Darkfall

We have time to kill, so we may as well play the old Forumfall speculation game.  It has been written in the book of Darkfall - everyone that wants to try the game before they buy will get the opportunity.

We now know the beta will not start before Nov 10, and will end Dec 1.  That is 20 days.  Now, it is fair to say the current test team is small.  Very likely, not more than a few hundred, at best.  To load one server, Aventurine will need at least 20K testers, and 30K would be better yet.  (not everyone can be on at the same time, they MUST get at least 10K on simultaneously to test the minimum user count per server, and they should test to see if they can increase that number...maybe 15K, 20K simultaneous.)

So, on Nov 10, we can expect them to start adding significant numbers.  We can also expect them to discover problems that will require dev time to fix.  So, even if things go reasonably well, it will take time to ramp up to even 20K testers, let alone 150K+ which would also require multiple servers.  Given that they have only 20 days, and there can be little doubt that there will be issues along the way...

...how will you react if you dont get into open beta before retail launch?  Will you consider this a broken promise?  Do you think there will really be some kind of free trial for everyone?

Originally posted by Theodgrim

We have time to kill, so we may as well play the old Forumfall speculation game.  It has been written in the book of Darkfall - everyone that wants to try the game before they buy will get the opportunity.

We now know the beta will not start before Nov 10, and will end Dec 1.  That is 20 days.  Now, it is fair to say the current test team is small.  Very likely, not more than a few hundred, at best.  To load one server, Aventurine will need at least 20K testers, and 30K would be better yet.  (not everyone can be on at the same time, they MUST get at least 10K on simultaneously to test the minimum user count per server, and they should test to see if they can increase that number...maybe 15K, 20K simultaneous.)

So, on Nov 10, we can expect them to start adding significant numbers.  We can also expect them to discover problems that will require dev time to fix.  So, even if things go reasonably well, it will take time to ramp up to even 20K testers, let alone 150K+ which would also require multiple servers.  Given that they have only 20 days, and there can be little doubt that there will be issues along the way...

...how will you react if you dont get into open beta before retail launch?  Will you consider this a broken promise?  Do you think there will really be some kind of free trial for everyone?

First off Open Beta is nothing more than a stress test. In almost all MMO's open Beta (The stress test) is very short. On average it's about 14 days. So I guess you are saying this is a problem with all MMO's? As far as the small ammount of proffesional testers versus a small ammount of beta testers from the player base..... I don't see your point. Your saying taking in a regular players is better than proffesional testers. So people that are more likely to use this as a free preview of the game rather than doing the job they volunteerd for is better than having proffesional testers that will actually do what you brought them in to do? Anyways I'll move on to your question.

If I don't get into Open beta thats fine by me, if they however do not have the free trial like they said I will more than likely pass on the game. They have said they want everyone to try the game for free before ever spending any money on it. They did not imply this they said this. So if there isn't a free trial from the start then yes I will consider this a lie.

Part of the reason I like Aventurine is there going against the grain. The methods they have chosen are the exact opposite of the rest of the industry and hasn't had that "We just want as much money as we can get so we will lie and lie and spin and spin" approach. Using Proffesional testers vs. the free method that hasn't worked so far makes me respect them a bit. Saying there won't be pre-orders and that they want us to try the game before ever spending a dime on it has also made me respect them a bit. Being uncomprimising in there publisher choice also made me respect them a bit. They stuck it out and went with a deal that was in there best intrest, one that would allow them to retain control over DarkFall instead of putting it in the hands of a bean counter that hasn't even seen a MMORPG let alone played one.

They become just like the rest of the industry then yeah I will feel like that is a broken promise. The rest of the industry is a bunch of money grubbing dip chits. Developers on there own aren't so bad, it's the publishers and the people the Dev's answer to that I have a problem with.

What is written in the book of Anti-DarkFall?

I won't buy the game...with a hope and a prayer.There has to be a free trial.

I think it's best to assume is that the open beta will have very limited numbers of keys so you won't be getting in and maybe a free trial will occur at launch, or maybe not.

That is the most ungenerous interpretation of what the devs have said so cannot lead to disappointment.

I don't know if I missed something but the last I heard was open beta on the 12th (nobody knows how many people will get keys) and maybe a free trial of some sort.

Tasos said something like "We would like everyone to get a chance to play the game before paying"

I would like to win the jackpot on the lottery this weekend, are people going to accuse me of lying if I don't?

Originally posted by GrayGhost79

First off Open Beta is nothing more than a stress test.[and stuff...SNIP!]

I have already stated my views on their testing methods in the past.  Likely multiple times.  So I wont repeat it here.  Besides, only about a week before word will be out from those that DO get in. 

[SNIP]So if there isn't a free trial from the start then yes I will consider this a lie.

Fair enough.

What is written in the book of Anti-DarkFall?

I dont have that book.  I do have the Skeptic's version, which clearly states:

"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence"

Does that help?

Originally posted by Blodpls

I think it's best to assume is that the open beta will have very limited numbers of keys so you won't be getting in and maybe a free trial will occur at launch, or maybe not.

That is the most ungenerous interpretation of what the devs have said so cannot lead to disappointment.

I don't know if I missed something but the last I heard was open beta on the 12th (nobody knows how many people will get keys) and maybe a free trial of some sort.

Tasos said something like "We would like everyone to get a chance to play the game before paying"

I would like to win the jackpot on the lottery this weekend, are people going to accuse me of lying if I don't?

actully is also said it depends ont here publishers really id ont think AV is going to have a problem with it. because they havent said anything about it since. so im guessing the free trial thing i still a go