Nice schedule! Even tho, I am a bit surprised, that the tactical battle system won't get implemented 'til phase 4, which won't happen 'til the next year IIRC.

CaesarsGhost slaps slurple with the Beta 2 schedule

You have to remember that isn't when something will be developed by, that is when it'll be introduced to the public beta. Interally, they are probalby already testing it.

The thing is that while public testing is useful, it doesn't get you the same kind of information that dedicated testers do. With paid testers they can be given instructions such as "Do this 100 times, document the results each time." A player woudl get bored and not want to do that, but the tester will do it as it is their job.

So more or less you test the stuff internally first, get the real problems hashed out, then send it out for wider testing, see what player comments are and see if any unexpected issues crop up.

From the looks of it, they want to publicly test one peice at a time. They are directing our beta testing through the efficient method of not allowing you to mess with what they aren't interested in.

Wee that's some extensive scheduling! Sounds like fun.

Beta 3 is about graphics, nothing says the spells won't be implemented without any graphical effect before 3rd phase.

In fact, according to starfdock policy, i'd say that the spells would have to be playable without fancy graphics.

.... and I don't count how many games should have follow this policy ...

Wait, if I got this right, if I just preordered just now I wont get to beta?

You did not get this right...

For the rest of September, new users will be able to pre-order and join in as well and then it will be closed (people can still pre-order but they won’t get access until we roll out Beta 2.

Wow, that´s what i´d call an extended beta schedule.

I´m really glad to see that such a big portion of the beta cycle will be devoted to the tactical battles.

Beta 4 is going to be the toughest part.  Guaranteed.

Kinda think the MP should come first before the initial AI's and stuff, to get a hint of what the Ai needs to look for, but that can be done later.

I've got the pre-order acknowledgement from Stardock, but I can't tell whether Impulse 'knows' that I've done so. I'm very much looking forward to making this game exactly how I want it , but I'd hate to miss out.

Is there any simple way to tell that I'm in? Or is the mere fact that I can see the beta forum enough evidence?

Cheers

John

Kudos on the open-ended development schedule, that is a bold move!   I hope it pays off in praise and profit.  I can't imagine what the end product will be, but I am looking forward to the whole process.

One thing concerns me

So what about the betas before that? No AI? What? Just a little confused here

Other than that, I can't wait for beta 1 so I can complain about it not working (<- the point of beta 1, not trollin ) and not being fun

The AI is in the game now but it's really dumb.