Beta testing will still not look much like "a game" until later stages-Beta 3 and Open Beta. For Camelot Unchained, this means that the purpose of the initial stage(s) of Beta testing-Beta 1 and possibly 2-will continue to prioritize stability and performance over gameplay. In this post, /u/CSEMarc explains the reasoning and strategy for such an approach. In fact, much of what CSE are doing is the reverse-they are concentrating first and foremost on their home-brew, custom-built game engine, and only adding gameplay loops once the underlying structure is solid. Because so much of the development of Camelot Unchained has been in the public eye (Kickstarting and communication with Backers), CSE are not conducting their Beta test in this way. Such "Beta testing" may not last more than a few weeks or months. The purpose of such beta testing is generally to check server stability, identify any "last-minute" bugs or exploits, and to promote the game. What does this mean? Most modern games do not open their Beta testing process to the public until the game is relatively complete, with most game assets and systems complete. It has been said that Camelot Unchained will be having an "old-school Beta". He freely admits that this is partly an apology for the lateness of the Beta, and partly a bribe to get as many people in the testing as possible. Mark has suggested awards for participation in the testing ranging from cosmetics, to tier upgrades, to actual cash. They have announced plans for what they call "Dragon’s Circle" and "Saturday Night Sieges", both of which are designed as much for fun as for testing mechanics and server architecture. They have on announced the form they want Beta testing to take, and they have said they want it to be as fun as possible. Beta 1 backers already have access to some Alpha testing. For example, if you backed at a level which gave you access to Beta 2 testing, you will actually have access to some of the Beta 1 tests. They will be “bumping up” beta access for whichever tier you selected. Because of the delays that have occurred to this point, CSE are making several "enhancements" to the Beta testing process: They plan on a period of a further three weeks to identify and fix obvious bugs, with Beta 1 testing to begin on July 4, 2018. By June 12, the program will be in "feature lock"-all classes, mechanics, and art are ready to begin the Beta 1 testing, and no major changes to the program are expected. What information do we have about the Beta release date? CSE have announced that Beta testing is to begin in the summer of 2018. Most aren't announced until they are years into that process. Most major MMO projects take many years to develop. Is "Since 2013" an unusually long time for a game like this to be in development? Not really. This document lays out CSE’s plans for the elements they want to include in Beta testing, and gives us the clearest look yet at elements like crafting, and Camelot Unchained’s implementation of groups and guilds (Warbands and Orders), which look to be unlike anything in any current game. What do we know about Beta testing? Since mid-August, CSE have begun to release their Beta 1 Document in stages-two or three sections every two or three weeks or so. This allows CSE three weeks after locking down the "shape" of Beta 1 to identify and fix any bugs, but not add new features. On Feb 12, 2018, CSE (City State Entertainment, the publishers of Camelot Unchained) announced that Beta 1 would begin on or before July 4, 2018, with "feature lock" on June 12, 2018.
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