How playable is the beta?

from GalCiv2 Forums
How playable is the beta? Is it possible to play a game from start to victory, feel challenged by your enemies along the way, and have a good time?

Please, I'm not looking for a repetition of official information. I am aware of Stardock's beta release schedule, the early nature of the current beta, and the many missing features.
16,538 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Since you're aware, I'll skip to my conclusion: Yes, no, maybe. It's possible to achieve a military victory, though the others aren't in yet. The AI is still very early and limited, however, so it's easy enough to achieve that military victory if that's what you're aiming for; the AI is not yet challenging.

As for having a good time: if challenging AI is necessary for that, then no, no good times under Beta 2. The game is still mainly for testing. I would only get Beta 2 if you're interested in getting your suggestions in early and/or in helping find bugs. Otherwise, Beta 2 isn't for you.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Kloreep is totally right. I like helping out with the early testing and putting in some suggestions for game improvements, but I can't say that the game is complete enough yet to actually "play" it. If you want a chance to submit suggestions for new enhancements, then get in the beta now. Otherwise, wait for Beta 3.

- Proud Canadian
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Betas are NOT about you guys getting to see and play the game early.  It's about you guys helping us to make the best game that we can based on your bug reports, suggestions, etc. If you're just looking for a sneak peak, you're wasting your time and ours signing up for beta 2.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
yeah. take me for instance. so far ive not had a game last for more than like 5 minutes before it CTD's. so its a case of sending in the error reports.

But atleast I can feel safe in the knowledge that once the game is complete. I will know for a fact that I'll be able to play it . and to me thats what really counts.

as well as being able to put in my thoughts on suggestions and alike.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The second biggest challenge at the Beta level of GC2 is giving a good enough description of the error you are reporting, and Stardock even helps you with that. The biggest challenge is finding some problem to report. The beta for GC1 was much more entertaining from that perspective than GC2 is. GC2 isn't even scheduled for release until 1Q or 2Q next year and, as far as reliablilty is concerned, it is much better than GC1 was at the same point in its beta. I enjoyed beta testing of GC1 much more than I am enjoying the testing of GC2. (Maybe they should introduce more bugs just to make my life more fun. ) to Stardock.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
While the Beta is shaping up, you shouldnt think about pre-ordering this to just to get a new game early. It will probably crash on you at some point, the aliens might not want to talk to you for a few more months (I think they're just shy, but stardock seem to think they've forgotten how to use their universal translators or something), most of the tech tree is currently non-existant and so on.

But if you are interested in helping to make this the game you want to play, and having a modest input into its development, and are prepared to work at it, then I'm sure stardock want to hear from you. Just be well aware of what this open beta is all about.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Excellent, thanks for the responses!

Although I find the idea that betas are not for "playing" a bit silly. Besides the literally countless game beta tests I've been involved in, I QA software for a living. In order to "test” a game, you inherently must play it as that is the purpose of the product being tested. However, my question was designed to elicit the exact response it received, and thanks to your posts I have a good idea what type of experience to expect.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Although I find the idea that betas are not for "playing" a bit silly. Besides the literally countless game beta tests I've been involved in, I QA software for a living. In order to "test” a game, you inherently must play it as that is the purpose of the product being tested.

You are right, you do have to play it to test it.  However, many people fail to keep in mind that it IS a beta, and that there ARE bugs and unimplemented features, and they complain about it without trying to work with us to fix the problem. That is what I am trying to discourage, and I'm afraid I came on a bit too harshly.   

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
Well lets see, The game is still very much half finished, You cant play with any other race than humans yet, The game lags something horrible after about 400 turns and crashes after 1200 or so turns on this end, Possibly linked to the research of massive scale construction.

Other than that its pretty good
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
You cant play with any other race than humans yet


I can.
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I don't think I have tried the humans in Beta II at all