Their Finest Hour Beta Signup!

[podcat]

We are looking for betas to help out with testing TFH in a few weeks.
Sign up here: http://beta.paradoxplaza.com/signup/36/

Deadline is morning on the 18th

 

[podcat]

Podcat, just two questions... why would you need my address for this? Or my real name and age for that matter?

We need to send papers for you to sign. stuff like non-disclosure agreements etc.

Also, we cant really be sending unreleased games to just anyone, we need some safeguards so we can find and destroy you if you start leaking this on torrent sites

EDIT: Some more explanation. We do give beta access very early. Basically you will be alpha testers, so you arent getting a finished game to test. Usually when you enter about 60% of features are done or such and it gets updated weekly. This is another reason we are quite picky for the initial betas.

 

[podcat]

Do you mail worldvide?

Think so. Actually, QA reminded me we usually send digital these days anyway (I feel old )

 

[podcat]

btw its a good idea to register hoi3+expansions here so we can see that you own them.

 

[Darkrenown]

It's technically alpha since all the features aren't in, but then it's an expansion so you have everything from FTM + <new TFH stuff that is in>...

 

[Darkrenown]

The latter, although you can MP if you like too.

 

[Darkrenown]

Sure, I'd stick that kind of info into the "why would you be an exceptional beta" box.

 

[podcat]

Sounds awesome, the rewards must surely be great for these beta guys!

they tell me the feeling of satisfaction over a job well done is all they would ever need actually

 

[podcat]

If I sign up to a beta test, how many hours do you expect minimum to test it per week?

more is better, but I'd say at least a consistent 3. If everyone only has time for 3 hours we are in trouble, but if some people do more its good because fresh eyes usually spot a lot of stuff. I usually say that if someone makes 5 bug reports during the whole time it wasnt a waste to include them. Great betas will report up to 200 bugs though, but as long as people help as much as they can and dont get bored after 2 weeks and stop posting/testing I'm happy. Let me stress again that there will be weeks when the game isnt fun to test because it is broken in some way or another, but we still need you to test etc so dont expect it to be like playing a free polished game. On the plus side you get a lot of input on how features are done and balance etc in the end.

Any way its just to much of a hassle. Can you imagine if you had to do this with every game you bought?

its only for games you beta. it is in fact a good requirement because people who cant be bothered also wont take the effort to test consistently.

which didn't make the final bid, though I never found out why (my guess is cost).

never underestimate the "golf factor"

 

[Darkrenown]

Come on? Sue me? It might not hole up in court. But seeing how thing are these days.... *cough* megaupload *cough* 50 years in prison *cough* what a joke *cough* *cough* I thank i'm getting sick!

I think its so if i do they can come and find me so they can break my legs....

What has the world come to when you can trust your fellowman?

Any way its just to much of a hassle. Can you imagine if you had to do this with every game you bought?

Not sure you understand what a beta is, maybe you've only played "pre-order beta"s that are just paid early demos. You would not be buying this and you would be expected to test things and give feedback. Although I use "you" in the general sense here of course.

 

[Darkrenown]

Sadly you can't link searches, it doesn't work for other people: "Sorry - no matches. Please try some different terms. "

 

[ForzaA]

You can just scan your signature and put it on the NDA be means of graphical editor like paint.
Result is the same.

Actually, no. I need the scan (or equivalent) of the signed paper. Not an unsigned paper with a signature pasted on it.

Make sense. Like i said its just a Hassle. I would have to go to my local library sign into my e-mail, printed it out, sign it, scan it, and e-mail it. The thing is if I do get picked I would probably do all of this.

One question though. Instead of having to scan it could I just take a picture of my signature with a digital camera? :happy:

A picture in lieu of a scan works, provided it's the whole document and the quality is sufficient.

How about a PM regarding our applications? That way we can expect an email (search spam folder)

You'll be getting a mail as soon as we've sorted out who's in and who's not. I'll post here when the mails go out.

 

[ForzaA]

Emails are being sent out. Since it's always possible that a mail or two go missing, let me know if you haven't received anything - but do give the internet some time If you haven't received anything , say, 12 hours from now, it's probably a fair bet that your mail went missing.

 

[Darkrenown]

I'm pretty sure this is not true. Remember the base engine is based on EU3 which was released Jan 2007 which is the same time that Vista was released. I seriously doubt that Paradox had access to Vista to use for game development. They might have had access to the public beta, but wouldn't have used it to develop the game.

Because it was developed during the XP era they aren't going to significantly change the base engine to allow for an OS 2 generations (or 3 for Windows 8) newer than what they started with. They must rely on Microsoft keeping their pledge of backwards compatibility.

Odd tangent, but we pretty much all use win 7 64 bit here, and have done since before FTM started.

 

[ForzaA]

Hey guys,

just wanted to let you know that I've been busy with lots of stuff NOT directly related to beta signups. Have patience.

I've received quite a few NDAs so far, but haven't had much time to confirm many yet. Sorry about that

 

[ForzaA]

Gentlemen, while I understand your eagerness, all conversation regarding the beta should be directed to me (either PM or email) and not be in public.