Alpha test "soon"

[Synfrag]

Basically, we should wait for an official post on Lodestone announcing when the servers will be taken offline. Then we will know for sure when the servers will actually be taken offline and what it will mean for everyone regarding the Alpha/Beta Access and billing process.

Exactly! But, the only people who should get excited about it are the ones with testing background or at least the willingness to use their time exclusively for organizing stress tests on game content.

1.x Alpha was poorly executed. We were asked to load test a few things but besides that the specifics were vague. They should not be allowing people who want to oogle at graphics, craft or explore the new map into alpha. All that will do is flood the forums with crap like "The grass looks bad".

Alpha should be setup with specific testing criteria such as: Everyone log in and go to the AH at once, Everyone Participate in XXXX Event simultaneously. Yada yada yada. 1.x was simply log in and do whatever for the most part. It was totally uncoordinated so very few bugs and glitches were found on the testers end.

One can only hope they do it right this time.

[Renen]

Exactly! But, the only people who should get excited about it are the ones with testing background or at least the willingness to use their time exclusively for organizing stress tests on game content.

1.x Alpha was poorly executed. We were asked to load test a few things but besides that the specifics were vague. They should not be allowing people who want to oogle at graphics, craft or explore the new map into alpha. All that will do is flood the forums with crap like "The grass looks bad".

Alpha should be setup with specific testing criteria such as: Everyone log in and go to the AH at once, Everyone Participate in XXXX Event simultaneously. Yada yada yada. 1.x was simply log in and do whatever for the most part. It was totally uncoordinated so very few bugs and glitches were found on the testers end.

One can only hope they do it right this time.

Id no problem doing that, provided I can get into alpha :-)
Get to go to AH, and watch it crash before my eyes... sounds fun (no sarcasm)