Is the preview copy different to the finished product ? [Archive]

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THE_MASK

02-12-10, 04:51 AM

Is Neals preview copy diffrent to the finished product ?

elanaiba

02-12-10, 04:53 AM

Yes.

THE_MASK

02-12-10, 04:55 AM

Just thought i would clear that up .

TH0R

02-12-10, 04:59 AM

He explained it nicely. :)

Here's the thing about PREVIEWS and REVIEWS.

Previews are done well before the game is finished, well before it is polished, with many features missing or incomplete. Alpha copies have bugs, glitches, and lots of them, but that is to be expected, the game is not finished. It would be pretty lame to report on bugs and missing features when work is still underway--that's like tasting a dish before it is cooked. The preview's role is to report on the overall direction of the game and give people an update and a feel for the game (with the ever-present disclaimer that some features may or may not make it into the final game).

When I get an alpha or beta version of a sub game to preview, as I did with SH2, Sub Command, Dangerous Waters, Silent Hunter III, etc., I usually do provide an extensive play test report to the developer, to give them a sense of how the game plays from someone who has not been working on it 10 hours a day, for months. But I don't publish this report, that's not my job, and it would not be fair to the developer. It doesn't help the players, either. You need someone telling you the game does this and this and this wrong when it will likely be fixed in the final version? I'm not alone in handling previews this way, most professional journalists do the same thing.

Previews are very useful in shaping a game, too. When I reported on SH3 at E3, and mentioned the campaign was branching, not dynamic, the players respectfully but persistantly complained and beseeched Ubisoft to include a dynamic campaign... and the dev team sold the idea. It delayed the game 8 months or so, but the result was worth it, SH3 was the greatest subsim ever at the time and was critically acclaimed--I gave it a 100 score, and so did several other top notch reviewers (http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/silent-hunter-iii/602818p1.html) (100 does not mean perfect, ok? It just means the game was damn good and maxed out the Onkel Neal-o-meter :shucks:).

Now, on the subject of reviews: Reviews are based on the gold master, the game you will get in the store. When I do a review, I will cover every aspect of the game I can. I will include bugs and glitches, and I keep them in perspective. If a bug does not affect gameplay (SH3 water spray on the UZO before the patch), I don't beat the game up over it. If the bug does affect the gameplay (SH4 torpedo speed bug), then it gets a factual mention. I try to resist the impulse to be snotty about; that's a tone too common in reviews. I can tell you a game has a lot of crappy features without acting out like a 3rd grade bully.

d@rk51d3

02-12-10, 05:15 AM

With only 3 weeks till release................ I'd say he has the finished product.

They won't be able to make any changes and still get the game out on time otherwise.

The only difference may be that his copy has a tag programmed inside............. just in case it makes its way to the SubSim downloads page.:O:

EDIT

Just read elanaiba's comment.............. properly this time.

Ragtag

02-12-10, 05:18 AM

All preview copys are mostly a beta build and very often not the complete game, with some exceptions of course.

elanaiba

02-12-10, 05:20 AM

Versions are being done all the time. The preview versions took a long time to go through the "channels" and reach people like Neal.

He will get a review version soon I suspect though.

d@rk51d3

02-12-10, 05:22 AM

THE_MASK

02-12-10, 05:25 AM

elanaiba

02-12-10, 05:32 AM

It might as well do that soon...

d@rk51d3

02-12-10, 05:53 AM

With all the whining going on about here over the last few weeks, it's a wonder you have any left.:DL

elanaiba

02-12-10, 06:11 AM

Haven't you seen the pics? I started with a lot :D

onelifecrisis

02-12-10, 06:23 AM

Versions are being done all the time. The preview versions took a long time to go through the "channels" and reach people like Neal.

He will get a review version soon I suspect though.
:woot:

Adriatico

02-12-10, 06:28 AM

Versions are being done all the time. The preview versions took a long time to go through the "channels" and reach people like Neal.

He will get a review version soon I suspect though.

The main point would be... is Neal's preview copy "offline version"... or DRM is "user friendly" towards short losses of internet connection?

Or it is another military secret... :06:

(It would be pity if Gestapo takes you from Kriegsmarine )

d@rk51d3

02-12-10, 06:37 AM

Haven't you seen the pics? I started with a lot :D

I've got heaps............. Just none of it is on my head. :cry:

urfisch

02-12-10, 07:09 AM

Yes.

thanks. any more info on that??? in which way it is different? maybe a date of this version?

elanaiba

02-12-10, 07:10 AM

The main point would be... is Neal's preview copy "offline version"... or DRM is "user friendly" towards short losses of internet connection?

Or it is another military secret... :06:

(It would be pity if Gestapo takes you from Kriegsmarine )

I'm pretty sure his copy uses the regular DRM whatever.

Adriatico

02-12-10, 07:17 AM

Thanks Doenitz...:ping:

Hartmann

02-12-10, 09:05 AM

The main point would be... is Neal's preview copy "offline version"... or DRM is "user friendly" towards short losses of internet connection?

Or it is another military secret... :06:

(It would be pity if Gestapo takes you from Kriegsmarine )

Or a marketing smoke screen , send a review copy with a friendly DRM and a more restrictive DRM with the release ( with the servers ready at full capacity )

609_Avatar

02-12-10, 09:07 AM

I try to resist the impulse to be snotty about; that's a tone too common in reviews. I can tell you a game has a lot of crappy features without acting out like a 3rd grade bully.

As it should be and why we feel you're truly a class act, Neal.

Sailor Steve

02-12-10, 11:03 AM

Yes.
And how would you know...oh, never mind.
:rotfl2:

Or a marketing smoke screen , send a review copy with a friendly DRM and a more restrictive DRM with the release ( with the servers ready at full capacity )
I think that would take a lot more work than it's worth, just to fool a very small handful of people.

Heretic

02-12-10, 11:07 AM

I think that would take a lot more work than it's worth, just to fool a very small handful of people.

... and potentially expose the company to charges of fraud. Management tends to frown on such things and people who do it tend to lose their jobs.

Iron Budokan

02-12-10, 11:52 AM

Or a marketing smoke screen , send a review copy with a friendly DRM and a more restrictive DRM with the release ( with the servers ready at full capacity )

I don't think even UBI is that Machiavellian.

Onkel Neal

02-12-10, 11:53 AM

As it should be and why we feel you're truly a class act, Neal.

Thanks, I appreciate that. *bows*

Or a marketing smoke screen , send a review copy with a friendly DRM and a more restrictive DRM with the release ( with the servers ready at full capacity )

Right, I have tried several different tests. I do not even get a pause, so maybe the game is running off my HD and must see the connection eventually to save? I am going to shoot a message off to the Brand Manager; the way I feel about it, I can understand DRM but as I stated to Ubi many, many months ago, the game company has to be straight with the players. Just let us know what it is. Some of us will not play the game, but those of us who will, it's nice to have that two-way communication.

And to be sure, when I get the final version, I will also buy a store copy and compare. If I learn anything at all contrary to what I know now, I will gladly tell about it. :salute: Even if it means DRM that a lot of people will not accept. Either way, honesty is crucial here.

martes86

02-12-10, 12:24 PM

Either way, honesty is crucial here.

I couldn't agree more. :up:

Brag

02-12-10, 12:24 PM

Bravo, Neal!

Like a good Kaleun, double check, double check :salute:

FIREWALL

02-12-10, 12:55 PM

I agree. :salute:

Adriatico

02-12-10, 03:37 PM

Right, I have tried several different tests. I do not even get a pause, so maybe the game is running off my HD and must see the connection eventually to save? I am going to shoot a message off to the Brand Manager; the way I feel about it, I can understand DRM but as I stated to Ubi many, many months ago, the game company has to be straight with the players. Just let us know what it is. Some of us will not play the game, but those of us who will, it's nice to have that two-way communication.

And to be sure, when I get the final version, I will also buy a store copy and compare. If I learn anything at all contrary to what I know now, I will gladly tell about it. :salute: Even if it means DRM that a lot of people will not accept. Either way, honesty is crucial here.

Don't mess arround with Texas testers... :up:
Judge Roy Bean would say: "Provider of preview copy is guilty - untill proven innocent !"
:stare: