Vanguard Update #1 + First Test Server Patch Notes

[Aradune Mithara]

Originally Posted by Nino

I can answer this one.

The test server is indeed a liver server that will receive patches before we fire them off to the rest of the servers. The population is fairly low there right now and we could use some help getting folks established so we CAN get patches tested better before they hit the bulk of our customers. We've been talking about ways to get people interested in moving to test or starting there. Things like accelerated exp gain, flying mount weekends, no exp loss on death, etc. Nothing is set yet, but we obviously need incentives to draw people in. I am actually considering moving my character there strictly out of principle. When we have the final details I will make sure they get posted here.

Ah man, now we'll get a cleric who can't heal in time on the new Test server

[Ayeshala]

FANTASTIC, now I can't log into my main ( Ayeshala on Gelenia ). I don't know how widespread this problem is but I'm not alone:

Are you suffering from character lockout?

Can't Login with My Main Character - Silky Venom

Unable to login my char.

The people in the first link? They should be nominated for SAINTHOOD considering all they have done to isolate the problem. After going through all the steps they have taken to fix this, I'm not going to even bother trying to do something more, it's obviously something out of my control. I'll try petitioning, but I doubt GMs can do anything about this.

[Camerous]

How do you make a character on Test? Is there a choice for it on the server select screen? I would check but all my character slots are full atm and with my server being down I can't delete any of them.

[Ayeshala]

Click "test server" on the bottom left of the launch pad.

[Camerous]

Originally Posted by Ayeshala

Click "test server" on the bottom left of the launch pad.

Awesome thanks.

[Ayeshala]

Well, servers going down in a few minutes to fix a "log in issue". I hope this is the one.

[Ayeshala]

BTW, you guys really need to start the On Screen text system (the one that gives message like "Lost Connection to World Server" in the middle of the screen) to hand out server going down warnings. Too many people miss the warnings in the chat box and think no warning is given.

Edit: People like this! these motherless sons of goats

[Camerous]

When I load into test my custom UI doesn't load. Is there a way to make it so it does?

[Hachima]

Originally Posted by Ayeshala

BTW, you guys really need to start the On Screen text system (the one that gives message like "Lost Connection to World Server" in the middle of the screen) to hand out server going down warnings. Too many people miss the warnings in the chat box and think no warning is given.

Edit: People like this! these motherless sons of goats

If it's anything like how EQ was, sometimes they take down the servers with no warning when a major exploit is found. I found such an exploit in EQ and BAM servers were instantly shut down with no warning.

If character data was becoming corrupted do you think they should wait 10 min to let people log and let more characters get screwed over? I'd say there are times when they need to take em down immediately. If it's not a huge emergency it would be nice to have a warning. It seems like they do when possible though.

[Alarion]

Originally Posted by Camerous

When I load into test my custom UI doesn't load. Is there a way to make it so it does?

I don't think you can use a custom UI on test, but I could be mistaken

Originally Posted by Nino

I can answer this one.

The test server is indeed a liver server that will receive patches before we fire them off to the rest of the servers. The population is fairly low there right now and we could use some help getting folks established so we CAN get patches tested better before they hit the bulk of our customers. We've been talking about ways to get people interested in moving to test or starting there. Things like accelerated exp gain, flying mount weekends, no exp loss on death, etc. Nothing is set yet, but we obviously need incentives to draw people in. I am actually considering moving my character there strictly out of principle. When we have the final details I will make sure they get posted here.

Thanks for the reply Nino. I figured this was the case, from the posts I saw on vanguardspheres.com.

If you are not currently considering it, I think the "unit testing server" I mentioned should at least be talked about. I can understand there might be reasons for not having that kind of server - but I think the benefits from it would be great. I know I, for one, would spend a decent amount of time there testing stuff with new patches and providing some feedback on them.

I know getting yet another server/server farm setup for another test server costs money, and it might not be something able to be worked into the budget right now. But I really do think it would be a valuable resource for you if it could be.

Ok, I'm done beating that topic. Thanks again

[Ayeshala]

Originally Posted by Hachima

If it's anything like how EQ was, sometimes they take down the servers with no warning when a major exploit is found. I found such an exploit in EQ and BAM servers were instantly shut down with no warning.

If character data was becoming corrupted do you think they should wait 10 min to let people log and let more characters get screwed over? I'd say there are times when they need to take em down immediately. If it's not a huge emergency it would be nice to have a warning. It seems like they do when possible though.

Yes, yes. My post has nothing to do with Give a warning VS Bring it down ASAP. I am talking about those times when they can give a warning. People tend to miss it.

[Nólaquen]

Originally Posted by Aradune Mithara

Ah man, now we'll get a cleric who can't heal in time on the new Test server

lol...them's fightin' words, Aradune. You should be careful or one of the new areas' thematic music might just be an Ode to Aradune the Stinky.

[Malakie Torsade]

Originally Posted by Nino

The population is fairly low there right now and we could use some help getting folks established so we CAN get patches tested better before they hit the bulk of our customers. We've been talking about ways to get people interested in moving to test or starting there. Things like accelerated exp gain, flying mount weekends, no exp loss on death, etc. Nothing is set yet, but we obviously need incentives to draw people in. I am actually considering moving my character there strictly out of principle. When we have the final details I will make sure they get posted here.

First, I did make a post somewhat regarding this... *cough cough*

To give a little bit of background, I played on EQ1 Test for roughly 4 years from Pre-Velious to shortly after GoD. I started there because the guys at work who got me into EQ also played there.

Why did I stay through all the crashes, bugs, etc?
- Best community in EQ. Period.
- Feeling that I was, in some small way, improving EQ with my bug reports, assisting developers on the occasion that they would ask the general populace to help with something, and later on, with beta testing expansions.
- The rare chance to interact with a Dev and input my personal experiences and thoughts on something

To try to keep from making this a novel, here is what I would do to draw and keep a strong testing community :
- Make sure people know it's there. This seems obvious, but I remember many in EQ were not even aware that there was a Test server. Make sure the link is prominent.
- Try to announce server downs/restarts. Most will understand it's not always possible, but it makes the difference between a group being able to log out safely vs logging back in to a corpse run.
- Have a presence on the Test community forums whenever they are established.
- Let players know what you want to achieve right from the start in regard to the Test server. If this changes, let the players know.
- Spartans, tonight we dine in hell!
- Announce any new areas/dungeons/abilities/commands/etc that you want feedback on in the server MOTD and/or forums.
- Invite long term Test server players who have shown to be helpful to private beta testing for new areas/expansions.
- While I think the Test server is fine with an official "No CS" policy, assign a good GM to Test in order to help when she can. For some time, EQ Test had a great GM whom everyone loved due to being very helpful and friendly. She was a boon to the players and, in turn, the server. (<3 Lovaine)
- Give out Test veteran rewards which also help testing. For example, for every character someone levels to 50, they can create 1 character of any level on Test.
- Free expansions. EQ is doing this now, but I highly doubt it's something you guys want to do this early on. Just throwing it out there.

Really though, the chance to interact with Devs and the feeling that you are actually a part (however small) of shaping the game is what is going to get you your real testers. Interact with the testers. Let them know that their feedback is important. Involve them with your testing. Whatever you do, do NOT pull an Absor and use the Test server as a scape goat as to why bugs were pushed live.

If you can make the testers feel like a part of your team and you do what you can to ensure that this smaller community has what it needs to do what you want them to do, you will have a strong, loyal Test population.

I understand why you need it as such, but i would much rather be able to make whatever character i want at whatever level i want which starts with some baseline gear so i can get right in and test changes/additions

In theory, this would be the best way to go. However, the sad fact is that the majority of people will simply do this to dink around and would do very little, if any, real testing or feedback. I do think it would be a valuable tool for Test players who have shown that they would use it properly.

[guanna]

Would be glad to play exclusevly on test, but all of my character names are in use. seems test server = beta server. Nino or Aradune, please send me a PM so we can figure out how to delete old beta toons so i can create new ones on test.

[Zehn - Vhex]

Originally Posted by Malakie Torsade

In theory, this would be the best way to go. However, the sad fact is that the majority of people will simply do this to dink around and would do very little, if any, real testing or feedback. I do think it would be a valuable tool for Test players who have shown that they would use it properly.

Agreed. I knew far too many people who, during various EQ expansion betas when you could use the /betabuff command who would just roll up like a shadowknight or some class they had never played before, get instant-end game loot and then...go clear lguk? I remember getting into the LDoN beta with a couple friends and all they wanted to do was see how many ToV dragons they could kill with various class arrangements.

Same with WoW really. Always irked me with new patch tests that instead of testing game/content changes, 99% of the people would just create shaman and mages and duel outside of UC/IF.

Agree with your post 100% really.