L4D beta

[Hoss Delgado]

http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200708/N07. 0810.1147.46782.htm?Page=2 (http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200708/N07.0810.1147.46782.htm?Page=2)

if you look at the bottom of the article it says- Even while the game is still early, our time with Left 4 Dead was extremely memorable, and we can't wait to get our hands on a beta version when released.

does this mean the beta is confirmed or is he just assuming? I hope its a confirmation haha

[No Shelter]

That means when and if a beta is released they cant wait to get it or they will be ready.

[theghoul22]

we need to start a petition or something or offer valve to pay an extra 5 bux to them over steam in order to get a beta out soon

WHOS WITH ME!

[Puscifer]

I would pay 30 pounds for a beta and i wouldn't feel ive been ripped off at all.

[Prometheus]

30 pounds

That's $60. He's dedicated alright.

[theghoul22]

Ok well list yourself if ur willing to pay 5 bux and we can bring this to their attention

[TheBump]

This is silly...

[Armored_Zombie_Cow]

damn boy! jesus christ $60!
get a hold of yourself, its gonna be ok
i wouldnt spend that much for a beta...i can wait.i would pay $5 max, or some odd number such as 6, 7, or 8.
but prob not $10.i think thats a little steep for a beta

[JoMo]

£30 aint quite $60 when you compare the prices of americana nd english goods, probably hits more around the $45. the exchange rate is pretty much 2:1 but when you factor in the prices of atual goods it gets a bit warped. and I'd play £30 to get hold of the game as it is, play it until my birthday in march and rebuy it then. thats 7 months of gameplay for £30. thats like half as much as a WoW subscirption, its more fun and you can still maintain this elusive thing called "a social life"

[Teh Swat]

Beta's should be free. When you play a beta, your searching for bugs, helping the company, saving them a lot of money, and they shouldn't charge you to do that.

[Punisher 36O]

£30.00 GBP = $60.5102 USD

1 GBP = 2.01701 USD 1 USD = 0.495784 GBP

OMG! that must have chaged recently? i thought it was about $45 too, but i used an online Converter and thats the result. . . . .

also i will pay the going rate for that Beta :D put my name down for 5 Bucks. . .
which in my money is about £3

[Teknobry]

Yep, exchange rates have hit a real high at the moment when it comes to £ vs $.

So yeah, £30 is $60.

[DJTricky]

Isn't this starting to get a little off topic?

[Punisher 36O]

well, yeah, but the topic was. . . is this Beta confirmation? which was answered swiftly with a No No.

[No Shelter]

Isn't this starting to get a little off topic?

Like they all do..

[Punisher 36O]

lol, i dont understand? both say this like you have been told to shut up. . .this is a topic on Curency exchange now!!!!!!

if you want to talk about the Beta post somthing about it!

or

dont read any posts

[Chronos]

Why would you want to pay for a beta/demo? If TRS wants money, they could do a preorder the game, get the beta for a week or two thing that CS:S did.

[Tarron]

in uk games rrp is about £30-40 anyway, which is a rip off, which is why alot turn to piracy, mainly cause of tax.... but then again we have the nhs!!! (chuckles)

anyway, i think it woul;d be a good idea if they just released like a preorder on steam, and you could play the current build in the understanding that it is not finsihsed till its released....

i definatly would pay for it in it's current state in the understanding that the work is to still be continued..... but then again it looks awesome as it is atm... they want to get this into peoples hands, so have a beta :).....

also just thought about this recently with theaward system, but will you be able to have profiles? cause i'd want to let my mates play this to try n get them to buy it, but i wouldnt want them to be shit on my account lol... anyways BETA PLEEEEASE!!!!!!

[TheBump]

does this mean the beta is confirmed or is he just assuming? I hope its a confirmation haha

Assumption.


Quit it already. Paying for a beta is fucking ridiculous.

[Armored_Zombie_Cow]

Quit it already. Paying for a beta is fucking ridiculous.
not if its only $5

[Asura]

Betas dont cost

[USS_Stud]

When you're playing a CAPCOM GAME, IT DOES.

[Hauger]

Thought Mike said that there would be NO beta?

[Chronos]

Thought Mike said that there would be NO beta?
rofl i just saw you in that ZM server. It crashed just as we beat the mission. [/offtopic]

[KashMunni]

Possibly is a beta that will be released

I'm guessing its what every one has been playing at the shows

They might release a beta for a couple of weeks/days like what they did with CS:S

Think about it.. Every game play video we saw was in the city with the hospital. So maybe that one map is the beta every one has played. Because I never saw more than 3 pictures of the fields or any videos of a place other than the city/subway/and hospital

[frogopus]

Thought Mike said that there would be NO beta?

If you can find the source for that let me know.

[tonjohn]

Officially, there is no beta planned. However, that could change. I hope that offer some sort of beta, even if it is a closed, invite only beta.

[Chronos]

Stop bumping old threads that have been answered.

[tonjohn]

Stop bumping old threads that have been answered.
Thank you for your incredible insight mate. It is very much appreciated. Cheers!

[No Shelter]

Well, Chronos is right. And basicly we can see there is no beta planned, its a possibility. We all read that article so we know.

[Stupoider]

Valve/TRS don't need a beta with all the playtests that they've had. I'm sure most of the bugs were fixed from what was picked up from them.

[Chronos]

Thank you for your incredible insight mate. It is very much appreciated. Cheers!
You've done it with about 6 threads now. Stop it.

[tonjohn]

You've done it with about 6 threads now. Stop it.
Actually, I provided my input in about 6 threads now. I didn't realize it was against the rules to add information and/or input into a thread.

How bout you stop backseat moderating and let the moderators and admin do their job if they think I am spamming.

Also, your last two posts in this thread are completely off topic and complete spam. If you are going to tell someone to not spam then you shouldn't spam either. Or is this a case of "Do as I say, not as I do"?

[Teknobry]

Have to agree with tonjohn here, his input has been on topic and actually worth reading. As he's new to the forum, surely its expected he'd read a couple of pages of topics and reply to relevant ones?

[dontleave]

... Well, I don't see how his initial post was in the least bit useful.

[Chronos]

How bout you stop backseat moderating and let the moderators and admin do their job if they think I am spamming.
I'm certainly not moderating and I don't think you're spamming. If a thread is dead, why are you posting in it? This conversation, as well as the other 5, were dead and you dug them back up for whatever reason. Generally that's not something you do on a forum. Maybe you're new to forums? I dunno. It's just not something you do. But if you're gonna make a federal case about it and wanna go digging up every dead thread, go ahead. I'm AFK.

[Stupoider]

Chronos. Since when was not posting in threads a rule.

[Deek]

Well ... welcome to the forum, tonjohn. Good to see new faces!

Anyone who digs L4D is fine by me ... until proven otherwise. =)

Your input is appreciated.

[iRelentless]

as well as the other 5, were dead and you dug them back up for whatever reason. Generally that's not something you do on a forum.
The others were all on going topics. Any topic which asks for the readers opinion is practically bump proof. I suppose his post in this one could be classed as an unnecessary bump on some forums, but it was only 11 days since the last post and it's not like he made a pointless two word post like "OMG BETA!".

Officially, there is no beta planned. However, that could change. I hope that offer some sort of beta, even if it is a closed, invite only beta.
I agree with you and Stupoider. They wont need an external beta, especially if they keep the public play tests regular. But any chance of participating in an external beta would be awesome.
Do you have a source for the "no beta planned"? Because frogo's post above yours says to let him know if there's an official source for no beta.

EDIT: And welcome to the forums.

[QuotidianTemerity]

Maybe you're new to forums? I dunno.

Err, he's a moderator at Steampowered.

[Eddy_of_the_dead]

a beta whit that kinda game must be like a 10 day "trail" or something like that
cos a demo or a open beta....its will never get boring cos the outcome is always diferent!

[Chronos]

Chronos. Since when was not posting in threads a rule.
I told you I'm AFK who are you talking to?
Err, he's a moderator at Steampowered.
I lol'd.

[tonjohn]

Maybe you're new to forums? I dunno
Oh, incredibly new. Take a look:
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/member.php?u =114852 (http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/member.php?u=114852)
and
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/memberlist.p hp?&order=DESC&sort=posts&pp=30 (http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/memberlist.php?&order=DESC&sort=posts&pp=30)

They wont need an external beta
The survivor side is very well tested and almost done so a Beta is quite pointless from that standpoint. However, the public is yet to play as the infected. So an "infected only" type beta might eventually come in handy.

Do you have a source for the "no beta planned"? Because frogo's post above yours says to let him know if there's an official source for no beta.
Two TRS employees and one Valve employee all said that no beta is planned. However, I got the impression (nothing was explicitly said) that they would like to do a beta. I believe it is simply up to Mike B. to make that call.

Err, he's a moderator at Steampowered.
Correct.

[Deek]

I told you I'm AFK who are you talking to?
If you're AFK ... how are you responding?? Are you The Matrix??

[iRelentless]

The survivor side is very well tested and almost done so a Beta is quite pointless from that standpoint. However, the public is yet to play as the infected. So an "infected only" type beta might eventually come in handy.
That is true, but they seem to be aiming toward the average player being survivor side for a little while to familiarise with the game before deciding to play as infected. An internal or limited participation beta allowing play as both sides would stick more with that train of thought.
Perhaps one where participants only have survivor side to start with, then after a week or two are either limited to infected or allowed to play both for the remainder of the beta.

[tonjohn]

limited participation beta allowing play as both sides would stick more with that train of thought.
This is exactly what I would like to see. I think this would be in the best interest of the game, the developers, and the community.

Mike B., if you are listening, please do this! ;)

[Nemesis_vs_Leon]

keeping this topic alive without an actual beta is so depressing. I saw this shoot to the top and thought that a beta actually came out!

[Prometheus]

You should all argue on the steam chat. ;D

[MrToodles]

lol, I request a sub forum for Internet Fights.


Beta would be nice, but 'd actually rather have a weekend demo!I

[KashMunni]

lol so much fighting over the internet these days its getting kinda annoying..


-Sorry For The Off Topic :P-

[frogopus]

If its not someone complaining about not using the search button to add to old topics its someone complaining about bumping old posts. What exactly should a new member do if he wants his voice heard?

Tonjohn is one of the few on this board who has played the game, has in fact played it more recently than the moderators on this forum, and therefore can provide interesting insight to posts both old and new. I'd rather see old threads brought back into light than new ones any day... and it doesn't look like his additions have been useless or irrelevant.

Welcome to the boards Tonjohn, we're glad to see any insight from Quakecon.

[No Shelter]

Hey tonjohn! Welcome (lol) to l4d411!

[Stupoider]

/facedesk

[QuotidianTemerity]

I lol'd.

I sighed.

[Ydiss]

I'd like to add that a developer is highly unlikely to want someone beta testing their product if the person states a willingness to pay for the right; it's similar to someone saying "I can't wait to be in the beta because I want to try the game out!"

Developers don't run betas so people can try their game out early, they run betas so they can get dedicated testers on board to voluntarily take time to rigorously test the game and provide good feedback on bugs.

I'd imagine if TRS did run a beta they'd probably be unimpressed with the "I'd pay £30 to get into the beta" :)

PS why do people have a pop at someone for posting in a 2 week old thread? The alternative is to post a brand new thread... Then when someone does that they get told to use search and post in old threads... :)

Funny old world, bedroom moderating :D

[hooray for zombies]

BAN


nah, just kidding, welcome to the boards

[iRelentless]

I'd like to add that a developer is highly unlikely to want someone beta testing their product if the person states a willingness to pay for the right; it's similar to someone saying "I can't wait to be in the beta because I want to try the game out!"
Developers don't run betas so people can try their game out early, they run betas so they can get dedicated testers on board to voluntarily take time to rigorously test the game and provide good feedback on bugs.
Public betas are also run to get the game tested on as many different systems as possible and to get peoples opinions about the game before release, even from those who don't contact the company directly. Google + peoples willingness to randomly whine on public forums/blogs about things which annoy them, or games which don't work for them = brilliant development tool.
If public beta's were strictly for bug reports, they probably wouldn't exist.
I'd imagine if TRS did run a beta they'd probably be unimpressed with the "I'd pay £30 to get into the beta" :)
Having people want to pay extra to try your product early is not something I think any company would be "unimpressed" with. If anything it shows them that they are doing something very right, even if only a few would be willing.

Some companies even cash in on that willingness, "Public beta for people who pre-order" type deals are a moderately common occurrence. And I'm sure the Halo 3 beta swayed plenty of people to buy Crackdown (or whatever game it was with) who would otherwise have waited for it to come down in price before buying it, a few probably didn't even want it and bought it just to play the Halo 3 beta.


I hope none of that sounded flame-like, certainly wasn't intended that way. Welcome to the boards Ydiss.

[Armored_Zombie_Cow]

you know, i think the main reason l4d is taking so long is because Mike Booth spends all of his time checking email...i emailed him about an l4d beta about an hour ago and he already sent one back, and who knows when!
i just checked it now!
so anyway, the obvious answer, but i just felt like asking:
"Do you guys plan on releasing a beta for pre-purchasers ahead of the release of Left 4 Dead, just like what was done with Team Fortress 2?"
and his answer:
"That is a possibility. We plan to make full use of the capabilities of Steam with the release of Left 4 Dead."
it sounds like a yes, actually :)

[Antman]

lol i was about to make a comment about bringing up these old topics, but when i saw it was actually relevent, well...yeah lol.

Anyway, yeah i hope there is a beta, would be awesome to play it be4 all the console, and retail purchases. get some practice in lol.

[dontleave]

M-m-m-m-monster BUMP!!!

[Dead Fish]

it sounds like a yes, actually :)

It sounds like a maybe, actually. ;) Thanks for the effort though.

[Armored_Zombie_Cow]

M-m-m-m-monster BUMP!!!
actually if u r referring to the quake sounds in CSS, it would be: m-m-m-monster BUMP!!! (and maybe an echo of bump)

[Armored_Zombie_Cow]

It sounds like a maybe, actually. ;) Thanks for the effort though.
well its just because he said they want to take full advantage of steam, and cant they release betas/demos on xbox live as well, just like the H3 beta?
that way it wouldnt be unfair to the xbox community

[Jim_Riley]

If a beta were to come, from the sound of it, it'd only be AFTER the initial game release...(according to the way those guys said it).

[thaDDeus]

This is silly...

lol who says silly anymore? Anyways I heard once a long time ago that there was going to be like a free weekend of L4D where you can download it from Steam and play as much as you want for like 2 days, full game and everything, somewhere near the release date. They've done this with games before and I think its a great idea. btw, TheBump, nice avatar i love that game.

[Mustacio]

M-m-m-m-monster BUMP!!!


he has a good reason though. unlike people who bump the thread to say something like "i want this game" or some shit like that

[Jim_Riley]

Shit, I just realised that this was made a year ago :P

[Shrubberyjsc]

Well, I'd definitely be interested in helping out TRS by reporting bugs in a beta.

But I'm pretty sure they know this already.

=D

[Puscifer]

If a beta were to come, from the sound of it, it'd only be AFTER the initial game release...(according to the way those guys said it).

a beta AFTER, its released?

hmmmm

[Reptile]

a beta AFTER, its released?

hmmmm

That wouldn't be a pre-release beta then.

More like a free-weekend.

[DJTricky]

the quake sounds in CSS
It's not Quake... it's Unreal Tournament damnit!

I think it would be a free weekend, it would make more sense really. It's a way for people to get the game into the user's hands for a bit, then they will buy it if they like it.

[Puscifer]

did i miss somthing here?

how can u have a beta for a game after the game is released???

[Jim_Riley]

a beta AFTER, its released?


I know it doesn't make sense but that's exactly how I interpreted it in the article.

Typo maybe?

[DJTricky]

I think he said that they cant wait to get the beta version when the beta version is released, not when the game is released.

[Jimmyboe]

i wants it...my precious L4D BETA *golum style*

[hool10]

No doubt there will be a beta. I'm afraid there will be one just like TF2 though. That was about 1-2 weeks before the game came out and if you pre-ordered it. It's a shame really because we will have to wait 6-7 months for that. It's needed to check out the steam community functions work, and to see if any problems arise. These bugs can be stuttering bugs which plague all Steam games, DX8, etc.

[Armored_Zombie_Cow]

If a beta were to come, from the sound of it, it'd only be AFTER the initial game release...(according to the way those guys said it).
We plan to make full use of the capabilities of Steam with the release of Left 4 Dead
naw, see, they just mean that they want to take full capabilities of steam, withthe release of l4d, that is, with everything related to the release; not just the literal release day.