View Full Version : Welcome to the Beta
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the WorldShift Beta forums.
We, the entire Black Sea Studios team, would like to thank you for your interest in the game and for your participation in the Beta program. You can read below a short introductory note and we hope you will be active in both game and the forums. We do need your feedback and we will try to make a game for gamers and improve the game as much as possible. See you in-game :)
Cheers,
BSS Team
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
KNOWN ISSUES
Closed Pre-Beta 12 February 2008
1. Overal state
The game is in pre-beta stage, which means there are still quite a few things which are not quite right or simply missing. Bellow is a brief overview of the most important issues we are already aware of.
2. Balance
The balance of the game is currently quite rough and is going to be severely changed during the beta tests, mostly based on user feedback and statistics.
Currently many of the missions are considered to be too hard for the casual player, partly because there are some missing features that will aid the player through the campaign and will hopefully solve the problem with the players not knowing which direction to go next. Apart from that, we are looking forward for user input to decide how exactly to adjust the missions difficulty, so they are not impossible for the casual player, but not too easy either.
Special Locations (i.e. cooperative multiplayer maps) are supposed to be hard in general, some of them are supposed to be veeery hard :) Again, the current state of the game only roughly represents the final difficulty, which is going to be adjusted based on user feedback.
As far as PvP (player versus player) is concerned, balance is never perfect and we are going to constantly tweak it based on user input.
The computer opponents (AI) in practice mode are not meant to be very strong, their main purpose is to provide the gamer with a "targetting dummy", so (s)he can experiment new tactics, combinations, items, specializations, etc.
The artifacts (items you put in the ability grid) are going to get a major revamp in an upcoming patch, as they are currently way not balanced.
3. Performance / Stability
The overall game performance (how fast/smooth it runs) is definitelly not optimal, there are many performance optimisations planned during the beta. Currently, especially on slower PCs, some areas could be as bad as nearly unplayable. Feedback on exact cases where the game runs especially slow is most welcome.
In multiplayer games (both cooperative and PvP) it may happen so that the game loses synchronization (i.e. the game state is not 100% identical on all player machines). If this happens, a red "DESYNC DETECTED" message will appear in the chat box. Although it is still possible to continue playing (at least for now), there is no more a guarantee that everyone is "playing the same game". For us, this is as severe as a crash and we are actively fixing all possible causes.
Just like in every other unfinished software, crashes do happen from time to time. Again, it is one of our top priorities to isolate and fix every one of them.
4. Game Content
Currently, not all of the game content is final and not all of it is available in the current pre-beta version. We are going to add more content during the beta via patches.
What is most notably missing at the moment are the voice sounds - we are adding a whole lot of voices soon.
Many icons (e.g. unit status and effect icons) are going to be added in the near future.
5. Handling
We still plan to make various improvements on the overall "handling" of the game (i.e. how comfortable it is to play the game, how easy it is to do what you're trying to do and how well your units perform in general). Like always, concrete and constructive feedback is most welcome.
GOOD LUCK
jediguardian
12 Feb 2008, 19:36
Where can I get the code? I don't see anything on fileplanet.
It will come in few hours..
DemonSVK
12 Feb 2008, 22:13
Beta already started but it's hidden from public. Bad news are that this Beta will be Closed - so just Fileplanet subscribers will get the keys. I can't register to the Beta. I hope they will start it soon.
EDIT: Ho... they just updated index on FP... so Subcribers can get the key now! Let's grab one if you are :)
jediguardian
12 Feb 2008, 22:18
Damn fileplanet for their subscriber-only policy. Still hope to get one of the reserved keys. Frujin I hope you have one for me :p :D
AerySoul
12 Feb 2008, 23:12
I cant get the key (I dont have the fileplanet subscriber), but I continue to take a closer look at this game because looks very, very promising :)
Good work!
Damn fileplanet for their subscriber-only policy. Still hope to get one of the reserved keys. Frujin I hope you have one for me :p :D
What happened with the reserved keys? Please just cut me off with PM rather than "wait and bleed". :crushed: :crushed: :crushed:
jediguardian
13 Feb 2008, 00:30
The roll will be tomorrow :)
jimkirk
13 Feb 2008, 04:35
i have a fileplanet monthly account but for soem reason i cant get the key from there either
Dynelven
13 Feb 2008, 05:17
Hello all, this is my first post here. I am currently downloading the beta and can't wait to give my first impressions. I've been part of many, many betas in the past and I love to be part of the developing process before release. I am obtaining a degree in game design at the moment and this is about as close as I can get for now.
My download is almost finished... can't wait to get in :)
Hello all, this is my first post here. I am currently downloading the beta and can't wait to give my first impressions. I've been part of many, many betas in the past and I love to be part of the developing process before release. I am obtaining a degree in game design at the moment and this is about as close as I can get for now.
Welcome and trust me, if you are looking for a challenge - you found it ;)
Dynelven
13 Feb 2008, 05:43
Welcome and trust me, if you are looking for a challenge - you found it ;)
Thanks for the reply. I always enjoy a good challenge, I mean come on, I'm a gamer! :)
My download just finished :D You'll be hearing from me no doubt.
BTW, do you need a certain post count or something to access most of the features (like sig) in your User CP? I am told "Dynelven, you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:" ...just wondering, thanks.
Heavy Metal
13 Feb 2008, 08:38
I got the email about this game today and from what i have seen and read it looks like an up and coming game worth playing.
I'm a clan leader and it's time for us to stretch our wings once again.
Earth and beyond was 1000 members strong and the same in EVE for a while we are in need of a new game.
I will spread the word they will come and we will Conquer
jediguardian
13 Feb 2008, 09:21
BTW, do you need a certain post count or something to access most of the features (like sig) in your User CP? I am told "Dynelven, you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:" ...just wondering, thanks.
No, the features just are not turned on and the guys don't really have time for the forums right now. We all can't access the other features :)
I think that this beta is not REAL open.Because to have it we have to pay.
What is the point.What BSS will win from that.
I don't want to PAY to download FREE.:bash:
No, I get the chances for it FREE!
From the BSS, tough I can't use them...
But this thing with fileplanet it's not fair.
With this BSS is losing many real fans help and giving it to fat american boys that are not
sure what is BETA.
Dynelven
13 Feb 2008, 13:58
No, the features just are not turned on and the guys don't really have time for the forums right now. We all can't access the other features :)
Then why do I see people with sigs? Like yourself :)
But this thing with fileplanet it's not fair.
With this BSS is losing many real fans help and giving it to fat american boys that are not
sure what is BETA.
This isn't a beta, it's a pre-beta (alpha) and stated as such in many places. Alphas are usually close, not open, and sometime even beta's are. That means you have to meet qualifications to enter them whether it be a subscription to a hosting site like this one or meeting certain requirements with your computer hardware. Nothing should be fair/unfair in an alpha or a beta seeing as how they are not required do this at all. It's a priviledge to be able to test at all, and if your a true fan it shouldn't make you so mad that you abandon the game. If you want to play so bad why not just subscribe to Fileplanet for a short while? It has many more perks than just this. Speaking as a member since 2002 it seems to be common practice now for companies to use FP to give out exclusive beta or alpha keys.
Then why do I see people with sigs? Like yourself
Emm... That's because we made them several months ago...
But this thing with fileplanet it's not fair.
With this BSS is losing many real fans help and giving it to fat american boys that are not
sure what is BETA.
Hey!! I'm an Indonesian kids who knows BETA, thank you...
This isn't a beta, it's a pre-beta (alpha) and stated as such in many places. Alphas are usually close, not open, and sometime even beta's are. That means you have to meet qualifications to enter them whether it be a subscription to a hosting site like this one or meeting certain requirements with your computer hardware. Nothing should be fair/unfair in an alpha or a beta seeing as how they are not required do this at all. It's a priviledge to be able to test at all, and if your a true fan it shouldn't make you so mad that you abandon the game. If you want to play so bad why not just subscribe to Fileplanet for a short while? It has many more perks than just this. Speaking as a member since 2002 it seems to be common practice now for companies to use FP to give out exclusive beta or alpha keys.
Adverstiment eh? I don't like to pay in any sites, thank you....
DemonicTutor
13 Feb 2008, 16:21
For all those of you complaining about the closed beta,
there is a nice sentence in the last post here:
http://forums.blackseastudios.com/showthread.php?t=301
Sais something about an open beta starting very soon. Open I guess is everyone!
CHEERS!
jediguardian
13 Feb 2008, 18:50
I think that this beta is not REAL open.Because to have it we have to pay.
What is the point.What BSS will win from that.
I don't want to PAY to download FREE.:bash:
Currently the beta is closed. Open will be with 25000 users.
OMG! I got chosen for the beta!
I am officially shocked!:eek:
Frujin,will the beta going to be availabe on other web-sites.I mean,i wanna play this game but however i must pay for this.This idea sux for me[paying for playing the beta]
Dynelven
13 Feb 2008, 20:28
Adverstiment eh? I don't like to pay in any sites, thank you....
What are you talking about advertisement? FilePlanet? I'm sure FilePlanet pays Worldshift for this exclusive and that is money going into the game to make it that much better for you, be glad.
Its fine if you don't want to pay for sites, that your stance on it. But because of that you can't really complain that you can't get it. Like I said, they don't have to offer this to anyone at all, and like other people have said you will see an open beta soon. Those of us who pay to be members of FilePlanet just happened to see the alpha before the populace sees the beta... big deal, its nothing to get all upset over.
Frujin,will the beta going to be availabe on other web-sites.I mean,i wanna play this game but however i must pay for this.This idea sux for me[paying for playing the beta]
As stated over and over and over again, FP has the exclusive to the alpha. There will soon be a closed beta so just sit tight if you can't pay for an FP membership. You've waited this long apparently, a little more won't kill you. Afterall, what if they didn't have a public beta at all, and you had to wait till release to play? Just be glad that an open beta will be coming soon.
Frujin,woulf you kinfly post the info from the beta!:bash: :evil:
Here is a good question - What is the NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) for the closed (alpha) beta? Or is there one?
Dynelven
15 Feb 2008, 02:45
It usally is something like "Don't talk about it, don't take screenshots, movies, sound files, ect". Pretend you are on a Jury :)
lol yeah i Know what is usually is - but not all have the same NDA. I know when I did matrix Online - they threatened to kill us lol :crushed:
"Silence! I kill you!"
Sorry, couldn't help myself! :D
I got the key via fileplanet.. but the download rate is sucking 4kb/s .... meaing the download will finish in 3 days... lol..
Any other link where I can download the beta client?
Hello all, this is my first post here. I am currently downloading the beta and can't wait to give my first impressions. I've been part of many, many betas in the past and I love to be part of the developing process before release. I am obtaining a degree in game design at the moment and this is about as close as I can get for now.
My download is almost finished... can't wait to get in :)
Yes it has another place Frujin's Hard Disk:D
Muramasa
16 Feb 2008, 12:59
First post on the boards, been keeping my eye on this game on and off for a while now, looks bloody promising. Downloading the client at the moment so will be keeping my fingers crossed that it alpha/beta will show as much potential as I am hoping it will.
Just a quick note for those people moaning about the beta only being available to FP subs. Yes ok I can see how it can suck if you don't have a subscription or your parents won't let you borrow the credit card, but lets be honest here if you were a dedicated gamer you would most likely have a sub to FP. One thing this does ensure is that BSS won't get a boat load of idiots subbing up to the beta just because it is something free they can play around with for a while, they will get people who take their gaming seriously.
:sad: :sad: :sad: i can not even play the game this totaly sucks so much:( :(
i will not even let me play it i downloaded it and every thing plz repliy
downloading now. Looking forward to testing it out.
If they dont respond remember your posting in a "welcome" thread.. perhaps make a new thread after reading a few stickies, and making sure there isnt any open issues at the moment.
girugamesh
24 Mar 2008, 00:52
where i use the key that the fileplanet gave me?
DanteOne
24 Mar 2008, 08:56
install the game and start it. then u will know
I downloaded the game but didn't know the key.How to get it?
You can get key from FilePlanet:
http://www.fileplanet.com/promotions/worldshift/
lomonacov
10 Apr 2008, 19:14
Ok, i have the Beta. Now...my problem:
How do you play this game? Forgive my ignorance, but I haven't a clue. :o
Is there a manual or instructions anywhere?
Thanks ahead of time.
Scourge
10 Apr 2008, 19:19
Links to gameplay demo movies here:
http://worldshift-game.com/
They will hopefully give you some idea about what to do.
Revelant
11 Apr 2008, 06:41
Hello all! (First post)
Updating my game now, so hopefully I will be playing soon.
I just wanted to say, being a huge fan of the genre and a LONG time gamer (began old school with Red Alert and Starcraft etc. as far as RTS games) that this game looks extremely promising. Besides the amazing landscapes and awesome textures and models, the game play itself is pretty revolutionary for an RTS. How long have we awaited a GOOD RTS with a Coop mode requiring lots of teamwork? And I, personally, have been awaiting something with a good level of difficulty, so it will be fun to see how hard this really is :D
And that's just the start. You guys have produced an amazing game, and it's only in beta, with (I'm sure) a LOT more to come. Thank you so much, for producing this, and for allowing us to test it. You guys rock!