Getting into Beta Tests

[Toast]

I never get into Beta tests. The only ones I am allowed into are ones that are co-marketed with FilePlanet.

Is there a magic kind of profile for MMORPG betas that stands a better chance of getting in?

Are there certain lies that I should be telling?

Here's what I think:
Fanbois fansite creation is one way to get in
Official message board posting before beta may help
Demographics may play a role (elderly woman ftw?)
Oddball system specs may help?
Prior beta experience does not matter.
Or, this shit is all random.

[Signe]

I never get into Beta tests. The only ones I am allowed into are ones that are co-marketed with FilePlanet.

Is there a magic kind of profile for MMORPG betas that stands a better chance of getting in?

Are there certain lies that I should be telling?

Here's what I think:
Fanbois fansite creation is one way to get in
Official message board posting before beta may help
Demographics may play a role (elderly woman ftw?)
Oddball system specs may help?
Prior beta experience does not matter.

I've heard there is a list.  Maybe you're on it.
Or, this shit is all random.

[Sky]

I just tell the truth. I usually end up in a later beta phase, but sometimes I can swing an alpha.

[WayAbvPar]

Prior beta testing experience may be a helpful flag. A broad experience of games played may help. Min or max system requirements may help.


I get into most betas I apply for at some point or another. I play for a bit, make some suggestions for improvement, get shouted down by the rabidly frothing fanboys, and quit in disgust.

[Xanthippe]

Who are you calling elderly?   

[Bunk]

I'm recruiting for a beta test right now, seriously.

It's for real estate software though...

[Sky]

Will it find me land and house that's not ridiculously and artificially overpriced for the market?

[Bunk]

Sure, if you want to live in rural North Dakota.

[Xanthippe]

And who wouldn't?

[Arnold]

I never get into Beta tests. The only ones I am allowed into are ones that are co-marketed with FilePlanet.

Is there a magic kind of profile for MMORPG betas that stands a better chance of getting in?

Are there certain lies that I should be telling?

Here's what I think:
Fanbois fansite creation is one way to get in
Official message board posting before beta may help
Demographics may play a role (elderly woman ftw?)
Oddball system specs may help?
Prior beta experience does not matter.
Or, this shit is all random.

I dunno; I got invited to every closed beta I applied for - AC1, AO, AC2, and SWG.  I just replied honestly to the questionnaire.  I was usually invited about midway, or so, through beta testing.

The only inside lines I had were in UO.  I got in a few closed tests because a dev I knew kept inviting one of my guildmates, who would get them to let me in as well.

[eldaec]

this shit is all random.

Bingo.

[Righ]

Tell them you are around your early twenties but that you are an expert in computer security specialising in packet injection vulnerability analysis and if they grant you permission to try, you'll look for exploits that will work against their game. They will realise that your age and the lack of rewards does not marry up with the alleged level of responsilibility and will assume you to be a horrid little wannabe script kiddie. Since they want exactly that sort of incompetant but evil tosser trying to break their game, you'll get into the test.

The best way is to tell them that you pay one of their competitors a monthly fee (walking wallet) and that you have some experience of testing (anything).

[Signe]

Of course, these things will probably only work if they're actually looking for a small amount of particular types early on.  And then, only if most of them have no friends/families/lovers who willing to test their crappy old game.  By the time a game, especially MMORPGs, goes into the sort of beta people are actually willing to participate in, it's all random.  It takes much too long and is way too boring to hand pick people.  It's likely they don't read a word of your application.

Atari's beta testing program tried to institute something that would weed out the good testers from the bad and inexperienced.  They rated people according to how many bugs they reported and chose those people first in their next beta test if they had signed up for it.  Of course, that seems to be mostly gone... in fact, their whole beta test system seems to be unused.  NCsoft is also a bit different.  They have loyality picks and a pre-order of one of their games will eventually get you a spot.  Right now, if you are a current subscriber to CoH and have been with them for 12+ months, you get in to the CoV beta  before others.  In fact, as far as I know, there isn't a way you can sign up for CoV beta.   I'm sure their subscriber base, pre-orders and contest winners are more than enough.

[Numtini]

elderly woman ftw

Well not elderly, but over 30. I didn't get into SWG or EQ2 and I got my invite from a friend to WOW. I've gotten into every other beta I've applied to in the last three years.

[Nija]

Best way to get into beta tests is to have friends that also apply to the beta tests.

Take all the frequent posters here and stick them in an IRC channel. Talk about random shit.

When you come across a beta link, put it in the topic, talk about it, encourage everyone to at least sign up. Someone will get in.

Now take turns playing. Repeat as necessary.

I just got in "Roma Victor" today. Downloading now.

http://www.roma-victor.com/

[Strazos]

Was that the one that may not SUCK ASS?

[Signe]

No, it sucks ass just like all the rest. 

[Xanthippe]

Actually, maybe it is the elderly part that gets me in.  I don't think asking someone's age is an appropriate question for registration for anything, so I usually put my birthday down as 1/1/1911.

[Signe]

I usually put my birthday as 19 January 2038 if it's possible.  That would make me -33.  I'm comfortable with that.

[schild]

My brain is an anvil. Sunday is the hammer.

[Tale]

I officially did not qualify for the World of Warcraft beta, because I'm not in North America. That made me more determined to get in, and I scored two invites to closed beta, plus three to the open betas (shared them around my non-qualified friends). I've been an early beta tester before, and I did my job - identified and described bugs, submitted reports, tried to break things.

I submitted a total of seven applications, a day or two apart, deleting the activex applet each time, using a dial-up account to get different IP addresses every time. I thought they would disqualify IP ranges, but they didn't. I made up names, some western and some Asian, and used addresses from a list of US real estate agents and a university campus. I spread them around the USA, but three were in California. They were either obsessive crafters or PvE grinders, with one PvP freak. I created email aliases for them all at my personal domain, as if it was some kind of minor ISP. They all redirected to my real email address.

The first one to get in, the clear favourite of Blizzard (he still gets email offers from them) was a suburban Californian with a western name, a PvE focus and previous beta experience. It did not seem to trouble Blizzard that he registered and played from overseas. Sorry for taking some of your North American beta spots, but there's my solution for you :)

[Signe]

Try this one right now.  If you don't get in, I'll eat MrHat.

[Strazos]

I officially did not qualify for the World of Warcraft beta, because I'm not in North America. That made me more determined to get in, and I scored two invites to closed beta, plus three to the open betas (shared them around my non-qualified friends). I've been an early beta tester before, and I did my job - identified and described bugs, submitted reports, tried to break things.

I submitted a total of seven applications, a day or two apart, deleting the activex applet each time, using a dial-up account to get different IP addresses every time. I thought they would disqualify IP ranges, but they didn't. I made up names, some western and some Asian, and used addresses from a list of US real estate agents and a university campus. I spread them around the USA, but three were in California. They were either obsessive crafters or PvE grinders, with one PvP freak. I created email aliases for them all at my personal domain, as if it was some kind of minor ISP. They all redirected to my real email address.

The first one to get in, the clear favourite of Blizzard (he still gets email offers from them) was a suburban Californian with a western name, a PvE focus and previous beta experience. It did not seem to trouble Blizzard that he registered and played from overseas. Sorry for taking some of your North American beta spots, but there's my solution for you :)

That sounds like a lot of trouble to play a game that doesn't work.

[HaemishM]

Getting into a beta test is completely random. By the time anyone can get in that isn't related to or fucking a dev, fellating the publisher through a fan site or message board, or part of a notorious guild of achiever/exploiter douchebags, all the important design decisions will have been made and all you wiil be is a stress testing monkey.

Have a nice day!

[Xanthippe]

Pretty much all I want from a beta test is a chance to preview a game anyway.  If I wanted to actually work, (i.e., document bugs, etc.) I'd get a job that pays me.

Stress test monkey is just fine.

[Sky]

Actually, maybe it is the elderly part that gets me in.  I don't think asking someone's age is an appropriate question for registration for anything, so I usually put my birthday down as 1/1/1911.

One of my pranks at walmart was changing the personnel info for my unloading crew. I added 100 years to everyone's age (ie 1870 for me, instead of 1970) and made us all black. They never caught that one, oddly enough. I did get in trouble a few times for 'hacking' the system (all social engineering).

[Yegolev]

Try this one right now.  If you don't get in, I'll eat MrHat.

I'll let you know.  Only five slots for game experience?  They must be looking for casuals.

[schild]

Try this one right now.  If you don't get in, I'll eat MrHat.

Ewwww. King's Quest 3.

[Morfiend]

You win for avatar.

[Signe]

Try this one right now.  If you don't get in, I'll eat MrHat.

Ewwww. King's Quest 3.

King's Quest 3 ONLINE, baby!

[Morfiend]

That fucking cat is serously freaking me out.

[Velorath]

Even after release most games are in a permanent state of Beta.  Just wait for the next time SWG has a free trial, and I'm sure it will be just like being in a Beta.

[Driakos]

If they give a Maie/Female check box.  Check Female.  You just raised your chances tremendously.  I don't think it's so much the Quagmire angle, but rather, is our game gonna get the girl dollars too?

[Hokers]

The best way is to tell them that you pay one of their competitors a monthly fee (walking wallet) and that you have some experience of testing (anything).

If it is not random and they review the apps, I would think that this plan would have potential.  Not sure if my toontown test experience will get me far.  I'll just lie and claim that I play on a WoW test server.

Signe, does you choice of avatar have anthing to do with talk like a pirate day coming up on the 19th?

[Signe]

Signe, does you choice of avatar have anthing to do with talk like a pirate day coming up on the 19th?

Aye-Aye!