SE5 What are the highlights?

[narf poit chez BOOM]

There are professional beta test companies. But they probably cost a lot.

[Barnacle Bill]

Noble713 said:
It was depressing when I heard the beta testers mention that the "50 beta testers" was more like "12 beta testers + deadbeats/no-shows".

I resemble that remark...

Seriously, I was a beta for EU2. As it turned out, when that oh-so-exciting package with the Swedish postage on it arrived, I had recently seen the birth of my first child and my wife was in rage-against-the-machine (i.e. my computer) mode. So, I had maybe an hour or two to play daily, and that starting roughly 9PM EST. A good half (or more) of the betas were in Europe, and new beta patches came out (darn near daily) during Euro working hours. By the time I installed a new patch, any bug I found had already been reported. I could kibitz on gameplay stuff, but that was pretty much the limit of my influence. I'm sure Paradox considered me a lame beta (and justifiable so).

I've never even applied to be a beta again. Back in my college days, oh baby I coulda been the betamax. Being a beta is a MAJOR commitment, and if you haven't been there don't be too rough on them what has

edited for spelling

[Gandalf Parker]

Ive been in numerous beta groups. Its hard to keep playing the game over and over and over. Restarting everytime changes are patched in. Grabbing each patch faithfully and testing it.

Especially if its a group where ALL you get to be is a beta-tester. Test the code. No suggestions, no opinions, no discussion. I dont know if thats what happened here but it sucks when it does.

Most beta testers start out with good intentions. Dont be too hard on the ones that fall out. Praise the ones that hang in there.