I voted August. Since we know for sure Alpha has started, that typically means all features are code complete and implemented. For testing geeks out there, I would call this the system test and scale test phase of the test cycle, which in itself is good news!
Now in my experience, this phase of testing is extremely intense. Lots of bugs, long hours fixing said bugs and pumping new builds, diet coke, high fives, raised voices, programmers remembering they forgot to sort out the data structure in an old stub procedure, more high fives, strokes of genius, strokes of idiocy, strokes of genius to undo strokes of idiocy, testers chasing holy grail crashes that happen once and never again, more diet coke, sweat, anger, joy, pain, fear, love... and then silence. The sweet sweet silence of going gold.
All in all, 3 months in Alpha, which would take us to Aug 1, is quite a long time. When you consider they've been iterating and doing unit/feature/dev/sanity/regression testing since the beginning, it's likely they have a very stable start point for Alpha. At the same time, if they hit major problems that require substantial re-writes, 3 months will go by reaaaaaaal fast..
The complexity level of defects at this stage goes up, and thus they're harder to find, reproduce and fix. Scale issues sometimes require low-level architecture re-writes, which are extremely painful. But Bliz knows their stuff, I envision a Beta start announcement in July, Beta start date mid August..
Here's hoping..
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- Sys32
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Feb 15, 20112
AcidReign posted a message on The First 24 Hours After the Release of Diablo IIIAlright.Posted in: Diablo III General Discussion
I got the Collectors Edition of Diablo III pre-ordered - and it's a must to get it at midnight. Gamestop in the local mall sounds fair enough. Price doesn't matter. I've only been waiting FOREVER. I'll stop in about an hour early - should give me time to chat with the local nerds. Maybe get some numbers (Battle.net ID's).
Then, I'll make my significant other drive back home - so I can undo the glory of the Collectors Edition in the car. Once I get home, I will sit down in my leather computer chair, but not after I change into some pajama pants and a t-shirt. The shades will be set to block all forms of light. My chips, soda, and urine jar will be place atop my fresh week-old computer desk - meant for the christening of Diablo III. All doors will be closed and locked. The temperature will be a comfortable 74 degrees. The only light in my room will be coming from my computer monitor, which will be showing the install screen, and should give perfect lighting so I can geek all over the Collectors Edition goodies.
Alright, install is over. Time to throw the goodies onto the floor. Enter Battle.net. Choose character. Hmmm. OMG I haven't thought of I character I wanted. Pffft - of course I have, Witch Doctor it is. Name? Lazcerayt. Sounds good.
Alright... Choose game... Set password. Yeah that's right. NO ONE is getting into my game. It's time to have my way with you, you little Devil...
- 24 hours later -
Wow. My build is terrible. Maybe I should sleep and get over it. I'll play more in a few hours. No. Time to start my Demon Hunter. Nokzen. Got it. Lets go.
- 12 hours later -
Alright, pretty fucking awesome. But I need some sleep.
- 3 hours later -
Alright, restocked on chips and soda. Lets go.
- 48 hours later -
Time for work. UGH. Now my thoughts of Diablo III will fill my head, much like Diablo II filled my head in high school.
- 12 years later -
WHERE IS THE DIABLO IV BETA?!?!?! -
Feb 15, 20112
Dolaiim posted a message on The First 24 Hours After the Release of Diablo IIIMidnight release get the box. Out of my way freaking NERDS. Drive home, fast. Hit pedestrians in my way, mortally wounding or killing them. Don't worry, their families will one day understand God's great plan. Screeching halt in driveway, robbing at least one cat of its life. Run past/through girlfriend as if she does not even exist. Attach catheter and colostomy bag. Kick off install. Mountain Dew? Check. Trail mix, beef jerky, dried fruit? Check. Gallons of water? Check. YES I AGREE TO YOUR TERMS OF USE BLIZZARD GO!!!!! Double click. Splash screen. Jizz. Cinematic. Jizz. Choose Monk name him gogogogo enter game world for the first time. Jizz.Posted in: Diablo III General Discussion
Wake months later. Job? Lost. Girlfriend? Gone. Eviction notice? Posted. Care? Don't. Move in with mom citing critical emotional fragility continue living on her dime playing every inch of the game until years later my heart pushes one last gasp of blood through my old, tired veins and die the happiest man that ever lived.
In all seriousness though, I'm gonna take a week off work and mostly just play D3. I'll be rolling monk first even though it's a big ask not to have a Barb as my main. Like others I wanna focus on the story and follow lore. Unturn all stones. Document my progress in a blog. I want to carefully consider all skill/trait allocations. I don't want to rush content, although I'm sure at times it's gonna be tough to restrain myself. -
Dec 23, 20101
ScyberDragon posted a message on Does Diablo 3 have a pause button?Save and exit is an exploitable tactic for HC mode. It is pointless to come up with a flawless system when there is already a way to expolit it. The point is to minimize problems for real DC issues without leaving too much room for exploiting.Posted in: Diablo III General Discussion -
Dec 23, 2010
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ScyberDragon posted a message on Does Diablo 3 have a pause button?I'm pretty sure they could program it so that when you get DC'd, your character remains where it is but is invulnerable until you log back on. That way people can't exploit it to get out of a bad situation and others won't be punished by when it happens on accident.Posted in: Diablo III General Discussion -
Dec 21, 20102
DesmondTiny posted a message on PvP VidPvP videoPosted in: Diablo III General Discussion
Anyone see this vid yet? Prerty cool PvP vid. If someone already posted this you can deleete this thread. I searched but idk :'( Hope you enjoy though if its somethin you never seen before
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I am not a member of F&F. I opted in. I saw this thread, checked my b.net account, and saw that I was flagged for the D3 beta.
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A few minutes ago I noticed that the Blizzcon 2010 site has "New Custom Maps Revealed" listed under Diablo 3 Panel recaps. Is this a mistake? Was it was supposed to go under the Starcraft 2 panel recap?
I can't really see Diablo 3 with custom maps (not including 3rd party mods) as it would detract from the story and atmosphere.
Link to the site: Blizzcon 2010
Look under Panel Recaps.