D&D Online Stress Beta Begins

kafka47 writes "Turbine's much-anticipated MMO, "Dungeons and Dragons Online: Stormreach", is now opening up its stress test to Fileplanet subscribers. The registration is free, and it is a great opportunity for MMO and D&D fans to sign up and try out the game! Paid subscribers get a higher-rez client, but if you're curious about what DDO has to offer (and by all accounts, it's a lot) this is your chance to see it early."

Comments

oh yay

[eobanb]

Looks to be Windows-only. Gee thanks guys. Also I apparently have to be some member of IGN and/or FilePlanet, both ad-ridden slow over-commercialised scourges of the Internet. Does no one understand that this stuff is mainly a ploy to get users to sign up for the forums and buy subscriptions? Get me an actual freely available download and a Mac or Linux version, otherwise I think I'll pass on this one.

Re:oh yay

[AviLazar]

Yes, that is exactly what they want to do. Give you a free copy of the game without having you register. Because you know, when they want beta testers, they don't want to be able to contact them.

If you are that paranoid, use a bogus e-mail, and bogus home address/phone number.

Re:oh yay

[eobanb]

Hey, thanks for the comment. I do want to address something you said, though: But ultimately, as things stand at the end of 2005, Windows is a better platform for gaming than Linux or MacOS -- the support is there, the games are there, and things generally work with little pain. This doesn't really make sense except for the fact that Windows happens to have a greater userbase, which itself does not make the platform any better or worse for gaming than any other platform. It is just as easy or difficult to develop a game for other platforms, as Blizzard, id, Aspyr, Ambrosia, Shrapnel, etc. have demonstrated, as it is to develop for Windows.

Re:oh yay

[jedie]

hey,

if you need to get more linux gamers to attract more linux-support from game developers... you get a chicken-egg problem:

gamers won't come to linux if it's not supported by dev companies
dev companies won't support linux if gamers don't migrate

a better solution would be:
more quality open source/linux games that can equal the polished commercial counterparts.
free-games usually lack decent artwork or decent menus or whatnot... they even lack decent stories.

so the plan is:
- get bunch of talented people together: writers, graphics, musicians, sound people, programmers, people to write documentation, offer support,...

all in all I don't see this happening in a soon future... yay wintendo :)

Re:oh yay

[vertinox]

Windows is a better platform for gaming than Linux or MacOS

Actually, from a developers standpoint, MacOS is the best choice because you generally know what the OS and hardware will always be. A Mac is closest thing in the computer world to a console. If you make a game that runs on Mac OS that year, you can generally assume most other Macs that run OS X will run it.

With Windows and Linux you basically have to guess what most people might be using for processor, motherboard, sound card, video drivers etc... Direct X, OpenGL, and windows APIs generally help this by making all things universal but problems do arise for end users when they have some pretty whacked specs or quirky video drivers.

However, from a publishers stanpoint, because of Mac OS small market penetration the Windows version makes more sense.

Perhaps the x86 systems will change that, but that is pure speculation.

Re:oh yay

[ranton]

Actually, in my experience Windows is FAR easier to develop for than the linux platform. I have to do some linux programming when I need cluster-like speeds, but it is much easier to program with Visual Studio or Borland Developers Studio than any linux developing environments I have ever used. KDevelop is very nice, but doesnt approach a Windows quality IDE enviornment.

Does a game like WoW hurt a game like DDO?

[eldavojohn]

I'm curious as to what slashdotters really think about this subject.

Here we have a possible new MMO and, trust me, I'd love to try it and be a paying customer. However, I'm deeply involved in another major MMO right now (WoW to be exact). I know many people who also will not try other MMOs because their current one is too infatuating.

Furthermore, if the most popular MMO has most of the population of gamers (like WoW does), doesn't this hurt the industry?

Yes, I know this has probably been covered in another thread but I was hoping someone could give me good reasons to stop trying to get to level 60 with my priest and spend my valuable free time trying to get into DDO. After browsing the site, I'm definitely going to go home and give this one a shot but what about all the MMOs that aren't slashdotted?

I'm reminded of an old friend from high school who hated the game franchises on the older consoles (like Mario Bros) because he was certain that their high pricing and continuous rehashing of the same story line not only stifled creativity but turned off gamers looking for something fresh. What do you think?

Re:Does a game like WoW hurt a game like DDO?

[Red Flayer]

"Yes, I know this has probably been covered in another thread but I was hoping someone could give me good reasons to stop trying to get to level 60 with my priest and spend my valuable free time trying to get into DDO."

For me, it's all about finding new things, having new experiences. And grinding to hit level 60 in WoW doesn't do that for me. I'd rather play the early & mid-game in twenty different titles than play through to the endgame in one.

However, I don't know how DDO differs from WoW. Until you try it, you won't know either. So maybe a reason to try DDO is that it could be much more fun. A few hours trying it out would be worth the chance, right?

Re:Does a game like WoW hurt a game like DDO?

[NetFu]

MMO's are like running restaurants or establishments that occupy people's time fairly exclusively (can't simultaneously eat in 3 different restaurants). They have to work to hang on to their customers. They don't and they'll lose them to an upstart.

That's what I saw happen with WoW and EQ2. I didn't start playing WoW from the beginning, I got into it 4 months after launch -- something like March 2005. I started playing EQ2 in November to December of 2004. Mainly because it looked really cool, and I played EQ years ago.

After 4 months of EQ2, I started hating to play it like I was going to work. I was going to sit down one weeknight to play it for an hour or so before going to bed -- to keep working on my character -- and at the end of the 60-90 minutes I realized I had just thrown away those 60-90 minutes just trying to recover my body after dying repeatedly.

I realized that I seriously felt like I was *paying* someone to abuse me. (S&M, anyone?)

I heard someone mention World of Warcraft and how it's like EQ2 but better, so I checked out a few reviews. After reading reviews, I decided to try it, and liked the (almost) complete lack of punishment. I felt like I was appreciated as a customer, and not being mugged on a daily basis.

Sure, I make stupid mistakes in WoW and waste some of my time, but I have never gotten up from playing it feeling like I just completely wasted my time on frustration.

Sure, WoW isn't perfect and people complain about various aspects of the gaming experience, but it's still the best overall experience out there right now, which is why it reigns supreme. It's kind of like a restaurant or dining experience.

This doesn't hurt the industry, it just guarantees competition and better quality. Like a restaurant, if the latest MMO is way better than any other, everyone will flock to it and the crappy ones will be forced to change to compete or die.

I think it's a great chance...

[OakDragon]

I think it's a great chance for non-gamers like me (well, pretty much) to see what all the MMORPG fuss is about, especially under the D&D banner. I think I might do it.

Re:I think it's a great chance...

[Shihar]

Non-Gamer kills the skeleton for the 100th times:
"Uh, why am I killing skeletons again?"

Gamer:
"To get to level 5!"

Non-Gamer:
"What do I get at level 5?"

Gamer:
"Improved fireball man!"

Non-Gamer:
"What do I do with the improved fireball?"

Gamer:
"Shit, man, you need improved fireball if you want to get to level 6."

Non-Gamer:
"So I am getting to level 5 so I can get to level 6?"

Yeah... better you just not show non-gamers what MMORPGs are all about. Unless they addict easily, they are probably just going to think you are insane and need to get out more.

MMORPGs are a bad habit that I kicked a while ago. Wake me up when someone grows a pair and offers something new... and by new I don't mean prettier graphics or a refinement of the old formula. If you can stip the core game play down to "killing stuff to get to the next level", count me out.

Arrg. Why not Torrent???

[Maxo-Texas]

All they had to do was torrent af few copies out- no need to blow their own bandwidth or force people to use IGN file networks.

Bloody Marketing....

[Volanin]

From the FAQ:

Q: How are participants for the Stress Test Event selected?

We are offering a limited number of Stress Test Event slots as an exclusive to FilePlanet members. Stress Test Event access will be offered on a first-come first-served basis until the total number of Stress Test Event accounts has run out.

Q: I was accepted into the Stress Test Event. Does this mean I'm in the Beta now?

No. The Stress Test Event is separate from the Beta. Acceptance into the Stress Test Event will grant you access to special servers for three days only.

Q: If I am a FilePlanet member, where do I go to get signed up?

http://www.fileplanet.com/promotions/ddo_stormreac h/stresstest/


Come on...
Looks like FilePlanet just want boost its members numbers... again.
Nothing to see here, move along.

Re:Arrg. Why not Torrent???

[Gibsnag]

How much do you think IGN/Fileplanet paid for them to release the stress test exclusively over their site(s)? The D&D name carries alot of weight, so I'm guessing quite alot.

Re:Looks like this game SUCKS - here is why:

[Red Flayer]

"Bottom line:
NO crafting.
NO housing.
NO PvP."

Sweet. This means I can just play without having to grind for days? This means that I don't have to worry about griefers screwing with my fun by engaging me in PvP when I don't want to?

Why does every MMORPG need to be the all-and-everything? Let this game specialize in hack-n-slash, while some other game can specialize in a crafting economy.

er.. how many of these things do we need?

[EvilCabbage]

seriously, how many fucking MMORPG's do we really need? I got into WoW for a month before I got sick of the grinding, I fire up Guild Wars every now and then for a quick 'fix' of gaming with a few close friends (that I actually know on this physical realm we inhabit..), but then what? How many alterations on hack/slash/walk/repeat can there really be?

Am I in the minority of gamers when my real life is far more important than spending 5+ hours a day wandering aimlessly through someone elses fantasy world?

Re:Looks like this game SUCKS - here is why:

[Red Flayer]

"And when someone talks shit about yer mom, what are you going to do?"

Put them on the ignore list. Not stoop to their level. If it's an all-ages game, report them to the mods for abusive behavior.

"And when someone steals your loot?"

This is avoidable if the game is designed properly. I remember from Runescape, ages ago, they used to have a time period when only the killer could pick up the loot. Or instancing, if camping is your problem.

This problem can easily be addressed by means other than PvP.

"What's the point of these games? Just seems tedious to fight against stupid AI."

Again, it depends on game design. Quests can be designed well, cooperative play can be required/encouraged. The AI deosn't necessarily have to be stupid. It could be challenging.

What's the point of all the PvP games? Just to run around ganking people, and to fight massive battles that might as well be PvE?

not for the casual gamer

[Grimwiz]

Well, having read the Gaminggod synopsis the thing that struck me most was that you were REQUIRED to have a balanced party to progress.

The high end game in Everquest became like this, and this triggered a lot of casual players to leave. I've known LDoN (Lost Dungeons of Norrath) groups take so long to get together that by the time you have a quorum, it is so late in the evening that players have not got long enough left online to actually finish the adventure properly. Some players have families, or work in the morning. (BTW this was the main reason my entire guild left EQ for WoW).

Casual gamers in DDO who are only online for a short period will find themselves locked out from being able to progress unless someone has a revolutionarily good way for people to quickly find a suitable group. Hanging around waiting for tank/healer/thief combinations who have the right levels and also speak the same language and aren't on any of their blacklists will quickly become frustrating. If I were cynical I'd suspect that they can push advertising at these people waiting and pay for the servers that way.

I wouldnt miss PvP, crafting or housing. If you want PvP play halflife :-)

World of Warcraft has this solved - you can still solo meaningfully at even the higest level, letting you enjoy yourself whist a group slowly comes together. If the group doesnt pan out, well, that isnt the end of the world.

Re:Don't think this one is trying to compete with

[oneils]

I understand your point, but somedays when I take the bus from Ottawa to Montreal I just really fucking want to get to Montreal. Other days, I want to just take a ride and enjoy the scenery. Either way, the 'fun' is in getting to Montreal...I just have a different attitude about it. I don't think either game will be mutually exclusive. You can play both and find what you need.

NO, developer problem NOT platform problem

[Secret Rabbit]

But ultimately, as things stand at the end of 2005, Windows is a better platform for gaming than Linux or MacOS -- the support is there, the games are there, and things generally work with little pain.

Arguably, no you are wrong.

The only points that you have brought up, basically state that the reason why Windows is a better platform is because the developers develop for it. Please note that this is *very* different from Windows actually being the better platform.

If the developers have actually developed cross-platform in mind, the world would be a different place. http://vegastrike.sourceforge.net/ is a good example of this. It supports OSX, Win and Linux no problem.

So, it isn't a platform problem, it a *developer* problem.

Re:NO, developer problem NOT platform problem

[fistynuts]

> If the developers have actually developed cross-platform in mind, the world would be a different place.

Unfortunately, developing cross-platform solutions takes more time and therefore more budget than just sticking to a single platform. This wouldn't be a problem if the returns for doing so would make up for it - however the Linux and Mac gaming market is tiny in comparison to the Windows world. Also, few commercially-available middleware solutions support Linux and the Mac (but they do support the lucrative PS2, XBox etc.)

Of course (as someone already said) this is a chicken-and-egg situation - there aren't many gamers using MacOS exclusively (for example), so not many games get made for it, so not many gamers switch to MacOS, etc. etc. The problem is that (from a non-Linux/Mac user's point of view) there's no good reason to switch. If the other OSes want the gamer's vote, they need the killer app - be that a kickass game exclusive or a radically faster way of accessing 3D hardware for example - to convince people to take the time and effort to switch operating systems.

I hope this happens. The world of desktop OSes could do with some serious competition.

Ugh

[Lord_Dweomer]

You know, its one thing to offer exclusive tickets to a stress test through a sponsor like Fileplanet. Everybody knows its scummy, but its pretty much accepted at this point (unfortunately). But to actually REDUCE THE QUALITY OF THE GAME to people who don't want to pay these corporate whores is mind boggling. They really must have a set of Adamantine Balls +5.

Betatests are an excellent opportunity to find bugs and game issues and fix them, as well as give your testers a taste of what the game will be like.

In this day and age where the MMORPG market is completely saturated and the only way to actually get players is to hook em early and hope you're good enough to topple the current titan (WoW), it is NOT a good idea to be putting an intentionally crippled product into the hands of potential customers, no matter how much IGN/Fileplanet may be paying you.

Not to mention it is a complete slap in the face to every gamer out there who is damn well aware of how easy it is to release a client via bittorrent for a simple stress test.

This isn't a betatest folks, this is a sponsored marketing campaign for IGN and Fileplanet that you have to pay to truly enjoy. I for one won't be playing this game ever, although it is a shame because I'm a longtime player/DM and love NWN. Guess I'll just stick to that game.

SDL, DirectX

[Foktip]

Yeah exactly - windows has been tweaking Direct X for games, and video cards have been tweaking for directx for so long, theres no question.

NWN on Linux had no Antialiasing or anything advanced that current cards use - it basically supports what directx 7 or mayby 8 support. Either that or its the video card drivers... which also need improvement. Also all the programming teams are quite experienced in doing what they do now, programming for Windows.

DOnt get me wrong, ive been wanting linux games for years, but the best way to do so at this point is to either emulate windows+directx, or to advance drivers and SDL in linux to do the same tasks as direct X so that the APIs can either be easily converted over to or remapped efficiently (straightforward emulation). I dont know much about wine, but whenever ive tried it, it feels like its trying to remap apples to oranges then back to apples (DirectX -> SDL -> DirectX videocard).