Mythic Entertainment has announced that the open beta for Warhammer Online will begin on September 7th.

Mythic Entertainment, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) studio, today announced that the open beta for their highly anticipated MMORPG, Warhammer® Online: Age of Reckoning™ (WAR), will begin on September 7th, 2008. This means that hundreds of thousands of fans will be able to enter the gritty fantasy world of WAR to experience the thrill of Realm vs. Realm™ (RvR) combat before the game goes live on September 18th, 2008. Players can get into the North American open beta by pre-ordering WAR or visiting IGN’s popular game download site FilePlanet.com to sign up for a limited number of spots.

"For three years we have been saying that ‘WAR is coming’ and the team has been working hard to deliver on this promise,” said Mark Jacobs, co-founder and general manager of Mythic Entertainment. "In just a few weeks, we are going to throw open our doors and invite more players into the game than ever before. They will have a chance to delve into the open beta and see for themselves that WAR has arrived and it is glorious!"

Read the full release here.

Another not-open open beta, eh?

I for one, will not be paying to do testing for them, and will not be paying for a game I have not had a chance to see more than screenshots of.

These companies need to stop trying to squeeze every penny possible out of the players, but hey - at least it's not as bad as AoC's pay to 'get a chance' of playing the demo.

This just leaves a bad taste in my mouth for a game I'd been hoping would have the confidence in their own product to let players find out if it was good *before* getting tied into paying.

At the very least - they should stop calling these products an open beta, it sullies the name.

---

Originally posted by DiamondMX
This just leaves a bad taste in my mouth for a game I'd been hoping would have the confidence in their own product to let players find out if it was good *before* getting tied into paying.

---

The pre-order is $1 at Target. If you pay this $1 you can see if the game is good BEFORE IT RELEASES. Or you can just read what everyone else has to say about it. Nobody is forcing you to pay. I just wish people would stop the "OMG I HAVE TO PAY THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!!111!" posts. I could see being angry if it were a "free" trial and they wanted you to pay (I'm looking at you AoC) or if you had to pay to get a CHANCE at getting into beta, or even if they wanted like $10 for it, but none of these things are true. It's a totally reasonable offer.

Well yes, finally, there it is what a lot of us were longing for.
Speculations will finally be over in a few weeks as well as speculations about lauch day and what ever else people speculate about. I grew really tired of all that and what sometimes happened to MMORPG.com WAR forum. Whilst it's also true some good laugh and good posts/threads were made. It is also true to say that people should use the search button more often, that would lead to less repetetive posts/threads hence the reason why some of us (at least me) regular of WAR forum stoped posting here (if most weren't already under NDA playing/helping WAR CB).

Anyway all in all this is a relief (as well as no more speculation about OB date!) and a very good news.
Cheers to all and see you in OB (if you can...).

Blood for the Blood God!!!

Double Ditto.....

Sorry for double posting but I wanted to thanks Aethios for his reply.
@-> DiamondMX - Please stop complaining about something you won't even suffer with in the first place... There's better and more constructive ways to "rant".

Cheers...

Edited by myself.

Reasons people shouldn't have to pay because...

1) It's an unfinished product, it's openly understood it won't work as intended (although usually not much is changed - so it shouldn't be too broken)

2) It's a demo - it's a chance for people to play the game without paying for it, to see if the hype is worth it, to see if it's their kind of game - games are the only product in existance you have to buy a game without having the slightest clue if it will fulfil the task it is intended for (being fun) or having any recourse to refund.

3) It's a job - they *pay* people to do this at the company. But when people volunteer for it, they think it's suddenly an honour to be let into the beta test. Keyword test. I'd happily do it for free, but I don't think I should have to pay to help debug and stress test the companies product.

In my opinion - the 2nd point is the strongest - I (and I assume many others) would like a chance to find out before I pay, if the product has any value for me - I don't want to throw money at a product that's no use (to me).

Originally posted by DiamondMX

Another not-open open beta, eh?

I for one, will not be paying to do testing for them, and will not be paying for a game I have not had a chance to see more than screenshots of.

These companies need to stop trying to squeeze every penny possible out of the players, but hey - at least it's not as bad as AoC's pay to 'get a chance' of playing the demo.

This just leaves a bad taste in my mouth for a game I'd been hoping would have the confidence in their own product to let players find out if it was good *before* getting tied into paying.

At the very least - they should stop calling these products an open beta, it sullies the name.

Yep, the game will now fail since you where not able to give your expert opinion in beta.  Seriously if you are that bitter you were not able to get a free ride, then feel free to wait for a trial.  Betas, whether they are labeled open or not, are not there for you to play a game to see if you like it.

Open beta mostly applies to no NDA in effect not that everyone and their brother can pounce on the game for free.

Hey there's always F2P games... no?



I can't believe people actually ranting over this. Most of us who wants to play this game should actually enjoy this news, at least I am since I've been watching the dev. of WAR since 2006 (and a RPG pen & papper, tabletop gamer since aeons ago). Sorry to say but you seem to be failing on that you and your "oh so great expertise"....

=\

I'm personally glad that only the pre-orderers will be getting in. Let those who support the game in to see the semi-final product. I'd rather be in the open beta with people who are honestly interested then those who just want a free ride.

Also, this is still an OPEN beta. It's not called a free beta, but open, because it is open... anyone who pre-orders it gets in. Thus, open to all.

Originally posted by DiamondMX

Reasons people shouldn't have to pay because...

1) It's an unfinished product, it's openly understood it won't work as intended (although usually not much is changed - so it shouldn't be too broken)

2) It's a demo - it's a chance for people to play the game without paying for it, to see if the hype is worth it, to see if it's their kind of game - games are the only product in existance you have to buy a game without having the slightest clue if it will fulfil the task it is intended for (being fun) or having any recourse to refund.

3) It's a job - they *pay* people to do this at the company. But when people volunteer for it, they think it's suddenly an honour to be let into the beta test. Keyword test. I'd happily do it for free, but I don't think I should have to pay to help debug and stress test the companies product.

 

In my opinion - the 2nd point is the strongest - I (and I assume many others) would like a chance to find out before I pay, if the product has any value for me - I don't want to throw money at a product that's no use (to me).

Wrong on so many points, where to begin...meh, I don't even want to convince you.  Please keep your current opinion, don't play the game, don't test the beta, the community will not miss you.  I'm gonna go ahead and play it tonight when I'm off work, where I didn't pay to get in.

Wait are we complaining about how Mythic is only letting those who put some effort to say they will play the game and reward them for there loyalty by giving them  a chance to stress test and try to find bugs in the programing. Beta are not for free play they are to help programers find faults in the programing and to help do miner touch ups before the game comes out. All they want from us is to see if we like the product and help them make it better.

Heeey, great news for all those NA players out there!

Now when will the euro-trash get some info and when where and how to start adding codes/downloads? Thrilled as I am we're paying as much for the game as the NA are, aren't we?

Originally posted by DiamondMX

Another not-open open beta, eh?

I for one, will not be paying to do testing for them, and will not be paying for a game I have not had a chance to see more than screenshots of.

These companies need to stop trying to squeeze every penny possible out of the players, but hey - at least it's not as bad as AoC's pay to 'get a chance' of playing the demo.

This just leaves a bad taste in my mouth for a game I'd been hoping would have the confidence in their own product to let players find out if it was good *before* getting tied into paying.

At the very least - they should stop calling these products an open beta, it sullies the name.

First Beta is beta. It's not a free trial of the game.

Second, If you're interested in the game you would have registered for Beta a long time ago and not complain at last minute.

Third, if you can pay for a PRE-ORDER (roughly what.. 10$) I doubt you will be able to sustain a monthly fee of 15$.

Fourth most of the complains people make about managing a game, launching it, improving it or just playing it are often  empty of constructive ideas and answers to problems. Which lead to nothing and give impression that people leaving those comments just can't back up what they are saying, tho leading to some low grade flaming post.

P.s.: As much i try to show some respect to english, it is not my first language so bare with me the mistakes.

well, i tihnk people have forgoten some  things about open beta, open betas are to help the developers with stress testing and final bug finding, and they are usually free, and open to everyone  because they are helping the developers with a polished product,and so we help test ,we get free play,that said, now days the open beta isnt really what they used to be, what we have in open beta isnt a beta at all, rather there finished product,so in this case war is only a 7 day open beta ,so the game had better be done,a good example of hapens if its not fully done at open beta  is vanguard ,poorly done, no polish, disjointed plot, poor poor character models,and i wont bother with the bugs. so i tihnk this is what is being complained about, i fro one have already bought the game, i was hoping for a longer open beta,but this game has been in development a while and i  think they feal it is ready to go live,i hope they are correct,you can fool people that do not know waht to expect in an mmo,but yoy wont be able to fool the veteran mmo player,this looks like it will be a good game,but i have been unpleasantly surprised befire, well i  geuss ill see you guys in game, LOL

Originally posted by Szark

Mythic Entertainment has announced that the open beta for Warhammer Online will begin on September 7th.

Mythic Entertainment, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) studio, today announced that the open beta for their highly anticipated MMORPG, Warhammer® Online: Age of Reckoning™ (WAR), will begin on September 7th, 2008. This means that hundreds of thousands of fans will be able to enter the gritty fantasy world of WAR to experience the thrill of Realm vs. Realm™ (RvR) combat before the game goes live on September 18th, 2008. Players can get into the North American open beta by pre-ordering WAR or visiting IGN’s popular game download site FilePlanet.com to sign up for a limited number of spots.

"For three years we have been saying that ‘WAR is coming’ and the team has been working hard to deliver on this promise,” said Mark Jacobs, co-founder and general manager of Mythic Entertainment. "In just a few weeks, we are going to throw open our doors and invite more players into the game than ever before. They will have a chance to delve into the open beta and see for themselves that WAR has arrived and it is glorious!"

Read the full release here.

For the two complaining about the way Mythic will handle Open Beta ,  Really ? you don't want to play 5$ (( that you can get back in Ebgames , if you change your mind )) 30 days before launch ? 5$ is to much for you ? But at launch your gonna have 60$ Well , you know what This game will be a Sucess whitout you , its the best beta i ever played (( Lotr , age of Conan , World of Warcraft ))  It's a high quality game , with a perfect lore .

I hope they aren't skimping out on the bug and stress testing part they might find a lot of players unwilling to lay down the dough to buy a game they didn't get the oppertunity to beta/stress test thoroughly especially with the track record of mmorpg companies release subpar launch products. For a game that's so pvp focused the short open beta worries me a lot about the overall server stress testing and makes me even more worried about the mid to high end game content. All we can do now is wait and see. For better or worse I hope it's good been waiting a long time on this one.

---

Originally posted by zepherion
Heeey, great news for all those NA players out there!
Now when will the euro-trash get some info and when where and how to start adding codes/downloads? Thrilled as I am we're paying as much for the game as the NA are, aren't we?
 

---

I'm curious about that too. I have my CE preorder on my shelf and I want to use its codes - if I know well the North-American CE codes already granted access to the beta...

Nope! Ive made the mistake of pre-ordering and I wont do it again.

As much as I would love to play this game now,I will wait atleast 6 months (maybe more) before I even touch it. I will keep close tabs on the community and see what their impressions are after a few weeks of frustration.  =P

Originally posted by DiamondMX

Another not-open open beta, eh?

I for one, will not be paying to do testing for them, and will not be paying for a game I have not had a chance to see more than screenshots of.

These companies need to stop trying to squeeze every penny possible out of the players, but hey - at least it's not as bad as AoC's pay to 'get a chance' of playing the demo.

This just leaves a bad taste in my mouth for a game I'd been hoping would have the confidence in their own product to let players find out if it was good *before* getting tied into paying.

At the very least - they should stop calling these products an open beta, it sullies the name.

What makes you so special that a game developer must let you try the game for free before hoping for your purchase.  Do you also demand a free seat in a cinema for half the movie as a free preview before considering paying for a ticket.  Oh I just forgot, you should be allow to join a free tour for a few days before thinking about paying for a package tour.  Free trial living for a month before buying a house, any one?

Stop the bullshit, stop the delusion of grandeur.  You are just one mr nobody and WAR is not yet so desperate to draft you in no matter what it costs.  There are tons of paying customers willing to shore up the full costs of a CE set, and you believe WAR should drop these loyal and eager customer and let you in first?  Rude wake up call, no, its not going to happen.

If you want to play now, pay.  If you want to wait, do not worry.  Nobody is bullying you to pay.  Fact is, in many places, CE are already sold out.

Last but not least, why must they stop calling it open beta?  Because you mr nobody has a bad taste in your mouth (or actually a bad mouth)?  Oh great, mr nobody, your view is heard, but WAR decides to go ahead.

Originally posted by DiamondMX

Another not-open open beta, eh?

I for one, will not be paying to do testing for them, and will not be paying for a game I have not had a chance to see more than screenshots of.

These companies need to stop trying to squeeze every penny possible out of the players, but hey - at least it's not as bad as AoC's pay to 'get a chance' of playing the demo.

This just leaves a bad taste in my mouth for a game I'd been hoping would have the confidence in their own product to let players find out if it was good *before* getting tied into paying.

At the very least - they should stop calling these products an open beta, it sullies the name.

I dont agree with most of this post (you dont have to pay to get the pre-order, I didnt) but I do agree with the end. The last couple of MMOs have not truly had an open beta and it looks like WAR will follow that trend. one week of testing will give them no true value in testing. It will give solid data on the stress level of the servers so maybe it should be called a stress test and not an open beta.

I just hope WAR is not feeding us a demo (complete with limited play content and a game add at the "end) like lame ass AoC did.

Originally posted by Orthedos

Originally posted by DiamondMX

Another not-open open beta, eh?

I for one, will not be paying to do testing for them, and will not be paying for a game I have not had a chance to see more than screenshots of.

These companies need to stop trying to squeeze every penny possible out of the players, but hey - at least it's not as bad as AoC's pay to 'get a chance' of playing the demo.

This just leaves a bad taste in my mouth for a game I'd been hoping would have the confidence in their own product to let players find out if it was good *before* getting tied into paying.

At the very least - they should stop calling these products an open beta, it sullies the name.

 

What makes you so special that a game developer must let you try the game for free before hoping for your purchase.  Do you also demand a free seat in a cinema for half the movie as a free preview before considering paying for a ticket.  Oh I just forgot, you should be allow to join a free tour for a few days before thinking about paying for a package tour.  Free trial living for a month before buying a house, any one?

Stop the bullshit, stop the delusion of grandeur.  You are just one mr nobody and WAR is not yet so desperate to draft you in no matter what it costs.  There are tons of paying customers willing to shore up the full costs of a CE set, and you believe WAR should drop these loyal and eager customer and let you in first?  Rude wake up call, no, its not going to happen.

If you want to play now, pay.  If you want to wait, do not worry.  Nobody is bullying you to pay.  Fact is, in many places, CE are already sold out.

Last but not least, why must they stop calling it open beta?  Because you mr nobody has a bad taste in your mouth (or actually a bad mouth)?  Oh great, mr nobody, your view is heard, but WAR decides to go ahead.

Geez, must be rough for you in your family. Voice an opinion and get insulted until you learn to just "shut up."

And the reason why it would be good for companies to stop calling it open beta should be rather obvious. A beta is supposed to be used to discover bugs, exploits and content fixes. A week of "testing" will not yield any of that. Or it may reveal those issues but will not give any opportunity to correct them. There are only two advantages to having what WAR and many other recent MMOs have called "open beta": stress testing of the servers and more hype building. Not true testing.

 Oh and Hazmal, kind of hard to play the "open beta" right now when it clearly stats it will start on the 7th of Sep. :)

Open beta should mean open to all. This is only open to people that pre-order the game or have a fileplanet account. I remember there was such an outrage when Funcom did something similar with AoC. I guess all the AoC-haters were really WAR-fanbois...

For the record, I've pre-ordered and will play this and AoC and form my own opinions on which is best but I predict exactly the same fallout with fickle players.

I don't really use these forums that much, but after reading this article, it has changed my opinion from "I'm going to stay away from this one cause it's too much like WoW" to "I'm going to check this one out."  In previous experiences, I've pre-ordered games like AoC and have been disappointed in the amount of bugs and how they're still working to get all the features implemented that they want to.  All in all, though AoC is a good game, I regretted spending $50 up front to pre-order it.

So my question for all you beta testers is, "Is the game worth pre-ordering, particularly for someone who is unfamiliar with the  Warhammer franchise and lore?"

Trying to figure out if THIS one is worth paying up front for.  Everyone's talkin', so I need an opinion.

Thanks,
Jon

Originally posted by jedibeck16

I don't really use these forums that much, but after reading this article, it has changed my opinion from "I'm going to stay away from this one cause it's too much like WoW" to "I'm going to check this one out."  In previous experiences, I've pre-ordered games like AoC and have been disappointed in the amount of bugs and how they're still working to get all the features implemented that they want to.  All in all, though AoC is a good game, I regretted spending $50 up front to pre-order it.

So my question for all you beta testers is, "Is the game worth pre-ordering, particularly for someone who is unfamiliar with the  Warhammer franchise and lore?"

Trying to figure out if THIS one is worth paying up front for.  Everyone's talkin', so I need an opinion.

Thanks,
Jon

ill have to get back to you on that,..i am taking part in the preview weekend,..we will see...we will see LOL