Quote:
Originally Posted by lyankyj
I agree with Calindor and Kaycy on that one, last week I posted the same thoughts.
This is crucial time for us, fans, since the game is quite close to release -in Korea- and the truth of Kaycy's "we don't know" list is just worsening our situation. Not telling us things and even complicate them is not the best way to keep gamers interested in the game. Yes, our choice whether we follow the game or not at this early stage, but their duty, their job is to keep these ppl and don't let them leave the game...well, they're not really doin a great job, eh.
These quick changes in plans are small but obvious signs that smg is not right.
Now the time for the truth is right at our doorstep, now we will see how things really are.
For me, their next two steps are critical, if they don't treat fans as they should be... if they somehow manage to destroy these two years of mine, beware the wraith of my anger and rage...or dare I say Ours..
This is not (necessarily) the Community Guys' fault, more like the groups' who 'work' on the western version of the game.
|
Well, let's see here. This is just a
quick reply before I head to bed, just to clear a few things up!
There hasn't exactly been a quick 'change in plans'. We have for some time been working on a model that works for us in terms of showing the game before launch as well as gathering feedback. The Preview Events were the end result of that. Bear with us now, because we're still shaping them.
I can't give you an answer for all the things that seem to be unclear, simply because it's partly true - we don't know everything yet. It's too early to say whether we will have trial versions at launch and if so, how they would look. We are still working on the Business model and can't therefore possibly announce anything definite on that matter. I can however give you answers on some of your questions.
Is there going to be an "Open Beta"?
We won't have anything that goes by the specific name 'Open Beta' in the EU/US, but the Preview Events we are to hold next year will allow you to play the game (from home) and help us prepare for launch as well as give feedback. The game has been going through a good amount of testing already, and that in combination with the Preview Events and other future tests will ensure that Aion is a good and solid product by launch.
How will we select participants for the Preview Events?
We will be selecting players in several different ways. This is something we're looking into right now. GC2008 and PAX will be the first chances to secure slots. But there will be plenty of other ways yet to be announced. Once we are ready to expand on our plans we may also be able to give you more information on the scale of the events.
What countries or languages are the Preview Events going to be in?
The Preview Events will be available to players from the territories we support at NCE and NCA. English will definitely be supported, but I can't say yet whether French and German will also be in there.
If there is no beta, how will NA/EU players be able to have any input in the game?
As is the nature of most MMO's, development is perpetual, meaning that the importance of feedback does not stand or fall with the limited time period of 'beta testing' - a facility used to discover glitches and bugs in preparation for release. Development is ongoing and feedback will accordingly be required on an ongoing basis. The Preview Events are an excellent opportunity for us to ask for this community feedback on parts of the game and major issues, and they will also help us to stress test the servers and otherwise prepare for release day.
We know what the game is good for and can't wait to show it off to a broader audience with the help of the Preview Events. We're working frenetically to get the game entirely ready for this and as I've said before - it's a bumpy road we're travelling. It takes some time to get there. Just as Rome wasn't built over a night, neither are the preparations we are going through right now. What you can count on for sure, however, is that we will keep informing you whenever we have new things to report or if something for some reason would take a turn. That's why we're here and that's why we'll remain here.