Brad Wardell's views about technology, politics, religion, world affairs, and all sorts of politically incorrect topics.
Published on June 3, 2009 By Draginol In Elemental Dev Journals

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As some of you know, the Elemental Beta 0 got nixed due to us needing to throw developers onto Demigod to help GPG and Raknet with the online experience.  The team is starting to migrate back and we’re all glad to be back on Elemental but we did lose some time.

But we are still pushing to have an Alpha build on June 25th to give out.  It’ll be cloth map only (so what you see in the above screenshot won’t be in the alpha series and the betas will look a lot better than what you see above too). 

For the alpha series we’re only going to select around 100 people to be in it.  It’ll be a lottery.  Picture a big hat with players getting for each Stardock game they' have – GalCiv, Sins of a Solar Empire, Demigod who have also pre-ordered Elemental.  The team is also pre-selecting about two dozen people who have been really helpful in the past from the community to be in it as well. 

We’re pretty excited because we plan to do this somewhat differently than other builds.


Comments (Page 2)
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on Jun 03, 2009

imirk

and why would i provide trees as cover for an army attacking my walls?

I guess that would depend on whether you've used life magic to animate those trees and make them strangle/crush/eat any trespassers foolish enough to come near them.

on Jun 03, 2009

pigeonpigeon
And a swimming pool with a diving board?

A lake with a pier?

 

on Jun 03, 2009


But we are still pushing to have an Alpha build on June 25th to give out.  It’ll be cloth map only (so what you see in the above screenshot won’t be in the alpha series and the betas will look a lot better than what you see above too). 

We’re pretty excited because we plan to do this somewhat differently than other builds.

It is an opportunity to be different since, for one, the feedback is limited with what is able to be provided. Of course that getting our hands on the new jewel in any shape or form is more than enough incentive at the moment. I'll be curious to see what is going to be done in that initial stage.

on Jun 03, 2009

Wow, I wonder what qualifies as "really helpful in the past"....previous beta bug busters? What would I need to do to be considered helpful? Stop posting so much? You got it!

Obviously we are all dying to get in - I have all three GC2, and SoASE - hopefully that gives me a decent shot. I hope being on these forums counts for something - would suck for someone to get invited to alpha who had bought a lot of the other games but wasn't following EWOM....with so many people here that would give up body parts, maybe even important ones, to get in!

Good luck everyone! (As long as you don't get my spot!)

on Jun 03, 2009

Can't wait! 

on Jun 03, 2009

Nice to know, I can't wait to get some more concrete info on Elemental if I don't get lucky.  I never win lotteries, everything else however I almost never lose.  

on Jun 03, 2009

Thanks for the updated plan.  Bummer things will be so selective, but I completely understand and will hope my purchases and help might get me in the door.

How long until Beta 0 do you think?  And will those in the Alpha group have to sign an NDA, or can they share their impressions freely?

on Jun 03, 2009

I have HEARD that StarDock doesn't put beta testers under NDA, the beta is fairly open to anyone that wants in (all they have to do is preorder) and I am sure they want to build maximum buzz. That is not official, I know I have heard someone somewhere say there is no NDA with SD betas tho.

Do NOT take that to the bank.

on Jun 04, 2009

Denryu
I have HEARD that StarDock doesn't put beta testers under NDA, the beta is fairly open to anyone that wants in (all they have to do is preorder) and I am sure they want to build maximum buzz. That is not official, I know I have heard someone somewhere say there is no NDA with SD betas tho.

Do NOT take that to the bank.


They don't NDA their public betas (the ones you pre-order to get into).  But their closed stuff, like the Sins 'gamma' testing, they do (hence why I'm currently under NDA with them).  Question is which 'role' this one falls under.

on Jun 04, 2009

The big question for me is: stimate date for beta? Or if you prefer: how long will alpha be? Some of us are destined to wait to the beta so... hmmm... at least we will get lots of screenshots and all that, right?

 

on Jun 04, 2009

Do we have to specifically put our names down?  Or will it simply be everyone who's preordered?

 

edit: I mean will the lottery be for everyone who's preordered

on Jun 04, 2009

I'd vote for a query selecting the names of all users taking part in the Elemental forum (no Off Topic) and then add to the table lottery values according to the games. After all, preordering the game is a bonus for the lottery.

Nothing was said about Karma. Not that I care, mind you.

on Jun 04, 2009

How will the lucky Hundred be notified? Email? Impulse notif? Personnal Message on the board?

on Jun 04, 2009

Will billing start before the alpha? Because I wager that only those that have pre-ordered will be invited and I haven't pre-ordered yet, not wanting to have my credit card suddently billed. I'd prefer billing to start, and then pre-order.

Wintersong
I'd vote for a query selecting the names of all users taking part in the Elemental forum (no Off Topic) and then add to the table lottery values according to the games. After all, preordering the game is a bonus for the lottery.

Nothing was said about Karma. Not that I care, mind you.
I say let's go with karma. Starting from the top.

on Jun 04, 2009

I say let's go with karma. Starting from the top.

From the Sins boards, yes?

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