52 replies to this topic

[Adridos]

Loose lips sink ships...

[Kaemon]

Aelos03, on 23 May 2012 - 07:40 AM, said:

I don't get why NDA when open beta is so close, and why fellow testers cant tell us something to make our wait less harder ?
So wrong

Because people do not understand the reason for Closed BETA, and functions/assets/items that do not work or are a work in progress are common.

This then gets out to forums and news sites as 'This game is broken' and it can cost them MILLIONS in potential revenue, as players don't bother to even try the game.

Edited by Kaemon, 23 May 2012 - 08:02 AM.

[SquareSphere]

Adridos, on 23 May 2012 - 07:42 AM, said:

Loose lips sink ships...

This, F2P relies heavily on word of mouth and the INTERNET is basicly ALL word of mouth. People with loose lips that are "testing" non fully function betas can wreck a games success. For example, when closed beta occurs weapon balance might not even close to what it needs to be, exploit builds could be running rampent and the devs might try out a paid item strategy that breaks the game.

That should be OK, cause that's what beta is for, BUT if some "person" blabs to the internet, "OMG MWO IS THE SUXOR! HACKS AND GAUSS NOOBS EVRYWH3RE! F2P MOAR L1KE PAY TO WINZ. MECHLABZ ISN'T IN YET". Some people will believe it and completely write off the game without even trying it out.

[Aelos03]

Kaemon, on 23 May 2012 - 08:02 AM, said:

Because people do not understand the reason for Closed BETA, and functions/assets/items that do not work or are a work in progress are common.

This then gets out to forums and news sites as 'This game is broken' and it can cost them MILLIONS in potential revenue, as players don't bother to even try the game.

but we all know what beta means of course game is not balanced and there is still lots of work, that can happed on open beta too because its so close

[Trevnor]

Also, point of fact. For any game that anyone tests, they have to sign an NDA for it. I work in a game testing office, and I can't say a word of what goes on here from a blanket NDA. So the same thing extends to Beta Testers worldwide. The game industry is a competitive one, and all devs must keep their secrets close to the chest.

[Wiley Coyote]

SquareSphere, on 23 May 2012 - 08:06 AM, said:

That should be OK, cause that's what beta is for, BUT if some "person" blabs to the internet, "OMG MWO IS THE SUXOR! HACKS AND GAUSS NOOBS EVRYWH3RE! F2P MOAR L1KE PAY TO WINZ. MECHLABZ ISN'T IN YET". Some people will believe it and completely write off the game without even trying it out.

This game sucks!?! I read it on the internetz, it must be true! That's it, I'm not playing it and I'm outta here *slams door so that it doesn't hit me on the way out*

*reenters said door* j/k, I do hope I get in to the closed beta to not talk about it and wish someone at Piranha would just take the money I keep throwing at the screen

Edited by Wiley Coyote, 23 May 2012 - 08:19 AM.

[VarietyOfCells]

I wonder if the NDA will permit you to say that you are playing the beta... or if that's off limits too. I want to know if people have received codes already so I can get my hopes down.

[Aelos03]

VarietyOfCells, on 23 May 2012 - 08:30 AM, said:

I wonder if the NDA will permit you to say that you are playing the beta... or if that's off limits too. I want to know if people have received codes already so I can get my hopes down.

i think you won't be able to say even that

[wildknight]

1. this thread is absolutly a "try to get on the dev's nice side" thread. it doesn't give any actually useful information on what a NDA is or why companies require it. it tries to be cute, and really long winded in a attempt to hide what it really is behind humor.

NDA's are required mainly to make sure to limit negative press impact of an unfinished game made available to the public, while at the same time promoting the game by allowing select users to try it out and give feedback (that will or will not be listened to, it really varies by company). companies know full well their userbase understands what beta means, its a legal and pr deal.

Aelos03, on 23 May 2012 - 08:35 AM, said:

i think you won't be able to say even that

the vast majority of beta's i have been in (and alphas in some cirucmstances) have all allowed you to confirm that you were in the beta, but no other information is allowed out.

[Aelos03]

wildknight, on 23 May 2012 - 08:57 AM, said:

the vast majority of beta's i have been in (and alphas in some cirucmstances) have all allowed you to confirm that you were in the beta, but no other information is allowed out.

i know but i think i saw a post from some dev when he said if you know if some one is in beta then he broke NDA.

[Mick Mars]

The only thing about the lawyer/lawsuit fears from NDA is this: you cant bleed a turnip. Meaning that if a person is not wealthy enough to sue, then the NDA has no teeth. Or, in the immortal words of Rocky in Rocky V-"Sue me for what?". I believe the only real punishment(s) that can and will be levied are: 1) Ban from game in question, or 2)some kind of an industry "blacklist"(unsure about that one). I imagine a blacklist exists, they have existed for many years in other industries, and that was without computers/interwebz. With that being said, I have participated in 2 closed betas, and they can be quite fun, but also very frustrating. Crashes, lockups, bottomless ground, etc, etc. I definitely wouldn't mind being chosen for this one, I have been waiting for a great Mech game since MW4(really since MW3).

[wildknight]

Aelos03, on 23 May 2012 - 09:01 AM, said:

i know but i think i saw a post from some dev when he said if you know if some one is in beta then he broke NDA.

can you link this?

i highly doubt that is the case, but if you have proof obviously i would relent.

Edited by wildknight, 23 May 2012 - 09:08 AM.

[SweetJackal]

Aelos03, on 23 May 2012 - 07:40 AM, said:

I don't get why NDA when open beta is so close, and why fellow testers cant tell us something to make our wait less harder ?
So wrong

In a closed beta it is perfectly acceptable to have placehold mechanics, animations and assets as the game isn't finished or ready. A closed beta is normally directed to very exclusive testing directions, like CS:Go's beta where they tested one map, one mode and about 5 guns then shifted it a few weeks later in their next testing phase.

In a closed beta, you might see a burning tree being a big red block that says "Fire." In a closed Beta you will encounter game breaking bugs, like armor that doesn't get hurt, no heat lasers, or animations stuck in a loop. Or you might fall through the world.

Things change rapidly and are in a broken state not intended or ready for public consumption. Information released that breaches an NDA can hurt the product as a whole and do massive damage to the image of the product in the minds of the consumers. In a closed beta, what is true one week can be completely wrong the next so any talk about balance or anything of the like becomes irrelevant to the final product and further taints it's launch.

If you get into the Beta, NEVER BREACH THE NDA. It will hurt you, it will hurt the game and it will hurt all of the other testers. If you don't get into the Beta, do not spread false information or try to squeeze information out from people in the Beta. In other words, don't be a dick.

[Aelos03]

wildknight, on 23 May 2012 - 09:07 AM, said:

can you link this?

i highly doubt that is the case, but if you have proof obviously i would relent.

http://mwomercs.com/...o-the-mwo-beta/

[ArcaneIce]

Love the original post, so creative And I've done other closed betas where I had to sign a NDA. Who would want to lose their chance of playing MW:O early let alone have to deal with legal action?

[Kaemon]

wildknight, on 23 May 2012 - 08:57 AM, said:

1. this thread is absolutly a "try to get on the dev's nice side" thread. it doesn't give any actually useful information on what a NDA is or why companies require it. it tries to be cute, and really long winded in a attempt to hide what it really is behind humor.

Awwww...it's a baby troll, they are sooo cute.

[JunkyardWolf]

NDA..... Nuther Dang As..... oh never mind!

[Grendel408]

I've tested many games in Beta phase... some from Microsoft (Crimson Skies and Mechcommander2), and am currently running a Beta of Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion... never once have I had to sign a NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement)... all they ever requested was feedback on the game like team/unit balancing, bugs, etc.

If MWO needs me to sign a NDA, then mail the thing to me and I'll have the lawyers at my work look it over with a fine-tooth comb
(unless this is a gag-thread, then I did find it funny)

[Kaemon]

Grendel408, on 23 May 2012 - 09:56 AM, said:

I've tested many games in Beta phase... some from Microsoft (Crimson Skies and Mechcommander2), and am currently running a Beta of Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion... never once have I had to sign a NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement)... all they ever requested was feedback on the game like team/unit balancing, bugs, etc.

If MWO needs me to sign a NDA, then mail the thing to me and I'll have the lawyers at my work look it over with a fine-tooth comb
(unless this is a gag-thread, then I did find it funny)

Open or Closed BETA, I find it hard to believe you've ever tested a Closed BETA and not had to sign an NDA.

[Grendel408]

Kaemon, on 23 May 2012 - 09:59 AM, said:

Open or Closed BETA, I find it hard to believe you've ever tested a Closed BETA and not had to sign an NDA.

Not once Both in Open and Closed Beta phases...