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Elemental: BETA OBJECTIVES AND SCHEDULE

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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!

237,596 views 70 replies
Reply #26 from Elemental Forums Top

I am excited that the Beta is coming out, even if I wont be taking part until minimum 3 or 4 because I cant see myself being of any real help in the 'not-fun' portions of the Beta. Kudos to the rest of you though.

Reply #27 from Stardock Forums Top

Are you going to have artificial load on the game to simulate graphics at low, medium, and high to judge how well it will work on systems right now, or are you waiting for that until the graphics are put into the game to test that sort of thing? That was a long sentence.

Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #28 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Frogboy, reply 25
The AI is in the game now but it's really dumb.

 

Yeah the AI tweaks that happened throughout the beta of Galciv 2 were pretty amazing and the continued ai tweaks just made the game solid. By the way why does Poland get a continued and ongoing beta? O:)

Reply #29 from Elemental Forums Top

That's a great breakdown of objectives.  I hope adding in pieces at a time aren't terribly difficult to do, but if it's done modularly (and potentially with modding in mind), that shouldn't be too painful.

Looking at this schedule, I'd be amazed if the game arrived before Fall of 2010.  Having lots and lots of builds with a large pool of people, and still staying on pace would be impressive.  If each sub-milestone took 1 week, that'd be about 25 weeks to complete, and this for sure would take more than 1 week per minor build.

Despite the length it may be in Beta, it will be an awesome experience.  I'm hoping to help as much as I can and can't wait until later this week for it to officially start!

Reply #30 from Elemental Forums Top

The first thing I'm going to do when Beta 1 comes out is post on the forums complaining how it's no fun  :dur: MU AH HA HA HA HA! }:)

Reply #31 from Elemental Forums Top

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.

Until I actually play it, I refuse to believe you!}:)

Reply #32 from Stardock Forums Top

I think you should go ahead and just let everyone know that the game isn't going to be released August 2010.  Seeing how ambitious you are about the game (which is a good thing IMO), I wouldn't advertise anything sooner than Q4 2010.  A game like this needs LOTS of time for polish.  6 months can make a huge difference (just look at Demigod, 6 more months in development would have done wonders for the game).

Reply #33 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Myles, reply 24

Quoting Thrawn2787, reply 23One 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.

Bingo. I expect that what they are aiming for is to get the economy and gameplay of building your own kingdom straightened out. After all, when learning any strategy game, half the challenge is just propping up your own economy; you can't even think about taking out an opponent if you can't master that.

So I expect a lot of focus on testing various ways of managing the kingdom itself before they introduce the other half of the game: conquering enemies. ;)

Reply #34 from Elemental Forums Top

Ruh roh, we leave for our 10th Anniversary trip on 9/30....   Hmmm....   Trip/beta/trip/beta... 

"Oh honey.... Sorry, but my boss says I have to bring my laptop on the trip"

Reply #35 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Polynomial, reply 12

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


Must. Know. More.

 

OMG, I didn't even notice that...Imagine...a 100-1,000 player persistant (One turn per day?) game?  ...Probably just you can bring your dynasty of channeler/some heroes from game to game though, which is still damn cool.

 

EDIT- As for AI, I believe someone already said the AI will just be very very stupid.

Reply #36 from Elemental Forums Top

I will so try elemental on my netbook

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 9/17/2009, 09:15:06
       Machine name: MINI-PC
   Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090206-1234)
           Language: Swedish (Regional Setting: Swedish)
System Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
       System Model: 1005HA
               BIOS: BIOS Date: 06/18/09 17:28:52 Ver: 08.00.12
          Processor: Intel(R) Atom(TM) CPU N280   @ 1.66GHz (2 CPUs)
             Memory: 1016MB RAM
          Page File: 644MB used, 1797MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

Reply #38 from Elemental Forums Top

RELEASE

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

That would be without any problem IF the game is download only (like it was the case for the Twilight of Arnor expansion). But if the game is planned to hit retail store, I fear that it may be another story: when starting manufacturing process, delivering to retail store ....

Reply #39 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Frogboy, reply 25
The AI is in the game now but it's really dumb.

 

So in beta 1, the AI will already be as good as the one from MoM was ? Good to know ! :D

Reply #40 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting arstal, reply 17
Beta 4 is going to be the toughest part.  Guaranteed.

Why do you think so?...because of the tact. battle system? I don't think that it will be so hard to beta that part, but we shall see...*_*

 

Quoting BlueBirdTS, reply 32
I think you should go ahead and just let everyone know that the game isn't going to be released August 2010.  Seeing how ambitious you are about the game (which is a good thing IMO), I wouldn't advertise anything sooner than Q4 2010.  A game like this needs LOTS of time for polish.  6 months can make a huge difference (just look at Demigod, 6 more months in development would have done wonders for the game).

That would be pointless imo....perhaps the beta testing will be "fast" enough. If it will be "slow", and the devs will have to tweak/fix/upgrade lot of things, they should change the release date in early 2010, but not sooner.

Reply #41 from Demigod Forums Top

great!

so now i won't only be spam refreshing looking for news on elemental but jumping back and forth to my mail box too.

\o/

also i now this may sonud perverse but i quite enjoy the beta's here. this will be 3rd or 4th i think. you just have to see the fun as helping make a great game as apposed to playing it.

one question, i know it's far to early to apply any time scale, but i was curious as to the rate expected for 1a, 1b, 1c, etc...?

oh, an w00ts again for beta beginning.

Reply #42 from Elemental Forums Top

1a starts Oct 1st, it's been said somewhere or other.

Reply #43 from Elemental Forums Top

While we are at it, what does "Gameplay Skeleton" means exactly? o_O

Reply #44 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Frogboy, reply 25
The AI is in the game now but it's really dumb.

 

Thanks for clarifying frogboy :grin:

Reply #45 from Elemental Forums Top

BETA OBJECTIVES

BETA 1

Initial Build: Basic Compatibility

I understand that there will be threads with configurations that don't work. But doesn't the fact that the game works on some system useful too? In this case, we need some threads with configurations that were successfull.

Reply #46 from Elemental Forums Top

So we start with the compatibility test. I will try Alt-Tab too. Earlier I had a suggestion -  an autosave in  cases, where the application loses its  focus (due to problems with GC2). Even if alt-tab works fine I would like to recommend that feature.

Reply #47 from Demigod Forums Top

another question related to Peace Phoenix's point.

i've preordered WIN 7 and have a:

EEE901

ACER travelmate circa 2005

and my main desktop (ATHELON 2.5ghz)

all currently running XP

is it of any use to try beta on all of these with both XP and win7?

i'm guessing yes but as it'll be a bit of work (and a lot of bandwidth.

i'm wondering how wanted the info will be???

Reply #48 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting mrakomo, reply 46
I will try Alt-Tab too.

And dual-screen. Many games go fullscreen but when I hit the edge it goes to the next screen instead of scrolling. Quite annoying :P

+1 Loading…
Reply #49 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting piderman, reply 48

Quoting mrakomo, reply 46I will try Alt-Tab too.
And dual-screen. Many games go fullscreen but when I hit the edge it goes to the next screen instead of scrolling. Quite annoying

Good point, piderman.  k1

I'm not sure if Elemental will support it, but being able to run it in Windowed mode and even being dual monitor-friendly would be great.  I'd love to be able to take parts of the UI or menus and place them on my other monitor.

Reply #50 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Lord, reply 49


I'm not sure if Elemental will support it, but being able to run it in Windowed mode and even being dual monitor-friendly would be great.  I'd love to be able to take parts of the UI or menus and place them on my other monitor.

The screenshot in the OP shows it running in a window. I'd love to run this in dual screen mode!