(Citizen)DrabNitramNovember 6, 2006 19:25:22Reply #18How does the beta test work exactly?
I pre-order and then get a copy of the beta version. I play and look out for problems.
I've always wanted to get in on one of these beta test periods. |
If you have ever downloaded a beta version of one of the GC2 updates, its like that. Earlier DA builds are likely to have quite a few bugs cropping up as its exposed to the 7 trillion variables of our machines for the first time but it should be quite playable and by the sounds of things as stable as its going to be for initial beta release.
What you do is, you install smartexception if its not already on your comp, if you get any crashes that creates an error report file. You email that to stardock with as much detail on what you were doing as you can. This is the most direct form of bug hunting you can help with. as its almost certainy a stability issue you are helping to track down.
And then you play the game. If you see something odd (all the ships fly side ways and fire water balloons at each other) or something you dont like you report it on the forum and Stardock can try to do something about it. The trick about this process though is to make your reports clear and organised. Look to see if anyone else has reported the same issue already before starting YET ANOTHER thread on it. Add your comments to theirs.
In the first week of DA beta build 1 we will see 57 threads callled "It won't download!!!!!" 54 of which will be one line posts. Sifting through this garbage makes stardocks job harder and makes it harder for you to find anything, so keep it organised and think about what you're posting and where you've posted it.
You never know you might find something you suggest is directly implemented and your name goes on the credits. Other than that enjoy it!
Edit - The DA download will appear on Stardock Central but you will need "show pre-release versions" selected to see it. Then it just downloads as tyou would any other SDC program. Don't forget to check SDC regularly for updates, its pointless playing on an out of date version of the beta as you might find yourself reporting issues that have already been fixed.
