To Devs - Beta review ok?

from Stardock Forums
Hi,
since you stated frequently, that no beta testers are under NDA, would it ok to post a review of the Beta online?

/Flemming Madsen
VP Lidium
www.lidiumonline.com
369 views 16 replies
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
Razgon, in case it's not clear, Master Lame doesn't speak for Stardock. That might not have been obvious.

It's not 100% clear to me how one writes an effective reveiw with a game that's not finished. Nor is it clear who the intended audience is - would I make a purchase decision based on a review of an unfinished product. or would I instead wair for a review that was based on exactly what I was going to buy.
Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Beta previews are pretty common today - displays the general gameplay, with it's strenghths and weakness's.
General gameplay is not given to change , after developement has been underway for some time.
Would require massive amount of documentation to be reworked.

As for audience, anyone who is interested in 4X space strategy games, and would like to know what makes this one tick!

/Flemming Madsen
VP Lidium
www.lidiumonline.com
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Flemming,

Would it be possible to include in such a review comments about how Stardock ran their beta (public vs open or closed) and how well they do their "subscription" method? Would it be possible to point out how important it is to get a version that is NOT pirated to get the full benefit of what we pay for (upgrades, etc.)? I think these are very important selling points for the game.
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
Flemming,

I had another thought after posting the above: a possible title or sub-title for the review "The game that evolves". What do you think?
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
Jack,
yes those points weigh heavily in my mind for what I plan to write - I REALLY like the way Stardock has handled this, especially compared to QS and their Moo3 game, which Galciv unavoidably will be compared to by most people.
I'm also especially pleased with Stardocks announcement, that they have budgetted with 1 years full support and continuing upgrades.
This is IMHO what makes the difference between good and bad developers these days :-) A great example not unlike Stardocks in Neverwinter Nights, where Bioware's Liveteam does the same :-)

whoops, now see what you've done, Now I've begun disclosing the beta review already, hehe

/Flemming Madsen
VP Lidium
www.lidiumonline.com
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
Jack,
hmm good one - say I've been playing around with an idea for reviewing stuff lately, a "second opinion" where after the review (or in the middle) little boxes appear with a "second opinion" making it a bit more nuanced.
If you wanna be a part of that, send me an email ([email protected])

btw, how does one become "commander"??
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
"how does one become "commander"?? ".

I don't know. All I know is I have been in the alpha and beta testing since January last year. There were only about 10 of us at the start, but I don't know who all get "promoted" to commander. I don't think I am the only "commander", but I seldom see any posts by any other "commander". Since I am a person that really does not care much for honorifics, I really don't pay that much attention to it.

I think the "second opinion" idea is a good one, as long as it is well enough controled. I suspect it can become too much of a free-for-all if you are not careful.
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
Razgon, you should probably e-mail Brad about reviewing the beta. He'll probably give you his permission, but it's always nice to go through the correct channels. :)

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top
CariElf wrote-
"Razgon, you should probably e-mail Brad about reviewing the beta. He'll probably give you his permission, but it's always nice to go through the correct channels."

thanks - I'll do that, if only I can find his darn email adress :-)

/Flemming
Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top
Flemming,

Try [email protected] to reach Brad.
Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top
"how does one become "commander"?? ".

I am not sure either. Some titles I think are based on the number of posts, others I think are granted by stardock. Only other commander I know of other than Luck Jack is AlexG.
Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top
Jack, got the reply from Brad - Review of beta is ok - I'll contact you within a day :-)

/Flemming
Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top
The ranks are promoted by Stardock based on the level of assistance that they percieve someone has given them. Hence, those people who often post bug reports spending lots of time isolating bugs, and who reply to help others a lot, get promoted from citizen to ensign to lieutenant to commander.

Paul.