Author Topic: Serious Discussion about public beta testing (Read 3606 times)

Gnoblar · « **on:** May 18, 2009, 07:47:16 am »

It's time we had a serious chat about public testing of soldat.

As we are all aware, 1.5 is riddled with bugs, but is the EnEsCe's fault?

No. He is dissapointed with participation on the beta, and rightly so. To be honest, we sucked at reporting bugs. So it raises the question, do we have another public beta? I don't mean to sound like an admin, but I want to ask the question. Now I didn't partake in the 1.5b/c/d as my computer didn't exist, but a 1.5.3/1.6 I will gladly do my part in. I think that we should have one more crack at a public beta, and if it doesn't work, scrap the idea. I'd really like to see it happen again, and I think that it'll be good for the community, but just like 1.5 beta and the official trailer contest, the community must be behind this. So should we have another beta? Or shall we leave it to the private testers?

I have included a poll. Please discuss seriously.

STM1993 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 18, 2009, 10:54:24 am »

The factors that leads to inactive participation goes as follows:
1) Bad timing - when the beta was released, it was also the time when players (especially those still in school) might have major events such as exams.

2) Although people want the new version to appear as soon as possible, they want the full complete version and don't think the beta is that important. This belief about the beta is false; the beta would determine the final version.

3) Not enough people are aware of the new public beta.

4) Less participants discourages other players from participating.

On the other hand, I don't think we really have enough manpower to just leave all the work to the developers and the beta testers, and even so, it wouldn't be very fair to certain very concerned members. Whether the developer releases a beta or not, he is ultimately still doing the same amount of work when it comes to finding bugs etc, just that releasing the beta would help speed things up a little more.

I'd say that for the upcoming bug-fix version 1.5.2, we won't need a public beta, because our "public beta" would be our current official, heavily bugged 1.5.0 version. We'll slowly discover new bugs in the current version. It is only when Soldat undergoes a major change like adding new features or if it is being upgraded into a new version, that a public beta should still be made.

However, if participation in the next public beta still remains poor, then I suggest scrapping the idea of public betas and just releasing a full version first, then releasing the bug-fix version. Information must still be provided to the public about upcoming changes though.

I voted "Yes, but won't participate". I'm gonna have a hard time in school and studies, but I'm strangely putting all my time online, have to cut down. If the next beta is to be released only after my exams, then I might participate, but right now, I don't wish to undertake major events.

~Niko~ · « **Reply #2 on:** May 18, 2009, 11:42:59 am »

If a beta is gonna be released, you can count me in the team, I think I played long enough to you buddies thrust me that I'll do anything that I can to make soldat a better game to play in.

-Major- · « **Reply #3 on:** May 18, 2009, 11:56:22 am »

well, enesce was retarded enough to not release any dedicated server software, meaning, nobody plays it, especially since he didn't host a DM server. this is almost all enesces and the beta testers fault (inter beta testers)

EnEsCe · « **Reply #4 on:** May 18, 2009, 12:16:23 pm »

Quote from: -Major- on May 18, 2009, 11:56:22 am

not release any dedicated server software

http://forums.soldat.pl/index.php?topic=32997.0
Look at the bottom of the thread. Dedicated server. Check your info before you embarrass yourself next time.

~Niko~ · « **Reply #5 on:** May 18, 2009, 12:24:05 pm »

the beta was up for... 3 weeks? or even a month.. and the server was downloadable and testable, even I played it, though the access violation error pissed me off. Any way we can help in?

Dusty · « **Reply #6 on:** May 18, 2009, 12:59:18 pm »

Quote from: EnEsCe on May 18, 2009, 12:16:23 pm

Quote from: -Major- on May 18, 2009, 11:56:22 am
not release any dedicated server software
http://forums.soldat.pl/index.php?topic=32997.0
Look at the bottom of the thread. Dedicated server. Check your info before you embarrass yourself next time.

I recall times when I cried about a public server thingy when the public beta was running. Our Swede here is pretty correct right now.

demoniac93 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 18, 2009, 03:15:47 pm »

Quote from: -Major- on May 18, 2009, 11:56:22 am

well, enesce was retarded enough to not release any dedicated server software, meaning, nobody plays it, especially since he didn't host a DM server. this is almost all enesces and the beta testers fault (inter beta testers)

Oh really now? How about you try and code this kind of game from scratch zero, to the most addicting online 2D shooter in the world? EnEsCe has been putting all of his sole work into releasing 1.5 and you people were so bit**y about it, and so lazy about reporting bugs, that he HAD to release it bugged just to keep you from going ballistic...So it's our fault. the communities...I myself admit that I didn't participate in the betas, as after seeing the balance, AND having to rush off for exams, I sticked to 1.4.2 like an hour daily...But he released so many beta candidates that it hurt...So don't go nagging about any of that crap.

-Major- · « **Reply #8 on:** May 18, 2009, 03:50:58 pm »

Quote from: demoniac93 on May 18, 2009, 03:15:47 pm

Quote from: -Major- on May 18, 2009, 11:56:22 am
well, enesce was retarded enough to not release any dedicated server software, meaning, nobody plays it, especially since he didn't host a DM server. this is almost all enesces and the beta testers fault (inter beta testers)

Oh really now? How about you try and code this kind of game from scratch zero, to the most addicting online 2D shooter in the world? EnEsCe has been putting all of his sole work into releasing 1.5 and you people were so bit**y about it, and so lazy about reporting bugs, that he HAD to release it bugged just to keep you from going ballistic...So it's our fault. the communities...I myself admit that I didn't participate in the betas, as after seeing the balance, AND having to rush off for exams, I sticked to 1.4.2 like an hour daily...But he released so many beta candidates that it hurt...So don't go nagging about any of that crap.

lol, enesce haven't coded this game from scratch lmao. also, that has nothing to do about this. licking ass won't give you moderator priviliges, nor will anyone high ranked care about you.

but, oh, you released a server too, too bad nobody cared about the 1.5 because you didn't give us the server before that release candidate.

Laser Guy · « **Reply #9 on:** May 18, 2009, 04:19:55 pm »

Quote from: demoniac93 on May 18, 2009, 03:15:47 pm

...
Oh really now? How about you try and code this kind of game from scratch zero, to the most addicting online 2D shooter in the world?
...

Why not first find out who made the game and THEN talk? ...
I don't think it was anyones fault, just bad timing. My guess is more people would play during summer or Christmas.

~Niko~ · « **Reply #10 on:** May 18, 2009, 04:47:39 pm »

I think you people focus more on whining and saying that people does nothing to fix it and meanwhile you are sitting waiting this people to make it all for you.

-Major- · « **Reply #11 on:** May 18, 2009, 04:58:15 pm »

Quote from: ~Niko~ on May 18, 2009, 04:47:39 pm

I think you people focus more on whining and saying that people does nothing to fix it and meanwhile you are sitting waiting this people to make it all for you.

that's the point when a single person/group/company is doing a game.

Snow · « **Reply #12 on:** May 18, 2009, 08:29:57 pm »

It was a failure. End of discussion. One of the main reasons for a public beta was so that EVERYONE had some input. Wasn't just about bug detection and fixing. The betas will just have to be closed again and you can b***h in the weapon balance thread, just like it used to be.

scarface09 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 19, 2009, 02:31:51 am »

Betas would be nice if people actually did participate constantly and frequently. This would ensure less bugs and errors happening in the final release. However, people are whining when they could of helped report these bugs before the newest version was release.

PQ · « **Reply #14 on:** May 19, 2009, 02:38:19 am »

Most people here only play gathers. You might want to get the people from #soldat.gather and #sna.gather to get some beta-gathers going. Don't know if anyone is going to add, but it will make it way more fun to test the beta (for me).

homerofgods · « **Reply #15 on:** May 19, 2009, 05:19:03 am »

Shouldn't the beta-testers be the ones testing the beta even though it's a public beta? and the rest is like a bonus, extra eyes.
That's why I was surprised that public beta was a failure. No offence to the beta testers, I love you
The beta testers didn't test it because it was public beta? or what?

Gnoblar · « **Reply #16 on:** May 19, 2009, 06:16:36 am »

Stop f**king moaning you useless human beings. I can see why he was reluctant to release any form of beta. Sigh. Rage over. I'll be a private beta tester if you want, EnEsCe.

-Major- · « **Reply #17 on:** May 19, 2009, 07:11:15 am »

Quote from: Gnoblar on May 19, 2009, 06:16:36 am

Stop f**king moaning you useless human beings. I can see why he was reluctant to release any form of beta. Sigh. Rage over. I'll be a private tester if you want, EnEsCe.

WHAT A SACREFICE!!!!

beta sucks whey they aren't used. if he gave us a couple of servers it could be useful.

Gnoblar · « **Reply #18 on:** May 19, 2009, 07:13:06 am »

Whoops. Private public beta tester doesn't make sense .:edit:. I played the 1.5b offline with bots and found no bugs.

Mittsu · « **Reply #19 on:** May 19, 2009, 08:13:32 am »

Quote from: -Major- on May 19, 2009, 07:11:15 am

Quote from: Gnoblar on May 19, 2009, 06:16:36 am
Stop f**king moaning you useless human beings. I can see why he was reluctant to release any form of beta. Sigh. Rage over. I'll be a private tester if you want, EnEsCe.
WHAT A SACREFICE!!!!

beta sucks whey they aren't used. i
if he gave us a couple of servers it could be useful.

wth? i remember i was playing on some 1.5b servers

News:

Poll

Should we have another test

Author Topic: Serious Discussion about public beta testing (Read 3606 times)