Originally posted by ray12k

Every other game that has ever released and used the word Open BETA has in fact been open to the public.

No, they haven't...and I would get used to it because unless it's a f2p game this is how its going to be pretty much across the board from here on out whether you like it or not.

Originally posted by Wickedjelly

Originally posted by ray12k

Every other game that has ever released and used the word Open BETA has in fact been open to the public.

 

No, they haven't...and I would get used to it because unless it's a f2p game this is how its going to be pretty much across the board from here on out whether you like it or not.

Name one game?

Every, I meaN EVERY, YES EVERY game that has released in the last 12+ years that has used the word open beta has in fact been open to anyone who downloads the game.

Lol and no this tactic is a game killer. They have just isolated eveyone that was on the fence, not to mention most casual players. There are to many options out there to commit to a game like Aion.

Not to mention even Console games have demo's before release now...

Originally posted by ray12k

Name one game?

Every, I meaN EVERY, YES EVERY game that has released in the last 12+ years that has used the word open beta has in fact been open to anyone who downloads the game.

Lol and no this tactic is a game killer. They have just isolated eveyone that was on the fence, not to mention most casual players. There are to many options out there to commit to a game like Aion.

Not to mention even Console games have demo's before release now...

I love broad, sweeping generalizations.  Did you personally poll everyone that was 'on the fence' about this?  Or are you just talking out your ass, based on what you are going to do?  I'd guess the latter. 

Oh, wait, I forgot, every random forum whiner has their finger on the pulse of the entire gaming community.  What was I thinking.

Originally posted by ray12k

Originally posted by Wickedjelly

Originally posted by ray12k

Every other game that has ever released and used the word Open BETA has in fact been open to the public.

 

No, they haven't...and I would get used to it because unless it's a f2p game this is how its going to be pretty much across the board from here on out whether you like it or not.

 

Name one game?

Every, I meaN EVERY, YES EVERY game that has released in the last 12+ years that has used the word open beta has in fact been open to anyone who downloads the game.

Lol and no this tactic is a game killer. They have just isolated eveyone that was on the fence, not to mention most casual players. There are to many options out there to commit to a game like Aion.

Not to mention even Console games have demo's before release now...

Didn't I already post this  in this exact same thread once already?  Okay, for the hell of it and a second time:
 

1. AoC

2. Warhammer

3. CO

See what I did there?  I named three! Wheeeee

Wtf are you guys bitching for anyways as of just a half hour ago at least there were still beta keys available on fp.  I mean seriously, if you want to actually get worked up about something why not something like the fact there are those in the industry heavily considering adding rmt features in game far beyonbd what the norm was in the past or something that actually matters.

EDIT - Meh, guess you do have to be a subscriber for those ones so it would cost you $7  Threre'll be more available at some point probably anyways.  Just gotta be patient.  Didn't pay anything for mine - never do.  Although since I went ahead and preordered after trying out the game it's rather moot.

Originally posted by Wickedjelly

Originally posted by ray12k

Originally posted by Wickedjelly

Originally posted by ray12k

Every other game that has ever released and used the word Open BETA has in fact been open to the public.

 

No, they haven't...and I would get used to it because unless it's a f2p game this is how its going to be pretty much across the board from here on out whether you like it or not.

 

Name one game?

Every, I meaN EVERY, YES EVERY game that has released in the last 12+ years that has used the word open beta has in fact been open to anyone who downloads the game.

Lol and no this tactic is a game killer. They have just isolated eveyone that was on the fence, not to mention most casual players. There are to many options out there to commit to a game like Aion.

Not to mention even Console games have demo's before release now...

Didn't I already post this  in this exact same thread once already?  Okay, for the hell of it and a second time:
 

1. AoC

2. Warhammer

3. CO

See what I did there?  I named three! Wheeeee

Wtf are you guys bitching for anyways as of just a half hour ago at least there were still beta keys available on fp.  I mean seriously, if you want to actually get worked up about something why not something like the fact there are those in the industry heavily considering adding rmt features in game far beyonbd what the norm was in the past or something that actually matters.

EDIT - Meh, guess you do have to be a subscriber for those ones so it would cost you $7  Threre'll be more available at some point probably anyways.  Just gotta be patient.  Didn't pay anything for mine - never do.  Although since I went ahead and preordered after trying out the game it's rather moot.

Aoc- had open beta

Warhammer- had open beta

CO- i dont know never followed the game...

LOL who is bitching I dont want to play the game haha

Besides why play open beta when I will never buy the game or invest anytime?

Like I said L2 high rate = more fun then Aion and L@ is 5 years old

Originally posted by ray12k

Originally posted by Wickedjelly

Originally posted by ray12k

Originally posted by Wickedjelly

Originally posted by ray12k

Every other game that has ever released and used the word Open BETA has in fact been open to the public.

 

No, they haven't...and I would get used to it because unless it's a f2p game this is how its going to be pretty much across the board from here on out whether you like it or not.

 

Name one game?

Every, I meaN EVERY, YES EVERY game that has released in the last 12+ years that has used the word open beta has in fact been open to anyone who downloads the game.

Lol and no this tactic is a game killer. They have just isolated eveyone that was on the fence, not to mention most casual players. There are to many options out there to commit to a game like Aion.

Not to mention even Console games have demo's before release now...

Didn't I already post this  in this exact same thread once already?  Okay, for the hell of it and a second time:
 

1. AoC

2. Warhammer

3. CO

See what I did there?  I named three! Wheeeee

Wtf are you guys bitching for anyways as of just a half hour ago at least there were still beta keys available on fp.  I mean seriously, if you want to actually get worked up about something why not something like the fact there are those in the industry heavily considering adding rmt features in game far beyonbd what the norm was in the past or something that actually matters.

EDIT - Meh, guess you do have to be a subscriber for those ones so it would cost you $7  Threre'll be more available at some point probably anyways.  Just gotta be patient.  Didn't pay anything for mine - never do.  Although since I went ahead and preordered after trying out the game it's rather moot.

 

Aoc- had open beta

Warhammer- had open beta

CO- i dont know never followed the game...

LOL who is bitching I dont want to play the game haha

Besides why play open beta when I will never buy the game or invest anytime?

Like I said L2 high rate = more fun then Aion and L@ is 5 years old

You had to have a key and no it was not available to everyone. Know how I know?  Because I was in them and some of my freinds I played with at the time couldn't get keys.  One of them wasn't able to get a key for Warhammer until the ob was almost over so yes like Aion is doing they had open betas and no not anyone that wanted to play could play those games.

...and again I would get used to it regardless what game you want to play because if you think this is a fluke what Aion i.e. NCSoft did then you're going to be real dissappointed from here on out.

But believe whatever you want.

I believe in aliens and ice creeam.
Open Beta has never ment Open as far as I know. Open Beta just means Larger Stress Test. That is all I even thought of it as.
So overall. Get over it.

Originally posted by MrPhire

I believe in aliens and ice creeam.
Open Beta has never ment Open as far as I know. Open Beta just means Larger Stress Test. That is all I even thought of it as.
So overall. Get over it.

Few games have literally been open actually. But as of late it seems to be set so the dedicated (pre-orderes, key campers etc) get in. So far AION, CO, and FE have all had Open betas requiring key. I expect to see this a lot more.

Originally posted by Eben

Originally posted by ray12k

Name one game?

Every, I meaN EVERY, YES EVERY game that has released in the last 12+ years that has used the word open beta has in fact been open to anyone who downloads the game.

Lol and no this tactic is a game killer. They have just isolated eveyone that was on the fence, not to mention most casual players. There are to many options out there to commit to a game like Aion.

Not to mention even Console games have demo's before release now...

 

I love broad, sweeping generalizations.  Did you personally poll everyone that was 'on the fence' about this?  Or are you just talking out your ass, based on what you are going to do?  I'd guess the latter. 

Oh, wait, I forgot, every random forum whiner has their finger on the pulse of the entire gaming community.  What was I thinking.

I don't know about everyone, but I'm on the fence, and between games atm.  There's no way I'm about to go drop $50-60 on this game without a trial (or open beta in which I participate).  If I had the opportunity to try the game for free and make up my mind about it first, then my money might go to Aion.  Otherwise, it most certainly will not.  Open beta doesn't mean "trial", but it's certainly a great time for people to find out where they stand on a game, prior to release, and for free (in most cases) and plenty of times in the past, open betas have truly been open to anyone who would help test.  Perhaps these days with their popularity and hype levels prior to release, they likely can't handle the load of letting everyone in that wants to try, but then realistically they should drop the term "open" because it's still closed unless everyone can test.

On that note, MMOs aren't like console games or single-player PC games that can be returned/exchanged when you're done with them.  You spend your money on them, and that's that.  Another player can't go make a fresh account with your game's ID once it's done.  Sure you could sell your account, but that's a lot of hassle to give a game you might not like a shot.  I doubt that in this economy many people just want to blow that kinda money on something they might not like at all.

Anyway, what's with this position of calling someone a whiner because they want the opportunity to try a product before they buy it?  Speaking of generalizations...

Originally posted by Shiymmas

Anyway, what's with this position of calling someone a whiner because they want the opportunity to try a product before they buy it?  Speaking of generalizations...

I believe what you're referring to is called a 'Trial'.  You know, that thing where they let you try the game before you buy it.  Not sure where this idea came from that a beta was a trial, but it's dumb concept. 

Five pages and the concept still seems to be lost-

Open Beta is still a stress test regardless if the game is launched elsewhere and just being "Westernized." While not necessarily free, game stores usually allow you to purchase a pre-order disc/code for about $5, and in the case of Aion, it would allow you to participate in the Open Beta. Again, it's not free, but it sure beats paying the $50 for the game and then deciding later that you don't like it after a day or two of playing. If you like it, that $5 goes towards the purchase price of the game, making it $45+tax when you purchase.

I bought 2 pre-order keys- one for myself and one for my boyfriend. I've loved the Closed Beta and will be getting the full game come launch. He's not so sure, so at this point it's only $5, which he spends at Jimmy John's everyday for lunch. I make him a sandwich one day, there's the $5 saved and spent for the pre-order. ^_^

Originally posted by Eben

Originally posted by Shiymmas

Anyway, what's with this position of calling someone a whiner because they want the opportunity to try a product before they buy it?  Speaking of generalizations...

 

I believe what you're referring to is called a 'Trial'.  You know, that thing where they let you try the game before you buy it.  Not sure where this idea came from that a beta was a trial, but it's dumb concept. 

Sorry.  Next time I'll make you a special TL;DR, because you clearly didn't bother to read the rest of my post, but merely skipped the the minor portion regarding your statements.  And really, what warrants your being a smartass here in the first place?  Someone piss in your Cheerios this morning?  To quote myself:

"I don't know about everyone, but I'm on the fence, and between games atm. There's no way I'm about to go drop $50-60 on this game without a trial (or open beta in which I participate). If I had the opportunity to try the game for free and make up my mind about it first, then my money might go to Aion. Otherwise, it most certainly will not. Open beta doesn't mean "trial", but it's certainly a great time for people to find out where they stand on a game, prior to release, and for free (in most cases) and plenty of times in the past, open betas have truly been open to anyone who would help test. Perhaps these days with their popularity and hype levels prior to release, they likely can't handle the load of letting everyone in that wants to try, but then realistically they should drop the term "open" because it's still closed unless everyone can test."

Your special TL;DR - "OPEN" when referring to betas has always meant "everyone".  "Closed" has always meant "available to a select few".

To add another thought, players certainly have no right to be upset that they don't get to participate in beta.  However, I've read of no news that Aion has planned to open a trial after their release, and as I thoroughly covered in my previous post, lack of trial will be a deal breaker for some.  This is the only portion of the thread my reply was directed towards.  I don't give a crap if I get in open beta or not, though admittedly it'd be nice to give it a try before the game opened so I'd know whether I want the game or not, and be there on release.

Originally posted by Shiymmas

<<pretentious wall of text snipped>>

 

Want to nerd-rage over the usage of the term 'open', be my guest.  That's your right.  It's my right to think it's stupid.  Want to test it out?  Ask Mommy for an advance on your allowance, or skip your next box of twinkies, and do the $5 preorder.  Certain gamer geeks just look for something, anything, to bitch about, and feel the world needs to read all about it.  Some people just really need a life.  I came here looking for opinions on games, but all I see is ignorant children complaining about the most minute details at every given turn. 

If $50 is going to break someone, then they have more pressing matters than some FOTM MMO with which to be concerned.

Originally posted by Shiymmas

Originally posted by Eben

Originally posted by Shiymmas

Anyway, what's with this position of calling someone a whiner because they want the opportunity to try a product before they buy it?  Speaking of generalizations...

 

I believe what you're referring to is called a 'Trial'.  You know, that thing where they let you try the game before you buy it.  Not sure where this idea came from that a beta was a trial, but it's dumb concept. 

Sorry.  Next time I'll make you a special TL;DR, because you clearly didn't bother to read the rest of my post, but merely skipped the the minor portion regarding your statements.  And really, what warrants your being a smartass here in the first place?  Someone piss in your Cheerios this morning?  To quote myself:

"I don't know about everyone, but I'm on the fence, and between games atm. There's no way I'm about to go drop $50-60 on this game without a trial (or open beta in which I participate). If I had the opportunity to try the game for free and make up my mind about it first, then my money might go to Aion. Otherwise, it most certainly will not. Open beta doesn't mean "trial", but it's certainly a great time for people to find out where they stand on a game, prior to release, and for free (in most cases) and plenty of times in the past, open betas have truly been open to anyone who would help test. Perhaps these days with their popularity and hype levels prior to release, they likely can't handle the load of letting everyone in that wants to try, but then realistically they should drop the term "open" because it's still closed unless everyone can test."

 

Your special TL;DR - "OPEN" when referring to betas has always meant "everyone".  "Closed" has always meant "available to a select few".

 

To add another thought, players certainly have no right to be upset that they don't get to participate in beta.  However, I've read of no news that Aion has planned to open a trial after their release, and as I thoroughly covered in my previous post, lack of trial will be a deal breaker for some.  This is the only portion of the thread my reply was directed towards.  I don't give a crap if I get in open beta or not, though admittedly it'd be nice to give it a try before the game opened so I'd know whether I want the game or not, and be there on release.

Some games are good enough they don't have to offer free trials.  Open Beta =/= free trial. 

If Open Beta=free trial then they would just call open beta a free trial.  I wonder why they don't do that?

To require players to preorder a game to access a (so called) open beta shows insecurity in both your financial position and in your own product. If a company really felt their game being the next big thing they'll never limit numbers in their OB, which obviously (if the game's good) is the best market trick possible.

Sure, it's a path taken by most mmo's lately but that doesn't force NCSoft to follow this trend. Don't forget the fact that most big name games choosing this way last years delivered subpar products and failed noticeable. If Aion's as amazing as people here says it really strikes me as odd that they don't want to lure in as many costumers as possible and show of this great product of theirs. Just saying :).

Originally posted by Eben

Originally posted by Shiymmas

<<pretentious wall of text snipped>>

 

Want to nerd-rage over the usage of the term 'open', be my guest.  That's your right.  It's my right to think it's stupid.  Want to test it out?  Ask Mommy for an advance on your allowance, or skip your next box of twinkies, and do the $5 preorder.  Certain gamer geeks just look for something, anything, to bitch about, and feel the world needs to read all about it.  Some people just really need a life.  I came here looking for opinions on games, but all I see is ignorant children complaining about the most minute details at every given turn. 

If $50 is going to break someone, then they have more pressing matters than some FOTM MMO with which to be concerned.

Yeah, you nailed me... I'm a no-life, nerd-raging pretentious bastard indeed.. says the guy ranting about wasting his time on a forum, then getting upset over the fact that people have complaints and/or issues with the games being discussed here.  You call someone out about "sweeping generalizations" then make your own, holding your little double-standard over others as though you hold all the answers.

Either way, you're more than welcome to check my post count, and review some of my other responses to threads.  I don't post often, and when I do I merely give my opinion on a subject.  The OP here stated, in not so many words, that using the word "open" to describe this portion of Aion's testing is dumb, because it goes against the very definition of what it has meant in the past.  Granted he was out of line in his reasoning, he was correct and I agreed.  I would not have bothered to reply, except that you decided to jump on someone else as though they were somehow less of a person for wanting to TRY the game before buying it *cough*pretentious*cough*, and I decided to attempt to lend some clarification to the topic being discussed.

I'm sorry for use of proper grammar and spelling to the best of my ability, but that's just my nature.  If it makes me pretentious not to talk in all caps and look like a retard via text, then so be it.  Also, I'm terribly sorry that anything longer than a few lines or sentences is too long for you to read, but I really don't like being misunderstood, which is extremely easy on the internet, so I prefer to make sure my position is well-explained.  Excuse me for the off-topic defense, btw.

Back ON topic, I've never, ever pre-ordered a game.  I'm not the type to waste money, whether or not it's a significant amount, on something I'm unsure of.  You say it's $5 to pre-order, that's great.  I would've assumed I had to go $50 out of pocket to do so.  However, I'm not so hyped up about the game as to even bother with that, or the $7 fee to subscribe to FilePlanet.  The reality of it is, I'm not even all that interested in Aion, but if I happen to get a chance to play it for free, I will, and if I happened to like it, outstanding.  Again, my original response here was to help clarify a position I thought was being clearly misinterpreted by some.

Originally posted by boodis

To require players to preorder a game to access a (so called) open beta shows insecurity in both your financial position and in your own product. If a company really felt their game being the next big thing they'll never limit numbers in their OB, which obviously (if the game's good) is the best market trick possible.

Sure, it's a path taken by most mmo's lately but that doesn't force NCSoft to follow this trend. Don't forget the fact that most big name games choosing this way last years delivered subpar products and failed noticeable. If Aion's as amazing as people here says it really strikes me as odd that they don't want to lure in as many costumers as possible and show of this great product of theirs. Just saying :).

Or perhaps they want to limit the number of testers in order to have a more controlled testing environment as opposed to an all out free for all.

Or maybe it's one or more of the many different yet valid and common reasons that a company wouldn't want the test to be open to the masses.

Or maybe it's because they already have as many people as they want signed up for the beta who either pre-ordered it, or obtained one of the MANY keys that different websites are giving away.

Or maybe, unlike your assumption, they are actually very secure and confident in their product that they don't see the need to open the test to everyone, but instead like I said earlier, limit it to a certain number for one of the many valid reasons they might want to do so.

The fact that you assume it's because of their "insecurity" in the quality of the game and in their financial position is plain ignorance on your part seeing as how this game is already extremely successful in other countries and has already gone gold here.

Just a thought.

Originally posted by Shiymmas

To add another thought, players certainly have no right to be upset that they don't get to participate in beta.  However, I've read of no news that Aion has planned to open a trial after their release, and as I thoroughly covered in my previous post, lack of trial will be a deal breaker for some.  This is the only portion of the thread my reply was directed towards.  I don't give a crap if I get in open beta or not, though admittedly it'd be nice to give it a try before the game opened so I'd know whether I want the game or not, and be there on release.

Come on, how many mmorpgs do you know that offer a free trial from the word go when it launches initially?  Of course, eventually they'll have one and if people are willing to wait then they can try it out then if they desire.

Yes, it would be nice if it was done from the start but frankly most of these companies couldn't be bothered when they know they're going to have a decent influx of players least in the beginning.

Originally posted by Wickedjelly

Originally posted by Shiymmas

To add another thought, players certainly have no right to be upset that they don't get to participate in beta.  However, I've read of no news that Aion has planned to open a trial after their release, and as I thoroughly covered in my previous post, lack of trial will be a deal breaker for some.  This is the only portion of the thread my reply was directed towards.  I don't give a crap if I get in open beta or not, though admittedly it'd be nice to give it a try before the game opened so I'd know whether I want the game or not, and be there on release.

 

Come on, how many mmorpgs do you know that offer a free trial from the word go when it launches initially?  Of course, eventually they'll have one and if people are willing to wait then they can try it out then if they desire.

Yes, it would be nice if it was done from the start but frankly most of these companies couldn't be bothered when they know they're going to have a decent influx of players least in the beginning.

TBH, that's where open betas have often filled the gap for most (the very reason this thread began).  Hate to sound like a broken record, but I'm just not going to go out of my way to pre-order or subscribe to FilePlanet (which I almost never use) for a game that I'm just not that interested in from the outside.  The whole point I, and others, have tried to make is that Aion is simply shooting themselves in the foot by handling their beta this way, whatever they want to call it.  I'm personally in a great spot to be picked up as a customer, but they'll simply miss out on my (and I'm sure other's) money right off the bat and for some time after (while server loads stabilize, and issues are worked out - as you pointed out) until they DO offer a free trial.  The whole thing is really just silly with a game that has as much hype as Aion.

Regardless, don't view my points as complaints.  I just came in here because it was on the front page, and won't be losing sleep over Aion.  I still have the right to think they're being ignorant by trying to squeeze a few extra pennies out of their pre-release, when they could make far more on box sales and initial subs from players they allowed to freely enter their beta.

Originally posted by Josexph

Beta is not a trial people. This open beta is to better the game and stress test most new servers. I'm glad they are filtering out the retards that don't want to put forth effort for the game.

A retard filter?! ?   That is the most awesome thing I have ever heard of! Awesome concept! Where can I get one for WOW? Of course if you applied the "Retard Filter" to WOW there might not be anyone left to play. Hmmm I really need to get one of those. If Aion has a retard filter then I'm pre-ordering 3 copies of the game. Wish I had known about that sooner. Woooot I'm in gaming heaven already. Wooot! Sign me up!