I'm not sure if this is common knowledge or not, if it is then sorry
As of last week the game entered the "company wide alpha" phase. What that means is everyone at the company, including those not on the D3 team, are able to play the current alpha build of the game from their homes. Of course they are all currently under NDA, so there won't be any gameplay popping up (unless someone wants to risk their job).
What does this mean for how far away closed beta is? Your guess is as good as mine.
"Of course they are all currently under NDA, so there won't be any gameplay popping up (unless someone wants to risk their job)."
This is a 100% career ender. So ya pretty much no footage unless someone is crazy enough to put it out there. Those contract agreements are no joke. You will get blacklisted in the industry.
Not sure how you know this but either way I would expect the beta to start shortly after Blizzcon, probably first or second week of December. Just my own speculation
"Of course they are all currently under NDA, so there won't be any gameplay popping up (unless someone wants to risk their job)."
This is a 100% career ender. So ya pretty much no footage unless someone is crazy enough to put it out there. Those contract agreements are no joke. You will get blacklisted in the industry.
Not just fired. Some of those NDA's come with criminal charges, so yea, no vids =P
Not sure how you know this but either way I would expect the beta to start shortly after Blizzcon, probably first or second week of December. Just my own speculation
I'm also curious OP, are you just guessing because files were loaded to the PTR (and thus the datamined info) ? Or were you actually told by someone who is in it?
To answer your question; At least a month. It'd be an awesome hype play if they announced a closed beta start at Blizzcon. My prediction is the end of November. Now whether that's RoS beta, or loot 2.0 beta, no idea.
Now whether that's RoS beta, or loot 2.0 beta, no idea.
I *sincerely* doubt they'll test them separately. They've got experience doing this with WoW and they can use it here. In WoW the expansion and pre-patch are, for all intents and purposes, the same patch and are beta tested together. It saves a LOT of time since the pre-patch stuff is, more or less, all the stuff from the expansion that they're "giving to everyone" because it wouldn't make sense not to.
I would be shocked if they didn't apply this same procedure here, since it seems that's how they're approaching it philosophically and it would make sense to draw on experience in the company that has been proven to work in the past.
I'm also curious OP, are you just guessing because files were loaded to the PTR (and thus the datamined info) ? Or were you actually told by someone who is in it?
That would be door #2. I'm a little surprised if I'm the first person to point this out, since it has been company wide for a week.
I guess when I think about it, they probably don't want to be bombarded by their friends with annoying questions about it. So most of them probably don't even tell their friends.
I expect a RoS closed Beta right after Blizzcon, They will do exactly as they did with D3, give away 1000 keys to some lucky Blizzcon winners, and it will start like a week later.
I also expect the next WoW expansion announced as well an early beta for that since they are already running behind.
I expect a RoS closed Beta right after Blizzcon, They will do exactly as they did with D3, give away 1000 keys to some lucky Blizzcon winners, and it will start like a week later.
If they do a beta, I also expect it after Blizzcon.
I don't see much of a point for a RoS beta (like content-wise there's not much they can show without hugely spoiling things), but more for the 2.0 changes (loot, etc.)
I expect a RoS closed Beta right after Blizzcon, They will do exactly as they did with D3, give away 1000 keys to some lucky Blizzcon winners, and it will start like a week later.
If they do a beta, I also expect it after Blizzcon.
I don't see much of a point for a RoS beta (like content-wise there's not much they can show without hugely spoiling things), but more for the 2.0 changes (loot, etc.)
Well, to be fair, the D3 beta was only up to the Skeleton King, and I still put in like 60+ hrs on that, maybe more, it spoiled some, but they will need to test the Crusader, and Blizz knows there are just somethings that gamers can do that they can't, and we know how to break characters
On the bright side... RoS Beta could include Act 1 up until Act 5... but they will most likely restrict it to Act 5 up until the mini boss we saw at Gamescon. They only need to test Act 5 after all
Closed Beta should start after Blizzcon. They said that they were "hoping" to have the Beta running before the end of the year.
My guess is that they could have both the closed Beta for RoS and open Loot 2.0 on PTR at the same time. Those who do not get into the Beta will be able to test Loot 2.0 and all those new changes while people on RoS Beta will be able to check out of bugs and provide feedback.
On the bright side... RoS Beta could include Act 1 up until Act 5... but they will most likely restrict it to Act 5 up until the mini boss we saw at Gamescon. They only need to test Act 5 after all
Closed Beta should start after Blizzcon. They said that they were "hoping" to have the Beta running before the end of the year.
My guess is that they could have both the closed Beta for RoS and open Loot 2.0 on PTR at the same time. Those who do not get into the Beta will be able to test Loot 2.0 and all those new changes while people on RoS Beta will be able to check out of bugs and provide feedback.
It sounds like a win-win to me.
Yeah, after Blizzcon is a given. I think December is the most reasonable prediction. Also considering this is only an expansion, I would imagine things will move along much faster than the original.
Out of curiousity I dug into my email archives. Blizzcon 2011 was on October 22nd, and I saw that I received my original friends&family beta invite on November 9th. My hope is they're aiming for a similar time frame (2-3 weeks after BCon).
I'm also curious OP, are you just guessing because files were loaded to the PTR (and thus the datamined info) ? Or were you actually told by someone who is in it?
That would be door #2. I'm a little surprised if I'm the first person to point this out, since it has been company wide for a week.
I guess when I think about it, they probably don't want to be bombarded by their friends with annoying questions about it. So most of them probably don't even tell their friends.
Wasn't there a blue post confirming that this was the case when DFans started data-mining the PTR server a few weeks ago?
Wasn't there a blue post confirming that this was the case when DFans started data-mining the PTR server a few weeks ago?
No idea, I generally don't keep up with blue posts. However it's probably a safe bet that they've been widely testing it ever since the first data mine, it's only logical.
edit- Oh It's also possible that they didn't get to playtest the alpha *at home* until recently, because that's specifically what my friend was rubbing in my face :(.
My opinion is very simple, if there will be BETA, it will PTR with original game with loot 2.0 and new stuff and as bonus Crusader. Because only what they need to test from people is Crusader class and community reaction, skills and everything else. Loot 2.0 and adventure rund etc. will be also part of this and all classes up to level 70 with new stuff to test.
I don´t think so we will se anything from RoS content as BETA, they have fully working original game, so why not put there everything what they want test and allow people to test it and still keep expasion for those who purchase it
Well, to be fair, the D3 beta was only up to the Skeleton King, and I still put in like 60+ hrs on that, maybe more, it spoiled some, but they will need to test the Crusader, and Blizz knows there are just somethings that gamers can do that they can't, and we know how to break characters
I'm of the same mind set. I can't see Blizzard passing on a beta period for RoS.
Although, I wouldn't be surprised if they left Act V out of it and just let us test loot 2.0 and the Crusader.
I just hope if they do decide to do a beta, they open it to the public and refrain from the nonsense that occurred with Vanilla.
Well, to be fair, the D3 beta was only up to the Skeleton King, and I still put in like 60+ hrs on that, maybe more, it spoiled some, but they will need to test the Crusader, and Blizz knows there are just somethings that gamers can do that they can't, and we know how to break characters
I'm of the same mind set. I can't see Blizzard passing on a beta period for RoS.
Although, I wouldn't be surprised if they left Act V out of it and just let us test loot 2.0 and the Crusader.
I just hope if they do decide to do a beta, they open it to the public and refrain from the nonsense that occurred with Vanilla.
No I like the closed betas I still have the "one of the chosen" on my banner lol
Well, to be fair, the D3 beta was only up to the Skeleton King, and I still put in like 60+ hrs on that, maybe more, it spoiled some, but they will need to test the Crusader, and Blizz knows there are just somethings that gamers can do that they can't, and we know how to break characters
I'm of the same mind set. I can't see Blizzard passing on a beta period for RoS.
Although, I wouldn't be surprised if they left Act V out of it and just let us test loot 2.0 and the Crusader.
I just hope if they do decide to do a beta, they open it to the public and refrain from the nonsense that occurred with Vanilla.
No I like the closed betas I still have the "one of the chosen" on my banner lol
How does that help the game, though? Wouldn't more testers be welcome?
It wouldn't do any good. You might as well keep it a closed beta with a couple thousand in to build hype. You'll never get all the millions of people that will play at launch to play at beta, so you'll STILL be unsure of exactly how many are going to flood the game. They only need a couple thousand to try for bugs / general logging in issues from different countries / difference machine specs. No need to open for a game that they already know millions will play.
I think Blizzard should have a full beta - full game... however the people who get access to the game is the 0.001% of the player base who have an extraordinary amount of hours logged into D3 (that are not bots :P), MVPs on official forums, MVPs of various diablo fansites nd maybe known streamers like moldran and the like..
eg 1-2k of the most hardcore gamers as they would be the most effective testers..
Giving as many beta keys as they did in the original game is not needed as the big tests they were doing was stress tests on their servers as opposed to balance/bug tests like they should do for RoS.
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As of last week the game entered the "company wide alpha" phase. What that means is everyone at the company, including those not on the D3 team, are able to play the current alpha build of the game from their homes. Of course they are all currently under NDA, so there won't be any gameplay popping up (unless someone wants to risk their job).
What does this mean for how far away closed beta is? Your guess is as good as mine.
This is a 100% career ender. So ya pretty much no footage unless someone is crazy enough to put it out there. Those contract agreements are no joke. You will get blacklisted in the industry.
You're a wizard Harry.....
Not just fired. Some of those NDA's come with criminal charges, so yea, no vids =P
I'm also curious OP, are you just guessing because files were loaded to the PTR (and thus the datamined info) ? Or were you actually told by someone who is in it?
To answer your question; At least a month. It'd be an awesome hype play if they announced a closed beta start at Blizzcon. My prediction is the end of November. Now whether that's RoS beta, or loot 2.0 beta, no idea.
I *sincerely* doubt they'll test them separately. They've got experience doing this with WoW and they can use it here. In WoW the expansion and pre-patch are, for all intents and purposes, the same patch and are beta tested together. It saves a LOT of time since the pre-patch stuff is, more or less, all the stuff from the expansion that they're "giving to everyone" because it wouldn't make sense not to.
I would be shocked if they didn't apply this same procedure here, since it seems that's how they're approaching it philosophically and it would make sense to draw on experience in the company that has been proven to work in the past.
That would be door #2. I'm a little surprised if I'm the first person to point this out, since it has been company wide for a week.
I guess when I think about it, they probably don't want to be bombarded by their friends with annoying questions about it. So most of them probably don't even tell their friends.
I also expect the next WoW expansion announced as well an early beta for that since they are already running behind.
https://www.deviantart.com/aerisot
I don't see much of a point for a RoS beta (like content-wise there's not much they can show without hugely spoiling things), but more for the 2.0 changes (loot, etc.)
Well, to be fair, the D3 beta was only up to the Skeleton King, and I still put in like 60+ hrs on that, maybe more, it spoiled some, but they will need to test the Crusader, and Blizz knows there are just somethings that gamers can do that they can't, and we know how to break characters
https://www.deviantart.com/aerisot
Closed Beta should start after Blizzcon. They said that they were "hoping" to have the Beta running before the end of the year.
My guess is that they could have both the closed Beta for RoS and open Loot 2.0 on PTR at the same time. Those who do not get into the Beta will be able to test Loot 2.0 and all those new changes while people on RoS Beta will be able to check out of bugs and provide feedback.
It sounds like a win-win to me.
Yeah, after Blizzcon is a given. I think December is the most reasonable prediction. Also considering this is only an expansion, I would imagine things will move along much faster than the original.
Out of curiousity I dug into my email archives. Blizzcon 2011 was on October 22nd, and I saw that I received my original friends&family beta invite on November 9th. My hope is they're aiming for a similar time frame (2-3 weeks after BCon).
Wasn't there a blue post confirming that this was the case when DFans started data-mining the PTR server a few weeks ago?
No idea, I generally don't keep up with blue posts. However it's probably a safe bet that they've been widely testing it ever since the first data mine, it's only logical.
edit- Oh It's also possible that they didn't get to playtest the alpha *at home* until recently, because that's specifically what my friend was rubbing in my face :(.
Blue posts about alpha PTR from a month ago.
I assume the PTR is for testing offsite as Blizzard no doubt have their own internal servers for testing within the company.
I don´t think so we will se anything from RoS content as BETA, they have fully working original game, so why not put there everything what they want test and allow people to test it and still keep expasion for those who purchase it
My opinion....
I'm of the same mind set. I can't see Blizzard passing on a beta period for RoS.
Although, I wouldn't be surprised if they left Act V out of it and just let us test loot 2.0 and the Crusader.
I just hope if they do decide to do a beta, they open it to the public and refrain from the nonsense that occurred with Vanilla.
No I like the closed betas I still have the "one of the chosen" on my banner lol
It wouldn't do any good. You might as well keep it a closed beta with a couple thousand in to build hype. You'll never get all the millions of people that will play at launch to play at beta, so you'll STILL be unsure of exactly how many are going to flood the game. They only need a couple thousand to try for bugs / general logging in issues from different countries / difference machine specs. No need to open for a game that they already know millions will play.
eg 1-2k of the most hardcore gamers as they would be the most effective testers..
Giving as many beta keys as they did in the original game is not needed as the big tests they were doing was stress tests on their servers as opposed to balance/bug tests like they should do for RoS.