This is exactly what worries me the most. After all the insisting of "it's just alpha", now we suddenly hear that they launch in a month? Maybe it really is just some arbitrary button press for you, Nathan, but the rest of the world will not see it that way. A failed launch will cause irreparable damage. Irreparable, as in it won't matter how brilliant you think you can make it later. Look, I really want to like this game. But selling it without beta or as beta... yeah, good luck with that, what could possibly go wrong.
That's not how that works, and everyone in the industry will tell you that's not how that works. Angry fans are one thing, angry fans can be placated, angry fans can be brought back with new content. But getting in a legal battle? Yeah no.
It's a nice sentiment, @Oveur. I really hope everything you stated here comes true. I know I've gotten my money's worth already despite all the imbalances, frustrations, and bugs. It's been an interesting road getting here, and I've met some awesome (and a couple less than awesome) people along the way. While I wish we could have a beta like the original plan stated, I realize sometimes things have to change, and no matter what comes in a month's time, it's been wild fun regardless. I'll still support you (technically I have no choice since you already have my cash ), and whatever happens will happen--good or bad. I've said it before: we're all in the same boat and we have no choice but to go with the flow. --Signed, a guy who got 480 hours out of an unfinished game P.S. Playable necrons when?
Trainwreck incoming. This game needs a year, better a year and a half to be considered ready for release.
Betas traditionally only last a couple of weeks to a month. The ones that DO run longer are either: 1- To get more live metadata for balancing or 2- Because they lied to you about what a Beta is. While I would argue they already have lots of metadata (11 months worth), there won't be any data for the new stuff they just said they would add in the next month. Beta usually means balance and optimization is the primary focus, it normally occurs after all the features and assets are in. They aren't all in. Balance will be continual anyways, they still haven't balanced World of Warcraft or Starcraft. Optimization probably only needs one or two more passes, its quite good as is. Yeah all the little map annoyances are annoying, but these things we just mentioned are releatiely uncomplex tasks. TLDR; Its not as bad as you imply.
Very important question here, and we really need an answer Nathan: Does Veterans include Heroes/Elites?
I can understand the concern about bugs and optimization. But why balance? Not a single multiplayer game in this world, finished or not, can proudly say that they're balanced. It's a never ending process.
The hype train fired up three years ago, and crashed. However, the salt train took off recently, and there is always more room.
