The Current Beta Test Workflow

[BetaTestAdmin]

Hello everyone,

Since betatests.net is currently offline, a request was made for a basic re-cap of beta tests, how they work, and a timeline of launch dates for upcoming betas. Unfortunately, due to the nature of beta tests and development in general, it's next to impossible to give exact launch dates for the beta test until we are within a week or so of the commencement. Announcements generally go out early so we can have adequate time to collect sign-ups.

As far as betatests.net, there is going to be some restructuring invloved with the site, so it is actually waiting on "other" work before it can be completed. For those of you who are not familiar with the betatests.net site, it was basically a massive database of registered beta tester pools. We used it to create, announce, and manage beta tests. That's all I can really say about it.

I can tell you this though, we have alot of beta tests coming up so keep an eye out.

Right now, without betatests.net, this is how beta tests are being managed:

- The decision is made to run a beta test for a given game.
- We work out all the details, i.e. number of beta testers, length of beta test, etc...
- We get to work on announcing the beta test and creating a sign-up location.
- Once the announcement and sign-up forms are complete, we announce and start collecting sign-ups.
- Once QA receives/approves the code to be beta tested, we select our beta test participants and send an email to all selected beta testers.
- We host the build for download and launch!

There are a bunch of other things that happen too, but these are the main items.

In regards to the other betas that Atari has run, here is a list of some of the beta tests that we have done:

Completed beta tests:

- Horizons
- Sid Meier's Pirates!
- Dragonshard
- RCT3 Soaked!
- RCT3 Wild!
- Act of War: High Treason
- TimeShift
- D&D Online
- Test Drive Unlimited (PS2 Online)
- Neverwinter Nights 2 Multiplayer Beta Test
- Neverwinter Nights 2 Toolset Beta Test

Confirmed Upcoming Beta Tests:
- betatests.net (no joke :D)
- Test Drive Unlimited PC Beta - www.fileplanet.com

Mystery beta tests (unconfirmed):
- ???

Hope this helps those of you that had questions about how all this works at the current time without having the betatests.net site to help manage.

Let me know if you have any questions :)

[Dark Scythe]

I have a question. What is considered a "mystery" test, what happened to Scrabble Online, and I thought DDO was exclusively from Turbine and not Atari (even though Atari signed its name on it).

[BetaTestAdmin]

The "Mystery" test are the ones I haven't announced yet :)

And yes, we did the DDO beta as well as published the game.

[bowler4ever]

Um, when can we start betatesting the beta site? When can we sign up for that?

[BetaTestAdmin]

Haven't decided on a date for that. I'll know more once I get some more solid info on what's happening with it.

[driv3r_madness]

:) Nice to see more progress.
BTA has treated us with an update, so more breaking his neck. :)

[MarvinTM]

Thanks for the update BTA

[driv3r_madness]

:) Nice to see more progress.
BTA has treated us with an update, so more breaking his neck. :)

Opps sorry about that booboo i'll fix it

:) Nice to see more progress.
BTA has treated us with an update, so no more breaking his neck. :)

[Bruxail]

Nice to see an update. I was wondering what happened to the site.

[Flanagan]

:160: :160: :160: Where are the announcements of new beta tests made and where do the application forms get completed and sent in? With the Betatests.net offline I have not been able to keep up with application to beta test. In fact I did not know that there was any beta testing going on after the betastes.net went down.:mefiant15: :hitting-self: :reading: :jump: :gaga: :specialdriver: :eek2:

[BetaTestAdmin]

We'll announce all beta tests on the forums.

The announcement will also usually populate throughout the interweb rather quickly.

There will be a link to where you can sign up on the actual announcement itself.

[Flanagan]

Thanks. I will check in now and then for new developments.

Regarding new game development here are some guys that look like they really need some professional help.

http://www.botfii.armadafleetcommand.com/index.php

[tyeman64]

great

[Salty99@comcast]

Will betatests.net be up and running soon?

[cassius1983]

Do you need a forum moderator? :p :bulb:

[Dark Scythe]

Will betatests.net be up and running soon?

http://www.ataricommunity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=505377

[Dark Scythe]

hmmm I suppose that's a bad reference since the Different Strokes tangeant....

[trickcoyote]

These ******** are trying to charge $12 a year for a beta test list....what a rip. :eek:

http://www.beta-testers.com/betauser.htm

[BetaTestAdmin]

Added the Neverwinter Nights 2 betas to the list ;)

[Agamemnus]

.... the one where you pay $12?..... :eek:

[tannman]

do you post to betawatcher.com?

[Ediseye]

Hello.

Please...let the mysterious one...let it be...Deer Hunter 2007! Please Atari!!!

The other one that would be nice is Unreal Tournament 2007.

But, please, Deer Hunter 2007. That, would make my year.

Thank you.

[driv3r_madness]

wasn't Unreal Tournament selled off to epic games?

[KoE_Dae'Loki]

The "Mystery" test are the ones I haven't announced yet :)

And yes, we did the DDO beta as well as published the game.



I remember doing the DDO: Stormreach Beta, was a fun event.

[KoE_Dae'Loki]

wasn't Unreal Tournament selled off to epic games?


And, if I am not mistaken Epic Games is now part of Electronics Arts, and EA is who distributes Unreal also.

[LegendKiller]

I have a question about Beta testing TDU Pc I am new here & I was wondering will there be an open server at any point & also what is an
Atari VIP??

[BetaTestAdmin]

I have a question about Beta testing TDU Pc I am new here & I was wondering will there be an open server at any point & also what is an
Atari VIP??

That is the terminology used by IGN/Fileplanet for someone that has received a special pass to participate in the TDU PC beta without being a registered fileplanet subscriber. :)

Please send me an email to betatestadmin@atari.com

[Martijnph]

Is there any way to still participate in the TDU PC beta without having to register at fileplanet?

[[BFs]GBesaw]

Email BTA with your request, but at this time, it may not be possible.

[Martijnph]

Thanks a lot for your help & reply!

[mprtoledo]

I like the new Monopoly beta...but it's still not working quite properly yet. There seems to be a delay in-between turns and tokens will not load. Please fix this. In fact, the major problem is this: The "Park Place" room will not load. Thanks. Mike

[purenergy]

Any idea when you may be able to test the new Flashback 2 PORTABLE?

A good market of classic gamers are awaiting, ready to purchase this fine product.
Thanks.

[tom'nstef]

I have a question all I have is a PS3 are there any games to beta test for it?

[bashley]

I don't think anything is going on right now for the PS3. Keep checking back for updates b/c there are times when there is a game in testing for the consoles.

[swedesrock]

Can someone please tell me how this "tracking" thing works in regards to ALL the quitters?? Though it makes it a "little" easier to swallow knowing they lose a small amount of points, it is still very much a "Drag" when your playing a game of triple yahtzee (about 1/2 hour or so to do) and these buggers quit on the last shake when they know they've lost!!! What, if any, is their punishment??

[fizzkid2000]

hey hey :)
fizz from the eu forums here just sticking my name in on the possibility of beta-ing test drive unlimited 2 on 360 and/or ps3.
with nearly 2000hrs logged on the original 360 version and over 1,000 posts on the eu forum surely my feedback would be worth considering :)
fingers crossed...

[bashley]

Stopping by to check in since it's been months since I've been here. Doesn't look like much is going on these days in Q/A land. Well maybe soon in the future something will come around.

Shout-out to BetaTestAdmin *high five*

[[BFs]GBesaw]

Aye bashley -- Nothing beta-wise happening ATM.

[SHARKMEAT]

Well Panzers Cod War is finally being relized, I been waitting a long time with stormregion that made Rush To Berlin and Rush For The Bomb Both where winners, I just hope that Panzers Cold War dosen't let me down...CHEERS

BTW: Think's ATARI for picking up on this Cold War I'm sure you will have a winner...Good Luck Atari.

PS: For the ones that installs the Beta Panzers Cold War Use this Path and click on ICON to Install the Beta Key Code then make a short cut once it's been taken then click "CPCW.EXE" to play the game...Took me awhile to figure out, But you maybe you smarter than I was to get to the exe for the game to work... LOL.....CHEERS

[birladmum]

I accept: In regards to the other betas that Atari has run, here is a list of some of the beta tests that we have done:

Completed beta tests:

- Horizons
- Sid Meier's Pirates!
- Dragonshard
- RCT3 Soaked!
- RCT3 Wild!
- Act of War: High Treason
- TimeShift
- D&D Online
- Test Drive Unlimited (PS2 Online)
- Neverwinter Nights 2 Multiplayer Beta Test
- Neverwinter Nights 2 Toolset Beta Test

Confirmed Upcoming Beta Tests:
- betatests.net .
- Test Drive Unlimited PC Beta

Mystery beta tests (unconfirmed):
Hope this helps those of you that had questions about how all this works at the current time without having the betatests.net site to help manage.

[[BFs]GBesaw]

Welcome birladmum .. not a complete beta list, missing a few. And, the upcoming betas listed have been completed.