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 7)
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on Jun 04, 2009

There shall be no NDA for the alpha:

[16:30] <Annatar> Yarlen, can I bug you with a quickie Elemental alpha question?
[16:30] <@Yarlen> You may
[16:31] <UsedRugs> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Moon_Is_a_Harsh_Mistress
[16:31] <Annatar> Is it going to have an NDA? People started wondering in the thread
[16:31] <UsedRugs> good book read it like 10 years ago
[16:31] <@Yarlen> No, you'll just have to had pre-ordered the game as usual for us.
[16:31] <Annatar> What I thought Thanks

on Jun 04, 2009

Kitkun

Well, I think not just pics, but also scanned copies of bear cavalry drawn by Brad.Haven't you seen the older Elemental journals?

 

I've found pictures of horse cavalry drawn by Brad, but not yet bear cavalry.

on Jun 04, 2009

Yay! This helps me, since I can't keep my mouth shut.

You didn't happen to ask about bears, I suppose?

on Jun 04, 2009

I didn't want to push my luck. One must not anger the Yarlen Seriously though, no, didn't ask

on Jun 04, 2009

Luckmann
Yay! This helps me, since I can't keep my mouth shut.

But haven't you not pre-ordered? In which case you'd have no chance (unless they pre-select you)...

And on a selfish note I have now migrated all my Stardock registrations to this account so maybe I have a chance

on Jun 04, 2009

Annatar11
I didn't want to push my luck. One must not anger the Yarlen Seriously though, no, didn't ask
Good choice. I wouldn't push the Luck either.

I tend to punch back.

on Jun 04, 2009

Ok, I've been lurking around these boards for a while now, trying to figure out what Elemental is all about (I didn't even know it existed until I took the time to read the occasional journals that would pop up on the Sins site) Now that I've spent some time looking around, reading posts, etc, it looks like it will be an awesome game! I am totally going to pre-order it now!

on Jun 04, 2009

No intention of derailing, I just know some people only hang out on the Dev journals. Just want you to know there is a 2nd survey available on Surveymonkey for any that are interested.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=SU4WRikn4eAGbyHYufNOpg_3d_3d

on Jun 05, 2009

I've decided I hope the alpha doesn't have an NDA.  Unlike the Gamma (which might have something the Beta does not and should be secret until release) the Alpha is unlikely to have anything that won't be in the public beta.   (I want to write articles for an elemental fansite about the alpha if I'm picked)

though I'd want it to stay if it means I could get hired somewhere

 

on topic of karma influencing alpha entry, I hope/suspect SD would have a way of telling from which threads karma originates.  That would but Annatar pretty low since pretty much all his karma is from off-topic.   I personally feel having an awesome avatar is a valid reason to get karma because ultimatly having awesome avatars does create a memorable community, and creating a memorable community I think is what karma is intended to do.  And ultimatly, the people with high karma likely did things to deserve it.  I personally feel I should have gotten more karma for a few of the things I've done, but what it does mean that it didn't make as much of an inpact on the community as say... making a good joke might have.  

on Jun 05, 2009

I've found pictures of horse cavalry drawn by Brad, but not yet bear cavalry.
I'm thinking more of the art style.

 

on Jun 05, 2009

I've decided I hope the alpha doesn't have an NDA.

It will not That much is a fact now.

on Jun 05, 2009

Thanks for checking, Annatar!

on Jun 05, 2009

Annatar11

I've decided I hope the alpha doesn't have an NDA.
It will not That much is a fact now.

Much obliged, Annatar!

on Jun 05, 2009

Spartan

Quoting Annatar11, reply 17
Anyway, I would like to see a focused itemised testing list, an organised bug list and general system issues one as well time requirement expectations for the alpha. I would also like to see the selected people broken down into specific teams with weekly objectives. This is so so SD can get the maximum development benefit from the course of action at hand for the commuity.
I recall we once had a similar discussion
No doubt brother. Lets hope that worm has turned.

Additionally, even though those selected for the inital list may be random for the majority, the selectees can chose to accept the guidlines or not. It is a win/win for all concerned parties.

@GW - Accountability is key in my not so humle opinion. Moreover forgive my lack of clarity. A DB was part of the intended meaning. Sorry I often type these things at 3:00AM or later. Consequently my fingers and brain get lazy due to my very long work days.

If Stardock doesn't set up an organized, focused bug hunt the alpha testers can.  All they have to do is direct us every so often. 

Sammual

on Jun 06, 2009

mmm very excited for this!

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