specs may not be in stone they definitely know what type of systems won't make the grade.

Edited by brn4meplz, 12 June 2012 - 11:42 AM.

[Southern Taxi]

I've worked as a beta tester as a paid job on a company, so idk a lot about community closed betas.

One thing i can say, is that a game has to be tested on a wide range of hardware configurations to test both low and high end (and everything in between) graphics and functionality, and if it works at all on the intended low end range.

Don't worry, even if you only have a semi-decent pc, you are still a candidate for the beta key.

Edited by Southern Taxi, 12 June 2012 - 11:47 AM.

[SoundTech]

Interesting

[Mechteric]

Its going to vary based on the objectives of the developers at each stage of the beta. I'd imagine they want as good a varied range of system specs, latencies, backgrounds (not desktop, personal), etc as possible to improve the probability of squashing as many issues as possible before release.

However it's probably also safe to say they may have some minimum system requirements, so if all you have is a 1.6Ghz Atom processor netbook with intel graphics, there's likely little reason to invite someone who certainly can't play the game.

[SoundTech]

Thanks guys, everything you guys are saying makes sense. I guess my initial thoughts were that developers would have a certain preference to higher end systems; as it would allow testers to get more done in a shorter amount of time given the time constraints in the gaming industry.

[Silent]

You have as much of a chance as anyone else.

They will want to make sure the game scales well on tamer systems such as yours.

[Trevnor]

Having higher end systems doesn't allow more to be done, it just lets you play at a higher frame-rate/pretty graphics as compared to other systems. So, yeah, you don't really have to worry, as long as your system meets the minimum requirements of the beta, then you are a candidate, much as everyone above has said.

[SoundTech]

Lt Trevnor, on 12 June 2012 - 11:57 AM, said:

Having higher end systems doesn't allow more to be done, it just lets you play at a higher frame-rate/pretty graphics as compared to other systems. So, yeah, you don't really have to worry, as long as your system meets the minimum requirements of the beta, then you are a candidate, much as everyone above has jsaid.

True, well I guess I can keep crossing my fingers

[Omdra]

well about beta, i think (imo) the easiest way of looking at it is:
"A game that is meant to be played by everyone, needs to be tested by as many random people with various system specs and relations to the game tested. This enables the game developers to receive and work with a wide range of various feedback to progress in finishing the game at hand."

As such, everyone basically has the same chance to be randomly picked, regardless of your system or your current location.

Edited by Omdra, 12 June 2012 - 12:02 PM.

[Adrienne Vorton]

system spec does normally not influence your chances to get in... it´s all about some luck, patience and being able not to cry if you don´t get in good luck to you and all others (including myself^^) there have been several games i didn´t get to test, others i was lucky to do so... mostly i get into games i don´t want anyways, but thats another story xD

[JabberJon]

I used to test professionally as well. The top end rigs aren't nearly as important as the bottom-end. They build the games on insane computers, and the in-house testers also play on really impressive hardware, so they are aware of the game's potential. What they want to see is how it performs on lower systems and a good mix of mid-level, with the occasional high-end rig for flavor. This allows them to create the largest compatibility they can. You can't attract an audience of players who can't play the game.

If they are just looking for bodies to play and stress the servers, it would be public. Since it's still closed, we can assume that they are testing the limits, both top and bottom, of the game as well as hammering out bugs. Since anyone can make up a background, picking testers based on their experience is never easy, hence why they do it randomly. Your specs aren't going to rule you out unless you're on a serious dinosaur that has no hope of running it. Even then, you may get in just so they can see if they can make it work for you. XD

[SoundTech]

Please excuse my ignorance but you guys have been more than helpful.

Another quick question...
Is there a minimum amount of time that is usually expected from testers to put in on a daily basis?
Again I ask generaly, I am intersted in what you all have experienced.

[TheZombi]

I was in several closed betas in the past and while they would love to get power users who hammer the servers 16 hours a day and not have to pay them I think a couple hours a day would be a realistic expectation. I don't know about anyone else but my day job goes into long hours but since I am a chronic insomniac I would still have several hours to play after the rest of the house goes to bed.

Plus it's BT so sleep is for the weak.

[JabberJon]

I'm betas like this, no. They want players to play constantly and report everything, but that's not usually the case. Most players will probably play a little each day and report if they feel that it's big enough to report. Then you have you minimals, which might play once and leave it alone, or may play a little bit but report nothing. And you maxes, who will play religiously and fill out reports on EVERYTHING. You're not being paid for your time so they can't require a minimum from you. They just want whatever they can get, every little bit goes towards polishing the game, which makes everyone happy.

[Lars Von Danzig]

brn4meplz, on 12 June 2012 - 11:40 AM, said:

Not to much unless you have a highly unusual operating system and driver combination.

Oh, if that's the case I should be in beta any moment now, given that I'm running Windows on a bootcamp VM from my Macbook Pro

Wishful thinking, I know!

Edited by lars von danzig, 12 June 2012 - 12:53 PM.

[Sprayed]

CapperDeluxe, on 12 June 2012 - 11:47 AM, said:

Its going to vary based on the objectives of the developers at each stage of the beta. I'd imagine they want as good a varied range of system specs, latencies, backgrounds (not desktop, personal), etc as possible to improve the probability of squashing as many issues as possible before release.

However it's probably also safe to say they may have some minimum system requirements, so if all you have is a 1.6Ghz Atom processor netbook with intel graphics, there's likely little reason to invite someone who certainly can't play the game.

This.

[frostfly]

I've been in a fair number of betas in the last decade or so...and the only thing they seem to have in common is they have nothing in common. I've seen beta invites go out daily, weekly, monthly and at random. i've seen people picked for post count, for asking, for volunteering help and at random. I've been picked with a high end machine, I've been picked with an old machine, i've been picked because I had another game the devs liked. It's so dependent on the character of the people setting the standards that there are no standards.

[Sinitron]

As an EXPERIENCED Beta-tester, having tried out MANY Betas for AAA games like Red Alert 3, Battlefield 3 and Diablo 3, I can ASSURE you that hdfgdfhjdhjk

I hated every game I ever was played in beta, just saying. Maybe that would make someone out there feel any better about the great pending button that stalks in dark corridors.

[SoundTech]

Neo Angelo, on 12 June 2012 - 12:45 PM, said:

I'm betas like this, no. They want players to play constantly and report everything, but that's not usually the case. Most players will probably play a little each day and report if they feel that it's big enough to report. Then you have you minimals, which might play once and leave it alone, or may play a little bit but report nothing. And you maxes, who will play religiously and fill out reports on EVERYTHING. You're not being paid for your time so they can't require a minimum from you. They just want whatever they can get, every little bit goes towards polishing the game, which makes everyone happy.

Just made me wonder with so many people wanting to get in, if these "minimals" as you call them would eventually get the boot in preference for people willing to invest more time.

After reading through the forums it is evident there is much frustration over this haha.

Sinitron, on 12 June 2012 - 01:01 PM, said:

As an EXPERIENCED Beta-tester, having tried out MANY Betas for AAA games like Red Alert 3, Battlefield 3 and Diablo 3, I can ASSURE you that hdfgdfhjdhjk

I hated every game I ever was played in beta, just saying. Maybe that would make someone out there feel any better about the great pending button that stalks in dark corridors.

LOL This has to be pinned to the top of the forum.

Edited by SoundTech, 12 June 2012 - 01:09 PM.