Epic know how to bounce community ideas...
truegamer said:
I strongly feel that Epic should run a series of beta tests once the content side of the game is completed. It'll help with bug squashing and stuff.
Agreed, but they
won't do it. Professional players (lauke, evenflow and others) have already made open offers in person to beta test the game for free and not just for the sake of the "pro" gamers. These are also people who've played UT games more than Epic have. Epic said no. Infact, Epic never even bothered to reply.
I think the chances of major improvements being made to the game from the comments made by a publc beta test are virtually nil. The ammount of weird, unbalanced or just plain bad ideas would be massive. As would the solid wall of whining from just about everyone.
I'd like to see long term in-production private beta testing done by selected and trusted members of the UT community (both UT99
and UT200x) from all levels of player skill (not just the "pros"). I think that'd definitly give the best balance for everyone.
One thing I believe shouldn't happen is Epic relying on purely their own beta testing. Back during the development of both UT99 and UT200x they failed to spot (or completely discount) a lot of things that were very easy for most players to pull off. They didn't think anyone could possibly get to the top of the ridge in UT99's CTF-LavaGiant, which people could not only get up there, they could cross the entire map via telepunting. During UT2004 development, Mark "Dumbass" Rein said that Epic didn't think it was possible to shoot down a Raptor with a shock rifle, which is something that's well within the reach of any experienced (or even competant) player.
Private beta testing is what UT4 needs, but I don't think it'll get it.