Stygian Abyss Beta Signup now up...

[Storm]

If you have already signed up you do not need to sign up again.

Chrissay

Thanks

 

[Hildebrand]

Wow, would be awesome if they implemented a scanning program like Punkbuster or otherwise.
Does this mean SA client will be hack proof?
One out of two clients..... getting there!

 

[Basara]

Chrissay: Neither my Processor speed (Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2 Ghz) and my Video Card (Nvidia GeForce 8300 GS - and it's a PCI Express x16 card, not an onboard) are listed in the choices.

Both were OEM on my 18 month old Dell computer. IIRC, the 8300 GS card was set up to be available only as an OEM-installed product, not something sold retail (though occasionally you'll find it on places like Tiger Direct).

I hope these oversights don't reduce my chance into getting into the Beta.

 

[Crysta]

So when should we know?

 

[Whinemaker]

Sorry for being ignorant... but what exactly do you do for beta testing?
Just log in and play? Or do you need some extensive knowledge in programming etc.

 

[Aran]

Wow, would be awesome if they implemented a scanning program like Punkbuster or otherwise.
Does this mean SA client will be hack proof?
One out of two clients..... getting there!

No it wouldn't. I absolutely refuse to run any software that does anything more than it's supposed to. That is, a game runs the game, a spreadsheet calculates figures and displays them, and so on.

There's no need to treat all customers like criminals. I get enough of that in meatspace for simply exercising my rights.

 

[Otis Firefly]

Sorry for being ignorant... but what exactly do you do for beta testing?
Just log in and play? Or do you need some extensive knowledge in programming etc.

log in and play like you would normally and report anything that looks or works wrong i would imagine

 

[Mayadevi]

Wheeee !

I can't wait ! *crosses fingers*

Good luck everybody !

Mayadevi

 

[Thangorodrim]

No it wouldn't. I absolutely refuse to run any software that does anything more than it's supposed to. That is, a game runs the game, a spreadsheet calculates figures and displays them, and so on.

There's no need to treat all customers like criminals. I get enough of that in meatspace for simply exercising my rights.

Well said.

For my part, I think I can accept a scan of RAM for known binary signatures as long as the company is reputable and there is full disclosure of the scope of the scan.

Unfortunately, it could be subverted by pretty obvious means.

 

[Storm]

Chrissay: Neither my Processor speed (Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2 Ghz) and my Video Card (Nvidia GeForce 8300 GS - and it's a PCI Express x16 card, not an onboard) are listed in the choices.

Both were OEM on my 18 month old Dell computer. IIRC, the 8300 GS card was set up to be available only as an OEM-installed product, not something sold retail (though occasionally you'll find it on places like Tiger Direct).

I hope these oversights don't reduce my chance into getting into the Beta.

I imagine they will choose from a spectrum of people and machines to get a full and accurate test atleast thats what I would do!

 

[Dragonchilde]

Sorry for being ignorant... but what exactly do you do for beta testing?
Just log in and play? Or do you need some extensive knowledge in programming etc.

You just log in, and play! If I recall correctly from beta-ing SE, it was mostly about testing server capabilities, how things went with housing, that sort of thing. There's a way to report bugs and such, and it's on a separate client, rather than your usual client, so it won't interfere with regular game play in any way.

Absolutely NO programming is required... you're not doing anything back-end.

 

[guum]

Very cool, although they're missing mobile GPUs on the graphics list. I'm sure I can't be the only person here playing on a laptop.

 

[Stratic Fanatic]

Very cool, although they're missing mobile GPUs on the graphics list. I'm sure I can't be the only person here playing on a laptop.

What do you have?
Integrated ATI, Intel, and onboard Nvidia are listed.
Or select Other.

 

[guum]

What do you have?
Integrated ATI, Intel, and onboard Nvidia are listed.
Or select Other.

It's not really integrated -- integrated implies shared memory. It's a discrete GPU with discrete memory.

 

[Setnaffa]

It's not really integrated -- integrated implies shared memory. It's a discrete GPU with discrete memory.

So choose "Other/Unknown" if you don't see your specific video card/GPU listed.

 

[GreywolfUK]

Must be the only form ever with no UK entry on the Country dropdown menu

It has if you scroll down the bottom, I just signed up, and was no problems, just waiting to see if I strike lucky this time

 

[Skaith]

I am waiting can't sit still
anybody got a email yet it feals like christmas

 

[Aran]

It has if you scroll down the bottom, I just signed up, and was no problems, just waiting to see if I strike lucky this time

It just got added, that's why

 

[christy1221]

I am waiting can't sit still
anybody got a email yet it feals like christmas

I know. I'm so excited. I wonder when they will start sending people emails.

 

[Whinemaker]

log in and play like you would normally and report anything that looks or works wrong i would imagine

You just log in, and play! If I recall correctly from beta-ing SE, it was mostly about testing server capabilities, how things went with housing, that sort of thing. There's a way to report bugs and such, and it's on a separate client, rather than your usual client, so it won't interfere with regular game play in any way.

Absolutely NO programming is required... you're not doing anything back-end.

I guess even I qualify then.
Thanks!

 

[Esmeralda]

Just signed up!

It´s a great to know that there will be a beta shortly.. that makes UOSA´s excistance more realistic.

Good luck to anyone of you!

 

[Silverbird]

Isnt it a bid late for aprils fool?

 

[Arch Magus]

Soo, am I like the only person that just doesn't care either way about SA?

Not that I hate it or anything. I nothing it.

 

[Petra Fyde]

no, that's probably a good attitude to take. Too many here are willing to dismiss it untried.

 

[Aurelius]

You just log in, and play! If I recall correctly from beta-ing SE, it was mostly about testing server capabilities, how things went with housing, that sort of thing. There's a way to report bugs and such, and it's on a separate client, rather than your usual client, so it won't interfere with regular game play in any way.

Absolutely NO programming is required... you're not doing anything back-end.

For a lot of folks, just playing is fine - and it gives the developers a lot of info about how the system holds up under stress. To be more helpful as a tester though, you may need to be able to supply a lot of detail about hardware, other programs running at the time, what exactly (in a fair bit of detail!) your character was doing or what else was happening at the time you saw the 'bug'.

I expect there will be a preferred feedback format listed somewhere, so you know what to include in your results. I'd not want to discourage anyone signing up and playing, like I said that can give a lot of useful info - but from past experience in Beta of all sorts of games, the Devs always appreciate a few more thorough bug/fault reports (with the possible exception of ML Beta, where fault reporting was not handled well.... ).

 

[AesSedai]

- Wahoo!

For the Expansion, right?

Or the Client?

Or for both?

Looking at the Sign-Up information page and the Beta Test Agreement makes me hesitantly lean towards this just being for the Expansion, but I'm asking 'cause I dunno.
I guess I'll just wait for more details and a secure sign-up page tomorrow.



I just hope this is nowhere close to a sign that any of this SA stuff might be prematurely delivered to the public; mainly because I know how easily the word of mouth band [womb@ ] can spread disdain more-so than approval of things like this. I'll keep Cal Crowner's uo.com thoughts in mind for now.

 

[Old Man of UO]

I imagine they will choose from a spectrum of people and machines to get a full and accurate test atleast thats what I would do!

I suspect there are too many types of hardware combinations to actually let them "choose" people for the beta. Rather, I suspect it is just a recording function to help diagnose bugs. A true beta would also test play styles, all game mechanics and what not, rather than just hardware.

Still... I can't wait to start!

 

[Crysta]

So when should we know?

 

[Aran]

no, that's probably a good attitude to take. Too many here are willing to dismiss it untried.

I've never been beaten with a steel pipe, but based on my experiences getting hit with other things, I can tell you I won't like it.

 

[Tjalle]

no, that's probably a good attitude to take. Too many here are willing to dismiss it untried.

I've never been beaten with a steel pipe, but based on my experiences getting hit with other things, I can tell you I won't like it.

Good comparison!

Or not...

 

[Anakena]

Chrissay: Neither my Processor speed (Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2 Ghz) and my Video Card (Nvidia GeForce 8300 GS - and it's a PCI Express x16 card, not an onboard) are listed in the choices.

Both were OEM on my 18 month old Dell computer. IIRC, the 8300 GS card was set up to be available only as an OEM-installed product, not something sold retail (though occasionally you'll find it on places like Tiger Direct).

I hope these oversights don't reduce my chance into getting into the Beta.

I had the same problem. I still applied by selecting the closest hardware.

 

[D'Amavir]

I can' speak for everyone but I personally had high hopes for 3rd Dawn. Then I played it and those hopes were shattered.

I had high hopes for KR. Then I played it and those hopes were shattered.

I had high hopes for SA. Then I saw the official screenshots and those hopes were diminished (not shattered). Then someone was kind enough to post an updated screenshot and those hopes rose a little. Then I saw Drac's comments on 'form follows function' and those hopes rose a little more. Then I saw his comments of "After all, the whole point is to have an attractive, useful client - not beat everyone over the head with crazy "innovations" lacking even Legacy's completeness" and those hopes rose even more.

As it stands now, for me, I am excited about SA and the SA client. I am still not sold on certain things I have seen or heard on it but, despite popular opinion, I like to actually see things in action before I completely dismiss them as 'bad'.

 

[Aran]

I'm a realist, so I know it'll fail.