[Viper2c]

Well, I doubt that reactivating my accounts will get me into beta. I stuck with Jumpgate for around 5 years, because I enjoyed playing it. However, there are other games out there, and at the time things were lull in Jumpgate, and I could only afford one MMO, so I went with EVE since it was fresh, and something new to learn.

I've been yearning to come back to Jumpgate, but since I play two EVE accounts, and work for a living, it's hard to just reactivate and expect me to be there all the time. In the end, I'll end up doing that anyway, cause I have friends everywhere now it seems. OEC in EVE, Elpirata and party in Jumpgate, Defiant and party in the Xwing universe.

I'd love to beta Jumpgate, but considering my recent absence...that would not be feasible, or fair to others who stuck around longer.

Viper2c
Lampshade
Tazor

[Algore]

Returning vets are probably not the best people to beta test anyway. People that leave lose touch, it's not really a good idea for people who have lost touch to test for future improvement.
I have a fear that the same old pilots on the test team will be relied on again. Just because someone was very useful several years ago doesn't mean they are the best man for the job now.

Regards
Al

[TheRag]

Originally Posted by Algore

Returning vets are probably not the best people to beta test anyway. People that leave lose touch, it's not really a good idea for people who have lost touch to test for future improvement.
I have a fear that the same old pilots on the test team will be relied on again. Just because someone was very useful several years ago doesn't mean they are the best man for the job now.

Regards
Al

I agree with Al.

[Radi]

I can see your point Al and I agree with you. Hell, even bring in some new blood to the test server. Even experience that people bring from other games might help.

However, there are some areas where vets can help. Finding and reporting bugs for example.

@Improvements

Why only improvements? Why not try to re-work some of the systems?

Why not to change mining, economy, tags, sectors etc?

Since everything is getting improved, why not try to make something new and possibly better? Take lessons learned and improve on them.

And no, I'm not suggesting point-and-click gameplay.

[Lordopic]

Must be the weather I agree with Al and the points Gent brought up.

[Ambrosius]

I don't disagree with Al's comment, but testers are not developers -- testers primarily try to break and debug things that the developers create under a number of scenarios. Very dry stuff.

The place where I will agree with Al in a BIG way is when it comes to PvP and PvE balance testing.

[Scorch]

We are going to be working with both vets and people who have never played before. Both bring very different kinds of very valuable data to the table. But its vets who have been thinking about this game for years who can really help come up with some cool solutions for lots of tricky situations, like mixing PvE and PvP players on the same server for example.

[Reece]

Originally Posted by Scorch

. But its vets who have been thinking about this game for years who can really help come up with some cool solutions for lots of tricky situations, like mixing PvE and PvP players on the same server for example.

Most of my good stuff I've already put in the suggestions forum, but if you need help with something specific you're more than welcome to PM me here

Unless you're going to artificially limit players ability to attack each other, your best bet is to redesign the non-pvp ships to exist in a universe at war.

[Viper2c]

This whole thread starter was actually going to be a reply to another thread...but it looks like it got lost in the shuffle and ended up being the first. Either way, if needed I'll beta. If not, then I'll be patiently waiting the release.

Viper2c
Lampshade
Tazor

[dailatron]

Originally Posted by Scorch

We are going to be working with both vets and people who have never played before. Both bring very different kinds of very valuable data to the table. But its vets who have been thinking about this game for years who can really help come up with some cool solutions for lots of tricky situations, like mixing PvE and PvP players on the same server for example.

I hate to say it but having played Eve for a while Ive got to say there are some amazing ideas to be poached from there. I personaly wouldnt be looking at the present players to get ideas from as most seem to be stuck in the past and really have no idea wth is happening in more recent games. Im slightly embarassed now at poo pooing ideas/suggestions that blatantly came from Eve (sorry Vorlon).

Reading the threads on Jossh forums makes my heart sink and makes me despair at what JG2 might bring if left to the current player base for ideas/solutions.

Id suggest going back to the threads/discussions on the Jossh forums from just after the merge for ideas about the economy and seeing the reason most EU players left and definatly not listen to people that say they got the economy they asked for and are grateful for it.

As for beta testers Im sure its a case of the more the merrier.

As far as mixing PvE with PvP players, Eve has a great compromise. If you shoot at someone in a safe area big massive ships warp in and blow you to hell.

[Jump]

I'm sure Netdevil will have differing criteria for beta testers at different phases of development. At some time they will want people who have certain system specs and at others they may have a different criteria for testing features.

To say this group or that group should or shouldn't be allowed to test is elitist and serves no useful purpose. The Jumpgate community has been around for many many years and has had many peaks and lows. The fact is, every single gamer that has ever spent time in Jumpgate has their own feelings for the game and their own ideas on how it should be run. The developer has the choice of making one of them happy or as large a percentage as possible. I think they will go with the latter and want testers from all groups as well as those who have never even heard of it.

[Radi]

Think "BIG".