Easy way to address the character copy and current test pop

[Eyes_of_Truth]

<div></div>Yes, a great way of seperating testing into two types is to amke two servers, the current one being used to test player interation with enviornment and commerce, while the second one focuses specificaly on testing the physical aspects of the game. The second server needs to allow players to do the following: -EVERYTHING is temporary, nothing to sell, everything is free, and for crafting, all resources are infinate (to test recipes) -allow them the change their class and level, with no restrictions -allow them to use a command such as /equipment - level - quality (like fabled or handmade) so people can get all qualities of equipment at that level to test diferent effectivness -allow players to changes the app/ad/master of the skills to ensure they advance proporly -allow instantanious transport to zones, with exception of special access zones (allow players to access the raid fight's portion of the zone to test the combat, but not access to the other portions of the zone) -need to have several (minimum of 20) devs that have testing of specific classes/ comb. of classes to test how they interact in combat situation, need to phrase the data and make changes accordingly Talked to Palladius about this last night in game (it's me, Holypowa <span>:smileywink:</span><span></span> ) and he thought this would be a nice thing to atempt, but he said i should post it here to see what you guys are the players feel about it, io haveing two test servers so people can copy and fully test the new changes and give feedback, while keeping the current test server's community intact. As allways, please reply with non-flameing, productive osts and fele free to add upon or change any of my ideas  (and PLEASE reply for once! noone ever posts after i do it seems lol <span>:smileysad:</span> ) <div></div>

[Heattanu]

<P>I tenatively support the idea of a second test server for copied characters, while maintaining the current test server and its community intact. The down side of this concept is that SOE might end up with two extremely low population test servers, neither of which is adequetely testing all the content. However, two methods of testing might involve more people overall in the testing process which is probably a good thing. A copy server would also provide for a wider variety of classes, levels, and especially equipment quality than you typically see on test now. SOE has to decide whether the resources involved in a second test server are worth their time and expense. Many of your suggestions for rule changes on the copy test server sound like they would require some heavy program modifications and so are unlikely.</P> <P>The test community is good at testing some things. Many of the players there are dedicated, experienced testers. They are good at catchng, analyzing and reporting both direct and collateral bugs, even if they don't always get fixed before the patch goes live. You would not get this type of testing on a copy test server. Copying characters to the current test server on a large scale is not really compatible with an established tester community. It would be too destabilizing to such a low population server. Kinda like a cruise ship dumping 8000 tourists into a town with 800 residents (which actually happens in Alaska). The normal residents avoid their own town at times like these. </P> <P>Unfortunately, neither the no test server is likely to test economic impacts. And if EQ1 is any indicator population on test servers will never have a large population or a full economy, so economic effects only become apparent after changes have been on live servers for a while.</P>

[QuietRobot]

I'm not sure if those goes along the same lines as what you're suggesting, but I think it kind of does. I always liked how in EQLive you could use /testbuff to get yourself up to level 20 and get some equipment. I thought it'd be nice if the same was true in EQ2, but I can see the obstacles to that with having to choose your archetype/type/specific-class kind of thing that's in place. But I'm all for there being another test server to do what you're proposing just so long as it doesn't become a system for abusing the game by experiencing things that a lot of other players don't normally get to experience. <div></div>

[Eyes_of_Truth]

<div></div>Exactly, i dont want people who dont have access to hard/rare content such as draconic quests and such to get to see these areas in their full glory, ala the sectoning off parts of the zones, allowing only the boss areas for play -to test fights. Also, their is no way of exploiting this, because every item will be temporary, and you character is allways a level 1 commoner when u log on till u select your level and class and such. Any and all items need to be accessable though, to make sure they have the proper effect/vissual ect.. Keep the replys coming, more voices carry more wieght <span>:smileywink:</span> <div></div><p>Message Edited by Eyes_of_Truth on <span class=date_text>05-17-2005</span> <span class=time_text>05:20 PM</span>

[Evadne]

Since the xp bonus Test's population has been increasing....daily.  It isn't just a matter of another server, the company would have to devote resources to both, and from what I can see they are doing everything they can with the feedback they get from the current avenues. ~Eva <div></div>

[Sirenta]

<P>Well, that would surely be a server even I would do tests on.</P> <P>The other server or test-server as a matter of fact is just not meant for me...</P> <P>I would still have to level to 50. Why? I mean, when i'm 50, how am i supposed to test another 20-40 expansion...</P> <P>Sorry, but thats just plain silly.</P> <P> </P> <P>BTW: Only mechanical issues are responded to. No urgent interactive demand was responded to, unless it was realized in another game <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P>With this idea i feel that the population of testers would rise....</P>