I don't see a single console player not even trying to play this game. Where is the fire buton, and the turbo speed????
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marcusjm: No offense, and I think everything you said was right. On the other hand, imagine how great the game could be with an AI which is even more intelligent. It got bad reviews in the beginning simply because of it and the crashes which occured in some systems.
EU1 could have been even bigger (I don't know how the sales in Europe compared to the US), especially in Europe if it would not have released too early.
Perhaps they will have some real multiplayer support as well (which would be useful) in EU2, but the AI is still a very important problem to handle (perhaps over the settings as well). I have read in gamespot that EU2 is due to November this year, I really wonder if they are just selling a slightly improved EU1 or a game which is much improved, with the new innovations.
I just read a list about how to win against the AI, Hartmann's to do list and this one should be thoroughly worked through, and all those things should be circumvented. Once that is done, the game will hopefully be bug- free, with an AI intelligent enough to tame powermongers.
I like the new aspects I have seen from screenshots to put more historical accuracy into the game (I hope this includes the Spanish/Austrian Netherlands as well), but the main effort should be to rise the long- time motivation even more by improving the AI.
EU1 could have been even bigger (I don't know how the sales in Europe compared to the US), especially in Europe if it would not have released too early.
Perhaps they will have some real multiplayer support as well (which would be useful) in EU2, but the AI is still a very important problem to handle (perhaps over the settings as well). I have read in gamespot that EU2 is due to November this year, I really wonder if they are just selling a slightly improved EU1 or a game which is much improved, with the new innovations.
I just read a list about how to win against the AI, Hartmann's to do list and this one should be thoroughly worked through, and all those things should be circumvented. Once that is done, the game will hopefully be bug- free, with an AI intelligent enough to tame powermongers.
I like the new aspects I have seen from screenshots to put more historical accuracy into the game (I hope this includes the Spanish/Austrian Netherlands as well), but the main effort should be to rise the long- time motivation even more by improving the AI.
I'm glad I got the NA version of EU. Compared to other games EU's AI rocks, but some improvement won't hurt.
I know daboese. The crashes are allways NO 1 priority with beta tests(ie the first you hunt for). Unfortunatelly some were hidden behind complex routines and not found until later. Funny thing that my game was pretty stable from version 1 , so much is due to individual configurations it's almost impossible to test every variant (from testers perspective that is).
Why XBOX btw? The difference is of course that it is in effect a PC with keyboard/mouse options. So why would it be difficult to play EU on a console? I like the thought of having that nice map on my widescreen TV. Remember that I said "if any other format". Linux is certainly not a commersially viable option right now.
Marcus
, so much is due to individual configurations it's almost impossible to test every variant (from testers perspective that is).Why XBOX btw? The difference is of course that it is in effect a PC with keyboard/mouse options. So why would it be difficult to play EU on a console? I like the thought of having that nice map on my widescreen TV
. Remember that I said "if any other format". Linux is certainly not a commersially viable option right now.Marcus
Some Canadian company is porting the original EU to Linux, though it will be released in September. Maybe the same agreement will be reached between that company and Paradox regarding EU2.
Idiot
As the subject suggests, I feel a bit of a fool asking this question. I have read all about beta testers for games, and though it sounds really cool ,what exactly is required? Is any kind of legal contract signed when you accept us? Do we get a copy, play it, and tell you what we think? Or do we have to turn up to huge think tank sessions armed with notes with which to fight of intrusive questions about our experience, which, if not large or experienced enough, leads to me getting sued?
MacDonald
(I knw these are two extremes, but bugger that, my point had to be put across!)
As the subject suggests, I feel a bit of a fool asking this question. I have read all about beta testers for games, and though it sounds really cool ,what exactly is required? Is any kind of legal contract signed when you accept us? Do we get a copy, play it, and tell you what we think? Or do we have to turn up to huge think tank sessions armed with notes with which to fight of intrusive questions about our experience, which, if not large or experienced enough, leads to me getting sued?
MacDonald
(I knw these are two extremes, but bugger that, my point had to be put across!
)
Re: Idiot
I'd imagine it would be much closer to the former rather than the latter.
I'd imagine it would be much closer to the former rather than the latter.
I used to be lead beta-tester for a now-defunct game company (in part because they didn't listen to we testers!) so I can answer that!
You should have to sign an NDA - a non-disclosure agreement. That limits you to only publicly discussing generalities about the game. Usually they'll then send you a CD (minimal, if any, docs) or point you to a secure download site. The lead developer usually will choose testers from a broad mix of backgrounds who'll bring different perspectives to the game; from average gamers to hardcore grognards - the target market.
Then you TEST the game. It's not just playing it, it's trying EVERYTHING you can think of within the game. Make sure it does what it's supposed to do properly, but also see what happens when you do stuff you're not supposed to be able to. You've got to put the game through it's paces, not just play what you want. It's not really all that much fun - you're testing it, not enjoying it. And most beta code will crash your sytem a few dozen times. Be prepared to get thoroughly sick of the game!
Keep good notes about what heppens when you do X, the more detailed the better.
When something untoward happens, is it recreatable or transient? Is the UI too cumbersome or too sparse? Are the game events happening correctly or is the Iroquios chief being elected HRE?
Usually you'll be on a tester-only email list or webboard and provide feedback that way. Every company does it differently, but usually all the feedback will be compiled and prioritized from "Fix Now!" gamebreakers to "If we have time" enhancements. Then the code warriors do their thing and release another version and the cycle repeats.
Standard reward is a free copy of the retail version of the game and a mention in the credits. As a beta tester, you have no liability.
Now...on the issue of bugs. EU is actually pretty bug-free, comparitively speaking. What most folks don't realize is that the codejockeys don't work in a vacuum - they've got budgets and deadlines to work to. When a release date is selected, the marketing folks get busy and start lining up distributors (who get very irate when your shipping date slips!), advance advertising, etc.; printers get contracts for the boxes and manuals; duplications houses get contracts for the CD burns; and so on. These deadlines can usually slip a little, but not much which means that often the programmers are stuck between rocks and hard places; fix Fiji's port problem or fix over-rampaging natives? Sometimes you just HAVE to ship knowing that there are bugs because there isn't time to fix them all.
Given the complexity of the code (and it's actually harder to program for openness like EU has for user mods!), it's actually surprising that the bugs are all relatively minor - no gamebreakers!
You should have to sign an NDA - a non-disclosure agreement. That limits you to only publicly discussing generalities about the game. Usually they'll then send you a CD (minimal, if any, docs) or point you to a secure download site. The lead developer usually will choose testers from a broad mix of backgrounds who'll bring different perspectives to the game; from average gamers to hardcore grognards - the target market.
Then you TEST the game. It's not just playing it, it's trying EVERYTHING you can think of within the game. Make sure it does what it's supposed to do properly, but also see what happens when you do stuff you're not supposed to be able to. You've got to put the game through it's paces, not just play what you want. It's not really all that much fun - you're testing it, not enjoying it. And most beta code will crash your sytem a few dozen times
. Be prepared to get thoroughly sick of the game!Keep good notes about what heppens when you do X, the more detailed the better.
When something untoward happens, is it recreatable or transient? Is the UI too cumbersome or too sparse? Are the game events happening correctly or is the Iroquios chief being elected HRE?
Usually you'll be on a tester-only email list or webboard and provide feedback that way. Every company does it differently, but usually all the feedback will be compiled and prioritized from "Fix Now!" gamebreakers to "If we have time" enhancements. Then the code warriors do their thing and release another version and the cycle repeats.
Standard reward is a free copy of the retail version of the game and a mention in the credits. As a beta tester, you have no liability
. Now...on the issue of bugs. EU is actually pretty bug-free, comparitively speaking. What most folks don't realize is that the codejockeys don't work in a vacuum - they've got budgets and deadlines to work to. When a release date is selected, the marketing folks get busy and start lining up distributors (who get very irate when your shipping date slips!), advance advertising, etc.; printers get contracts for the boxes and manuals; duplications houses get contracts for the CD burns; and so on. These deadlines can usually slip a little, but not much which means that often the programmers are stuck between rocks and hard places; fix Fiji's port problem or fix over-rampaging natives? Sometimes you just HAVE to ship knowing that there are bugs because there isn't time to fix them all.
Given the complexity of the code (and it's actually harder to program for openness like EU has for user mods!), it's actually surprising that the bugs are all relatively minor - no gamebreakers!
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Paradox said they have a rough count on how many and that there is no need to put an exact number on it.
Hmmmm
I wonder, if or when as my parents put it, I apply for a job, tha manager would like to see - beta tester? Or, in other words, person who sits around all day having fun in exchange for writing a few things down about something he loves doing?
Thoughts, anyone?
MacDonald
P.S. Damn, have to get picked first...
I wonder, if or when as my parents put it, I apply for a job, tha manager would like to see - beta tester? Or, in other words, person who sits around all day having fun in exchange for writing a few things down about something he loves doing?
Thoughts, anyone?
MacDonald
P.S. Damn, have to get picked first...
Re: Hmmmm
Knowing that they should pay you with a copy of the game, I think to be a beta tester could be in the curriculum vitae. It would be better if you want to work for a Multimedia Company as Paradox, Ubi Soft, Microsoft, Dinamic Multimedia, ...
Knowing that they should pay you with a copy of the game, I think to be a beta tester could be in the curriculum vitae. It would be better if you want to work for a Multimedia Company as Paradox, Ubi Soft, Microsoft, Dinamic Multimedia, ...
Any plans of releasing the game in Japanese? I read Japanese, so maybe I could become a tester?
Odds of becoming beta tester
Hmm, how much testers per 1000 applicants are chosen? Just wondering what my odds are...
Hmm, how much testers per 1000 applicants are chosen? Just wondering what my odds are...
I guess it is like 0.000000000000000000000001 per 1000
Anyway, when approximately EUII will be released?
Anyway, when approximately EUII will be released?
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