Whether or not the game is given to testers is totally up to the company selling it. I've gotten games in this way, but if I hadn't, I would have bought them anyway. I appreciate the games, and I support the companies I have tested for. --- In God we trust! ----- Original Message ----- From: "dark" <[email protected]> To: "Gamers Discussion list" <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, January 02, 2010 3:20 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Public betas vs private testing
I Disagree with david that just because you have a private testing team they should automatically get a copy of the software, ---- especially in a field like accessible games where every sale helps. Testing is a way for non-programmers to contribute to accessible games developement, ---- not a way to grab free coppies of the software, ----- especially as it's hoped the testing process will in itself be fun for the players (all the games testing programs I've been involved in certainly have been), ---- in fact if the testing process isn't fun, then the developer certainly! has work to do, ;D. Beware the Grue! Dark. ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Chittenden" <[email protected]> To: "Gamers Discussion list" <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, January 03, 2010 12:33 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Public betas vs private testing > Hello, > > It sounds to me like you have spelled out all of the benefits and > detriments to both sides. The only things I would ad are that you can > always increase and decrease the size of a private team as needed, but you > typically should give the members a free copy of the software when the > game is finished. With public beta, you do not have the same control, but > you also do not need to provide software in recompense for the testing of > it. > > I have been involved in both private and public beta programs. I tend to > prefer the public beta because you get many more and different > perspectives. Then again, I am not a programmer. > > David Chittenden, MSc, CRC, MRCAA > Email: [email protected] > > > > Philip Bennefall wrote: >> Hi all, >> >> I just wanted to put a question out. What are your opinions of private >> testing with a dedicated team versus publicly released betas that >> everyone can try out? I have a new game in development now, and I am >> considering whether to make a public beta available similar to what >> Thomas Ward and Jason Alan have done. I see some pros and cons with >> private testing, though: >> >> Pros: >> 1. Easier to manage. Since you have only a few people who are testing the >> game you do not need to answer the same questions or receive the same bug >> reports numerous times. >> >> 2. The element of surprise. With a private team, very few people know >> about the development and so it comes as more of a nice surprise when >> something new is released, where as in the case when everyone knows >> pretty much everything that is going on it's hardly unexpected when a >> game finally is released. In the worst case, some people may even have >> gotten tired of the game after playing the betas! >> >> Cons: >> >> 1. Limited testing=more possible bugs. If you have a smaller team you are >> not as likely to catch every single bug before the product goes to >> release. This can result in some pretty rapid patch releases (1.0.1, >> 1.0.2, 1.1, etc) right after 1.0 has been put out and this obviously >> doesn't look too good. >> >> 2. Nagging. If everyone knows about the game while it is being developed, >> I fear that some people would be sending emails asking when the next >> version is out or wanting to know why this or that feature that they >> suggested hasn't been implemented. This is of course a very broad >> generalization and I do not in any way wish to insinuate that a lot of >> people do this, but there are a few cases and it might make it annoying >> for the developer to see the project all the way to the end. If no one >> except the private testing team knows about the game, then you will not >> get any public comments before you go 1.0 and then you are obviosly >> prepared to take them. >> >> On the other hand, of course, more public suggestions means more good >> possible ideas for the developer to work with. Thoughts, anyone? >> >> Kind regards, >> >> Philip Bennefall >> --- >> Gamers mailing list __ [email protected] >> If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to >> [email protected]. >> You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at >> http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. >> All messages are archived and can be searched and read at >> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]. >> If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the >> list, >> please send E-mail to [email protected]. >> >> > > --- > Gamers mailing list __ [email protected] > If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to > [email protected]. > You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at > http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. > All messages are archived and can be searched and read at > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]. > If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the > list, > please send E-mail to [email protected]. --- Gamers mailing list __ [email protected] If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [email protected]. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [email protected]. --- Gamers mailing list __ [email protected] If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [email protected]. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [email protected].
