Alpha tester warning

from Stardock Forums
When the beta goes out, we're going to be culling the group that receives early builds to focus on the people who we know are playing the game and providing feedback. So if a player's score isn't appearing in the metaverse by the end of this week, we'll be probably removing that player from the list of people who get early builds so make room for other players who are willing to play the game heavily and provide a lot of feedback.

These players will be given early builds of new betas after the beta comes out to let us know if we've messed something up with a new feature and provide other feedback on it.
546 views 17 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
As one of the people who will be culled. I just wanted to say that this sounds like a good plan for Stardock. If I had the time, the possibility of being removed would motivate me to play more, and report more.

Frank Fujita
aka Fuji Fun 4 Free
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
I hope you find the bug that prevents some of the users to subit scores to the metaverse. At least one dont see the submit-screen at all.

And while discussing the metaverse submit procedure, I hope you add a queue or something for the people that arent constantly connected to the internet. So they can submit one game or a few, later on. Perhaps a new option at the screen where you can start a new game or load a saved, there could be an entry called "Submit to Metaverse" or something. But I guess you already have a plan for handling that.
Curtains - Customize Windows with additional styles
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Yes please fix the lack of submit screen. I've finished two games recently and never seen a submit screen. I get the screen at the end with the score board and the different scores by Military, Economic etc but thats it. After that it goes back to the start menu, Start New, Restore Last, Load Saved.

Does a firewall make a difference? Is there some process that makes a call into the players machine for the test to see if you're on the internet? Just a thought.

Thanks,
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Will look into that. I'm not part of that part of the code so I'll hav eto ask. Of course, anyone who's making posts and providing feedback is someone we want to get early builds.
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
Just for kicks I disabled my personal firewall, (BlackIce) and restored last civ from last night. Low and behold there was the submit screen. Not my best result but I'm on the score board.
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
Ouch. As I am cramed at work this week, I doubt I will be able to play much until middle of next week. Construction season is here.....

As I usually use the office computer at lunch and stuff, and I have no way of disabling the servers firewall, I have to wonder if I'll ever get on the metaverse. Oh well, in the next week and a half my home computer should be fixed and perhaps I can spend half a weekend testing it there.

I do understand if you have to cut me. Just hope that you don't.
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
Rich,
as Brad said..
"Of course, anyone who's making posts and providing feedback is someone we want to get early builds."
So I suppose that e-mail feedbacks is enough.
Not everybody has an OPEN internet connection handy...
;)
Gherardo
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
OUCH, so I guess getting sent outta town for 6 weeks has killed me.. since I can't even see the alpha on the drengin.net (which I had to reload)

Oh well.
if your interested so am I.. I'm BACK! :D
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
We'll try our best to get the submit screen popup code to work its way around firewalls by this thursdays' build. Also, expect to see some new content in the way of improved domestic policy screens! :D
Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top
Not wanting to get left out since I have never tried the send my scores in. I tried it. Thanks alot, it locked my pc up so tight that I had to power off to get it back running. Needles to say I will not try that again. If it gets fixed in the next drop, I will try it again :VOMIT:
Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top
pay to play the alpha and beta and then end up getting knocked out of line I feel for all of you (:(
Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top
John Sherrill, Did I miss something or is the whole point of being part of the Alpha test is that you are prepared for lock ups, crashes etc. Saying you won't try something again is more likely to get you kicked out of the alpha testing than anything else.

If you have a personal firewall then you need to disable it from what I've found to enable the submit process to work.

Cheers,
Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top
Silvarea: I dont mind at all, Im in it for beeing able to tell the designers how I want to play the game. For me it's a win situation no matter what. I loved the old OS/2 version and have OS/2 installed just about only for GalCiv. I love this game, I knew that before I signed up for drengin.
Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top
While I don't like it when my computer locks up completely I understand that can happen with a alpha. However I don't think it is not in the spirit of the alpha to avoid doing something that crashes your computer. When the next drop comes I will try it again hoping it is fixed.
Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top
Spirt of the Alpha?
That is the entire point of having an ALPHA/BETA
your job.. so to speak is to FIND errors not avoid them.
Tehn try to recreate them, and try to decern the reason for the crash/error, then report your findings. If your only interested in playing the game for game play.. well first it has to run smooth before any of that can be addressed in a reasonable way. Adding features and more complex items before all the others are fixed is a TOTAL WASTE of time. You will not be able to find the bugs and fix them as quick or as easy. Like Alpha 1.. was a pile of JUNK.. but it wasd only intended to see how the main engine worked on computers and to check for video errors and the like... TOTALLY unplayable.. many lock-ups.
If your NOT interested in REAL testing (lock-ups included) I would suggest you remove your name from the list, and let REAL people that want to TRY to BREAK the game play it. That's what is really needed. :VOMIT:
Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top
John, I'm not sure you realize what an alpha is. Even our "Beta" is really more of an alpha since we're still adding a lot of features.

Lockups and crashes are not only likely to happen but to be expected.
Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top
I do realize what an alpha is. I expect lock ups and crashes. And have put up with many and have attempted to describe them in the forum and have keep playing. Sorry I just lost my cool a little when it was posted that we could be dropped from the alpha if we didn't post our scores to the metaverse and the first time I tried it killed my system. I am sorry that I spoke out of my frustation at the moment. Apology accepted I hope. :)