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Breaking news from Steven: Alpha NDA drop moved to July 9th
Asgerr
Member
Here is Steven's message:
My friends,
Some recent developments have caused me to reevaluate our upcoming test schedules and make some necessary adjustments. I will be moving the NDA release and the June 1st Alpha One start date to July. I know this is not ideal, and you have no idea how much it pains me to disappoint our community, but it is my responsibility to make these difficult decisions in order to ensure the test is successful.Testing for the 14th of May will continue for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with an updated schedule being sent to testers today. I am going to explain in detail the reasons for this, and hope you will understand the need and agree with the benefits of this decision.
Do you guys think this is some sort of reaction to WoW scheduling their TBC release the same day the original Alpha NDA dropped?
My friends,
Some recent developments have caused me to reevaluate our upcoming test schedules and make some necessary adjustments. I will be moving the NDA release and the June 1st Alpha One start date to July. I know this is not ideal, and you have no idea how much it pains me to disappoint our community, but it is my responsibility to make these difficult decisions in order to ensure the test is successful.Testing for the 14th of May will continue for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with an updated schedule being sent to testers today. I am going to explain in detail the reasons for this, and hope you will understand the need and agree with the benefits of this decision.
Do you guys think this is some sort of reaction to WoW scheduling their TBC release the same day the original Alpha NDA dropped?
3
Comments
"Finally, several new expansion launches for other live games were announced that would have coincided with our test starting June 1st. We estimate roughly 25% of our current testing pool are active players across these titles combined. This fact presents us with forcing our testers to choose between participating in our testing environment (which will be a long and arduous responsibility), or playing an expansion with their friends in other popular titles. As I outlined earlier, this testing period is an important one. It will require not only participation, but also the attention and feedback from both our testing audience and the broader Ashes of Creation community and general public."
But I honestly think its a lot of things that are the cause of this, number 1 being the addition of sieges
If you'd read the entire post, you wouldn't have to guess. The post explicitly says they're doing it for
1) more QA testing ahead of the alpha
2) to accomodate for their accelerated studio move-in schedule
3) ESO & WoW expansion release dates on june 1st
here's the full post for anybody that actually wants to read it:
https://ashesofcreation.com/news/2021-05-10-alpha-one-schedule-update
As long as we can still test some A1 I am happy.
If I had more time, I would write a shorter post.
Kowtow to Activision clearly.
Not impressed.
Well lucky for them they don't care if you are impressed
♥ In The Name Of Venus, I'll Punish You! ♥
https://instagram.com/theblazedace/
Also, this is Alpha and he wants to have it without an NDA, so we are talking about a first impression! This has to go as smoothly as possible. This because while it is alpha, people will be judging the game, and some people still do not understand the difference between alpha and full release xD
And as I have said. Delays at this stage are not a bad thing. It's a good thing.
Love a good story and lore.
Twitch Streamer : PRO Discord
What does luck have to do with it. Why is my point of view invalid? because it does not agree with yours...
real friends make time, fake friends make excuses.
What's going to be the public image as a result of this? We'll see how this news reverberates.
A second delay on the NDA lifted test....but it's ok because of sugar coating.
It's a weak move and that's the truth generally speaking.
Wanting your game to get the most views and to have said views land on a better feeling Alpha = weakness
Gotcha. I'll be sure to come to you when I need advice on how to display strength. Can't wait to send threat letters to Activision-Blizzard to display dominance, like the 1337 gigachads we are.
That's game development for ya!!
Nothing to do with Activision because it's basically two more months of spot testing.
It's another two month push back.
This is typical for the Ashes devs.
My point exactly the amount of delays ashes has had and will have is already a lot but that's all part of making a game. Just wish people would realise that
https://ashesofcreation.com/news/2021-05-10-alpha-one-schedule-update
"Finally, several new expansion launches for other live games were announced that would have coincided with our test starting June 1st. We estimate roughly 25% of our current testing pool are active players across these titles combined. This fact presents us with forcing our testers to choose between participating in our testing environment (which will be a long and arduous responsibility), or playing an expansion with their friends in other popular titles. As I outlined earlier, this testing period is an important one. It will require not only participation, but also the attention and feedback from both our testing audience and the broader Ashes of Creation community and general public."
You have to trust the process and realize that not only is your money going into this game, but it is Steven's as well, and trust me, with the size of investment he is putting up... delays only add to that investment. He wants this game to be finished just as much as we do, but not at the cost of getting it done right.
/signed
I hope Steven sees the positive feedback and doesn't "feel bad" (as much as he actually can) about pushing the NDA drop back.
As for any other reason they moved it...I support all that as well.
Also, pushing the NDA a bit further while making sure things are ready to be viewed by a wider audience is probably a rather good call. There are too many people around already thinking that Alpha will be a "playable game experience". With the amount of attention AoC is getting already at this early stage, it will be important for IS to make a good first impression. Not only will the launch of A1 affect the initial view of AoC by a broader than before audience, but it will also reflect on IS as a new game development team.
Agreed, @Nagash.
Steven made the right decision and is looking at the long-term health of the game.