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7 months ago ::
Nov 27, 2012 - 6:20AM
#1
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Date Joined:
Feb 22, 2012
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So I read in another thread someone mentioning that we are beta testing Next. The thing is that we are not beta testing Next, we are part of an incomplete game and very much a part of the alpha testing phase of the game.
The idea that this is a nearly finished product has been in many people's minds and people seem to over react about certain things.
I think it is important that everyone involved with the playtest realizes that the game is still in the alpha stage.
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7 months ago ::
Nov 27, 2012 - 6:23AM
#2
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Agreed. But nerd passion and vitriol runs deep and fast.
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7 months ago ::
Nov 27, 2012 - 7:16AM
#3
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Date Joined:
Oct 12, 2005
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Well, i'm not so sure According to Mike Mearls from the 10/15/2012 Legends and Lore: The core D&D game, which is the starting point for new players and the game of choice for veteran players who want a streamlined system, is mostly done at this stage
So it sounds like the core of the game is done and we really are doing a beta test. This seems to fall in line with the idea that GenCon 2013 is going to be the release (or something like that).
Welcome to ZomboniLand - My D&D Blog http://zomboniland.blogspot.com/
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7 months ago ::
Nov 27, 2012 - 7:18AM
#4
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Date Joined:
Jun 17, 2010
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Well, i'm not so sure
According to Mike Mearls from the 10/15/2012 Legends and Lore:
The core D&D game, which is the starting point for new players and the game of choice for veteran players who want a streamlined system, is mostly done at this stage
So it sounds like the core of the game is done and we really are doing a beta test. This seems to fall in line with the idea that GenCon 2013 is going to be the release (or something like that).
Your idea of 'core game' is not his idea of core game. We're definitely not in beta. Definitely not.
D&D Next = D&D: Quantum Edition
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7 months ago ::
Nov 27, 2012 - 7:30AM
#5
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Date Joined:
Nov 19, 2007
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We're definitely not in beta. Definitely not.
Yeah, especially if Expertise Dice and how to use them (and by which PCs!) is still in flux, and other classes and mechanics (spellcasting systems) aren't present.
In memory of wrecan and his Unearthed Wrecana.5e should strongly stay away from "I don't like it, so you can't have it either."
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7 months ago ::
Nov 27, 2012 - 8:08AM
#6
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Date Joined:
May 11, 2006
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Also keep in mind that where the devs are, and were we are, are two entirely different places.
Mearls has said on more than one occasion that he sometimes has difficulty talking about things we take as current but are actually steps behind where they are behind closed doors.
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7 months ago ::
Nov 27, 2012 - 8:13AM
#7
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Date Joined:
Sep 19, 2006
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I think what he means by "Core" is that they've decided:
• Task resolution will be used primarily with a d20
• It will be a class-based fantasy RPG
• There will be six ability scores (Str, Dex, Con, Int, Wis, Cha)
• There will be a mechanic called Advantage/Disadvantage
• There will be Backgrounds (with modular intent) which are tailored to fit a specific list of Skills
• There will be Feats (with modular intent) which are received at 1st level, at 3rd level, then every 3 levels afterwards
• There will be Saving Throws based on Ability scores, not derived stats. This is actually pretty big since Derived saving throws have been around for 20+ years.
• HP is calculated via an individual class's HD + Con modifier. There will probably be varying rules to adjust how much this will represent.
• There will be a HD mechanic which shows how much you can gain for your Hit Points, plus a non-magical way of healing outside of combat
This, to me, is the "CORE" functions of the game and are (for the most part) done or SET IN STONE. As it were. We're not in the Beta stage yet becuase we still have a LOT of playtesting to go through for the 4-classes as well as spells, magical items, higher level play, epic level play (level 11+), etc....
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7 months ago ::
Nov 27, 2012 - 8:50AM
#8
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Date Joined:
Oct 12, 2005
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Alpha testing should never be seen by the general public. When they design a rule, they should be testing it behind their doors, re-writing the wording, and checking to see if it works and where kinks might be.
The public playtest is beta testing of those rules. Beta testing doesn't mean that feedback can't come back and tell them they completely messed things up and have to go back to the drawing board.
Unless they are trying some wacky experiment that I have never seen in product development - we are in a beta test and they are (at least behind closed doors) further along than we realize.
They don't have infinite time to do this testing, assuming that they are going to shoot for a release in 2014 we had better be pretty far along considering time to edit, get to print, etc.
But who knows - they can extend the development if they wanted as long as they can find other sources of income in the meantime - perhaps all these reprints are just that. If the reprints aren't bringing in enough money then Hasbro is going to explain that at shareholder meetings why they are letting the development of a new product take as long as it is, granted D&D is a small niche product, they are still going to be looking for a RoI for the money and time spent putting this together, sooner than later.
Welcome to ZomboniLand - My D&D Blog http://zomboniland.blogspot.com/
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7 months ago ::
Nov 27, 2012 - 9:02AM
#9
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Having way too much playtesting experience, I would put where we are at somewhere between late Alpha testing and early Beta.
I would lean more toward early Beta as this is seen by the public and there are mechanics, base ones, that are working well. It's easier to change things in a pen & paper style than hundreds, if not thousands, of unconnected lines of code.
It's possible to finish by GenCon '13 if they already have everything done and are not really listening to the playtesters. So, I don't see this hitting shelves by then.
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7 months ago ::
Nov 27, 2012 - 9:16AM
#10
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I think we are in the Tau testing phase. For the Greater Good!
Maybe it's in the Lambda Lambda Lambda testing phase. But then arent all roleplayers always in that phase?
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