Beta Update Concept.

(YeOldeButtcheek) #1

A controversial patch leaves many DB players questioning Splash Damage if they actually take in this feedback.

I wish there was a way that experienced, and pro level players could see this update pre-release to gain more feedback on how it changes gameplay.

Sure, you could suspect this not really be the best concept, but look how this game has been formed over the years.
Feedback.

Forums users may know of ECHO, a system to balance the game, which I’m pretty sure was what this update was made by. In my opinion, relying on small amounts of play testers, and a system to balance a video game especially like Dirty Bomb isn’t enough.

My goal with this thread (with visuals) is making a Pre-Release Beta Update, that users can play to test.

Firstly, there is a premium like way to gain access to this beta. This isn’t open to everyone.
This is how you would gain access.

  • Minimum Level 20.
  • 300 Hours+ on Dirty Bomb
  • Owns at least 7 Mercenaries.
  • Level 5+ On Steam.
  • Owned Steam for at least 1 year.

This entrance is not for everyone, only players high enough to contribute to the changes that will globally effect everyone.

Starting off, how to activate this beta.
Going from Steam itself, locate Dirty Bomb and right click game, Next click Properties, Then Betas.
If you want to leave the beta click NONE.

Of course now, there isn’t a beta, but if there was that is where it would be.

http://i.imgur.com/egTcqXp.png http://i.imgur.com/SmAOPQo.jpg

Let’s say that this beta existed, and you downloaded the update, and hit play.

This is the first thing that would pop-up in Dirty Bomb once opted in for the Beta.

Once you clicked ‘Scan Account’, your Steam, and Dirty Bomb profile would check for the five qualifications above.

If you qualify, the box goes away, and you are free to play on the updated servers.

If you do not qualify, you will get a message saying, “Failed! You do not qualify due to: (Listed qualification,) Click Exit Dirty Bomb in the lower left hand corner.”

Please tell me what you think of this idea.
Obviously, I’m up to feedback!

TL:DR -
Concept to add in pre-released update with limited qualifications to slim down results with future, and the current update being tested.

(Sinee) #2

I’d be happy if DB joined a lot of games out there and had a way for the community (a qualified portion as you listed; idk if Steam level really matters much though) test the patches first for a while and provide their feedback before it went live.

So many games have test servers or opt in for public testing before features and changes of any sort go live. That way things can be tweaked first.

But I feel like SD relies too heavily on Echo and not enough on common sense and valuable, well-informed community feedback, so I doubt this will ever happen.

(Faraleth) #3

This sounds like a nice idea :wink:

(DarkMatterMatt) #4

I agree with the first 3 points, Beta testers should know the game. I don’t agree with the last 2 points. Does it matter what steam level the player is? Or how long they’ve had steam? It doesn’t determine their skill, or how well they know dirty bomb.

I think that the requirements should look more like this:

  • Minimum Level 20.
  • 300 Hours+ on Dirty Bomb.
  • Owns at least 7 Mercenaries.
  • No Steam VAC Ban

I have spent about 350h on dirty bomb, and am level 23. I am Steam level 2 :disappointed:

(Mrarauzz) #5

Oh man I wish they could hear all my complaints lol I would have a field day.

(YeOldeButtcheek) #6

[quote=“DarkMatterMatt;149087”][quote=“Ye_Olde_Buttcheeks;24102”]

I think that the requirements should look more like this:

  • Minimum Level 20.
  • 300 Hours+ on Dirty Bomb.
  • Owns at least 7 Mercenaries.
  • No Steam VAC Ban

I have spent about 350h on dirty bomb, and am level 23. I am Steam level 2 :disappointed: [/quote]

This is to prevent duplicate, and or dummy accounts.
You would really need to be involved in Steam, this is mean’t to be exlcusive.

(bontsa) #7

Devs from SD side have confirmed that they definitely are planning and working towards Test Realm where i.e stuff that is being thought out, could be tested in with the community before letting it in-game. Least that’s what I’ve gathered from quotes from Smooth and Shoe. Concrete execution of this is unknown though, dunno if it could work like this nice suggestion here or be more free-for-everyone but still separating higher/lower experienced and “immersed” players. Such realm has been in development talks for quite long though.

One can only hope this kind of playground will be implemented sooner than later since commotion about the recent updates have been more and more… vocal… I might say. Weird looking, non-called-for changes could be evaluated before-hand and feedback delivered with less emotion and more objectivity in such enviroment. Not to mention it’d again let community join the thought process more as in changes majority suggests, could be almost immediately tested there.

So yep, this or whatever kind of testing ground SD manages to set up, is more than welcome and needed yesterday.

(SteelMailbox) #8

I suggested this a while ago but haven’t made an actual thread about it.
What you are suggesting is a test build and I see no flaw with that atleast not in a beta game.
For games to become the best they can in beta the devs need transparency with it’s community and not have 98% of the updates under NDA.

(RyePanda) #9

[quote=“Ye_Olde_Buttcheeks;149105”][quote=“DarkMatterMatt;149087”][quote=“Ye_Olde_Buttcheeks;24102”]

I think that the requirements should look more like this:

  • Minimum Level 20.
  • 300 Hours+ on Dirty Bomb.
  • Owns at least 7 Mercenaries.
  • No Steam VAC Ban
    [/quote]

I have spent about 350h on dirty bomb, and am level 23. I am Steam level 2 :disappointed: [/quote]

This is to prevent duplicate, and or dummy accounts.
You would really need to be involved in Steam, this is mean’t to be exlcusive.
[/quote]

But obviously it’s not a dummy account if you have 300+ hours.

(MilkyBear) #10

Basically like BF4’s CTE, and we all know how CTE saved BF4.

(MilkyBear) #11

[quote=“DarkMatterMatt;149087”][quote=“Ye_Olde_Buttcheeks;24102”]
This is how you would gain access.

  • Minimum Level 20.
  • 300 Hours+ on Dirty Bomb
  • Owns at least 7 Mercenaries.
  • Level 5+ On Steam.
  • Owned Steam for at least 1 year.
    [/quote]

I agree with the first 3 points, Beta testers should know the game. I don’t agree with the last 2 points. Does it matter what steam level the player is? Or how long they’ve had steam? It doesn’t determine their skill, or how well they know dirty bomb.

I think that the requirements should look more like this:

  • Minimum Level 20.
  • 300 Hours+ on Dirty Bomb.
  • Owns at least 7 Mercenaries.
  • No Steam VAC Ban

I have spent about 350h on dirty bomb, and am level 23. I am Steam level 2 :disappointed: [/quote]

I got 560h, and lvl 40, steam lvl 8 but i agree with you. Some people i know made their steam account just to play DB, and they even got more hours and higher lvl than me.

(TheVulpesFox) #12

I only have steam level 1 because I recently bought cs:go which I play with some of mah friends.
I’m not level 20 either.
I don’t own at least 7 mercs.
I don’t have 300+ hours on dirty bomb.
I haven’t been VAC banned.
I have been on steam for more than one year.
I am the perfect test subject right here because 2/6 is a perfect score right?

(SnakekillerX) #13

People could easily just load up DB on a computer and just let it sit accumulating hours.
300 / 24 = 12.5

So it would take just under 2 weeks of leaving the game running continuously to gain access to these special beta updates. (based on time alone)

While that seems unrealistic to some, I’m sure there are others out there that would have no issue in doing just that. The thing that doesn’t make sense though, is if its a dummy account then you wouldn’t own 7 mercs, you’d have to play the game enough to gain enough credits to get there still.

The number of hours played should be eliminated and keep the mercs owned, as its a better representation that you’ve actually played the game in order to earn credits to get those mercs.

Regardless, I’d totally be down for testing out some beta patches. :slight_smile:

(Bestfinlandball) #14

i’d game time at least 250h from the in-game stat page

(YeOldeButtcheek) #15

[quote=“DarkMatterMatt;149087”][quote=“Ye_Olde_Buttcheeks;24102”]
This is how you would gain access.

  • Minimum Level 20.
  • 300 Hours+ on Dirty Bomb
  • Owns at least 7 Mercenaries.
  • Level 5+ On Steam.
  • Owned Steam for at least 1 year.
    [/quote]

I agree with the first 3 points, Beta testers should know the game. I don’t agree with the last 2 points. Does it matter what steam level the player is? Or how long they’ve had steam? It doesn’t determine their skill, or how well they know dirty bomb.

I think that the requirements should look more like this:

  • Minimum Level 20.
  • 300 Hours+ on Dirty Bomb.
  • Owns at least 7 Mercenaries.
  • No Steam VAC Ban

I have spent about 350h on dirty bomb, and am level 23. I am Steam level 2 :disappointed: [/quote]

I don’t consider a VAC ban a problem in a game with a more than heavy punishment for hacking.

(FalC_16) #16

DICE LA has brought something similar to BF4.

The thing is…is DB’s community so big to have a separate beta testing environment?

(Sinee) #17

[quote=“FalC_16;149851”]DICE LA has brought something similar to BF4.

The thing is…is DB’s community so big to have a separate beta testing environment? [/quote]

Probably not, seeing as they keep chasing away their player base. Player retention is fucking horrible as well. I very rarely see high levels like myself & my partner, and we probably get a comment daily of “Wow I didn’t know a lvl 61 existed!” etc etc. :unamused: