The Palantir Private Preview Program is currently offline.
Please keep an eye on these forums for when the program will be accepting applications again!
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The Palantir Private Preview Program is currently offline.
Please keep an eye on these forums for when the program will be accepting applications again!
New information coming soon.
New FAQ coming soon.
are you using the applications from the last time you asked for applications for the program? or do I need to apply again.
OOooOOOoooh, a snazzy new name. (That will definitely save the confusion with the point that we're sposed to be heading to Isengard in game.)
I'm assuming we may need to fill out a new application, it's been a long while. Things, account status, ambitions, etc may have changed since last. I'm betting K used all the previous applications to line the hamster cages. ;)
*eagerly awaiting the rest of the post with all the detail goods.*
Frequently Asked QuestionsQuote:
Originally Posted by lf2536
Q: I applied to Isengard earlier this year. Do I have to reapply for Palantir?
A: Yes, you do. All the applications we received earlier this year have been purged. We are starting from scratch!
NOTE: If you are just resending your earlier application, please note the email address has changed to LOTROPreview@turbine.com
Q: I was on Isengard before. Do I have to apply?
A: Yes, you do. We are starting from scratch, so no pre-invites to the program will be issued. If you are interested in the program you need to apply to be considered.
I may not have a prolific posting history on the live forums, but I did where it counted, in Moria Beta. I will be applying.
Thank you.
I've been in a number of NDA test programs for various games over the years, and I'd encourage people with free time and an enjoyment of beta-type environments to participate! It's really the only place where your feedback and testing efforts can make a significant difference in the short term, and more developers are more likely to interact with the players there due to the urgent needs of their current job tasks and due to the fact that obnoxious/uncivil interaction can be punished with expulsion. More pleasant, more constructive, and more on point: win.
However, I'd also caution people to pay attention to what Kehleyr said up above. Game developers have tight testing windows, and if you're quite busy in real life much of the time, you simply might not be able to help when they need it. This is frustrating for you, and robs them of much-needed testing and feedback at critical junctures. Because of this, I won't be applying - I'll have to give my feedback as best I'm able after new content/features are released.
Khafar
Another FAQ is "When will I know?" And "Will I know if I don't get accepted?" As I asked this with a handful of others when Kehleyr posted for Isengard Preview Applications a while back.
Mr. Kehleyr?
As soon as you answer this, I highly suggest you put it in your FAQs :P
This ^ and 1 more point...Quote:
Originally Posted by Khafar
First off, if you like to be surprised, or like content to be all fresh and new...you don't want to be in the test - it can detract from your enjoyment of the Live game, because you'll be replaying content. Second, things change in these tests. Something you really like might get cut, or changed before it hits the game. It causes the "this was better before..." feeling in Live. What I mean is, if you didn't see it in Beta, the change, addition, whatever that makes it to Live would be taken at face value. If seeing something change that you like might detract from your Live gaming...think twice. :-)
Can I ask why you aren't taking applications from Codemasters players? You used to accept applications from them before when it was the Isengard Private Preview program, but why not now? I can sort of see the reasoning for not accepting Free or Premium players, but why not take players from Codemasters who are also VIPs?Quote:
Originally Posted by Kehleyr
My guess would be that Codemaster's does not at this time have the f2p system in play for one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Amphoras
FTFY.Quote:
Originally Posted by fifenator09
Sapience is not Patience, and Kehleyr is not a He. :D
Yay! Codemaster players are still getting shafted from all directions :(Quote:
Originally Posted by Kehleyr
This is actually for the same reason we are limiting it to US VIP's only - with the new billing system throwing Codemasters at it is not a variable we are ready to deal with at this time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Amphoras
The old Isengard billing system was completely manual - accounts were made and maintained by hand. The new system has everything automated.
If we can get the billing systems to work with Codemasters we will discuss opening apps to our overseas folks, but we simply can't do it right now.
Hopefully Turbine has changed the way it's doing betas/tests. In the past my beta experience was soured by the way Turbine handled it. Perhaps they're starting with a new slate for applications since they realize past testers will already be put off after their past experiences?
For example, I was part of the Mines of Moria beta -- NDA long since expired -- in 2008. There was no direction for the testers, little communication from QA or devs during the test, and many of our bugs were never addressed/fixed before Moria's launch any ways (even the small, easy fixes).
Then I was part of a stress test in Spring of 2009 in which we sat around staring at a character unable to move anywhere and unable to participate in what was supposed to be part of the fun due to the enormous server lag (it was a less than ideal stress test). When the dev-lead events started, no one could really do anything. I'm sure the devs got some useful information as a result of that stress-test, but they never guessed the servers would be so burdened that they'd be unable to do the testing events.
Both of these past experiences left me feeling like the testing was either mismanaged and that our feedback and bugs didn't make any difference at all. I understand these are supposed to be tests and things happen, but twice in a row of bad experiences means I'll pass on any volunteer testing for Turbine products.
Don't get me wrong: I love LOTRO and love what Turbine has done with it so far. It's just the beta testing and stress testing I felt was managed/planned poorly. Hopefully that has changed since then?
Interesting, because my experience in the recently finished beta was different than what you describe. There was a dedicated forum with things to test each week and provide feedback on. The devs were also very engaged with us and were willing to make changes based on user feedback.Quote:
Originally Posted by cipher_nemo
As the great David Byrne said "Same as it ever was, same as it ever was.." ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Wibs
Good to hear. We also had private forums for beta testers back with Mines of Moria beta, but the devs very rarely communicated there. I think they recruited way too many people for it instead of keeping the beta community small and meaningful. That also turned me off from the experience.Quote:
Originally Posted by cicdle
Except for Cryptic's Star Trek Online beta (which was also very poor), every other beta I've been in for MMOs were much more positive and rewarding experiences. Granted, the point of these beta tests is to give feedback, report bugs, and help refine the final product for the betterment of LOTRO as a whole, from the community to the developer. But how these tests are handled makes a huge difference with tester loyalty and the fanbase. My experiences were negative in the past, so I'm glad you had a much better one recently. :)
This is why I only play on US servers for US developers (other than the fact that I'm in the US). You guys still don't have F2P yet, do you? Any ETA on that for Europe?Quote:
Originally Posted by Thando
But don't feel too bad, as US players get shafted when the developer is in a country from Europe or the UK. That happened with Funcom and Age of Conan. I still enjoyed AoC a lot, even if we didn't get the same level of communication and updates as the European players.
Cool new name!!
The beta for both Mirkwood and F2P were much different. Each week QA would post things to focus on - be it new instances/areas, tracking how gameplay changes affected old content, etc. The testing process has come a long way since the SoA and MoM beta days. So if you are basing your opinion on Turbine testing to MoM/Bullroarer-Stress tests alone, you should reconsider applying if you are interested in helping out. Testing and feedback requests have become a lot more focused.Quote:
Originally Posted by cipher_nemo
Laying out specific tasks, doing any sort of scheduling etc, is something that's not going to happen in any beta program anywhere (in the US) probably. Thank the AoL and EQ "Volunteer" lawsuits for that. btw...Anyone know if either has ever been resolved?Quote:
Originally Posted by cipher_nemo
I've been in more then a few Turbine tests...little communication has never been an issue - there's usually lots of activity in the forums, and direct access to the devs in game.Quote:
little communication from QA or devs during the test, and many of our bugs were never addressed/fixed before Moria's launch any ways (even the small, easy fixes).
Due to scheduling and prioritizing, 90% of bugs reported in the final month of a beta won't be in time for a fix to go in pre-release. Code freezes are a fact of development. At some point they *have* to say "nothing game breaking, we freeze here for launch" and fix the bugs in a later update. Especially for one-off things like a boxed expansion - they have deadlines to meet. For other things, like, say, the Skirmish system...or other unannounced features, that cycle is different, and there's more time to react to bugs.
That's a stress test...and honestly, an ideal one at that. I personally feel a great sense of achievement if we bring the servers to their knees.Quote:
Then I was part of a stress test in Spring of 2009 in which we sat around staring at a character unable to move anywhere and unable to participate in what was supposed to be part of the fun due to the enormous server lag (it was a less than ideal stress test).
And that's not just here - every stress test in every MMO I've tested for - like 90% of them - turn out exactly the same. That's sort of the whole point...they *want* to drive the servers beyond capacity, in order to find out what that capacity is. That's why they alway announce contests for the test - to maximize attendance.
Although I'm sure it wouldn't be necessarily be easy to make it work, surely there must be some way? How about if you accepted Codemasters VIPs but gave them a Free status US account and enough points to unlock everything on the server? Bullroarer and the live servers have two completely separate point accounts, so presumably you could do the same here. Surely it would be better for testing purposes to have a sample of players from all over your playerbase rather than cutting out half straight away?Quote:
Originally Posted by Kehleyr
Really? Interesting how delphinius just contradicted you with what actually happened...Quote:
Originally Posted by Arbalister
Delphinius, thanks, I was basing my experience on older beta/stress tests. As I mentioned in other posts, it's good to hear the public testing process from Turbine has improved.Quote:
Originally Posted by delphinius81
Not when the devs and NetOps didn't plan for this. They planned events for us to put some large-scale group combat load on the servers and such, but things went south before any of that happened. In other words it was someone's fault at Turbine. It wasn't supposed to happen. I can't fault them for unexpected things during a stress test, but I can fault them for poor planning for when something bad happens.Quote:
Originally Posted by Arbalister
Not really - unless you count "focus on X" as direction - but we've always had that.Quote:
Originally Posted by cipher_nemo
What I mean is that they have to be purposely "vague" with anything that looks like it might be a company representative managing a test team. That's what killed the Asheron's Call volunteer team. Those lawsuits by former volunteers did almost nothing but illustrate how badly someone can stretch the definition of "employment" to try to hold a company liable for back wages.
It was a stress test. It *was* planned for. It was planned that we'd pooch the server. That's the entire point.Quote:
Not when the devs and NetOps didn't plan for this. They planned events for us to put some large-scale group combat load on the servers and such, but things went south before any of that happened. In other words it was someone's fault at Turbine. It wasn't supposed to happen. I can't fault them for unexpected things during a stress test, but I can fault them for poor planning for when something bad happens.
We did not have that for the Mines of Moria beta I tested in 2008, or at least I couldn't find anything like that. It would have helped quite a bit.Quote:
Originally Posted by Arbalister
Both Khafar and Arbalister offer great advice to potential applicants. Both of those posts are above this one - if you haven't seen them yet, be sure and take a gander. :)
Good to see this is back Kehleyr. I'm definitely reapplying because I've missed the server.
So, what exactly is being ******, the name makes it unclear. Is it the next expansion? A new zone? New gameplay being tested? Or do only the participants know this?
It may have been your previous experience that Beta programs do not provide specific tasks or schedules by which to test content, however; it should be noted that this was not the case for the F2P Beta and will not be the case during the upcoming Palatir testing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Arbalister
As with the F2P Beta, there will be a new schedule posted every week during the active testing time frame to provide a starting point for testers who may be uncertain what to work on.
That's great! I know a lot of people felt unguided in other tests. Frankly, I never expected to see anything like again, after the aforementioned lawsuits. There was, actually, a time when I was on a similar test program where, in order to avoid the conditions the plaintiffs used to "define" employment, we were actually "hired" as independent contractors, for a minimum number of hours, at a fixed, tiny stipend. (I'm being vague because even though the NDA is long since dead, I tend to stick to the letter...) Anyhow...we were free to test for as many hours as we wanted, but doing this allowed the perception that we're contractors, working for ourselves...etc. Most of the people in the program were actually against getting paid for it, and it didn't last too long. And a month later we were all voluteers again. :-p Hehehe.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheNefarious
Mines of Moria testing was with out a doubt the funnest most rewarding testing experience i've ever had.Quote:
Originally Posted by cipher_nemo
The feedback via forums, ingame, mIrc and even in vent was phenomenal. I started a RK and a Warden when there were only skills available to lv 10. Every single time they updated the classes I started again from scratch with both classes and wrote of 100s of words worth of feedback, balance concerns and bugs in threads I started. Every single update something was addressed, for better or worse. I can look at both classes and point to specific things that were changed based primarily from my feedback.
The quality of feedback you give, with the data to back up your feedback goes a long way in testing.
I'm not quite sure what you are asking here, but I'm going to guess you're curious if the program's name has significance? Not really. It's just a word we liked. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Malachi108
Since we're starting all over with new hardware, a new community, and a new billing process, a new name seemed like a good idea.
Yeah, I didn't really remember any issues with lack of feedback.Quote:
Originally Posted by Grampsaz
Having been to all previous programs so far. I gotta say those schedules in F2P were so very nice, Nef. Logging in, just to end up twiddling my thumbs often enough, I never would have imagined putting together a group of 24 people for Helegrod so effeciently. (Having an admin porting them helped a lot too. :D) People made themselves available to be there, and I was sorry that we couldn't take them all.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheNefarious
I don't know how many other groups formed that day (or on other Hele-testing days), but I was pleased with the amount of folks who came and asked if there was room for them in the Helegrod testing that I too was able to make myself available for.
The agreements you "sign" when volunteering for beta programs these days have since changed. You'll notice that they specifically state that no compensation will be provided and since it is voluntary, that you are under no obligation to test for some minimum number of hours each week. The weekly foci are for guidance purposes, although I've heard of QA teams from various MMOs observing players as they interacted with content to be tested. But even in those cases, there was never a requirement to test at that time. If you wanted to start a group at some non-standard time to test the same content, you were always able and encouraged to.Quote:
Originally Posted by Arbalister
When I first saw it, I thought you were referring to Digital_Utopia's Palantir plug-in. I got very confused why Turbine would be hosting a separate program to preview his already released Lua script.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kehleyr
I'm glad you enjoyed it. :) I had a much different experience.Quote:
Originally Posted by Grampsaz
Thanks! I'm glad that is changing. I will still pass on applying for this testing round, but it's good to know it has improved. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by TheNefariousIt may have been your previous experience that Beta programs do not provide specific tasks or schedules by which to test content, however; it should be noted that this was not the case for the F2P Beta and will not be the case during the upcoming Palatir testing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Arbalister
As with the F2P Beta, there will be a new schedule posted every week during the active testing time frame to provide a starting point for testers who may be uncertain what to work on.
Glad to hear this is back. If there's anything extra I can do to get in, (read: bake cookies and pie) let me know. ;)
As to everyone with questions about testing schedules and directions as to what and where to test, having participated in all the previous betas, I can strongly say that the recent F2P beta was the best one yet. The blue-names did a fantastic job letting us know what they needed, and the forums were very very busy with feedback and suggestions. If Palantir is anything like that, and Nef says it will be, you should be very excited to apply and even more anxious to actually test it out!
:)
Oh! Exciting! :) A new name! Great FAQ, Ms. Keyl!
This is the part I'm worried about. Ie, is this a "please log in during east coast hours" sort of thing so that the devs are still online? Or is it a "please test this feature today and today only"? Is this a case of having to monitor the particular forums carefully and daily (a pain with the new forums)?Quote:
Originally Posted by Khafar
Generally when I was on Bullroarer I did things at my own pace. I tried to avoid the masses all going to whatever the fashion was, and instead focused on what I thought was useful for for me and my kin and friends; ie, does the low level content still work, does the new storyline make sense, etc. The weekly focused testing often tended to be askew from what I was doing - I had not interest in doing helegrod that week, and probably I didn't have the skills either; or I had already tested the festival stuff the week before; etc. I could never tell if I was the first player to find an obscure bug or merely the one thousandth.
On the other hand, I'd love the chance to do stuff like comment on some of this stuff before they get to the "too late to change it now" bullroarer stage.
And it was declared a success after the fact. They learned about issues that needed fixing - a success in my book. The idea of these events wasn't to have fun, so it doesn't matter if two sides in the moors are just staring at each other unable to move.Quote:
Originally Posted by Arbalister
The other important point here is that Palantir isn't a "beta test", and it isn't replacing Bullroarer. It's replacing Isengard, which was earlier testing than the "nearly ready for release preview-beta". It's a severely smaller set of testers as well.
It seems like a strange coincidence that this new program has the exact same name as one of the most popular lua plugins, maybe even a little confusing. I seen this post and immediately thought Turbine was doing something with the plugin.
Didn't see anything in the original post about it, but asking as I'm unsure...Do you allow Canadians into your testing program? Many game companies do not, so though I'd check and see :)
Thanks!
I think you just need to have an active US subscription.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaarnyj
Living in Canada is not an issue so long as you have an active VIP subscription on one of the U.S. servers.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaarnyj
The PPP (now PPPP) is not a one-off program. It isn't being opened to test one particular release. Isengard was open from shortly before SoA launch until just before SoM and tested almost everything in between. Betas are for expansions (and F2P, being a special case). Isengard/Palantir is for testing everything else. It will probably get first shot at everything up until the Isengard xpac next year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Malachi108
Would it be possible to set up an auto-responder that acknowledges applications this time around? I had a bit of apprehensiveness when I last applied to Isengard a long time ago because there was no email notification that an application was received.
In my experience the QA guys will also get on while at home to do focus testing and not just at work depending on what it is. Other things they will stay at work late to do it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lohi
The focus testing was also broken up, they had a weekly list of things to test but they also scheduled test events, major instances and raids were scheduled so that they could have groups set up and multiple QA members watching progress and taking notes on what happened and how, and if it coincided with what they expected or wanted the players to do.
Also, being the first or thousandth person to put in a report on a bug doesn't matter. The other 999 people might have missed a detail on what they were doing to cause it that you didn't and that detail might be the key detail for finding the problem.
They prefer to get 1000 reports on the same bug so they can sort by severity of issue and frequency. If 3/1000 people report the bug, but 1000/1000 people actually experience the bug then they don't know the true scale of the problem.
Hats off to you folks at Turbine. I love seeing programs like this.
Had I more of an inkling of how this game works, I'd consider applying, but I fear that I'd ultimately be taking a spot from someone who would be able to provide more useful feedback. I still, far too often, find myself having to look up how anything works in this game (new since f2p here, just on the off chance that wasn't clear. hehe)
Anyway, once again, kudos!
In order to avoid confusion, Palantir will now be known as Isengard. lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Dpsburgping
(yes, that is a joke :p)
My ex-wife said they settled the AOL Community Leader lawsuit a couple of months ago, and she got about $500. She was expecting a couple thousand. I expect the truth lies somewhere in between. :-) I can't find any specific amounts online.Quote:
Originally Posted by Arbalister
Good to hear, I like knowing what needs to be tested.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheNefarious
I have to say, the F2P testing was good, and the stress testing seemed to get better with each test. The Moors test we did started out slow, with lots of lag, but by the end, I was almost playable. :-) I got a few good hits on some of the dev creeps also. ;)
Quote:
Originally Posted by delphinius81
I got here by the dev tracker, and my first thought was that Digital_Utopia was doing some sort of testing on his plug-in and and one of the devs commented on it. As much as I enjoy his plug-in, this announcement is also great.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dpsburgping
I expect a little bit of both, something for everyone. There will probably be some content that will be up for a little while for testing and some that needs a certain kind of testing. I remember Orion's blog about working on the GA instances. He made comments that he made a few changes, uploaded it for testers to run through, got feedback, made a few more changes, let QA at it...rinse repeat. He didn't mention the Private Preview Program specifically, but I would not be surprised if it was involved at some point.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lohi
Wow, took almost 12 years. I found a bit of info - apparently there were 2400 people registered to the class action, and AoL agreed to settle for $15 million - about $6250 per claimant. Of course, that's assuming they got the whole thing, I'd bet more then half went to lawyers and legal fees.Quote:
Originally Posted by swattz101
Still, I'm surprised that AoL chose to settle. The definition of "employment" that the claimants used was only a smidge broad. Well, actually, it was stretched beyond belief...
Wonder what the story with the EQ version is.
Edit: Correcting myself...it was against Origins...which is UO, not EQ. :-p
i'm sure Turbine had chosen this name well before the Lua plugin was created ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Dpsburgping
From time to time during past betas, they would ask for focused feedback on specific items, instances, etc, but most of the beta testing in the past has centered around "Play as you normally would on the live servers" and report bugs as you ran across them.
I am sure things are a bit different on Palantir, though, as I am guessing that everything moves along at a faster pace.
From what I've "heard" the devs take a much more active role in this preview program. They actually just into characters and play the game/do instances with players and get their feedback live, in addition to looking for bugs and such at the same time.
Looking forward to having the billing sorted out so that EU players can join, as well as F2P/Premium players. Quite a few of the exceptional testers in the most recent F2P testing were from Europe, or Premium/F2P players. Glad that the program is up and running at the very least! *looks ominously into an orb*
Crell, Vanguard, Riddermark
-F2P
I hope that they get get our subscribers from Codemasters in here, but hopefully they make Palantir only for VIP lifetime/subscribers. After-all its (supposed to be) a mature environment for previewing new content before it's released to the public. In my opinion Free and Premium players shouldn't get the privilege of seeing new content before it's ready/released to VIP players NOT in the Palantir Private Preview Program. You have to remember that this isn't like Bullroarer, not everyone who applies to Palantir will get accepted if it's anything like the Isengard Private Preview Program.
Plus, if Free and Premium players are allowed in over VIP players there's going to be complaints and such from people paying to play the game who applied but didn't get in... I suppose if VIP players who apply get considered before Free and Premium players that might put some of them at ease. There's also going to be that group of people that don't want all the "garbage" that a free player-base tends to bring to a server.
That's just my opinion on it. I wouldn't be one to complain if Free and Premium players were allowed in, or even if they were allowed in with the same consideration as VIPs.
Question:
What is the purpose in the NDA being so strict such that you are not even allowed to tell anyone that you do this? It is still your responsibility to keep what you see and do on the server to yourself. I am curious because I don't see this as much in other MMO's NDA's.
Let's just say that they don't want you being bribed/annoyed/griefed to the point that you give in and spill the beans.Quote:
Originally Posted by msbunglexx
Secondly, tons of things actually change in the testing process, so if you ("you" being general) do give in and say something, there is bound to be pitchforks by at least one group, even if there is no guarantee that this change is going live. In the past, there have been leaks on things that have not been fully tested out and just complete craziness on these forums. They want to prevent that as much as possible, I imagine.
Certainly, as mentioned, they cannot know if you tell your spouse or something that you are in the program, but in the end just use your best judgment.
I've read just the developer posts on the thread and the original post, so please forgive me if it's already been answered, but I'm asking because maybe others are thinking the same thing.
Is "Palantir" the name of a new game Turbine is working on? I'm really unclear as to just what this program is or is for.
Palantir is just the name of the program. Its basically the closed test server. All the new stuff they are making for LOTRO goes on there and is tested before either going on Bullroarer for open beta or straight onto the Live servers.Quote:
Originally Posted by Velea
This is an excellent post, cipher_nemo, it gives players a really excellent look into what they need to consider before applying to any program.Quote:
Originally Posted by cipher_nemo
I don't see their process as being mismanaged at all. I see it as the difference between being an "internal" tester and an "external" one. We players are "external" testers. The devs know what their priorities are, and they have too much to do to concern themselves with holding the hands of testers. They let us know what they want tested, the testing is done, the reports are filed, and the tester base often is not informed of what, if any, changes are being made, what if any, things are being corrected, and/or when we'll see the results. Those are all internal decisions. Sometimes they can and do talk about what their plans are, sometimes they don't, and there are myriads of reasons why. If you're someone who needs that kind of feedback, you'll want to take a good hard look at whether testing in this environment is something you want to pursue. It can be frustrating "working in the dark" so to speak, but often (not always) that's the task. It can also be very rewarding, when you see changes made that you had an influence on.
In other words, the devs and QA make the best use of the time they have, and to expect them to keep the player-testers fully informed is asking something of them that they don't always have the luxury to do. So consider carefully if you can be happy testing in that kind of environment.
As a former participant in Turbine Betas, I disagree with what cipher_nemo has posted above. I thought the interaction with the Devs was very good.
Here's a Q for the Staff: I am still stuck with an unintended log-in/account situation on the forums. I am logging-in via an SoA Beta account and I cannot log-in with my current game account info as intended. Most players with this situation seem to have had it remedied, but I'm still 'broken'. Is this going to cause a problem when reviewing post history as part of the Palantir application process? I am hoping that my years of forum interactions will be considered and not just my interactions since the new forum luanched.
Aux:
I agree on both points. I have always found that QA was quite responsive in closed betas. On the other hand, the job is not to test, not have our hands held.
Like you, I have this beta chat handle...my permanent one, like yours, is still missing
this is not a preview. its a test server. you are not 'seeing new content before it's released to the public', you are testing, finding bugs and providing feedback.Quote:
Originally Posted by Xero852
You may want to check the thread title there buddy. "Private Preview Program". Seeing new content before it is released to the public is a benefit for providing testing manpower and opinions to the QA and dev team. They are "previewing" their new content to us and asking for opinions and feedback, that's a big part of testing my friend!Quote:
Originally Posted by newwwwb
Quote:
Originally Posted by auximenes77
Khafar posted something about this in another thread, second post. See if that helps you out- I am not sure if it's the same problem or not.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aolain
so how long until we're notified of being accepted or denied to the preview program?
Witch:
No idea how long it will take for us to get word. A month? Less? More? If selected we will find out when we find out.
Just a word about Turbine betas. It is a beta...things will be broken...things will not work right...there will be stress tests and things will freeze up.
This is normal and expected. By breaking things, by crashing the server, by just being there in some cases, we are doing our jobs as beta testers (if any of us become beta testers, that is)--and by filing bugs when one is found.
Also.....one last word...what happens in beta stays in beta...folks need to keep their traps shut.
You will not be paid for beta...you will not get snazzy stuff for being in beta....
And no, you cannot transfer your beta character to live....nothing you get in beta can be taken to live...nothing,,,nothing at all..............nothing!
8)
Oh! And nothing anyone gets in beta can be brought to the live servers!
If you aren't accepted it's likely that you won't receive any notification by email. The only way to tell is if one of the Palantir team mention something in the thread here saying that invites have gone out.
I love bug finding (software coder myself) but I no longer have the luxury of as much free time as I used to have. Though I do usually have a couple of good hours in the morning I wonder if thats good for them a couple of evening hours EST.
I'll most likely end up not apping just because I can't commit to the time requirements, but best of luck to those that get in don't ruin my game ;)
Man, I've applied to alot of beta programs like this in different games, unfortuantly I never got in any of them :( (Although I did have the privelage of being in the F2P beta)
If I do get in the PPP...P I think I'll be estatic, I love testing any sort of new content, although this beta program seems like an uber version of Bullroarer. Can anyone from Isenguard confirm this?
Probably not, considering that unless something drastic happened, their NDAs are still classified as in-effect. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by orcfeller
ROFL, that's almost word for word what *this* post was going to say. :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkCntry
Quote:
Originally Posted by newwwwb
This is actually an argument of semantics, here in Turbineland. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Xero852
Private Preview is equivalent to test in the eyes of Turbine. As folks have mentioned earlier in this thread, there were some, shall we say, taboos about using the word test for programs such as these, so we called it preview.
Your role in this program will be exactly the same as a Beta Tester. It just doesn't have a definitive end, as Palantir will roll into the next development cycle instead of closing down when one goes live as a beta program does.
Applied yesterday. It would be great to help continued development of one the best mmo's on the market.
Curtis
I think it'd be fun to help test the new Isengard area. Throw my helm in the ring!... :)
I am glad that you are planning on opening this up to F2P and Premium members. Even though I an a retired software developer and tester, my free time is limited so I chose the Premium membership as best fitting my play style. I paticipated in the closed betas for several games and continue to do so. In two MMORPGs I am very active on their test servers. So I know that I could provide constructive testing and feedback.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kehleyr
Without getting the feedback from the F2P and Premium community before it goes live you may be hampering their game satisfaction when the changes go live. Also if some of the changes hope to encourage them to move into the VIP category, you will be missing out on feedback if it is achieving your intended goals.
I will be back to appy once you open it up for the F2P and Premium Players.
Logged into the forums today just to browse and was super excited to see this post! I think the PPPP would be very interesting to be a part of, so I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for an invitation!
Little confused here, thought we already had a Test Server on Bullroarer? If you all going to have a Private Preview server does that mean you doing away with the Public Test Server? If so I might as well uninstall it to make room on my harddrive then.
Also playing devil's advocate here, as with any type of NDA you going to cheaters and exploiters get in to find exploits. How you going to combat or prevent cheaters or exploiters from gaining access to your Private Server? Mind you they will may fill out the applications but those applications will not tell if that person is a cheater or exploiter. A lot of known cheaters/exploiters have been knowned to have multiple accounts.
There's been a private test server since launch. Bullroarer isn't a test server...it is what it claims - a preview server. After things graduate from the private server, they go to Bullroarer. Foir a very limited time, too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shadalarion
And...that said...it pretty much answers your other question. It's been around since launch and most people don't know it. :-) They must be doing something right as regards NDA enforcement.
Bullroarer is the Public Preview (Test) server. That is, if you have an account with LOTRO, you can access Bullroarer when it is open. When not in Beta, Bullroarer tends to only be open 2-3 weeks per content push, right before it's patched to Live.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shadalarion
Palantir is the Private Preview (Test) server. It is invitation only, and you only get an invite if your application is accepted by Quality Assurance. Content on Palantir can be very raw, and is usually active on the server for 2-3 months, dependent on the development cycle.
Both are test/preview servers. The primary differences are access and priority of bugs found.
Do you have to be a subscriber from when you apply until access is granted, or must you maintain it for the entire length of the program?
Participants must maintain an active, valid subscription if they wish to remain members of the program.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crell_1
The program length is indefinite - only eligibility for participation can change with subscription status.
Edit: question was pointless after reading first page of the thread :)
That's pretty much an axiom of internet forums.Quote:
Originally Posted by Galuhad
I remember someone telling me that they read something on the old Isengard test forums that basically said "once you're accepted to Isengard test server you're permanently accepted unless something drastic happens or you get yourself kicked out"... Said person is wondering if they have a good chance of getting accepted to Palantir? They have already sent in an application, from my understanding, the same one that got them accepted to Isengard (but slightly updated).
I'm asking for this person, do old Isengard testers have a "higher chance" of getting in than brand new applicants? All the FAQ information seems to hint that this is the case, but it's very vague... This person is just worried that the time he put into Isengard previously won't be considered and that he'll have the same chances as everyone else to get accepted...
It actually states in the OP FAQ that Isengard testers have no priority in being selected, however it can be used to 'pad' the application.Quote:
Originally Posted by Xero852
It doesn't really say that they do/don't have priority. It just says that previous Isengard testers need to re-apply since they're starting over. Unless I'm missing something.Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkCntry
Q: If I was on Isengard previously, do I have to put a lot of effort into my application, or can I just mention I was on before?Quote:
Originally Posted by Xero852
A: Every application is getting the same treatment, whether you were part of Isengard before or not. Everyone’s forum history and game history is going to be reviewed. We encourage you to mention you were part of Isengard in the past, but beyond that keep in mind this is a brand new program you are applying for.
Yea... He's already done all of that. I believe he's just wondering how much emphasis "being in Isengard" will have on being accepted to Palantir. I see his point of view, if people who weren't in Isengard got into Palantir before him it might be a little upsetting hehe.
Thanks for the response though Rachel (Kehleyr)! Hopefully my friend and I can join in this program once the invitations start going out!
That looks vaguely clear in a crystal-like fashion. :-PQuote:
Originally Posted by Kehleyr
Like the FAQ says...None.Quote:
Originally Posted by Xero852
New EP, so I am guessing they are approaching everything with a clean slate.
And if someone did get into the program prior to a former Isengard player/tester, how would they know? :rolleyes:
I guess this would be a good time to ask, about when should we begin refreshing our emails and spam folder obsessively to look for an invite? :) Have invites already begun to roll out, or should we expect them later, assuming we get in?
Please pick me for the program.
There will be a post to this thread when the invites go out. Unfortunately emails will only be sent to those accepted.Quote:
Originally Posted by Laire
We do not have a set date for when these emails go out, so please be patient.