The Daily Grind: Beta burnout, spoilers, and testing TOR

> "Then, I recalled my experiences with betas ranging from Vanguard, to Mortal Online (alpha?), to The Matrix Online, all titles which at one point or another were at the top of my list of prospective "main" MMORPGs. In each case, the testing period soured me on the games before they even launched, and while each case was different, the ultimate outcome was the same: come release, I really had no desire to be there."

@Jef - you've summed up my own attitude to beta tests at the moment. The only MMO beta test I've been in that I played from launch was EverQuest 2, and that was mainly because I wanted to play with my friends from beta, more than for the game/world itself - even then, after a year in closed then open beta, I only lasted 7-8 months post-release before I'd had enough.

I used to get into at least 3-4 beta tests per year, but this last few years my burnout with MMOs in general (fantasy ones especially), after too many terrible launches and beta tests themselves getting shorter and less meaningful (except for marketing!), has meant I've stopped signing up for most beta tests, when I used to apply for all of them.

I do still sign up for a few beta tests of games I would intend to play at release (like SW:TOR), especially if it's clear it would be a proper and fairly long beta, but not so many now. Nowadays I mostly apply for beta in MMOs that I'm somewhat curious about because of innovative features that I want to get in there and test (something new that I can potentially have some input on how it evolves before launch), but wasn't really hyped up enough about to think I'd play them at release - that way it's a pleasant surprise if the game is really good as you didn't know much about it.

Not that I tend to play MMOs at launch anymore - been burned too many times by poor launches or get into many betas either. In fact I haven't beta-tested anything MMO-wise for around 2-3 years, including free issues being developed for my main MMO, City of Heroes (not unless the Devs themselves particularly ask for feedback on something specific, but I wouldn't test an issue purely to see what was in it - I'd rather wait to experience it on my live server) - seeing behind the curtain can really spoil your excitement for experiencing the magic first-hand with the rest of the general public. Besides it's not like most beta tests need/want dedicated testers anymore - they just want bloggers for good word of mouth.

> ... "Mortal Online (alpha?)" ...

No question mark required.

As much as I would like to test the game to make it as good as possible at release, I view them as the OP does. I plan on playing it for a long time and don't want to spoil my experience with a Beta. It's probably one reason I'm very forgiving when an MMO launches with many minor problems. Major issues like server stability and the like isn't something you can really Beta test, but the game's core should work at launch. I don't mind if there are bugs such as some messed up
mobs or a particular skill not quite working right, as long as the Dev team shows commitment to frequent fixes.

I beta tested WoW and thought "Oh my god this can not get any better." (I'm 3yrs WoW free and loving it btw). I hope on top of hope covered in hope sauce that I get to test TOR. I want to see the next step in MMO evolution. If I find bugs sure I'll report them. However, my main reason for wanting to test TOR is that I'm a HUGE Star Wars nerd and MMO nerd. So this is a "you got chocolate in my peanut butter", kind of thing for me. Lets just pretend that SWG was like the Life Day Holiday Special, it never happened.

Life Day ... http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=323909610753051544#