We’ve picked a tiny handful of the pre-order group to become alpha testers based on how many other betas they’ve participated in, forum karma, and a number of other criteria.
Those of you not in the alpha, fear not, you’re not missing very much. The beta is scheduled to come out around PAX (Penny Arcade Expo).
Be forewarned, we plan to close the beta shortly after PAX and it will remain closed for some months. Those who want to get the beta can pre-order the game.
I am leaning towards beta 1 being only cloth map in order to let beta testers have more input on the game mechanics (fewer assets to change if we accept a suggestion).
There will be an Alpha tour later this week (possibly tomorrow). Stay tuned.
will you send out more invites if not all 100 choose to sign the NDA?
You'll still be in the beta about a month from now. The alpha likely isn't going to that fun anyway. I mean it isn't even "beta" yet. Chances are it won't even run on half of the lucky 100's computers
Of course not... The alpha won't be any fun at all. We can all just keep saying that...
Wait... its over... DAMN!!!!!!!!.... wait i can do better... KAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHN!
From Questions for August 2009:
In either case, we plan to start making public to those interested in seeing the sausage factory that is game development our internal bug reports.
...
You'll be able to see all our foibles in the journals area starting next week as the good, bad, and ugly of the game's develpoment starts to come together.
Oh, yeah, it's time to see these things. ^^
For one, they satisfy my inner geek. And for another, they serve as starting points for general discussions - allowing those not involved directly in closed testing to feel somewhat participatory in the development process. Or just to create some rant posts - we've not had a truly decent rant topic in a while.
I'm thinking "Damn you, NDA!!!! " If it weren't for that, it wouldn't matter that I was 6 months too young. I actually like your random number generator quite a bit.
Awh, should have done it by forum member number. Stardock probably thinks I'm too decrepit and wrinkley. All guys want nowadays are the young tramps. *fist shake*
Ewww... gross.
Good luck people. if you don't get in don't worry. Well all be jammin in the beta anyway.
[blofeld]
Greetings Stardock employees,
I hereby submit a formal demand for an invitation to the Elemental Alpha. Failure to comply with this demand will result in the immediate extermination of all amphibious life across the planet known as Earth, beginning with the humble and oft-forgotten tree frog.The death of this species will begin a cataclysmic spiral of destruction through the food webs of their ecosystem, directly and indirectly causing the mass extinction of hundreds of species and animals culminating in the death of the entire human race leaving Earth as a barren rock devoid of life. The fate of the world is in your hands now, gentlemen. Act accordingly,Good day
[/blofeld]
I don't understand this line, what does "closed" mean? Not able to play, no new people? I didn't get into the alpha, but I do have the game preordered, so I should be able to beta test come september until the game is released?
(Sorry, I can be a bit anxious about these things sometimes )
Based on Stardock's previous beta tests, my guess is that it means there will be a short window after beta 1 goes live for people to order the game and still get into it; preorders that come in after that window will have to wait until beta 2 comes around.
That's just a guess, though. If that is what he meant, he most definitely could've worded it better...
yeah, EVERYBODY who has pre-ordered now (or by the begining of september) will be in the beta. There will also be a window of time that the beta has just started and new people can enter it before it closes. After it closes, any new pre-orders will have to wait until the next major beta stage for it to open again (maybe not beta 2, could just be beta 1B, but we'll see)
Spare some pity for the poor guy at Stardock who gets to check and countersign 100 contracts all at once. (contracts like these need to be signed by both parties to be valid under US law too, right?)
Bets on the odds of employees having been extra nice to Brad over the last couple of weeks to avoid being handed a case-specific power of attorney?
Yes, and that would be Yarlen.
So all the invites have been sent out already then?
I Just checked my email again...
Wait how did Bill put it... "GOD F*#$ING DAMN IT!" (Throws his M16 to the ground and it fires off a few rounds into his head and kills him...)
Do you guys think Stardock will tell us how they chose that few 100 people?
There´s a simple way to detect people who are under the NDA. You just ask then if they are! If they dont answer, you can be sure the NDA is under effect!
Cheers,
Katabroc
The good news in all of this is that it,s finally started...
Evil agent: My Master, we have started step one....
Evil Emperor: Good.... GOOOD!!!!! Mouahahahahahaha
It's a start darlings!
All Hail the Frog!
Clever.
LOL!
Or they could lie.
True, but the only reason a person would refuse to answer is because they are under NDA and don't like lieing. (Not counting eets, who would refuse to answer just to stir up trouble...)
From earlier posts: AFIK they based it on a random number generator lottery (for people who indicated interest), with the number generation slanted to favour people who have been useful in earlier betas, have high karma, have bought Galactic Civilisations 2 (and expansion packs), bought Demigod, bought Sins of a Solar Empire. (cumulative)
Also, I doubt there is anything in the NDA banning you from lying to deny being selected.
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