Pondering...
Recently a bunch of D-mods have been released that are given extremely low scores by the reviewers.
And so I wonder: what happened to the good old profession of the beta-tester?
Does no one have their first D-mods beta-tested anymore? A lot of bugs are not only easily detected in the scripts, but can also be very easily solved. And any beta-tester could point out the hardness errors, sprite errors, border errors and so forth - since all the players find them too.
So I also wonder if the authors ever played their D-mods themselves? Because, if they do, surely they must notice the bugs too?
I wouldn't have dared to release my first D-mod without having it beta-tested - and without having it played several times and try out all the options. And I let Dink walk around on every screen to detect any possible hardness errors.
So, what happened to letting beta-test your D-mod? I know a lot still have their D-mods tested, and I also know that some don't since they know they can detect and solve all bugs themselves.
But considering the fact that a lot of D-mods get very poor scores, I think it would be a good idea if more first D-mods were beta-tested.
End of pondering.
And so I wonder: what happened to the good old profession of the beta-tester?
Does no one have their first D-mods beta-tested anymore? A lot of bugs are not only easily detected in the scripts, but can also be very easily solved. And any beta-tester could point out the hardness errors, sprite errors, border errors and so forth - since all the players find them too.
So I also wonder if the authors ever played their D-mods themselves? Because, if they do, surely they must notice the bugs too?
I wouldn't have dared to release my first D-mod without having it beta-tested - and without having it played several times and try out all the options. And I let Dink walk around on every screen to detect any possible hardness errors.
So, what happened to letting beta-test your D-mod? I know a lot still have their D-mods tested, and I also know that some don't since they know they can detect and solve all bugs themselves.
But considering the fact that a lot of D-mods get very poor scores, I think it would be a good idea if more first D-mods were beta-tested.
End of pondering.
Well I dunno, yoah, no, maybe. I mean, we are talking about oppinions and tastes anyway, so I don't know if it is that bad. Then, the reason because we are not official game creators is because we all have our problems and a big lack of patience.
Somehow you're right, they should check the mods better, but think about it, you've just finished your mod, you're kinda excited and you say, whatta hell, just post it and start somethn else. And actually, beta-testing means that other people, unknown, test the game and then send their comments, suggestions, critiks and so. Anyway, the whole thing is that if you play the dmod yourself, you'll have your own oppinion and you can start swearing. Or creating you own mod.
Somehow you're right, they should check the mods better, but think about it, you've just finished your mod, you're kinda excited and you say, whatta hell, just post it and start somethn else. And actually, beta-testing means that other people, unknown, test the game and then send their comments, suggestions, critiks and so. Anyway, the whole thing is that if you play the dmod yourself, you'll have your own oppinion and you can start swearing. Or creating you own mod.
Well I hate beta-testing, I submitted Cloud Castle before Tal got back to me with his findings, which is why there were quite a few bugs.
But it all depends on the d-mod, I can't be bothered to get AKT beta-tested, because I'm so impatient and as soon as I deem something finished (or sometimes, semi-finished) I release it. It's not smart and it's not sensible, but I could see that being a problem that runs through much of the community.
But I don't believe bugs are what has been keeping review scores down lately, but the general lack of quality. I don't know though, I haven't played any d-mods recently apart from AKT2. And that's perfect.
But it all depends on the d-mod, I can't be bothered to get AKT beta-tested, because I'm so impatient and as soon as I deem something finished (or sometimes, semi-finished) I release it. It's not smart and it's not sensible, but I could see that being a problem that runs through much of the community.
But I don't believe bugs are what has been keeping review scores down lately, but the general lack of quality. I don't know though, I haven't played any d-mods recently apart from AKT2. And that's perfect.
Okay, so it may be perfect, but what the guy is saying is that it's the only good dmod in quite a while 
. Well, at least that's what he says, I kinda think that I shouldn't talk if I don't make my own d-mod.
. Well, at least that's what he says, I kinda think that I shouldn't talk if I don't make my own d-mod.
No, I think not many people do get their dmods beta-tested anymore. Neither do I, but I play my dmods through a few times before releasing them, and if I find even one bug, I play the dmod through a few times more, doing everything that is possible in the dmod. I also try to find hardness bugs when playing, and in the editor. I do this now, but I didn't do this kinda stuff back when I released the "spy number 13". I've been going to release a new version to it since I released it, but I haven't even started yet. (Because I *hate* returning to old, already finished projects.)
I might go cowardish though, and get all my dmods removed when I release my first epic. Might not be soon though.
I've been going to release a new version to it since I released it, but I haven't even started yet. (Because I *hate* returning to old, already finished projects.)I might go cowardish though, and get all my dmods removed when I release my first epic. Might not be soon though.
If everyone'd be like you, this problem would be history, but unfortunately usually they get tired of playing the same olt thing. Actually, I haven't played spy 13, sorry, I'm kinda new here, but I really don't think that erasing the old mods is a good idea. By the way, I can help you with your epic if you want (need some new graphics?), and if you already have a project, come on, tell me more! I mean, if two persons are working at the same thing, they could find more bugs and things. Yeah, unfortunately only one guy can post the dmod, but I'd let you do it! 
If your interested in making graphics for someone, I could do with a few thousand. Maybe I should scrap CC2 and just make "A Knights Tale 3"...it's much easier! 
Getting d-mods betatested is extremely important, but if you have it done you need GOOD betatesters and not people who just want to play your d-mod earlier than the rest of us. Plus, nobody knows who offers him or herself as a tester so finding (good) ones isn't easy.
Tullustis betaroster had some potential but it should have been heavily improved upon, adding some crucial services such as reserving a tester, sending reports and patches through the server, etc... all automated and in a database structure.
Tullustis betaroster had some potential but it should have been heavily improved upon, adding some crucial services such as reserving a tester, sending reports and patches through the server, etc... all automated and in a database structure.
we are talking about oppinions and tastes anyway
No one likes bugs, hardness errors and such. A beta-tester does not say if the story or plot is great or sucks, he tells the author what bugs he found.
No one likes bugs, hardness errors and such.
A beta-tester does not say if the story or plot is great or sucks, he tells the author what bugs he found.True. Finding one can be hard. It's like warplague said: someone you don't know is testing your mod. That's why I don't like Tullisti's roster. I once tried it though, but never got any response.
And finding a good one is even harder. But you can always ask someone to test yours, that's what I did - and I found a VERY good one.
And finding a good one is even harder. But you can always ask someone to test yours, that's what I did - and I found a VERY good one.
I guess you've found a friend or something. Well, where I live, nobody, maybe in this whole country, has ever played Dink and liked it very much, so finding betatesters for a d-mod that is almost necessarily worse than the big game...well. But what matters is that one of the purposes of this site is to unite the Dink fans. I think thatgood betatesters for a d-mod can only be found in here, because these people really know the game and stuff. Unfortunately, y'know, most of the guys/girlz would just like to play it earlier and don't like playing the same thing again just to find bugs.
