Beta for each patch

[Randalthor]

What does the community think about SE releasing each patch 3-4 weeks ahead of time to users for beta testing? Allows users to test drive the client and report issues and gives SE valuable feedback that can improve the chances of a successful GA (general availability) release.

Let users download a client separate from the live client that gets periodically updated with beta versions to try out.

[Phe]

the idea isn't that bad, but with what characters?

i don't think you can easily switch with your normal character between beta and normal server.
also the progress you would make in the beta.

means you would have to level a new character only for beta purposes.
and more cost to service/maintain the servers.

[yukikaze_yanagi]

test servers was planned since when 2.0 announced, thou no timeframe was given. We'll sure get sooner or later, but for now they have more pressing thing to do

[Xieveral]

I have been wondering this myself.

However, considering the way they handled the alpha/beta schedule there would be insufficient time for testing as it would only be open for one weekend the week before launch and only for a few hours at a convenient time for Asia/Australia. It would be treated as a preview instead of a test. Please look forward to it.

It should be open a month or two prior to launch 24 hours a day for a few weeks to gather meaningful feedback and bug reports from all regions.

the idea isn't that bad, but with what characters?

i don't think you can easily switch with your normal character between beta and normal server.
also the progress you would make in the beta.

means you would have to level a new character only for beta purposes.
and more cost to service/maintain the servers.

Other games provide a service that would allow you to copy your character as-is onto the test server instead of starting from the bottom.

[Alhanelem]

i think they'll establish a test server once they find the time.

[cotti]

That's a terrible idea.

Would be hell to just think of a way to make this "work" with the general public. Too much resources better spent on new content, really.

[Shenandoah]

They could do something like character copy, available from mog station, works like a server transfer service so to speak, but it copies your character instead?

Also, I guess to test high lvl content SE can put a system where people can create a template character specifically in test server, already geared and whatnot. Not sure how the queue is going to work if too many people create a character there lol. Purge servers with every new patch? XD

With that said, I thought SE already has internal testers or something?

[Espon]

I'm surprised they haven't done this yet for 2.1. As great as a company's internal testers might be, there are still many bugs and issues that go by unnoticed or don't even come into effect until a large number players are there. More testers means its more likely these things will be caught. Plus it's basically free help as there are more than enough players willing to test new content.

You wouldn't even need to level a new character. Most other games allow you to copy over your character to test servers, or offer template characters for those that are too low. Of course, playing these characters will have no effect on your characters on the main servers and will likely be wiped at the end of the testing phase.

[Orophin]

The only downside for this to SE is that you'll get hardcore groups going in and testing the endgame content, beating it shortly after it's live, and potentially unsubscribing a lot sooner than they normally would have after running out of content.

[Espon]

The only downside for this to SE is that you'll get hardcore groups going in and testing the endgame content, beating it shortly after it's live, and potentially unsubscribing a lot sooner than they normally would have after running out of content.

That's going to happen anyways. There will always be those hardcore players that will go at content non-stop and clear it quickly. Thing is, this is such a tiny percentage of their player-base; most people will take weeks or even months to complete everything, if that.

Mind you, Crystal Tower is supposed to be easier than Binding Coil, so I doubt it'll take very long for even the average player to do it. This more applies to when actual harder content comes out. The only challenging content this patch might be the Extreme Primals.