Mortal Online Forum » General Discussion » Interesting tidbit about start of a beta

In the recent interview with a Star Trek Online dev about starting the beta:

MMORPG.com: The start of Beta is always tough. Can you tell us what elements you are testing first? 

Craig Zinkievich: We're really focused on the initial gameplay experience for the first few weeks; making sure that the tutorial resonates with new players.

Testing a tutorial would suggest to me as a healthy start for a beta as that would mean that the basic elements of the game is ready to be tested, as it should for a beta.

So a question regarding Mortal Online "Beta": Does it even have a tutorial, with basic game elements, yet?

 Tutorial for a sanbox game?

What exactly should this tutorial include mate? :D

There has been a quick guide for new players from the start explaining controls and other basic stuff. 

Originally posted by Yamota

In the recent interview with a Star Trek Online dev about starting the beta:

 

MMORPG.com: The start of Beta is always tough. Can you tell us what elements you are testing first? 

Craig Zinkievich: We're really focused on the initial gameplay experience for the first few weeks; making sure that the tutorial resonates with new players.

 

Testing a tutorial would suggest to me as a healthy start for a beta as that would mean that the basic elements of the game is ready to be tested, as it should for a beta.

So a question regarding Mortal Online "Beta": Does it even have a tutorial, with basic game elements, yet?

Simple answer is no. Can't tell you what the long answer is. I just hope the game comes with an instruction manual and gets built in macro options.

Originally posted by adrala

 Tutorial for a sanbox game?

What exactly should this tutorial include mate? :D

There has been a quick guide for new players from the start explaining controls and other basic stuff. 

Eve had one of the most extensive tutorials I have seen, and it very much a sandbox game. I would say if the game is complicated then it will have a tutorial of some kind, and starting areas are made to slowly introduce game elements.

Originally posted by BloodDuality

Originally posted by adrala

 Tutorial for a sanbox game?

What exactly should this tutorial include mate? :D

There has been a quick guide for new players from the start explaining controls and other basic stuff. 

 

Eve had one of the most extensive tutorials I have seen, and it very much a sandbox game. I would say if the game is complicated then it will have a tutorial of some kind, and starting areas are made to slowly introduce game elements.

Sandbox design does not equal complicated game. 

See Darkfall.

Originally posted by Yamota

In the recent interview with a Star Trek Online dev about starting the beta:

 

MMORPG.com: The start of Beta is always tough. Can you tell us what elements you are testing first? 

Craig Zinkievich: We're really focused on the initial gameplay experience for the first few weeks; making sure that the tutorial resonates with new players.

 

Testing a tutorial would suggest to me as a healthy start for a beta as that would mean that the basic elements of the game is ready to be tested, as it should for a beta.

So a question regarding Mortal Online "Beta": Does it even have a tutorial, with basic game elements, yet?

 I actually first it's a negative that they want you to test a tutorial - it's be core aspects of the game that should see a lot of player feedback. If the first thing you give testers is the tutorial, that tells me you already decided what you're going to do and how, and are now releasing a glorified stress test/trial version.

Originally posted by BadMedicine

Originally posted by Yamota

In the recent interview with a Star Trek Online dev about starting the beta:

 

MMORPG.com: The start of Beta is always tough. Can you tell us what elements you are testing first? 

Craig Zinkievich: We're really focused on the initial gameplay experience for the first few weeks; making sure that the tutorial resonates with new players.

 

Testing a tutorial would suggest to me as a healthy start for a beta as that would mean that the basic elements of the game is ready to be tested, as it should for a beta.

So a question regarding Mortal Online "Beta": Does it even have a tutorial, with basic game elements, yet?

 

 I actually first it's a negative that they want you to test a tutorial - it's be core aspects of the game that should see a lot of player feedback. If the first thing you give testers is the tutorial, that tells me you already decided what you're going to do and how, and are now releasing a glorified stress test/trial version.

Wow, what a concept, the developers let you test a game that they the developers have made core game/engine decisions on years ago? Who woulda thunk it?

The last thing devs need is a bunch of emo pre-pubescent armchair game designers telling them how to create a game and what core ideas should be in it.

If you really think that most beta testers are so well versed in game design then get some funding and hire a bunch of them to create a game for you.

HINT: It will faill worse then Deceit-n-LIe and Dorkfail.

 In its current state MO doesnt really need a tutorial.

I really dont think a tutorial should be included in such early stages of testing the core features.

Things change so many times that very soon the tutorial you haveinvested certain time to develop would become obsolete.

The thing I guess is that MO´s developers really ARE TESTING their game unlike other compnaies that release a ready client for just stress testing. Its just 2 different forms of developing a game...there is no point comparing them.

. 

EVE has an automated basic tutorial, which is needed to start. The others are optional as that's a sandbox and maybe you don't need them as you will do different things than the tutorials are teaching to.

It'd be interesting having such optional tutorials, as a wide range of things can be made in MO. Anyways the game is going to be evolving to a more complex game so you have to change the tutorials too.

I prefer a little handbook to start letting me stand on my own feet.

Originally posted by Kyleran

Originally posted by BloodDuality

Originally posted by adrala

 Tutorial for a sanbox game?

What exactly should this tutorial include mate? :D

There has been a quick guide for new players from the start explaining controls and other basic stuff. 

 

Eve had one of the most extensive tutorials I have seen, and it very much a sandbox game. I would say if the game is complicated then it will have a tutorial of some kind, and starting areas are made to slowly introduce game elements.

 

Sandbox design does not equal complicated game. 

See Darkfall.

 

truth, darkfall is very very straight-forward and easy to understand

Umm this is the game and guy making Star Trek Online. No Mortal whatever.

Someone posted in wrong forum or something.