Elemental: BETA OBJECTIVES AND SCHEDULE

from JoeUser Forums

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This week Elemental Beta is to begin.  It will go out to all users who have pre-ordered it.  For the rest of September, new users will be able to pre-order and join in as well and then it will be closed (people can still pre-order but they won’t get access until we roll out Beta 2.

ALL REPORTS can go here: Elemental BETA forum.

BETA OBJECTIVES

BETA 1

  1. Initial Build: Basic Compatibility
  2. Beta 1A: Initial Gameplay Skeleton
  3. Beta 1B: Initial Economic system Implemented
  4. Beta 1C: Initial AI system Implemented
  5. Beta 1D: Initial Diplomacy system Implemented
  6. Beta 1E: Initial Dynasty system implemented
  7. Beta 1F: Initial Magic system implemented
  8. Beta 1G: Initial Quest system implemented

BETA 2

  1. Initial build provides basic multiplayer (player hosted – client/server)
  2. Beta 2A: Persistent stat tracking
  3. Beta 2B: Stardock hosted option.
  4. Beta 2C: Stardock hosted persistent games
  5. Beta 2D: Stardock hosted persistent universe game (persistent dynasties)[more]

BETA 3

  1. Initial Kumquat3D engine build of Elemental.
  2. Beta 3A: Introduction to Dungeons
  3. Beta 3B: Introduction to Magical Spells

BETA 4

  1. Introduction to tactical battles
  2. Beta 4A: New multiplayer mode: Arena
  3. Beta 4B: Customized tactical battle options
  4. Beta 4C: Super-Duper AI Update to tactical battles
  5. Beta 4D: Polish Beta (extensive and ongoing)

BETA 5

  1. Introduction to integrated modding
  2. Beta 5A: Persistent universe mods
  3. Beta 5B: Third-party Maya/3D Studio importing beta
  4. Beta 5C: Modding group testing

GAMMA

  1. Private Build (only very active beta testers get access to this under NDA)
  2. Single Player Campaign Testing

RELEASE

  1. When the consensus is that this is the best turn-based strategy game of its kind available.

Betas will also include additions and enhancements to previously released milestones (i.e. additional game modes, additions to multiplayer options, additional single player quests, more single player game options, etc.).

imageObjectives of BETA 1 in detail:

  1. We want to know if it runs okay on your computers. If it doesn’t, tell us what operating system you’re running, video card (dxdiag is a useful tool), CPU, etc. The more hardware info, the better.
  2. As has been mentioned, beta 1 will NOT be fun in any way. We are not kidding about this. Our objective with this first build is to get the parameters on which the game runs, how well it runs.

On October 1st, we will have BETA 1A which will implement some of the “game” features that we took out of beta 1 along with a lot of features that we’ve been focusing on since PAX (computer AI, economic AI, research tree stuff, etc.).

The entire BETA 1 (and BETA 2) series will only play on the cloth map (seen above). The cloth map mode will remain the standard game experience for the Elemental beta until the Beta testers (AND Stardock) decide the game is sufficiently fun without having to rely on next-generation graphics. This will take as long as it takes. 

 

Good luck!

237,525 views 70 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

Nice schedule! Even tho, I am a bit surprised, that the tactical battle system won't get implemented 'til phase 4, which won't happen 'til the next year IIRC. o_O

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

its great to see it broken down like this.  

so we don't even get the "skeleton" off the bat, eh?   I'm curious to see what that contains over whats in the 1st version.   I'm glad we'll have magic and quests before the end of Beta 1.  I was scared about that for a while.

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

/me slaps slurple with the Beta 2 schedule

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

As has been mentioned, beta 1 will NOT be fun in any way. We are not kidding about this.

You know Frogboy, posting this schedule was way more effective of convincing my of this fact than all your previous posts about the matter.

I'm am curious how we're going to test gameplay and economy without an AI opponent.

What's the magic system in beta 1F going to do if beta 3b implements magical spells?

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

You have to remember that isn't when something will be developed by, that is when it'll be introduced to the public beta. Interally, they are probalby already testing it.

The thing is that while public testing is useful, it doesn't get you the same kind of information that dedicated testers do. With paid testers they can be given instructions such as "Do this 100 times, document the results each time." A player woudl get bored and not want to do that, but the tester will do it as it is their job.

So more or less you test the stuff internally first, get the real problems hashed out, then send it out for wider testing, see what player comments are and see if any unexpected issues crop up.

From the looks of it, they want to publicly test one peice at a time. They are directing our beta testing through the efficient method of not allowing you to mess with what they aren't interested in.

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Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Wee that's some extensive scheduling! Sounds like fun.

Reply #8 from Elemental Forums Top

Can't wait!

Reply #9 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Wieke, reply 4


What's the magic system in beta 1F going to do if beta 3b implements magical spells?

Beta 3 is about graphics, nothing says the spells won't be implemented without any graphical effect before 3rd phase.

In fact, according to starfdock policy, i'd say that the spells would have to be playable without fancy graphics.

 

 

.... and I don't count how many games should have follow this policy ...

 

Reply #10 from Elemental Forums Top

So well planned that it seems as if you had alrady done it.

Me encanta que los planes salgan bien.

Reply #11 from Elemental Forums Top

Wait, if I got this right, if I just preordered just now I wont get to beta?

Reply #12 from Demigod Forums Top

Beta 2D: Stardock hosted persistent universe game (persistent dynasties)

Must. Know. More.

Reply #13 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Syltman, reply 11
Wait, if I got this right, if I just preordered just now I wont get to beta?

You did not get this right...

For the rest of September, new users will be able to pre-order and join in as well and then it will be closed (people can still pre-order but they won’t get access until we roll out Beta 2.

Reply #14 from Elemental Forums Top


It will go out to all users who have pre-ordered it.  For the rest of September, new users will be able to pre-order and join in as well

Relax, Syltman. You should be fine if you preorder during September. After September you could still preoder but wouldn't be getting access until Beta 2.

Reply #15 from Elemental Forums Top

Wow, that´s what i´d call an extended beta schedule. :)

 

I´m really glad to see that such a big portion of the beta cycle will be devoted to the tactical battles.

Reply #16 from Elemental Forums Top

Wait, if I got this right, if I just preordered just now I wont get to beta?

Well, if I understand correctly the OP:

For the rest of September, new users will be able to pre-order and join in as well

People preordering before the end of september will be able to participate in all beta 1 step.

People preordering after the end of september will be enter in the beta phase starting at beta 2.

Reply #17 from Elemental Forums Top

Beta 4 is going to be the toughest part.  Guaranteed.

 

Kinda think the MP should come first before the initial AI's and stuff, to get a hint of what the Ai needs to look for, but that can be done later.

Reply #18 from Elemental Forums Top

Wow, this early beta's going to be awful!  Rubbish!  Can't imagine what they're thinking letting people play it...

 

;)

Reply #19 from Elemental Forums Top

I've got the pre-order acknowledgement from Stardock, but I can't tell whether Impulse 'knows' that I've done so. I'm very much looking forward to making this game exactly how I want it :dur: , but I'd hate to miss out.

 

Is there any simple way to tell that I'm in? Or is the mere fact that I can see the beta forum enough evidence?

 

Cheers

 

John

Reply #20 from Elemental Forums Top

I don't think it is available to download quite yet.  If I understand correctly you should get an e-mail with your registration key when it is.

Reply #21 from Elemental Forums Top

Kudos on the open-ended development schedule, that is a bold move!   I hope it pays off in praise and profit.  I can't imagine what the end product will be, but I am looking forward to the whole process.

Reply #22 from Elemental Forums Top

With the open beta, everything is transparent, so people can see the game isn't vaporware.  If SD has closed development, these delays would start a "Duke Nukem Elemental" joke meme places by  mid next year.

 

 

Reply #23 from Elemental Forums Top

One thing concerns me

 

Beta 1C: Initial AI system Implemented

 

So what about the betas before that? No AI? What? Just a little confused here :p

 

Other than that, I can't wait for beta 1 so I can complain about it not working (<- the point of beta 1, not trollin :P ) and not being fun

Reply #24 from Demigod Forums Top

Quoting Thrawn2787, reply 23
One thing concerns me

 


Beta 1C: Initial AI system Implemented
 

So what about the betas before that? No AI? What? Just a little confused here

 

Other than that, I can't wait for beta 1 so I can complain about it not working (<- the point of beta 1, not trollin ) and not being fun

 

I think that in beta 1A and 1B you will simply play the game with no enemy.

Reply #25 from Elemental Forums Top

The AI is in the game now but it's really dumb.

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