Fencer Archive
Thread: Sandbox Server Picks or How to become a SOE Testing Slave
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Minerunner
Tue Aug 17, 2004 7:08 pm
#1
What the heck is that?
The combat balance sandbox is a closed server where the correspondents and the devs will be testing the changes to the combat balance. It will be a very very closed beta.
At this time I do not have the timeframe, but my best guess is approximately 1-2 months from now.
What does that have to do with me?
Well, TH wrote: "we are also going to add the correspondents Top 5 picks from each profession to also come on to the sandbox server and take part in the testing."
So I get to pick 5 of you to help us test the combat balance changes.
What can I expect?
First, let me dispel any myths. This is not a perk, this is a job. You have to take direction, and spend a lot of time doing boring "grunt work". It's not glamourous. You have to be dedicated and committed. Expect to spend a lot of time repetatively testing certain weapon combinations, in either PvP or PvE, and to spend even more time giving feedback and discussing the changes. Expect it to take up the majority of your allotted gaming time, require time every night, and to take priority over logging in to your regular server.
I am trying to get more specific details about what exactly is expected from testers.
Am I a good candidate?
At this point, I don't have the exact criteria that the devs want, but we should get the ball rolling on who is interested so in case I'm called upon to make a quick decision, I have a list of people who are interested, and who would do a good job.
So before you apply, ask yourself the following:
Do I have the time to test this? This may be harsh, but because this is a small selected group, we need testers who will dependably logon every day. If you can't do that, you need to leave the spot open for someone who can. The sandbox will take priority over your normal gaming. Normally I say, work around real-life priorities. Now, I say that you need the ability to clear your schedule. If your job is 60 hours a week, if you can only sneak online for 2 hours a night in any case, if workload has a tendency to bloom at inconvenient times, this job is not for you.
Do I have the patience to give feedback? As a correspondent, I can say that you will probably spend twice as long giving feedback and writing up your findings as you are actually online testing. It's not glamourous, expect to feel like a glorified secretary.
Do I have the ability to take direction? This is not a game where you run off and do whatever you want. You're not going to be able to focus on going cool places, getting loot, or making money. The devs want you to test aspect X, you test aspect X. If it's boring, too bad. If you have to do it 50 times, that's life.
Do I have experience testing? If you already play on TestCenter or have previously been involved in beta testing, then you know what to expect, and what is expected of you. It's not required, but it is helpful.
Do I have combat experience? Sorry folks, this is the combat balance, not the crafting balance. We're not going to be crafting (well, not much), we're going to be whacking each other with sticks. If you have no experience with combat or healing, you won't be useful to the devs.
And Finally Ask yourself this...
Have I or will I be posting template questions in the appropriate thread?
-----------------------
How do you apply?
Please send me (NOT TH) a PM with:
1. Your station name if different from your handle (no passwords, please)
AND
2. Why you want to test in the sandbox, and why you feel you would be good at it. Please include the answers to the questions listed above.
Thanks
The combat balance sandbox is a closed server where the correspondents and the devs will be testing the changes to the combat balance. It will be a very very closed beta.
At this time I do not have the timeframe, but my best guess is approximately 1-2 months from now.
What does that have to do with me?
Well, TH wrote: "we are also going to add the correspondents Top 5 picks from each profession to also come on to the sandbox server and take part in the testing."
So I get to pick 5 of you to help us test the combat balance changes.
What can I expect?
First, let me dispel any myths. This is not a perk, this is a job. You have to take direction, and spend a lot of time doing boring "grunt work". It's not glamourous. You have to be dedicated and committed. Expect to spend a lot of time repetatively testing certain weapon combinations, in either PvP or PvE, and to spend even more time giving feedback and discussing the changes. Expect it to take up the majority of your allotted gaming time, require time every night, and to take priority over logging in to your regular server.
I am trying to get more specific details about what exactly is expected from testers.
Am I a good candidate?
At this point, I don't have the exact criteria that the devs want, but we should get the ball rolling on who is interested so in case I'm called upon to make a quick decision, I have a list of people who are interested, and who would do a good job.
So before you apply, ask yourself the following:
Do I have the time to test this? This may be harsh, but because this is a small selected group, we need testers who will dependably logon every day. If you can't do that, you need to leave the spot open for someone who can. The sandbox will take priority over your normal gaming. Normally I say, work around real-life priorities. Now, I say that you need the ability to clear your schedule. If your job is 60 hours a week, if you can only sneak online for 2 hours a night in any case, if workload has a tendency to bloom at inconvenient times, this job is not for you.
Do I have the patience to give feedback? As a correspondent, I can say that you will probably spend twice as long giving feedback and writing up your findings as you are actually online testing. It's not glamourous, expect to feel like a glorified secretary.
Do I have the ability to take direction? This is not a game where you run off and do whatever you want. You're not going to be able to focus on going cool places, getting loot, or making money. The devs want you to test aspect X, you test aspect X. If it's boring, too bad. If you have to do it 50 times, that's life.
Do I have experience testing? If you already play on TestCenter or have previously been involved in beta testing, then you know what to expect, and what is expected of you. It's not required, but it is helpful.
Do I have combat experience? Sorry folks, this is the combat balance, not the crafting balance. We're not going to be crafting (well, not much), we're going to be whacking each other with sticks. If you have no experience with combat or healing, you won't be useful to the devs.
And Finally Ask yourself this...
Have I or will I be posting template questions in the appropriate thread?
-----------------------
How do you apply?
Please send me (NOT TH) a PM with:
1. Your station name if different from your handle (no passwords, please)
AND
2. Why you want to test in the sandbox, and why you feel you would be good at it. Please include the answers to the questions listed above.
Thanks
Thebiglizard
Tue Aug 17, 2004 7:18 pm
#2
That sounds like alot of work... too bad i'll be in school then. Good luck finding someone with that kind of time...
Cradossk- Master SwordLizard
Owning Rebels since the day I spawned
DarthVillanus
Tue Aug 17, 2004 7:37 pm
#3
Sounds very intriguing
I'm curious to see what the coming months of testing will bring.
I'm curious to see what the coming months of testing will bring. 
| Kalon Wiekog - Dark Jedi Knight |
Unwanted
Wed Aug 18, 2004 5:47 am
#4
Sounds like it'd be fun to me (I'm weird get over it) but I can't apply, school starting up and all, need to get that thing what's it called, oh yeah my GPA up, hehe, and then work, so good luck finding people, and have fun atthe summit. (you should put something in THs food everday)
I will say though, that I do believe I would be able to do this job well, very well. So if you do need to fill out that five please consider me, I will make time in my schedule for this.
Message Edited by Unwanted on 08-19-2004 02:09 PM
ViRuSVX9
Wed Aug 18, 2004 7:54 am
#5
I have the time and Experiance with the combat side of fencer i have applied.
Tymothi
Wed Aug 18, 2004 11:14 am
#6
This sucks, it sounds like a great opportunity to take an active role in the combat balance and I have college and a job! Argh, I wish I had the time!
Comander_Madeen
Wed Aug 18, 2004 7:09 pm
#7
Heh I am more interested in intelligence not filling out reports. Also school hehe. Oh well.
FantasticPlastic
Thu Aug 19, 2004 9:04 pm
#8
ViRuSVX9 wrote:I have the time and Experiance with the combat side of fencer i have applied.
I've applied too, Virus. Fencer's my favorite profession, it would be fun to get to test these things, even if it does mean a fair bit of work and analysis.
Odeko Resci
CradTheWarlord
Sat Aug 21, 2004 2:21 pm
#9
Hey, Ive helped test alot of things. Ive been in countless beta tests for games, and I love making content as smooth as possible.
Its a passion for me.
Another passion of mine is Fencer. I love the profession dearly and I am looking forward to seeing the new stuff in the sand box 
Trizax
Sun Aug 22, 2004 1:48 am
#10
I sent you a pm about 3 days ago and it says you never read it.
This is something I would really like to do and I will wait to see who gets picked.
Minerunner
Sun Aug 22, 2004 2:52 am
#11
I'm holding on to the apps unread just so I can keep them organized till I need to review them to make my final choices.
I've not looked at any apps yet. And won't till after the Summit this comeing week.
I've not looked at any apps yet. And won't till after the Summit this comeing week.
atjtennis
Sat Aug 28, 2004 11:49 pm
#13
Just submitted mine had to take out all the sapces in it casue it was too long otherwise sorry about that Minerunner
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