Pages:1
Dark Throne: beta update(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)
Posted by: smeerkat
2005 Beta Status Update
01/02
As 2004 is officially over we wanted to update all players on the status of this beta test.
We have been very happy with all of the feedback we have gotten and progress we have made on the beta code. While there have been no content updates over the last couple of weeks we have made the site faster than it has ever been through various code updates. Site speed had been an issue during November so I am happy to say that the issue has been resolved.
In November we introduced a brand new version of the recruiter code. This is now much more stable and faster than the old version.
We have almost put into the beta test every feature we want to test during beta. Players will not see any huge new features tested in the game (minus maybe alliance features which we will talk about in a bit). Any new features we have been working on are going to be saved for the gold version of the game and are incompatible with the current version of the game.
What we have announced previously and still will be testing out is the following:
-A complete change of the xp equation
-Balance tweaks to the undead casualty bonus
-Using overall rank as an attack range requirement
We are also going to introduce fort destruction into the game. For players that fall below 0 fort health they will lose that fortification. More details on that will be announced shortly. Expect an update with some of these changes in the next week.
One major change we will be making is with the forums. Just like the game is a beta version so are the forums. We plan to fully mod and integrate the forum into the game. We plan to offer different layout options and many other features that hook up into the game rather than the separate forum that is up right now. Work will begin on the new forum next week and we will test it out prior to the gold launch of the game.
We also have a survey planned. We will be asking players many questions in regards to their experience in beta and what they would like to see in the full version of the game. Your answers will decide how we go about making certain features for the full version of the game. Depending on your answers the new alliance features may or may not be tested in beta. If not tested in beta the new alliance features will still be usable day 1 of the full version of the game.
Also as previously announced we have planned some contests and prize giveaways. Everyone will have the opportunity to participate in these contests and will have a chance to win some great prizes. We will start those shortly after the new year.
Again, we would like to thank everyone who has participated in this beta test. Testing may be long and you may have to put up with bugs and changes, but it will be well worth it and will make the gold version of the game the best it can be.
Players have been asking for more info regarding the gold/full version of the game so we will give a little information right now to try to answer some of those questions:
-The gold version of the game will be launched in the first quarter of 2005. That is the only estimate we can give. We don't want to set a specific date because we won't launch the full version of the game until we are 100% happy with it.
-The gold version of the game will be free. Everyone can create an account and play for free just as they do now.
-Alliance names and leaders will not be reset.
-Medals will not be reset
-We have not decided yet if account stats will be reset when the beta ends and the gold version launches. That seems like the most logical step, but we will wait to make a decision until we get our survey results in.
-You will not have to reregister your account. Your name/account will be transferred over to the new version of the game automatically. All you have to do is log in.
We would like to wish everyone a happy new year, and look forward to launching the full version of the game very soon.
Expect update 12 to be introduced next week.
Posted by: P^T
not much has changed 
|
|
