Bug database?

Since I was not able to run the beta until today I am hesitant what to report. I have neither the time nor the stamina to browse through all forum posts and there is risk of me reporting things all over again.

Don't worry too much about it, I have yet to see anyone get crucified for reporting a bug that's always reported. Usually a designer just pops in, and says it's fixed, thanks for the info.

Yeah, of course, but every minute of developer time used to browse through bug reports would be much better used cranking out new and exciting features and content for the game.

But on the other hand, it is their call. Perhaps it is not worth the effort having a public bug list/database.

Jervis,

I agree with you about some sort of an active bug list, and I have made attempts here myself to make it easier to reduce the number of duplicate reports they have to sift through in their e-mail, but you are correct. It is their call. And they have consistantly stated that they are able to handle duplicate reports without problem, and have consistantly shown they do indeed do so with great aplomb and good cheer.

One thing to think about: Each of us has a tendency to state our observations differently. Sometimes this can cause an "ahah" factor --- a report that has just the right words to cayuse that little bell to go off in the programmer's mind that says, "oh. That's what everyone else was talking about". So I wouldn't sweat the duplication.

I have never seen a development team that is so good at listening and being patient with the testers.

I used to post an Excel spreadsheet of known bugs at the top of a bug reports thread on the galciv forums, but not many people used it so there were still a lot of redundant reports.  We use a bug database program to track the bugs, but it would probably be just as overwhelming as the forums anyway.  And maintaining an active bug list would just give us something else to do.  If it really gets to be a problem for us, we will do something about it. 

Cari, Excel spreadsheet for the GC1 beta? Where? I must have missed it.

Not for the GC1 beta.  It was after release, either during or after the Altarian Prophecy beta.