Test Server and the need for more High End players on Test

[[sp00k]]

<DIV>This is a post that more than likely has been posted before.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I and I'm sure most of the High end players would like to have their toons copied to the test server to better test the changes that will be taken place for the future.  This will help you "SOE" to better test all the high end content and Character changes.  You have a test server to test your updates before they go live but lack the players to effivitly test the changes. So defeating the purpose of a test server. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Please post a respond to this and why and when this can or can not take place.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Whipem</DIV> <DIV>50 Inquisitor</DIV> <DIV>41 Armorer</DIV>

[Evadne]

There already is a guild copied to Test working with the dev team to test. These are very controlled tests, for high end content using real players that are willing and able to sacrifice their regular play time on the Dev's schedule.  Random copies won't help the team.  But I would encourage more moves to test for people who are interested in making Test their home. Nothing will change the fact that bugs will get through. One way or another, many many more glitches, bugs etc are found than most people have any idea about. The dev team, the test players, the QA team, and the copied guild are doing a fine job. ~Eva <div></div>

[Thesp]

Its no suprise that the test server population is the slowest growing of any server, but I think that if allowed to continue it will grow into a very effective unit. However, I think that if random copies are allowed (which is different from 1-way moves) that you end up sacrificing long term stability for short term growth.

[Za]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Evadne wrote:<BR>There already is a guild copied to Test working with the dev team to test. These are very controlled tests, for high end content using real players that are willing and able to sacrifice their regular play time on the Dev's schedule.  Random copies won't help the team.  But I would encourage more moves to test for people who are interested in making Test their home.<BR><BR>Nothing will change the fact that bugs will get through. One way or another, many many more glitches, bugs etc are found than most people have any idea about. The dev team, the test players, the QA team, and the copied guild are doing a fine job.<BR><BR><BR>~Eva<BR> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>But the copied guilds at some point become as ineffective as Sony's on internal test team at truely understanding the mindset of the LIVE SERVER players. </P> <P>You spend so much time in the test environ, getting to know how SOE thinks, that you loose a little something...</P> <P>Controlled random copied players, give live server people the opportunity to see inside the machine without having to dedicate their full time play to the test environment, which as I said below, would limit their actual ties to the live server mentality anyway. </P>

[Kilo]

I have to call BS that the new encounters of Zatan, Meeting of the Minds, Nagalik, Darathar, Krathuk, etc were tested. The encounters are highly unbalanced and buggy even at live, I think we(the high end guilds on live servers) are doing the true testing. If the guild, or SOE, let these encounters slip by with just a wave, something needs to be done. <div></div>

[AlienR]

No one is worried about the stability of the test server....nor it's short term or long term growth.  No one wants to spend the hours leveling up a character in an environment of patches, updates and downtime.  The fact is, most of Sony's hardcore players are on the live servers....the players that know the ins and outs of their characters and current content.  These are the players you need testing your "fixes" and new features.  Not a lvl 20 player.... or a hand selected guild that's likely to give fanboi feedback.  That's the same as a tampered jury.  Copied characters worked great in CoH and still do.

[Blackdog183]

<DIV>About the only way I would even consider having a charecter on test is if its a copy, NOT A MOVE.  I *$%#&! shure dont want to move my 38SK/42 alchey to test, copy however I would be cool with.  I am not willing to give up my charecter on the production server, and I *$%#&! shure am not willing to spend the time levelling a new char.</DIV>

[Daffid011]

<span><blockquote><hr>AlienRok wrote: Copied characters worked great in CoH and still do. <div></div><hr></blockquote>It isn't like there is much to be "tested" in city of heroes.  Cool powers aside that game is devoid of any meaningful mechanics that could possibly go wrong.  It is the mmorpg-lite of the industry.  Even the powers are very simplistic in nature. Based on their subscription numbers I wouldn't say they have "the pulse" of their live players by having copies on a test server.  </span><div></div>

[Za]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Daffid011 wrote:<BR><SPAN><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> AlienRok wrote:<BR> Copied characters worked great in CoH and still do. <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE>It isn't like there is much to be "tested" in city of heroes.  Cool powers aside that game is devoid of any meaningful mechanics that could possibly go wrong.  It is the mmorpg-lite of the industry.  Even the powers are very simplistic in nature.<BR><BR>Based on their subscription numbers I wouldn't say they have "the pulse" of their live players by having copies on a test server.  <BR><BR></SPAN> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>There's quite a bit of game mechanics in CoH.... and not sure what their subscription numbers are, but CoH is the best & most fun  MMO available. Their only downside is the ease of play and the lack of "End Game".

[badcan]

<blockquote><hr>[sp00k] wrote:<DIV>This is a post that more than likely has been posted before.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I and I'm sure most of the High end players would like to have their toons copied to the test server to better test the changes that will be taken place for the future.  This will help you "SOE" to better test all the high end content and Character changes.  You have a test server to test your updates before they go live but lack the players to effivitly test the changes. So defeating the purpose of a test server. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Please post a respond to this and why and when this can or can not take place.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Whipem</DIV> <DIV>50 Inquisitor</DIV> <DIV>41 Armorer</DIV><hr></blockquote>ya know, I don't know anything about a guild that managed to get /copied/ to test, or whether or not there is some strange mind-meld that goes on when you are on the Test Server. However, I would like to see...A testing server where you copy over your character temporarily. So I take my 34 coercer, copy her as she is onto a new test server (don't want to mess with the community/economy on the current static one) play for a few hours and see how things are working. It won't affect the server as my copy will be deleted and my char on the live server is untouched. Or a server where you create a character of X level Y class whatever gear... much like the devs have the ability to do, so that you can test the new stuff. If you don't make it static, you'll get lots of people popping in and out trying different classes at different levels. No, it doesn't make for a 'community' but it might get more people trying new things and let's face it... when it hits live you went from a small number of players trying something out to your 350k subscriber base messing with it. Just my $0.02.

[kaoriknigh]

<DIV>This is the first I have ever heard of a guild that got copied to test for actual high end testing. I suppose what they test is supposed to be kept secret but the fact there is NO publicity that it is even happening is just poor design. I also wonder the mentality of the testing guild-- because if it is too elitist the content that can get pushed through isn't accurate, in the case that we just saw with the instances a week ago. Although I'm really doubting that those were tested and to what extent or how much of the actual 'final product' the devs let this test guild experience. I'm very skeptical about the whole high end raiding situation on the test server and will remain that way until the content pushed live indicates otherwise.</DIV>