It seems they're going to start the pioneer program back up soon according to the video they released this morning. Which makes me ask would the community prefer that or a PTR (Public Test Realm) where we can all help test new and upcoming features?
I personally would like a PTR so builds can be tested very well by a large number of players.
What do you guys and gals think?
I think PTR is the obvious choice here. Continuing to perpetuate this exclusive cool kids club mentality won't really help maintain faith in the community, and certainly won't help this community on the forums. And they would get infinitely better data allowing a more open testing experience. Perhaps it makes more sense for testing content updates like Hungering Deep, but meh.
Pioneers - I never felt the cool club vibe coming from the pioneer crowd on here. In fact, in general they seem to be some of the most welcoming and constructive segment of the forum population. I think there is value for Rare in limiting the builds to people who have an interest in keeping things quiet until they announce what is officially making it into the game.
Obviously im biased, but for me its got to be pioneers. But i think for Rare it would be the better option, im assuming they will have the NDA still so if it is kept in the closed sessions if anything is broken it shouldn't leak out.
And hopefully at least then when the updates go live they wont have those pesky almond beard issues amongst other things. :)
@warmcreator8491 Actually pioneers never received any in game items for participating in thw program. It was: Founders, Deckhands and Rare employees.
As @KnifeLife said, the problem with a public test realm would be the leak of details before Rare want them out. With the pioneers this was covered by the NDA. It could be an idea for pre release after pioneers test but i guess thats down to how much testing Rare thinks they need
I think PTR while it works in some communities, works when the development team doesn't want to surprise the playerbase.
I think Rare does an amazing job. We all have our favorite parts and many of us would still not be here unless we thought the game was fun/entertaining. However, there still needs to be some "HYPE" with newer releases. I personally would like to see the pioneer team make a comeback so only the trusted few under a NDA get to know what is coming.
However, until we see what that team actually looks like and how they progress I will hold judgment.
I know the two of us won't see eye to eye on this, and you made some great posts explaining your point of view in a prior post. However, I think it should remain an exclusive Pioneer thing. However, I do think registration should definitely open up so that users like yourself have the ability to sign up.
My biggest concern is that opening it up to all users will result in more misconceptions and the dissemination of bad information. On Reddit for example, how many times have I seen people post about doing skull forts at currently inactive forts, even though I know that not to be the case.
All I'm saying is that I think Xbox users need to be informed about what they're opting into, before they're given that access to a test launcher. I also really like the idea of having some sort of NDA on new content, and some sort of watermarking that was present in the alpha/beta.
@knifelife said in Pioneers or PTR?:
Obviously im biased, but for me its got to be pioneers. But i think for Rare it would be the better option, im assuming they will have the NDA still so if it is kept in the closed sessions if anything is broken it shouldn't leak out.
And hopefully at least then when the updates go live they wont have those pesky almond beard issues amongst other things. :)
That was going to be my point. What's the status of the NDA for DLCs?
There's nothing to say Rare starts off with a Pioneer program then adds to that testing pool with people that post constructive feedback and issues on the forums/Discord.
It shouldn't just be Pioneers and Pioneers in that program that aren't holding up the ability to test and provide feedback, as requested, should be removed to allow newer players the option of joining and helping out.
I think the pioneers program is a better option.
PTR splits the comunity and destroys the testing servers because the testers then are not players testing the game but players just playing future content ahead of time without doing any real testing.
The point of the pioneer program was to have the most active members of the comunity in there to test things in a semi serious enviroment.
PTRs don't achieve that and there is no more need for bulk testing since the servers will be mostly unafected by the upcoming patches.
@williamherschel said in Pioneers or PTR?:
I have a strong feeling that if it remains an exclusive thing, they'd at the very least re-open registration to those who are interested in joining.
That's why I posted it should be opened up to those that have constructive feedback on issues here that aren't in the program, and those that are in the program but aren't being helpful, be removed to open those spots of for those members.
I want good testers really helping the team, not just someone jumping on so they can post leaks to Reddit
@wturok said in Pioneers or PTR?:
As I expected Non-pioneers want an open system and Pioneers prefer the old one.
I'm not a pioneer.
@wturok said in Pioneers or PTR?:
As I expected Non-pioneers want an open system and Pioneers prefer the old one.
Aye... funny how that happened...
I be fine with the Pioneer program. Not e'eryone knows what is good feedback and what isn't. My understanding be that the majority o' Pioneers were there in the Alpha days, so they have a lot o' time an' experience in reporting to Rare.
Asking for new volunteers be cool too, I probably wouldn't go for it but I am sure many would.
Opening to public test would just mean e'eryone would be playing on that instance an' no the game proper. Leaks would potentially be commonplace. I just don't think it's for us.
@ghostpaw said in Pioneers or PTR?:
@wturok said in Pioneers or PTR?:
As I expected Non-pioneers want an open system and Pioneers prefer the old one.
I'm not a pioneer.
Neither am I.
Pioneers have done it before.
They will do it again.
It's over to them....
Why not both? Work out the major issues on the down low, then iron out the finer points in the public realm. The problem with pioneers, and I think what hindered launch is demand. Some issues won't present until you put the system under a fair amount of stress, so stepping up the stress level in stages seems wise.
@xcalypt0x said in Pioneers or PTR?:
@knifelife said in Pioneers or PTR?:
Obviously im biased, but for me its got to be pioneers. But i think for Rare it would be the better option, im assuming they will have the NDA still so if it is kept in the closed sessions if anything is broken it shouldn't leak out.
And hopefully at least then when the updates go live they wont have those pesky almond beard issues amongst other things. :)
That was going to be my point. What's the status of the NDA for DLCs?
That i am aware of, the NDA was never lifted. So I personally dont talk about what happened in the sessions and what was being tested. Its my assumption that anything tested in the new one will still be under NDA untill released for the public. But even then your not allowed to talk about what it was like for testing ect.. they where pretty strict on it and did ban people for breaches.
@piratecraggy Im sure they will send out new invites to make up for the numbers that are no longer with us.
@knifelife said in Pioneers or PTR?:
@piratecraggy Im sure they will send out new invites to make up for the numbers that are no longer with us.
I hope they do, you guys did a great job previously...
It's your time again....
It's already in place...
So why not use this resource, would be such a waste otherwise.
PTR, Labeling the pioneers as infalible data isn't the way to go. I've seen as many "I'm leaving" posts from pioneers as I have from no tags. Also, All it took for some was one comment on the forums to gain access to pioneer. I am just a insider as the forums are concerned and I (Not tooting my own horn just as a comparison) Have more activity on the forums than some pioneers. I think either revamping the entire pioneer process where its either more closed and tryouts/voting for it or a ptr. Sure quantity isn't quality but you will still get more data either way and will allow more people like myself that love this game and care about its futures input and not limiting it to pioneers are just there for one post on the forums.
I know we can only speculate for now, but I'd say filtering based on time played or participation in betas and all the other tests could be a good measurement as well.
