Glorious Alpha Two Testers!

Alpha Two Realms are now unlocked for Phase II testing!

For our initial launch, testing will begin on Friday, December 20, 2024, at 10 AM Pacific and continue uninterrupted until Monday, January 6, 2025, at 10 AM Pacific. After January 6th, we’ll transition to a schedule of five-day-per-week access for the remainder of Phase II.

You can download the game launcher here and we encourage you to join us on our for the most up to date testing news.

The stress test had some issues with the timing... I think

So my problem with the first stress test was, that the 1st stress test was announced for 6PM PDT which is 3AM in my timezone. Then I got the mail with the login credentials at 6:58 PM PDT (3AM my time, but I was sleeping then anyway)...  for 8:30 PM PDT which is 5:30 AM in my timezone. Now I don't really know how big the client is, but I  am not 100% sure if I could have downloaded it in time for even start the test... well If I had been awake...

Lets face it guys, the planing for this stress test was done a bit poorly.

My questions @IntrepidStudios
- Can I use the login credentials that I got now for the next Stress tests?
- If I get new login credentials will I get them in time, or will I get the mail again 1 hour before the start? (please note that I got to download the client as well)
- Are following stress tests going to be held at the same time as the one was now? So basically designed only to host NA players?

Comments

  • Testing is always done at inappropriate times for EU and even for Alpha 0, E-mails were sent last minute.

    I suppose there is a reason behind it, but it is very inconvenient for europeans as we do not have as fast internet speeds as NA to be able to download the client in minutes rather than hours.
  • ArchivedUserArchivedUser Guest
    edited September 2018
    American based company cant be expected to cater to us on stress test. I got pretty low download speed but managed to download launcher and get in action though you need to be ready.

    My only complaint would be if you are gonna be late which is fine please do tell in advantage, I know it was told in discord I think but I didn't think to check there and so thought missed the email/ it didn't get send or I time converted wrong.

    EDIT: Fixed stuff.
  • Yeah.. that was a US-targetted  stress test for sure..
    recieved the account at 3:30 am and the stress test already ended around 6 am XD
  • Well i dont mind the timing its the weekend afther all.
    Did any 1 else have problems with there send information? mine seem to be incorret so had to send in a support ticket now i can only wait till next test sadly.
  • Well, if you take in consideration, that they are running this stress test during their work-time and not their free time, the time-slots actually make sense, dont they (obviously)?
    I mean whats the point about running a test if you cant monitor the situation lol

  • I fully understand your viewpoint @Trem, but I accept, as an US based company that the times will cater to their needs not ours. Have faith in knowing A1 will be 24/7 in the not too distant future. :)  
  • reaccon said:
    Well, if you take in consideration, that they are running this stress test during their work-time and not their free time, the time-slots actually make sense, dont they (obviously)?
    I mean whats the point about running a test if you cant monitor the situation lol

    Not really... I dont think that 8:30PM and after is worktime in the US.
    The first plans were actually still okay I mean 6PM is about when ppl get home.
    But that is actually planned for the NA.

    The next stress test are planned for thursday and friday. Both are workdays, so I guess they will plan them again after 5PM PDT.
    That is okay for NA standards, because ppl get home from work about that time. But in the EU that is actually 2AM or so.

    But oh well, I rather sleep. :)
    I will probably have time to play the game at some later dates. :P
  • ArchivedUserArchivedUser Guest
    edited September 2018
    Kratz said:
    I fully understand your viewpoint @Trem, but I accept, as an US based company that the times will cater to their needs not ours. Have faith in knowing A1 will be 24/7 in the not too distant future. :)  
    I am not blaming them, don't misunderstand. I just wanted to know if it is worth for me to hype up for the stress test, or just let it go. I don't really want to stay up till 3AM on a workday, so if the tests are going to be at the same time then I'll just ignore it.

    What I did not really liked is, that I got the mail 1 hour before the tests started, and I have currently a rather slower net-connection, and even if I would have been awake, I probably wouldn't have been able to download the client. That what I meant when I said poorly planned. It would have been nice to get a mail at least a few more hours before (even if I don't participate).

    So this for me was something like a ninja stress test, if you blink you miss it. :smile:
  • I understand @Trem, and if it's any consolation Alpha 0 was the same. Let me make this clear, there's no way I would stay up[ until 3am on a workday to test this game. I'm sure the testers that can do that will do a great job of breaking things without me. :)
  • Kratz said:
    I understand @Trem, and if it's any consolation Alpha 0 was the same. Let me make this clear, there's no way I would stay up[ until 3am on a workday to test this game. I'm sure the testers that can do that will do a great job of breaking things without me. :)
    I did this for alpha 0, stayed up in the middle of the night waiting for the e-mail so I can download the game.

    15 minutes after the slot was supposed to start, we received an e-mail that our slot has been canceled.

    My wish to test and try this game out was too strong so I waited, even though I had a work shift a few hours after so I said to myself, never again.

    I will resume testing if they decide to open servers 24 hours a day or offer time slots for EU.


  • ArchivedUserArchivedUser Guest
    edited September 2018
    The Devil is in the details of the development. Most likely what happened is it took some extra time to fix some known bugs and they were so happy to release, they sent out the emails "as-soon-as" the bugs were resolved and in the source code base at "integration".  In all their exuberance, they sent out the emails as soon as possible vs. delaying a day for a more reasonable time (well USA time zone at least).  I think this is great.  

    In all honestly,   releasing the same day but late to resolve a known crashing issue OR versus delaying a day, what would you have?   (keep in mind it is VERY EARLY in development .... releasing a game for testing this early is not typical nor typical for any SW product, this shows how open they are!!!)
  • This is what the testing will be until they get a server up constant.. they will do builds... Servers will go down with little/no warning... And times will be strange because as they finish builds and roll it out they want to test it.

    Be prepared that this is testing.. your not playing a video game you are part of a pool of people testing an unfinished product. I've said this in several other threads but we as a community have gotten used to "pre-release" or "early access". That's not the route ashes went down. 
  • if the timing they chose helps them detect and address issues more efficiently then there was no issues with timing.
  • Would be good to do 10am pdt for 6pm gmt EU & 6am pdt for US.
    Anyway, cant expect the devs to stay up 24/7 for observation.

    Clients should have been available for download days before testing though, with minor file updates only.

    Many devs seem to be oblivious to the fact clients have a download time and not always smooth sailing either.
  • I didn't even get a time frame in my email, nor instructions on how to participate.. Just one informing me alpha 1 testing begins.. Did everyone get that?
  • Trem said:
    Kratz said:
    I fully understand your viewpoint @Trem, but I accept, as an US based company that the times will cater to their needs not ours. Have faith in knowing A1 will be 24/7 in the not too distant future. :)  
    I am not blaming them, don't misunderstand. I just wanted to know if it is worth for me to hype up for the stress test, or just let it go. I don't really want to stay up till 3AM on a workday, so if the tests are going to be at the same time then I'll just ignore it.

    What I did not really liked is, that I got the mail 1 hour before the tests started, and I have currently a rather slower net-connection, and even if I would have been awake, I probably wouldn't have been able to download the client. That what I meant when I said poorly planned. It would have been nice to get a mail at least a few more hours before (even if I don't participate).

    So this for me was something like a ninja stress test, if you blink you miss it. :smile:
    I came to the conclusion back in A0 that there was no point stressing about times that were inconvenient for me being from AU, I would either make them without staying up until stupid o'clock or just not bother. Yes I would have liked to participate more than I did, but with such narrow inconvenient windows its not worth stressing over. The servers will be up more often and I will have my chance to break things and provide feedback.

    Don't get me wrong I understand the frustration with slow downloads and little to no notification but Intrepid are working there collective asses off getting this test up and running. In a few short weeks time people will wonder what they were stressing about.

    That hype can be a cruel mistress when you want something so badly :)
  • Even having the slow downloads, and other problems associated with being able to log in are part of the testing; so just know you are doing your part no matter how frustrating it is.
  • It's not called stress testing for nothing. :)
  • T-Elf said:
    Even having the slow downloads, and other problems associated with being able to log in are part of the testing; so just know you are doing your part no matter how frustrating it is.
    That means, I have tested the timing and planing the preparation of the stress test, and I concluded that is was poorly planned.

    These are facts guys. Even if it is a stress test, normally you send out the out the mails in time for people to be able to prepare for it.
    It is not just the programmer team who needs preparation.

    And now you say: "But it was a stress test, so there is going to be stress" or some sh*t.
    Well yea, but usually you have to get to the part where you test...

    Ahh, but you know what... I have asked my question and I still did not get my answers.
    So is someone able to answer the question without trying to explain what a stress test is? (I tell you guys, this thread is starting to change into a stress test...)
  • ArchivedUserArchivedUser Guest
    edited September 2018
    Trem said:
    So is someone able to answer the question without trying to explain what a stress test is? (I tell you guys, this thread is starting to change into a stress test...)
    Sorry @Trem

    -I saw someone ask about this on discord but I couldnt find it nor the answer if there was any. Asked around and apparently no you need new ones, but dont take it as solid since I cant vouch for it. (thanks for help Fooshyy)
    -Theoretical question cant answer but I would hope we do or at least email if its late.
    -I would asume so but just theorising the times how long they go for might get longer especially once we near or hit the betas. Also they said there might be "on the spot" tests I think.

    I would recommend hitting the Alpha tester forum and discord for more solid answers.

  • Clients should have been available for download days before testing though, with minor file updates only.
    Correct me if I am wrong, but the devs will be working on the code for the client up to the point that it is ready for testing, and then release it for testing. I don't think they will be testing days-old clients.

    Would appreciate some input from someone with actual experience in coding and testing. :)
  • Trem said:

    So is someone able to answer the question without trying to explain what a stress test is?
    Well, only the devs can really provide answers. Everyone else is just engaged in discussion.  :smile:
  • @Trem If you want an answer to that question, you should tag @GMSteven - not @IntrepidStudios ... that one is an inactive account that's just there for reserving the name before any troll gets it :wink:
    Ask Steven, and he might answer.

  • Trem said:
    T-Elf said:
    Even having the slow downloads, and other problems associated with being able to log in are part of the testing; so just know you are doing your part no matter how frustrating it is.
    So is someone able to answer the question without trying to explain what a stress test is? (I tell you guys, this thread is starting to change into a stress test...)

    The truth is we don't have the answers, but if you want to base potential answers on the testing experiences we've had with Ashes (in addition to what I said above), I'd say the answers are:

    1:No

    2:No

    3: Yes.

    Hope that helps.  

  • At last, some usful infos. Thanx guys.
  • Nefelia said:

    Clients should have been available for download days before testing though, with minor file updates only.
    Correct me if I am wrong, but the devs will be working on the code for the client up to the point that it is ready for testing, and then release it for testing. I don't think they will be testing days-old clients.

    Would appreciate some input from someone with actual experience in coding and testing. :)
    It has been a very very long time since people produced monolithic programs as one file.
    We moved to dynamic link libraries and such a very very ling time ago.
    Most media/asset files are also seperate entities that make up the bulk of an MMO.
    Suffice is to say you only need to change files that have actually changed.
    ;)

    So yeah you could do 80Gbyte downloads to replace 100Mbyte of code changes, but its not really the smartest way to do things.

  • backer - braver of worlds still waiting for  email info to help with stress tests and aditional info for the next phase where we get to join and help " break and find problems"
  • backer - braver of worlds still waiting for  email info to help with stress tests and aditional info for the next phase where we get to join and help " break and find problems"
    BoW folks like you and I should get invites sometime this week, in theory.

    The people in higher tiers got the invites earlier, which I think is fair.
  • backer - braver of worlds still waiting for  email info to help with stress tests and aditional info for the next phase where we get to join and help " break and find problems"
    This is an amazing resource. Feel free to use it to alleviate mental stress while waiting. https://ashesofcreation.wiki/Alpha-1
  • Please note that the studios is NA PST based and is working to schedule testing during the most opportune of times, keeping into account work hours with current staff model. As part of Alpha or even pre-Alpha testing there will be opportunities to improve on coordination, collaboration and communication models inclusive of the emails or discord notifications. In the case of this past Fridays test, there were some unexpected delays in notifications however these were addressed with high urgency and the test proceeded successfully. In the future, as Intrepid works to move to a persistent server model, you can expect to see an expanded testing window with additional timeslots for testers to participate in.


    Thank you,

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