General Discussion

Age of Conan Community Manager Shannon  Drake has posted a clarification in the AoC forums, about whether or not Age of Conan will have an open beta, as there were several reports out of CES last week stating the contrary.  Age of Conan will indeed have an open beta, but the beta won't be wide open, as there will be an application process.

Looks like there was a miscommunication/misunderstanding at the show.

We are planning to have an open beta for the game as we get closer to launch, however, it will be through specific partners and require an application/registration process, much like most of the other betas for most other games.

We will be limiting the number of keys we release to a manageable number at any given time, rather than subjecting people to queues and loading screens and so on. By "a manageable number," we mean tens of thousands, not just a handful.

We’re also ramping up some of our tech test betas, and, of course, we’ll be doing key giveaways, inviting forum veterans, and inviting more people to the current, closed stage of beta as we ramp up for launch.

So, yes, there will be a wider-scale open beta, but it will require an application/registration process and won’t be as simple as “press button, get key,” which is what we wanted to say.

Read more here.

Good call out.

Many were worried that no beta could mean it's a poor product.

My prediction :

YOU won't be getting in.

No one YOU personally know will be getting in.

Some unidentified 'special set' of folks will get into the 'Open Beta'.

Just like it was for EQ2.

I am thinking the 'Open Beta' will happen a few weeks before release.  Far to late for any negative information to get out and impact the early sales.

I am waiting on this one; not spending money it till some folks that play it start reporting here.

If there is an 'application process', then it's not an Open Beta...as you do not need to be 'chosen' to play in an Open Beta; but this is Funcom we're talking about!

Originally posted by mlauzon

If there is an 'application process', then it's not an Open Beta...as you do not need to be 'chosen' to play in an Open Beta; but this is Funcom we're talking about!

Where is the definition of Open Beta set so indelibly in stone?  The screening process is probably like LOTRO's Open Beta. One still needed to register, but most who wanted in, got in.

This is a good call on Funcom's part, great marketing as long as they don't approach Open Beta like Garriott approached it. Namely, Open Beta is largely a marketing tool, not a testing tool. Sure testing happens, but if your game is still in need of extensive testing, said game should not be in Open Beta.

As far as open beta or not, most people on this site are not interested in playtesting a game to make it better, which is what beta is supposed to be (helping the dev's put out a better product).

Most of the people on this site want to...

a) play a free game.

b) use beta as a free trial.

Funcom as a company rocks.

AO is a quality game, I have no doubt AoC will be as well.

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Originally posted by Cerion

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Originally posted by mlauzon

If there is an 'application process', then it's not an Open Beta...as you do not need to be 'chosen' to play in an Open Beta; but this is Funcom we're talking about!

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Where is the definition of Open Beta set so indelibly in stone? The screening process is probably like LOTRO's Open Beta. One still needed to register, but most who wanted in, got in.

This is a good call on Funcom's part, great marketing as long as they don't approach Open Beta like Garriott approached it. Namely, Open Beta is largely a marketing tool, not a testing tool. Sure testing happens, but if your game is still in need of extensive testing, said game should not be in Open Beta.

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Do you realize that your user icon is hypnotising?

Fileplanet?

Personally, I am glad they either changed their minds - Or - it was a misunderstanding.

When I tested WoW... <Open Beta for Server Stress Testing>, is when I really fell in love with the game eons ago and was hooked.. OR - rather my wallet was.

So, am glad that it will have some sort of Open Beta for people. Hopefully.. it will be for alot of people.

Especially to stress test the servers. That makes a world of difference to me, when playing a MMO. If the server you are on is crap.. due to high latency.. it no longer is worth either my time, or my money.

Originally posted by Dhaeman

Fileplanet?