I Wish Paradox Would Release A Open Beta for HOI4.

[bonecrusher1406]

I wish for Paradox to release a open beta for hearts of iron 4. The same build that Paradox had at the Multiplayer event that they invited those Youtubers at. So they pushed back the release date and that's fine and good but they could release a beta in the mean time for veterans and people who are new to HOI. To give them a idea about the game and something to do in the mean time and I hope Paradox will get to know this. Because it will help sales of the game on their part and give us a idea on what they showed.

 

[Caesar15]

Sorry, it's not happening.

 

[dav77-b]

Open beta weekend? Just 2 days?

 

[EmpireMagnis]

Open beta weekend? Just 2 days?

It would take me that long just to download and install the game. And any other people with terrible internet.

 

[Skjold89]

I disagree, i like paradox "it's done when its done" method. And thats coming from someone who is dying to playHoI 4.

 

[robot42]

They probably will there was an open beta for HoI3 prior to release wasn't there?

 

[Bernard Black]

Why would you spoil the game for you in an unfinished state? I would much rather have a finished product than a bug-ridden unbalanced game to play. I had my share of early access and open betas, after so much hours you get desinterested before the game even gets in a proper state.

 

[Alexander Suvorov]

Listen I agree that the product should be polished on release and I would rather paradox take the time to do that as some other posters have already said. I also support the "it's done when it's done" philosophy. however as someone with some minor knowledge of the Clausewitz engine from previous titles and some experience play-testing who is an avid reader of history and a devoted fan, I would absolutely love to have had some way to get in on the beta apart from signing up a bunch of fake e-mail addresses for the website to run up my referral count to try to get into the raffle (I'm a devoted fan, not an insane one); I think I could have helped point out historical errors or technical glitches admirably, without make ill-considered and sweeping suggestions.

However, any kind of open beta is nuts and kills game sales dead. you can do like beta available for those who pre-purchased, or something, so your marketing guys don't all have panic attacks.

I had that experience with StarCraft 2: legacy of the void and was able to actually submit bugs which got worked (blast craters forming in inappropriate places was a problem for some of their explosion animations in earlier builds. you can still see it if you cast "Solar lance" over water) it was great. I like to think I even helped a little bit.

I know it's well past the point to be considering a scheme like this for HOI4, but it might be a model they would want to consider for a future title.

 

[Evan05]

While I do like the idea of an open beta, perhaps for those who pre-ordered the game, let's be honest. Most people use open betas not for helping to find bugs or give feed back about the game, but merely to play the game early. Not to mention Paradox already has their policy on betas, and probably aren't going to change it for the foreseeable future.

 

[Alexander Suvorov]

let's be honest. Most people use open betas not for helping to find bugs or give feed back about the game, but merely to play the game early.

They might not have a problem with this provided it's been paid for early? it depends. it's a lot of change to the timetable for developing the games too, open or preorder gives beta access take longer, I would think, if only because of the number of people involved. Also, if your beta is too rough around the edges, then the preorder players may have bad experiences and not come back to the game and buy all the shiny DLC's. This is basically what happened to me with Rome 2 total war except they did not label their beta they just went ahead and called it a ready for release build. I never did go back to that game.

 

[safe-keeper]

I have a feeling that with "open beta", you mean "just release the game before it's done". Beta testing is a job, where you meticulously search for bugs, try to break the game, and in general do lots and lots of testing (which doesn't neccessarily mean actual playing). Open betas don't generate much feedback, as far as I know, and there's also the problem that most users don't really understand they are beta testers, and will instead flock to forums whining about bugs and imbalances.

I say release it when it's done. Maybe there will be a closed beta, but again, if you sign up you'll be working, not playing.

 

[dav77-b]

I have a feeling that with "open beta", you mean "just release the game before it's done". Beta testing is a job, where you meticulously search for bugs, try to break the game, and in general do lots and lots of testing (which doesn't neccessarily mean actual playing). Open betas don't generate much feedback, as far as I know, and there's also the problem that most users don't really understand they are beta testers, and will instead flock to forums whining about bugs and imbalances.

I say release it when it's done. Maybe there will be a closed beta, but again, if you sign up you'll be working, not playing.

Reporting bugs and inbalances is exactly what they should do.

 

[Zoob]

There's a difference between complaining about a beta being buggy and that reflecting negatively on the game as a whole, vs reporting bugs in order to see them fixed. Having an open beta, which everyone treats like a demo, just leaves you open to the complainy type.

IE: "This game is a buggy piece of crap pre order cancelled!" v "Found this error in something or other which needs fixing"