So I got a question... will we see all the new ships and weapons from the final game in the public beta before the release of the final game? Or will we only get a chance to see all the cool stuff when we pay for it? Obviously not all the sectors from the final version will be placed into the public beta version. But damn, I really wanna see some more gameplay balance before I decide to pay for the game this summer. Not that I'm being skeptical about whether the devs could pull it off or not, but I don't want to pay for a game that caters to rocket ramming Valkyrie pilots. Please assure me in some way!

=)

Well... once they finish the bulk of the game, they will be able to focus on balance issues a lot more. :p

Well obviously, UncleDave. But I was just wondering whether we can get a taste of how the final game's balance will be before we'd have to pay for it. Maybe I read this the wrong way but it looks like they're working on the final game behind the curtains and then updating the public beta at a later time. Not that I'm complaining, I mean I know Guild Software is under a lot of pressure and their finances are very limited. But if there's any chance of me buying this game I'd like to at least get a better taste of the final product.

Will those "delayed" updates for the test version include actual portions of the final product? Or will they simply be bugfixes? Maybe the devs don't even know at this point. Aside from the balance issues right now the game is very fun to play and actually looks good. Chances are, yes, these issues will be worked out before release... but to what extent? How will we know for sure? I'm also hoping to see different types of subscriptions for the game (monthly, yearly, etc.). If the game reaches the funness factor of version 3.1.x, I'd be more than happy to plunk down $50 for a yearly subscription.

Arolte:

1: I bet they will put some of that in the game in some form or another.

2: Even if they don't I bet there is a free demo period to try it so you could find out.

mad pr0ps t0 incarnate f0r updating the in pr0gress.

Arolte, most MMORPGs are developed "behind curtains" as you put it, and then include a brief beta testing period that lasts perhaps one week before closing it down and developing the final product some more. Furthermore, these betas only allow a certain number of randomly selected users to join, so not everyone gets to try the game before they have to decide to buy it.

The fact that the devs have been willing to pay for constantly running a "beta testing" server with an unlimited number of accounts is fairly remarkable in and of itself. I don't think we have much to complain about.

<Phaserlight>"The fact that the devs have been willing to pay for constantly running a "beta testing" server with an unlimited number of accounts is fairly remarkable in and of itself. I don't think we have much to complain about."

Well put, Phaserlight...Please allow me to amend this to say "I know we don't have anything to complain about"

When the finished product is in our hands, feel free to criticize aspects of that game. I, for one, don't count on seeing it before it is released commercially. If I do, it will be gravy.

Yes, I can say that I'm very thankful for the free public beta release. I've donated a few bucks via paypal and I did my best to report any bugs I encountered. The devs had to put up with my bitching a lot, but hey I did my part in testing and providing feedback. I guess the earlier versions of Vendetta spoiled me a bit in terms of wanting more of that style of gameplay. Seeing the balance go downhill since then made me feel concerned about the direction of Vendetta. What's there to assure me that I'll be getting my money's worth? I'm not too sure what to think anymore. Anyway, I guess it's not uncommon for MMORPGs to provide a free trial period.

I'd sign a NDA for the other 35 pages...

I've done my best, in past threads, to explain why the current "balance" issues aren't very relevant to the final game. At this point, I hope it'll just become obvious over the next few months, because I can't really "explain" why without posting what amounts to a 40-page design document.

I hope people will like it, and want to buy it. We'll see.

Heh. We wouldn't mind a 40 page design document ;-) Would we guys?

lol, I'm not even half serious Incarnate. I'm about 1/100th serious. But I am (partially) serious.

Hell yeah, give us that 40 page document :D

Of course I assume pages 1-5 are the NDA :)

I'd sign away my soul for the other 35 pages...

Same difference UD... :P

I'll sign away UncleDave's soul too, it should be worth at least 2 NDA's...

I just want to be surprised. I have no doubt what-so-ever that it will be a pleasent surprise.