Matrix Games looking for Beta Testers

[SgtRock]

Beta testing for the following games

http://matrixgames.com/beta/

- Mark H. Walker's Lock 'n Load: Heroes of Stalingrad

- Piercing Fortress Europa

- Flashpoint Campaigns: Red Storm

- Conflict of Heroes: Storms of Steel

- Command: Modern Air/Naval Operations

[jomni]

So many games that I want to test.  LnL, Command, Flash point.
I signed up for LnL so far.

[JudgeDredd]

I know from previous experience that
a) I don't have the stamina to keep going
b) I kind of end up not really enjoying the game on release because I "see" the mechanics beneath - and for me it kind of takes away the magic of gaming

But - if I was going to it would be in this order
a) LnL Heroes of Stalingrad (maybe I should do this as I am already aware of the ruleset)
b) Flashpoint Campaigns:Red Storm
c) Command:Modern Air/Naval Operations

[Toonces]

My choice would be b, c, a of Judge's list.

[jomni]

They do give you a beta tester discount once released.  But maybe you're too burned out to consider playing it again. Lol.

[undercovergeek]

i imagine Command will be a b****** to beta

[MikeGER]

They do give you a beta tester discount once released.  But maybe you're too burned out to consider playing it again. Lol.

IIRC the discount is 100%  ;)

its always a balance between 'seeing it unready', and marble at it NOW and play it as often as the time allows it NOW, or waiting a long long time for the release and enjoy the bug-free/balanced version.   ....and play it as often as the time allows it Then ;)

also take into account that you help shape the game which gives a warm feeling of accomplishment in its own, when an idea or comment make it into the game. 

why does all those interesting betas always have to be in lovely spring/summer  ... i would have much more time to dedicate to the projects in late autumn / winter     

JD its much less stamina needed  then for your extraordinary good AARs with pictures and such
... well its not haptic and i know you like the haptic board game component of wargaming a lot 

[GDS_Starfury]

also take into account that you help shape the game which gives a warm feeling of accomplishment in its own, when an idea or comment make it into the game. 

^^^ GFT 

[agathosdaimon]

could be interesting to do but i wouldnt have the time Flashpoint, Command, Conflict and Piercing Fortress Europa all interest me. I attempted to register yesterday for Piercing fortress Europa but it saying for me invalid forum login details, even though i entered in everything i enter for logging in to the forums. Maybe its a special beta testers forum.

Never mind, i am probably far too merciful to be a beta tester, when really they need people i imagine who would test the game to the limit and hopefully ensure that games arent too easily ruined with gamey tactics and or poor ai.

[Nefaro]

They do give you a beta tester discount once released.  But maybe you're too burned out to consider playing it again. Lol.

Last I checked, Matrix will send you a free physical copy on release if you have stuck to it. 

The trick is trying to guess which ones you can stay with and which you won't.  I've had some luck in the past, but my last one just couldn't hold my attention for the extensive beta period.  That was the first time I had to duck out gracefully and it's made me more wary of testing in the future, despite having had great experiences doing so with the Matrix crew. 

IMO, if you're gonna beta test.. it doesn't get much better than doing it for Matrix.  The few other devs/publishers I've tested for just didn't compare to the ease, openness, and friendliness.  :D

I'd really like to help test Command but I have so many games I've not even touched and I'm so damn scattered as it is these days that someone else would likely be more thorough at this time.   :-\

[SgtRock]

I have to agree, beta testing can really take the fun out of a game.

[MengJiao]

i imagine Command will be a b****** to beta

  I applied to test it.  I guess we will see.

[Rayfer]

Can anyone give me some insight into what sort of committment this is? I'm retired now and have the time, and I am a long time wargammer with many Matrix titles, although I don't do multi-player, not even pbem.  But what would I am be getting myself into? I've never done anything like this before so I really don't know and so I wonder if I am up to the task. 

[GJK]

You would send a request to become a beta tester to Matrix.  Karlis from Matrix will respond and if accepted, he will send you an NDA that you can print and fax back or what I do is convert the pdf to MS Word and then just type in my info.  In either case, once he's gotten the NDA back, they will open up the private beta tester's forum for whichever game you're helping to test.  In that forum will be instructions for using FTP to download the game and any other files as needed.  You will also receive a license number from Karlis for your copy of the game.

The testing process can be as regimented as you want or as lax as you want.  Matrix isn't going to send you an email or call your house asking why you aren't keeping up with the testing.  You basically just play the game in whatever mode you choose (solo, pbem, etc) and if the game hiccups or you have some suggestions, then you take a screenshot and/or copy the crash log and then post it to that private development area of the forums. 

When you test a game that you really enjoy, it's a fun thing as you're talking to the game's developer/coder and what you do or say could wind up in the game.  Frank Hunter (Piercing Fortress Europe) is great to test for as he's very active on the forums and will explain how the game works and why he's coded things the way he did. 

If you have the time and an interest in a particular title, then I'd suggest you give it a try.

[Rayfer]

Thanks GJK...coincidentally, 'Piercing Fortress Europe' is the game I was interested in.