Looking for volunteers for alpha next week.

[x4000]

One of the perks of being an alpha tester is that you get a free copy of the game.

Wow. I had no idea Alpha testers got a free copy of the game.

I thought you had been an alpha tester for one of our games at least once in the past?  At any rate, yeah: we're asking for actual playtime and written feedback from everybody, not just people playing it and telling us nothing; for us it's a super good deal just for a free copy of the game, if you look at it like that.  And hopefully for the players its awesome to be able to get in early, help shape bits of the game, and in general have fun (otherwise why volunteer).  It's not like a 9-5 job or something, but we do ask for some actual testing and feedback from players in the alpha, whereas anyone in the beta is free to just play it and ignore us so long as they are happy (and the vast majority of beta players do, if you look at sales versus people doing reporting).  Hence the huge divide between alpha and beta.

[mrhanman]

help shape bits of the game

This is the part I like best.  I almost feel like a part of the team. 

[Penumbra]

. . . hopefully for the players its awesome to be able to get in early, help shape bits of the game, and in general have fun (otherwise why volunteer). 

That's exactly why I did it! It is an amazing opportunity to help, in some small way, you create an amazing game. You hear this all the time, but the transparency you guys show is unparalleled.

I've always purchased the game when the beta started. 

[x4000]

Wow we need to make it more clear that the copy of the game is free, then, for actual testers. We've always downplayed that in the past publicly in particular because we don't need people who just want to scoop a free copy but not help any.

Anyway, thanks for the kind words both.

[tigersfan]

Wow we need to make it more clear that the copy of the game is free, then, for actual testers.

I thought I had done that in the past... I'm sorry for the confusion. I'll make sure it's more explicit this time.

[madcow]

Yeah. I had no clue. But then again, when I alphaed for AVVW2 I already had the game, so didn't really matter anyways there

[tigersfan]

Yeah. I had no clue. But then again, when I alphaed for AVVW2 I already had the game, so didn't really matter anyways there

Yeah, it didn't really apply to Valley 2, because all of our alpha testers (except for one) were owners of the first game. But, for SH, I did tell testers that the version they downloaded would continue to update into beta and beyond. I guess I just wasn't explicit enough.

[Cinth]

Wow we need to make it more clear that the copy of the game is free, then, for actual testers.

For SH, I went as far as to ask Keith about that, but I never got a response. This is just more "awesome" from you guys

But, for SH, I did tell testers that the version they downloaded would continue to update into beta and beyond.

Not trying to call you out on this one, but where was this said?  I've looked back over my alpha invite and there isn't anything to this effect in there. 

[tigersfan]

But, for SH, I did tell testers that the version they downloaded would continue to update into beta and beyond.

Not trying to call you out on this one, but where was this said?  I've looked back over my alpha invite and there isn't anything to this effect in there.

** Looks back through the invites.... **

Hmm, I guess you are right. I remember typing it, I know it was in one of the drafts of that message, but it appears it didn't make it through to the players. I don't know what happened there.

My apologies to all of you. I'll make sure that doesn't happen again.

[Cinth]

But, for SH, I did tell testers that the version they downloaded would continue to update into beta and beyond.

Not trying to call you out on this one, but where was this said?  I've looked back over my alpha invite and there isn't anything to this effect in there.

** Looks back through the invites.... **

Hmm, I guess you are right. I remember typing it, I know it was in one of the drafts of that message, but it appears it didn't make it through to the players. I don't know what happened there.

My apologies to all of you. I'll make sure that doesn't happen again.

 No worries
 Looks like the communications sub-routines needed a tweak.
 We are here to help bug test aren't we

[Penumbra]

My apologies to all of you. I'll make sure that doesn't happen again.

I'm sorry for bringing it up! The last thing I feel I need is an apology from you guys. I feel bad enough only paying $7.49 for it!

[mrhanman]

I didn't realize testers got a copy of SH either, but I don't feel bad for buying it anyway.  You guys deserve every penny (and more).

[Misery]

One of the perks of being an alpha tester is that you get a free copy of the game.

Wow. I had no idea Alpha testers got a free copy of the game.

I thought you had been an alpha tester for one of our games at least once in the past?  At any rate, yeah: we're asking for actual playtime and written feedback from everybody, not just people playing it and telling us nothing; for us it's a super good deal just for a free copy of the game, if you look at it like that.  And hopefully for the players its awesome to be able to get in early, help shape bits of the game, and in general have fun (otherwise why volunteer).  It's not like a 9-5 job or something, but we do ask for some actual testing and feedback from players in the alpha, whereas anyone in the beta is free to just play it and ignore us so long as they are happy (and the vast majority of beta players do, if you look at sales versus people doing reporting).  Hence the huge divide between alpha and beta.

This is more reason why I like doing testing for indie devs as opposed to more "major" betas, is because they tend to work like this, with the devs actually asking people to, you know, TEST things and make comments.   Wheras in the larger ones they get 20 zillion people to join and then listen to none of them.   I love having the chance to do this with this sort of game. 

[iozay]

Aye, Major beta's(Except of the few first closed waves) usually tend to be a huge marketing explosion. Most likely a test for server stability to test its load. I usually tend to avoid such marketing nonsense.

It is however a great marketing method though.

[Mick]

It's not like testing server stability is a bad thing.