Galactic Civilizations II: Beta Schedule

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If you pre-order Galactic Civilizations II (or have an active TotalGaming.net account) you will be able to get the major betas of Galactic Civilizations II.

For those of you unfamiliar with betas, it's important to realize that a beta isn't like getting the final game except with some bugs.  In March, Beta 1 will show up and since the final game isn't expected until end of this year or even early next year, you can imagine how much will be missing.

So here is the schedule at present (subject to change)

March: Beta 1
Goal: Compatibility and performance.  How well does the new 3D engine work? Does it blow up on people? What hardare issues will people have?
Feedback we need: If it doesn't run on your computer or has some problem, we need to know your hardware specifications, what OS you're running, etc.
Feedback we DON'T need: Spelling errors, complaints about missing features, "suggestions" on UI, complaints about game balancing or "that it's not fun" (beta 1 won't be fun, we'll make it our business to ensure it's not fun in order to keep focus on the compatibility and performance

May: Beta 2
Goal: Performance/Compatibility still. But now with the focus moving towards user interface design. Is the UI looking okay? Is it intuitive? Are the basic game mechanics easy to figure out? Can you play the game without needing a manual (the game will have a manual but a well designed game shouldn't need much of one)
Feedback we need: Suggestions/complaints on UI. Crashing issues. Performance and compatibility.
Feedback we DON'T need: Spelling errors, complaints about missing features, , complaints about game balancing or "that it's not fun" (beta 2 should be playable but it won't be balanced yet). "First off, you spelled 'manufacturing' as 'manufaturing'. Secondly, I can't believe that a capital ship only takes 4 months to build but a fighter take 3 months. Hello? Why bother with a fighter?"

August: Beta 3
Goal: Fun factor. Replayability. Game balancing.
Feedback we need: Are there cheese factors in the game? How is the AI doing? Is the game fun? What features do we need to add to make it more fun for you? How are the graphics looking? This is where the game plays as a reasonably complete war game. The only major elements that won't be in would be fleets and diplomacy.
Feedback we DON'T need: Spelling errors, wishing it was just like

October: Beta 4 (and beyond)
Goal: Polish, making sure it's really fun.  Diplomacy makes it in. Fleet battles get in.
Feedback we need: Typos and spelling errors. Usability features that make the game more approachable. Tweaks that make the game more fun. Gameplay tweaks. AI tweaks. UI and graphical tweaks.  This is where we need to make sure diplomacy is fun and interesting. We have to make sure that the battles look good and aren't tedious and such.
Feedback we DON'T need: Suggestions that would completely change the game "You know, you really need to have tactical ground invasions done in 3D. Frankly, the game sucks without it."

Hope this helps!

54,878 views 47 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
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Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Thanks for the game plan! Definitely helps to know what you want from beta testers and when.
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Now this is what I am talking about! Laying out what each phase of Beta means, and then giving rought estimates of their timetables. Knowing what is expected from Beta Testers means a lot.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
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Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I'm not sure what you mean by extra beta activity. But I'm sure we'll need it!
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
is coming once in a while... but I never saw developers using bits of such document for whattever reasons. Supreme Ruler 2010 fans are making some wiki-manual, but it's not included within the game and it's the maximum I saw.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
or "commnets and suggestions" that fall outside the above woudl be useful.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Heh I noticed you mention Star control 2 in there. Love that game so much.
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
*puts on C Montgomery Burns Voice" eeexcellent!

I hope to be able to participate in the beta. Reminders of what's wanted and not at the beta release time would be nice as well
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
shows up on the top of recent posts? It seems that just about everyone is going to want to see it.

Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
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Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Brad,
Considering the success of GC 1 I'd expect that there will be a large number of new beta testers for GC2 and your list should prove to be a good starting point for them.
Reply #14 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
aying it, so don't take advice from me.
Reply #15 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
state the game is before he downloads it, might be a good idea and prevent unnecessary disappointment.
Reply #16 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
iends and buy sequels based on name alone.
Reply #17 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
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Reply #18 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
lative to the beta version as listed above.

Then require the player to click a button that says "I understand that this game is not finished" or somthing like that.
Reply #19 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
placeholder, instead of something that could be mistaken for a half-assed attempt to finish it by the deadline.
Reply #20 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
t people really do recognize them as placeholders.   I'm more worried about placeholder text getting into the game.

Reply #21 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
sters for GC2 and your list should prove to be a good starting point for them.

Count me as a new beta tester. This guide will really help me focus on what you guys want feedback on. I can't wait to get beta 1.
Reply #22 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
p video card can handle the new 3D engine. As a general rule, I don't upgrade my hardware until it's absolutely necessary. GC1 is the game that forced me to get more memory and new motherboard/CPU to get up to the recomended specs.
Reply #23 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
ures since they are already been determined
- only features that won't required too mcuh time to implement will be considered, since there are only 2 months between the planned beginning of beta 3 and beta 4.
Reply #25 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
o, if you haven't been reading the dev journals, I suggest that you check them out.  They're a great way to keep up with what's going on with GalCiv2.