What to do when in Beta: FYI Testers

[Dixian]

All Credit goes to Nicotine over at evolved who originally wrote this. I just thought it was important to have on our forum too cause it was such a good post and good for everyone here to read.

Originally Posted by Nicotine

Ok, since beta invitations will be comming soon I thought I would share a little guide I made to help with the process. Over the years many games have been beta tested before their commecial release. Some games were practically flawless on their release and while some games (I don't have to mention them cause we know how they are) were buckets of fail sauce. Partly I blame the beta community of the games that failed. Why? Simple. Most days people want to beta test a game just for bragging rights, so they can see if they will like it, sell it, rather than being helpful in the process.

Remember, if RTW decides to invite you to beta please do everyone in the RTW/APB community a favor and beta test the game rather than yelling how l33t you are.

Here are some simple rules on how you can help this game become the best it can/will be during the beta testing cycle.

1. 1. Be curteous with the Developers/Admin/Mods/GM's. I shouldn't have to point this out. This is their job as I'm sure you don't like people bitching you out at work either.
2. 2. Have a notepad/pen to write discrepancies down with. Not only write down what is wrong but please add a suggestion on why it needs improving or how it can be improved.
3. 3. If you agree to a NDA (Non-disclosure Act), please stick to it. Don't post up utube videos, the reason they shouldn't be posted it the game isn't a finished product yet. Say the game had a hitching problem and the whole video you just released on utube hitched, now as a potential customer of the game seeing all the hitching I might just change my mind. Now as we know the gaming community is huge and I might just pass it on to my friend so on and so forth.
4. 4. Remember this is a business, they are here to make money and a great product, without us they would send the product out not knowing all the flaws. And it is our responsibilty as testers to make APB flawless.
5. 5. Be an active tester, the more you test the greater possiblity you will find a bug.
6. 6. When filing a bug report make the report acurate as possible.

Main examples of what to look for while beta testing:

• Find things that don't work right.
• Find things that make a game freeze or crash.
• Report on how difficult/easy it is to play the game.
• Look for typos, misspellings, unclear text, and gaps in logic.
• Make suggestions about things which would improve the game.
• Point out places where the player does not know what to do next.
• Find access problems such as places on the map where the character can walk under a rock or through a wall.

While I hope most of the people in this community already know these topics dicussed I'm just putting it out there to clarify with the people who don't. Please feel free to correct me or add to this. I have very high expectations for RTW to put out a clean and solid game and the same goes for the beta testers.

beta test source beta test definition
Definition

Second level, external pilot-test of a product (usually a software) before commercial quantity production. At the beta test stage, the product has already passed through the first-level, internal pilot-test (alpha test) and glaring defects have been removed. But (since the product may still have some minor problems that require user participation) it is released to selected customers for testing under normal, everyday conditions of use to spot the remaining flaws.

Again all credit goes to Nicotine from evolved who wrote this. Just Remember to do the right thing.

[Vortech]

This is a good read for someone in beta and those who still sleep with their fingers crossed at night . I know this community will do it's best to respect the wishes of RTW and the NDA. In the end we all want the same thing, for APB to have the best release it can, and for it to be a success.

[Binay]

stickied it

a must read for anyone who wants to get in to Beta if you ask me

[Andriko]

It's more than likely that most people in the beta are just there to have a quick play of the game. Let's hope they actually help so we can get a more polish game next year.

[BoB15907]

fair play to the person who wrote that..

its vry well writing and stright 2 the point..

[Neo Chance]

As an extra point I would also like to say if you do get into beta make sure you take some time to try and do things that you wouldn't normally do.
When I have worked as a tester, the designers are always happiest when you really freaking break something. "This doesn't look right" and "This cars stats suck" are both helpful but not nearly as helpful as "If you walk forwards, back, spin once and fire your gun in the air every nearby car explodes". Because I guarantee, someone at some point will do that.

Good luck and grats to any and all testers on this forum!

[BoB15907]

back at yeah mate..

[IedenESH]

Yeah stacks of people just sign up for beta to have fun.. lol... i was like the only one looking for bugs in Battlefield Heroes.. lol.

[janes104]

Cant Wait to Be in APB.

[JozzBozz]

I wish they'd invite me, I applied but I'm being really impatient.
I've been following this game for so long and I'd really love to contribute.
Since I have a lot of time to test, I guess I'd be a good choice
Can't wait.