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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[Naunet]

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.

You're not really familiar with Public Test Servers, are you? xD

This is probably one of the biggest reasons we don't have test servers. Before Early Release they released Beta4, which was the last build and techincally a pre-Early Release Early Release barring any unforeseen problems. It was also effectively the full game client and dataminers published all the item data to XIVDB. The data was promptly ordered removed by Square within days. If they did launch a test server they'd have the same problem over and over again...

I honestly don't understand why they got in such a huff over data miners. It's important to have an accurate database of items in the game, in my opinion.

[cotti]

You're not really familiar with Public Test Servers, are you?

You're not really familiar with ARR's specific circunstances as of now, including development methodology and period of such development, publisher, accuracy on server load previsions, etc, are you?

xD

Way to put the tongue on the sewers.

I honestly don't understand why they got in such a huff over data miners. It's important to have an accurate database of items in the game, in my opinion.

ENTERPRISE isn't meant to think with logic. You may don't understand, but it does not make your point valid for a corporation. It's their product, and datamining is against the ToS.

[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.