Single Player Beta Testing Team Project

[planetphillip]

As today's mods become more and more professional in their output so to do the processes used to create them.* One of these processes is beta testing.* Whilst many of the larger mods use their in-house team other smaller mods require testers, usually friends are called upon.*

I propose the creation of an independent specialist Single Player FPS beta testing team.* Its aim is to bring objective analysis to a mod or map.*

This project is in the consultation stage and I am actively looking for a dedicated person to take the concept to the next level and start work on making it a reality.*

For more information please visit:
Beta Testing Team Project Description

 

[Solaris]

GTFO

Moderately.

 

[planetphillip]

I see no reason to be rude.

 

[Solaris]

I apologise, it's just frowned upoun to join a community, with the sole intention of promoting yourself, and posting in the wrong place on top of that.

Expect Gay Bondage....I mean banage....... ahem........

 

[DreamThrall]

Phil, this idea seems a little misguided. All of this professional testing is what QA is for. For Beta testing of any piece of software, you WANT actual users, not professionals. If a mod is interested in such a high level of professionalism, they will have their own QA team. If you're planning on charging for this service, mods that don't have their own QA won't want to spend money on it because they won't have a budget.

 

[hungryduck]

this way, mod authors work can be leaked and stolen more easily. hooray!

 

[DreamThrall]

this way, mod authors work can be leaked and stolen more easily. hooray!

If people are volunteering to do this, you can expect that to happen, too.

 

[planetphillip]

I apologise, it's just frowned upoun to join a community, with the sole intention of promoting yourself, and posting in the wrong place on top of that.

Well, I understand your point about joining a community with the sole purpose of promoting yourself or a mod you are involved with. But everybody has to make their first post. It is just unfortunate that it happened to be pimping something.

I normally stick to forums that are Single-Player dedicated, so this one is new to me. Regarding you second point I apologise for posting in the wrong forum but I honestly couldn't find a better one. I didn't feel it was appropriate to post in the HL2 forums because the idea is not limited to HL2. The same applies to the Source games and editing section. That just left Third party mods or the Lounge.


DreamThrall,
I think you misunderstand (or I didn't explain myself clearly!). I use the word professionalism not professional. I am simply trying to express the idea that the beta testing should be taken seriously. The quality of modelling, mapping and coding easily matches the output of full retails games, but do the other aspects of mod making? Maybe, but it wouldn't hurt if a professional approach is taken to everything. All the users would be normal game players of varying skills and backgrounds.

Hungryduck and DreamThrall,
This is certainly a possibility and I have spent a while thinking about some solutions. I have a few ideas about how to minimise the risks involved.

 

[baron insig]

put the idea to some mods, independant testing on a effecitve, and easy to communicate scale, woudl surely be a better option as it woudl free more time to dev.

you woudlnt have to be payed, it coudl jsut be a free time thing. its an advantage being able to beta test a mod, most hihg level mods are very selecitve. bing able to play it before everyone else would be payment enough imho

 

[planetphillip]

If you're planning on charging for this service, mods that don't have their own QA won't want to spend money on it because they won't have a budget.

No plans to charge, unless the mod in question is planning to go retail. It would simply be a good thing to do. Also those involved could use it as a stepping stone to other things, perhaps beta testing for retail games.

 

[hungryduck]

as far as the leaking thing goes.....this is why most mods keep the testing in house. Someone who has put hours of blood sweat and tears into a project is less likely to throw all that away and leak valuable content.......a random 17 year old who agrees to test the game becuase he thinks its cool, and in the end provides no real help, is much more of a liability for this kind of thing...........

You do have a interesting idea though.