WAR to be released...

[cevik]

Mostly, I was hoping to find quotes on F13 that would tell us something about what was likely to happen on F13 when the NDA goes away and and people start posting on F13.

To even come close to the point you are trying to make, you'd have to go find those same people praising AoC.  The only person on the list you came up with that even played AoC that I can see is schild, and no one takes him seriously anyways so that's kinda a moot point (after all he liked NGE).

[eldaec]

Like I said a couple of posts ago.

People around here were much more positive about the AoC beta than the WoW beta.

If everyone said the same about both games, that would make Draegan's point, not mine.

[Merusk]

I'm pretty sure I had some good vibe posts going about WoW after beta and at release.  Maybe I was playing too much to post, though.. I liked it a lot.  I know I wasn't keen on AoC, though.

[cevik]

People around here were much more positive about the AoC beta than the WoW beta.

But the people that were positive about AoC were not the people who were negative or even "meh" about WoW.  That totally invalidates the point you were trying to make, you are generalizing in both cases, but your specific examples are from people who are negative about every single game that is ever released.  The same people you quoted as being negative about WoW either entirely skipped AoC or were much more negative about that game.

[eldaec]

You do realise that the point I was making was...

People are overrating the value of beta player's opinions.

And I can only refer to people who actually played either game.

The people who played AoC beta were, more often than not, wrong about AoC.

The people who played WoW were, more often than not, wrong about WoW.

And even I recognise that WoW > AoC

And in the end you can't review a mmog at week one. Unless it is horizons. Or you are Merusk. Apparently.

I fully accept that the people who didn't play AoC beta might have been right about it, but I don't have any data regarding what Martha Stewart or Fozzy Bear thought about AoC at the end of beta.

[fuser]

Finally got my closed beta invite 

  waiting on wave three now of CE invites 

[cevik]

You do realise that the point I was making was...

People are overrating the value of beta player's opinions.

And I can only refer to people who actually played either game.

The people who played AoC beta were, more often than not, wrong about AoC.

The people who played WoW were, more often than not, wrong about WoW.

And even I recognise that WoW > AoC

And in the end you can't review a mmog at week one. Unless it is horizons. Or you are Merusk. Apparently.

I fully accept that the people who didn't play AoC beta might have been right about it, but I don't have any data regarding what Martha Stewart or Fozzy Bear thought about AoC at the end of beta.

And the point I'm making is that a lot of us here are intelligent enough to know who's opinion to listen to and who to ignore.  While I realize that means I'm ignored by the intelligent among us (I wouldn't have it any other way) it's not a valid excuse to keep the NDA because beta tester opinions may or may not be valid.  You aren't making a point, you are stating basic common sense and pretending it's insightful.

[Morfiend]

You do realise that the point I was making was...

People are overrating the value of beta player's opinions.

And I can only refer to people who actually played either game.

The people who played AoC beta were, more often than not, wrong about AoC.

The people who played WoW were, more often than not, wrong about WoW.

And even I recognise that WoW > AoC

And in the end you can't review a mmog at week one. Unless it is horizons. Or you are Merusk. Apparently.

I fully accept that the people who didn't play AoC beta might have been right about it, but I don't have any data regarding what Martha Stewart or Fozzy Bear thought about AoC at the end of beta.

I think I was one of the people who played AoC beta and said the game was going to be a huge clusterfuck but was then taken in by the "Tortage at Release" polish. That wore off pretty quickly.

[taolurker]

When the Hellgate NDA came down, this place was fanboi central.. So, if based solely on that experience and it's result, you could say that no matter what is said positive or negative, a game can still get positive feedback and be garbage. The NDA dropping is a great way to polish a game, IF the negative things are seriously considered and taken care of prior to release.

I tend to think opinions here are more positive only because they want the "new shiny" next best thing, but also suffer from the power gaming, grinding, and jaded "I'm bored" variety after shorter durations of time as well.

[Mrbloodworth]

You do realise that the point I was making was...

People are overrating the value of beta player's opinions.

And I can only refer to people who actually played either game.

The people who played AoC beta were, more often than not, wrong about AoC.

The people who played WoW were, more often than not, wrong about WoW.

And even I recognise that WoW > AoC

And in the end you can't review a mmog at week one. Unless it is horizons. Or you are Merusk. Apparently.

I fully accept that the people who didn't play AoC beta might have been right about it, but I don't have any data regarding what Martha Stewart or Fozzy Bear thought about AoC at the end of beta.

I think I was one of the people who played AoC beta and said the game was going to be a huge clusterfuck but was then taken in by the "Tortage at Release" polish. That wore off pretty quickly.

That, and the "miracle patch" instilled a sense of competency that is fleeting in some now.

But again, is the feedback from beta testers you want:

• "Technical soundness"
  "Is it fun"

Because you can have one with out the other, and one is very subjective.

[Vinadil]

Maybe I am missing something... but if "knowing what the game is like" is such a big deal, why not just buy it 2-3 weeks after it releases?  By then you should have plenty of info from Beta/Release folks floating around to make an informed decision.  Whether it is a good/bad/evil/amoral decision... it is completely Mythic's decision (well and their EA overlords).  Also, I am pretty sure they are the only parties financially at risk here, so I don't see why anyone else should be so upset about the decision. (Yes, I know some people pre-ordered.. but c'moooon.  Pre-order in the MMO market?)

[Merusk]

Or you are Merusk. Apparently.

I had about 4 weeks of one beta, and two+ of the other so yeah you're right about the one week thing. 

[fuser]

http://herald.warhammeronline.com/warherald/NewsArticle.war?id=179

"The last batch of CE Beta invites have just been sent out to all eligible CE Open Beta card holders."

[Rasix]

When the Hellgate NDA came down, this place was fanboi central..

That wore of pretty damn quick and it was readily visible.  Also, the game just got worse from that point on.  Hellgate initially blew me away for.. 2 days.

And man.. for AoC.  Every single positive review here had giant caveats.  Only the frothing fanbabies weren't mentioning the overal incomplete nature of the game, the mountain of bugs, the technical difficulties, the system requriements, and then later on the inability of Funcom to fix the important issues fast enough.  I bought it. I had fun for a couple of weeks, and then I got the hell out before they charged me the first month. 

When the NDA drops here.. just try some of those critical reading skills? 

[Triforcer]

I can report that even bittorrenting the closed beta client causes my computer to emit a pine-scented odor that whitens my teeth while I sleep.  So, so far so good. 

[cevik]

I can report that even bittorrenting the closed beta client causes my computer to emit a pine-scented odor that whitens my teeth while I sleep.  So, so far so good. 

The last several days at my house there have been shouts of "Fuck I hate bittorrent" every few hours.

Fuck I hate bittorrent.  I'm hoping my sentence in bittorrent hell will be done this afternoon.

[Count Nerfedalot]

When the Hellgate NDA came down, this place was fanboi central..

That wore of pretty damn quick and it was readily visible.  Also, the game just got worse from that point on.  Hellgate initially blew me away for.. 2 days.

And man.. for AoC.  Every single positive review here had giant caveats.  Only the frothing fanbabies weren't mentioning the overal incomplete nature of the game, the mountain of bugs, the technical difficulties, the system requriements, and then later on the inability of Funcom to fix the important issues fast enough.  I bought it. I had fun for a couple of weeks, and then I got the hell out before they charged me the first month. 

When the NDA drops here.. just try some of those critical reading skills? 

What always amuses and frustrates me about the posts on this site for every single game from NDA drop to Launch + 1-2 weeks is that for the (generally few) doomsayers, there is nothing good to be said about the game, while for the fanbois any problem/issue, no matter how serious is always listed along with a complete solution which, of course, the developers will implement post haste.  Schild in particular is guilty of this, which I suspect is why he sometimes gets slammed for being a corporate shill.

So it IS possible to get fair and balanced impressions here, you just have to combine everything said by everyone, then ignore half of it. 

[HRose]

The last several days at my house there have been shouts of "Fuck I hate bittorrent" every few hours.

Fuck I hate bittorrent.  I'm hoping my sentence in bittorrent hell will be done this afternoon.

Just download the patch exe and then download the client through the patcher.

It's not much faster anyway and servers are still closed for new testers.

[Merusk]

So it IS possible to get fair and balanced impressions here, you just have to combine everything said by everyone, then ignore half of it. 

There is no magic bullet for reviews.  If you're relying on the impressions and opinions of other people instead of forming your own, this is what you should be doing anyway.  Not from just here, but from multiple sites of MMO fans (and never game journals)  because they all have the most 'hands-on' time.

[cevik]

Just download the patch exe and then download the client through the patcher.

I'm finished downloading, and for the record, my complaint above wasn't in regards to Warhammer or Mythic, I just hate bittorrent.. even when it's delivering me sweet sweet porn.

[Draegan]

I have a pretty good guess why the NDA is still up and why it may come down this week.  Once the NDA is lifted I toss out my guess.

[Triforcer]

Yes, I think at this point its obvious what the deal is. 

[UnSub]

The question is: Do you want to be first in line to experience something new?

Enough people - particularly MMO players - answer that question "Yes", even if it means they end up in a buggy game that doesn't have all the content it needs to keep them occupied. Being first is enough for a little while.

... then they can start to complain that grinding through the entire game in one 48 hour period wasn't "fun", which is clearly the fault of the developers.

[Venkman]

Any levels-based game has that perceived first-day advantage. Get in, level up, lord over others with your l33t gear or because you're a higher level in a PvP game.

That's probably the bigger motivating factor, above "seeing it before others". This is because these days pretty much everyone who seriously wants to can get into a beta anyway so have already seen it.

[ffc]

I went to target.  Bought a "pre-release" box.  One dollar.  Has a 5 dollar off coupon in it.

I look at it like this.  For a buck, I get 2 week demo.  If I like it, I get 4 bucks off the box.  If it sucks, I'm out a buck.

Thanks for the tip, $1 to demo the game coupled with the option to use the $5 coupon at retail sounds good.  Just picked one up.  The Target I went to had a bunch on the shelf.

[fuser]

http://herald.warhammeronline.com/warherald/NewsArticle.war?id=179

"The last batch of CE Beta invites have just been sent out to all eligible CE Open Beta card holders."

Today has been from to to to and finally back to just due to this.

[Kirth]

http://herald.warhammeronline.com/warherald/NewsArticle.war?id=179

"The last batch of CE Beta invites have just been sent out to all eligible CE Open Beta card holders."

Today has been from to to to and finally back to just due to this.

You below the min system requirements?

[Ragnoros]

Fucking gamestop gave me a regular preorder code/box/whatever. Probably going to give me a regular version of the game on launch too, they did for WoW.

So derail. Are their any stores with their act together--that sell games--for me to give money to?

[fuser]

http://herald.warhammeronline.com/warherald/NewsArticle.war?id=179

"The last batch of CE Beta invites have just been sent out to all eligible CE Open Beta card holders."

Today has been from to to to and finally back to just due to this.

You below the min system requirements?

q6600, 4gb ram, 8800gt, I hope not...

[Kirth]

Well that is above the posted system specs, weird that you didn't get an invite.

[Draegan]

Apparently they had some issues with their data base and people's specs.  They acknowledged it and are apparently fixing it.

Originally Posted by James_EAMythic


I was just informed we're updating our account center to re-calibrate our rating system.

In some cases very new systems are parsed incorrectly, we have investigated several systems you have provided and will reassess invites accordingly.

I can't guarantee that everyone who has an above average machine will get in as there are still other factors to consider, but this should address many.

Thanks everyone for your cooperation

[cevik]

Yes, I think at this point its obvious what the deal is. 

I have no clue what it is, but then again, I can't be bothered to google all day for NDA leaks.

I do know that so far my experience with the beta invite has left me.. well..  

Ohh and even more than before..

[Triforcer]

I have no clue what it is, but then again, I can't be bothered to google all day for NDA leaks.

You must lead a very sad and empty life.   

[cevik]

I have no clue what it is, but then again, I can't be bothered to google all day for NDA leaks.

You must lead a very sad and empty life.   

Probably.

[fuser]

    * Most of the North America and Aussie Collector's Edition Preorders have received Closed Beta invitations as a gift from Mythic.
    * WAR is currently still in Closed Beta anywhere and everywhere. Open Beta doesn't start anywhere until Closed Beta has ended everywhere.
    * Open Beta will start after the game finishes Closed Beta and before the Head Start.
    * The upcoming Preview Weekend that Mythic has announced applies to those customers who have bought the North American CE at the present time. Dates for the event have not been revealed.
    * Closed Beta invites are always subject to eligibility, Mythic needs to have requirements in order to ensure an organized, structured testing environment. The CE Beta that people have been invited to, still has the restriction, you must exceed system requirements.
    * There is no separate Oceanic CE, there is only a European (GOA) or North American (Mythic).
    * The CE customers who are being invited into beta right now are being invited into the current stage of the game's testing which is Closed Beta, instead of being invited later for the Open Beta. They will, of course, still get into the Open Beta.
    * The NDA lift has nothing to do with the stage of Beta. It will be lifted when it's ready.
    * The Oceanic servers are not yet live, we hope to have them up at the same time we are putting up the new servers for the newly invited CE customers.
    * The beta forums are currently full, Mythic will not be inviting new players into the beta forums at the present time.
    * You can still update you comp specs file for the remainder of the Closed Beta.
    * The EU open beta will start on time.
    * The EU account center will open on time.
    * The EU live release and headstart will happen on time.
    * CE pre-orders for the EU will get everything they were promised. Mythic has announced extra bonuses and GOA will see what can be done for EU customers in response to that.
    * The CE Beta servers are not online. They CE Beta servers will be online hopefully middle of the week.
    * The CE Beta still has the restriction that industry, or press people will not be invited.
    * Additional CE Beta waves will be invited as soon as some outstanding account issues are resolved.
    * I was accepted into beta but my torrent download is slow, see this post.
    * If you far exceed system requirements and have the CE preordered but did not get invited, be aware Mythic is closely looking at their account centers to ensure that if there are any issues, that they are resolved.

http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51756

(no invite yet, but no news if they have fixed the issue/reran a wave of ce invites)