Remember beta accounts get wiped.

[Trollbasher]

Again all the experienced testers will already know this so this is mainly for the newbies and people just wanting a leg up in the game before its officaily released.

All beta accounts will most likely be wiped at the end of testing iether at the end of closed beta and or at the end of open beta possibly during closed beta as well.

so when it happens or when its announced dont start moaning whining and crying your heads of, complaining how hard you worked to get your char where it is, this is beta testing its for you to help find bugs and other problems, not for you to get a head start in the game, this is part of the testing process so get ready for it.

[Cloud70077]

I hope people don't play beta hoping to get a leg up on someone else. Really though, what would it achieve anyway? ZOMG mY ARCHEOLIGSIT IS Lvlz abov URZ I M SO 1337 U SUK!

This beta chacters getting wiped thing also depends on one very important aspect. That you even get into the beta in the first place. I learned long ago not to get my hopes up when it comes to chance.

Ah a fresh breath of pessimism.

[AtlantianSG1]

I can't help but laugh here, maybe as a beta tester perk you could let all testers get a leg up by staying on the beta server an extra week after the game is released... LoL

Just kidding

Beta testers already have a leg up from doing all the tedious testing and bug reports/submissions. ^__^ (saved thread space with no quoting )

[Chance/Fate/Destiny... Either way I will still be in the forums ]

I know perks is a different thread, but maybe Howard could include to beta testers an uber How to video on scorpion bashing and survival techniques (Or release it with the Collector's Edition).

[daxmorgan]

Have they said Beta will be wiped? Not that I care so much but there have been a few Beta's that I have been in that did not do this. Lord of the Rings capped their last Beta at lvl 20 and allowed transition to live with those beta characters.

I assume it will be a clean start, but there is nothing garauntee it.

[DimensionalMystic]

Good.I fully support this type of policy.It should be the standard for any MMO in testing before launch.

DM

[akasleepy]

I really hope they do wipe, I'd be shocked if they didn't.
After all, everyone knows there will be someone out there that will find a way to exploit some type of area to power level insanely fast. Not to mention I've been in a few betas that boost the xp gain just to ensure people gain higher levels to check content.
I think it's cool they wipe so that when retail is released you get to start a toon and get to see what you helped create from the beginning

[[MS]Rocket]

Also, if I'm not mistaken, sometimes Characters get wiped DURING betas, so don't get all fussy if that happens too. They always suggest not investing as much emotional connection into beta Characters as you would Release Characters due to the fact they can be wiped or changed at ANY time.

[RealLantian]

I'd imagine Vault Wipes will occur quite frequently. This ensures that if there is a major bug then it can't linger on in one avi. Only usually happens with big problems though.

Vault wipes are your friend!

[Paganstar]

It makes sense to wipe the characters and have everyone start fresh. Also it would suck if my main character was 20 levels above all my guild mates when they first start playing.

The benefit I get from testing (besides making the game better for launch) is learning the game, the UI and the quirks. This way I can help new folks just coming in asking all those newbie questions that I had to learn the hard way months before. This makes the game go smoother for all the new folks and makes it more fun for everyone.

[Idlemind]

Originally Posted by Paganstar

It makes sense to wipe the characters and have everyone start fresh. Also it would suck if my main character was 20 levels above all my guild mates when they first start playing.

The benefit I get from testing (besides making the game better for launch) is learning the game, the UI and the quirks. This way I can help new folks just coming in asking all those newbie questions that I had to learn the hard way months before. This makes the game go smoother for all the new folks and makes it more fun for everyone.

Totally agree with you, Its a great help to new plays when beta testers are there to lend a hand also.

[Philthy Animal]

Another good thing about a beta wipe is it gives the devs the ability to level jump players without destroying the live game. Like the blue frog in SWG. It also lets players experience and test higher level content without spending months or years fully developing a character. I enjoy digging our bugs and have saved myself money and grief by finding out in beta if a game was worth paying or playing.

[TeenLegend]

Advantages and disadvantages
Ad: High lvl players might take over SGW without letting the noobs getting action.
Dis: Well, ppl might not like the beta and think that they wasted time not enjoying it.
Thank me and you

[VRKevin]

I think the wipes occur much more frequently.

And as I remember in LOTRO not everyone got to keep their characters just prior to release - just founders, but could be wrong. And I think it was level 15 not 20. The keeping the characters was for pre-launch, and that wasn't the type of beta this game will start with.

[arvald]

Remember... being a BETA they will vary the drop rates, advancement rates (slowing and speeding up)

It is all part of testing. A game is no fun if you cap out level in a couple weeks, but if it takes 4 years to cap out playing 10 hours a day it is no fun either.

They also need to test equipment, at times they will likely hand it out or have vendors with high end weapons that you would need to kill a boss for in the live game.

Transferring this to live would be looney.

[Kadael]

Multi wipes in beta, with level boosting if/when required is generally the case.

This'll test your AT's / items / npcs / UI / interactions / FPS / latency / Q's etc

And a set 'x' day pre launch start for pre orders i expect to see also

[psycho dude]

Wipes, gotta love them. Point on which I hope they don't wipe though is between open beta and closed beta, there's no point to it and just kicks additional people back into the starter zone making those even more hellish than they already will be .

As for wipe at end of beta, hope they do it about a week before launch and then a week of player, perhaps to a certain level like lotro did. Yet again sort of preventing the newbie zones from being flooded on launch.

And when they wipe, please oh please just skills, levels, items and that sort of stuff. Not characters (to preserve names) and friend lists .

[Darelas]

Originally Posted by [MS]Rocket

They always suggest not investing as much emotional connection into beta Characters as you would Release Characters due to the fact they can be wiped or changed at ANY time.

I like that you said this in particular. So true!

[Mighty.Chip]

Not only that, but you probably shouldn't waste your time only fiddling with the archetypes you figure you'll enjoy... like Trollbasher said, it's Beta... not a running head start. Give all the archetypes a chance to experience your bug-catching skills.

[Darelas]

Originally Posted by Mighty.Chip

Not only that, but you probably shouldn't waste your time only fiddling with the archetypes you figure you'll enjoy... like Trollbasher said, it's Beta... not a running head start. Give all the archetypes a chance to experience your bug-catching skills.

Honestly, I like to test the Archetypes I won't play in the game. I like having the mystery at release. So I need others to test the Archeologist for me, make sure it's hooked up This fits even if I don't get into the Beta

[Mysta]

Yeah usually in closed beta there are many wipes.

Some open beta's keep characters if its not long or it if fades into release well.

[PaulHawke]

There was some thought put into how to close the Matrix Online beta and move over to the release version of the game. There was story involved. The Matrix burned, players were killed (in-game) with a kind of perma-death effect, and if I remember rightly, some amount of competition over who could last the longest. Here's hoping that the end of the beta has compelling content to wrap things up and smooth over the painful "I worked so hard on this character" feelings. :grin:

[Jonat]

Originally Posted by daxmorgan

Have they said Beta will be wiped? Not that I care so much but there have been a few Beta's that I have been in that did not do this. Lord of the Rings capped their last Beta at lvl 20 and allowed transition to live with those beta characters.

I assume it will be a clean start, but there is nothing garauntee it.

I guess that was just their way of keeping your interest, but i've not heard of many places that kept beta accounts.

[Chalky]

Hopefully nobody is under the illusion that there won't be a wipe. In my opinion, anyone who is suprised by a CB wipe clearly doesn't know what a closed beta is all about and really shouldn't be part of it in the first place!

A wipe means people will spend time exploring and finding bugs instead of grinding, as well as correcting all the issues caused by unbalanced rates and other flaws.

[DaNippers]

Whipe = Better Beta tests, Fuller Game, as Whatever level You had or what skils etc. You get to have fun AGAIN getting and testing them... I love it, And Support it (Not that NOT Supporting it would change or remove the facts lol) And I revel The idea... As Much as I dread Making a Character Over, I enjoy the challange of trying new ways To Push The limits.... SO BRING ON THE WHIPES! no really, I think I stepped in Doggie doo, WHIPE PLEASE!!!!

[LIPANWARRIOR]

I’ve never done a beta before so I was wondering if they’ll choose your race.
I think this should be the case so nothing gets left out. I can already see most people being Goa'uld’s. I want to do beta to test the game for bugs so when it come out I will enjoy it rather then get mad that they ruined the show with bad game play .