The Palantir Private Preview Program

[Kehleyr]

hmmmm, just tried to send an app email, and this has bounced back to me...

The following message to <LOTROPreview@turbine.com> was undeliverable.
The reason for the problem:
5.1.0 - Unknown address error 554-'Service unavailable; Client host [out1.ip01ir2.opaltelecom.net] blocked using Barracuda Reputation; http://www.barracudanetworks.com/reputation/?r=1&ip=XXXXXXXXXX

I have blanked out the IP part....

Any ideas folks?

My ISP is talktalk, UK....

Seems you have received some useful input from a few players - I hope this helps resolve the issue.

I will ask that any further correspondence about this be done through Private Message so this thread may return to questions/comments about the Preview Program.

Thank you all for your understanding with this request!

[Faileon]

I applied, let's see how it turns out.

Just a question though. Do you also respond to people that have not been selected? So I'm not hitting the F5 button in my email so aggressively .

And one more Q. I suppose there is a new client for Palantir? Do I have to download this 16gb again? My HDD is big enough, but oh well, another 16gb with same data...

[Kehleyr]

I applied, let's see how it turns out.

Just a question though. Do you also respond to people that have not been selected? So I'm not hitting the F5 button in my email so aggressively .

And one more Q. I suppose there is a new client for Palantir? Do I have to download this 16gb again? My HDD is big enough, but oh well, another 16gb with same data...

We do not send emails to those we do not accept. If a post goes up saying we've sent invitations and you did not receive one, then your application was not accepted for that round.

If you are accepted, yes, downloading a new client will be required.

[Feldenak]

Are invitations going out all the time or are they only sent at specific days/times?

[Kehleyr]

Are invitations going out all the time or are they only sent at specific days/times?

There is no set time or schedule. We try to aim for once a month, but have hopelessly failed at that goal since... ever.

We send out invitations when the QA schedule frees up enough for us to review applications. I wish I could give you a better answer.

[Feldenak]

There is no set time or schedule. We try to aim for once a month, but have hopelessly failed at that goal since... ever.

We send out invitations when the QA schedule frees up enough for us to review applications. I wish I could give you a better answer.

Thanks Kehleyr. I figure I'll apply and see if my requirements gathering, FD writing and break/fix experience is enough to get me in.

[Crell_1]

There is no set time or schedule. We try to aim for once a month, but have hopelessly failed at that goal since... ever.

We send out invitations when the QA schedule frees up enough for us to review applications. I wish I could give you a better answer.

At 5 rounds of invites in 10 months, it doesn't seem like you're doing too badly in terms of keeping up with the applications.; Hopefully Bullroarer is helping to lighten your load a little so you can keep up with the applications.

Here's hoping the team working on a solution to the PPPP billing system's exclusion of non VIPs isn't sucked up by the MYLOTRO data import issues for too much longer; If infact they are the same team. Perhaps we'll be able to celebrate 1year of the program's new form by applying.

Best Bug hunting to you and yours!

[ThorgrinIronhide]

Perhaps this has been answered somewhere before, but I can not seem to find it, what is the difference between the palantir private preview program and the beta for ROI other than you have to apply for palantir? I am kind of confused on exactly what this program is.

[Arbalister]

Perhaps this has been answered somewhere before, but I can not seem to find it, what is the difference between the palantir private preview program and the beta for ROI other than you have to apply for palantir? I am kind of confused on exactly what this program is.

Palantir is private, full NDA, ongoing testing. Beta for RoI is for RoI only.

[Crell_1]

Palantir is private, full NDA, ongoing testing. Beta for RoI is for RoI only.

Both have their own NDAs with terms. Both are private.; Bullroarer is currently beta for ONLY RoI and invite only.; Palantir is only open to applications from VIPs, and your acceptance there is until you do one of the following 1.Drop VIP, ; 2. Violate the terms of the program 3. Turbine decides you're no longer needed (Not something I imagine happens often.) 4. You choose to leave the program]

Edit: To clarify my inclusion of #3: In the transition from Isengard->Palantir Private Preview program, you elected to wipe your tester base and start anew.; True, this was a new program, but it doesn't mean anyone or everyone lost as a result of the transition did something to leave or desired to leave the program.; Turbine is free to seek a fresh slate of volunteers at any time and remove the previous ones.

[ThorgrinIronhide]

Thanks for the responses, but I guess what I am really getting at is how do they differ in what they test? Is palantir basically a running beta for anything, like when they have introduced class updates outside of expansions, new instances etc..., while the beta (like for ROI) is reserved only for specific expansions? Or is it more like an alpha for lack of a better word, in that things get tested there then to bullroarer.I understand if you can not answer specifically because of any NDA agreements, it just appears to me that between palantir, bullroarer, and expansion beta's there is a lot of overlap. Perhaps that is exactly the point.

[Crell_1]

Thanks for the responses, but I guess what I am really getting at is how do they differ in what they test? Is palantir basically a running beta for anything, like when they have introduced class updates outside of expansions, new instances etc..., while the beta (like for ROI) is reserved only for specific expansions? Or is it more like an alpha for lack of a better word, in that things get tested there then to bullroarer.I understand if you can not answer specifically because of any NDA agreements, it just appears to me that between palantir, bullroarer, and expansion beta's there is a lot of overlap. Perhaps that is exactly the point.

Bullroarer is only opened when they need a wider range of people testing something [Ie: RoI]; Palantir, is probably is up far more often. ; Palantir gets its builds before Bullroarer, and may have more than one build in the time Bullroarer has one. ; Palantir was probably testing RoI content in some form or another before RoI was likely announced. Palantir is run by Quality Assurance; Bullroarer is run by Online Community Relations; Palantir is more focused on qualitative feedback while Bullroarer is focused on catching bugs missed by QA.

Edit: Removed inaccuate statements; (And Please, Just because someone makes a mistake, do not presume it was intentional, I'm operating with the best information I've got available to me)

[ThorgrinIronhide]

Interesting, thanks for the response that is just what I was looking for.

[Kehleyr]

Turbine decides you're no longer needed (Not something I imagine happens often.)

Not sure what gave you the impression this is a condition, but we have never dropped someone from the Private Preview Program because we decided they are 'no longer needed'.

[Kehleyr]

Palantir tends to have more stringient testing guidelines, (Ie this next week, JUST test this instance.)

Not true. While we do have a focus schedule, anything that is on the Deliverable list is open for testing on Palantir at all times unless some bug or undeveloped mechanic is preventing it.

...while Palantir is more like 'try and find all the ways you can to reproduce this specific bug, so we can finally get it squashed.'... ;

Again, not true. We have hundreds of players on Palantir - if we had them hyper-focused as you imply here it would not be an efficient use of their time.

Again, we have a focus schedule, yes, but if you are not able to meet the requests of the focus schedule but are able to test, file bugs and offer feedback then your time is incredibly valuable to us.

Palantir is far more strongly focused on the qualitative aspect of the content. That is: Is this quest fun? What makes it not fun? Is this instance balanced? Is this boss too hard? Does this new skill seem overpowered?

While bugs are an important component, feedback is really where Palantir is at.

All of my statements are without any time spent on Palantir, and are purely based on my understanding of the processes involved.

Understanding the process is one thing, but the experience itself cannot be reflected in the process.

[newbismo]

Kehlevr,

Are there any disqualifications for knowing too much? lol

In a nutshell, I've been computer gaming since the early 80's, been mmoing since beta 6 of UO.
I've pretty much seen and done it all. I've met several dev tema over the years in multiple games (all in-game) and in fact been a part of guilds that included devs from several games.
I was also asked multiple times by a couple different game companies if I was looking for a job.
My basic question is, by knowing too much- voices from vent/etc, from communicating via emails with dozens of folk in the industry am I some sort of risk? I applied a couple years ago and was not picked.

Is it worth applying again or am I considered over qualified or risky because of my experiences?

[Kehleyr]

Is it worth applying again or am I considered over qualified or risky because of my experiences?

We don't tend to exclude people for being 'overqualified' so if I were you I would try again.

EDIT: ohmygosh Maui. <jealous>

[Skigorn]

We don't tend to exclude people for being 'overqualified' so if I were you I would try again.

Kehleyr is our very own mythbuster. Good job debunking all the misconceptions

[Lebenedh]

We don't tend to exclude people for being 'overqualified' so if I were you I would try again.

I would expect 'overqualified' is indeed unlikely to be a disqualifier.

EDIT: ohmygosh Maui. <jealous>

Now this matter may well require an extensive on-site personal interview by Kehleyr for a week or so in January to fully define your eligibility. <grin>

[Crell_1]

Palantir is far more strongly focused on the qualitative aspect of the content. That is: Is this quest fun? What makes it not fun? Is this instance balanced? Is this boss too hard? Does this new skill seem overpowered?

While bugs are an important component, feedback is really where Palantir is at.

Understanding the process is one thing, but the experience itself cannot be reflected in the process.

Thanks for correcting my misconceptions!
Posts like this are why I suggested an article for the Free People's Press. I hope you consider it .

http://forums.lotro.com/showthread.p...o-the-Palantir.

[ThorgrinIronhide]

Thanks for all of the speedy clarifications Kehleyr!

[TUX426]

Palantir is far more strongly focused on the qualitative aspect of the content. That is: Is this quest fun? What makes it not fun? Is this instance balanced? Is this boss too hard? Does this new skill seem overpowered?

Very good to know that this is a focus of the program. While bugs can be a source of immense frustration, bugs can be fixed. "Fun" is what makes people WANT to play. It's nice to know that Turbine actually DOES focus on "FUN".

[-EdGeHiLL-]

Hey Kehleyr I'm going to Kauai soon wanna come??

Any idea when the next round of apps are to be sorted?

[Honvikuk]

I guess the program is as much as you put into it, is how much you get out of it. I.e by helping them with solid feedback will improve your own game on 'Live'. These chaps/Ladies do a good job and just want good folk to help improve the game.

Good Luck to anyone wishing to enter the program and make sure you do all your best to help them out!

[Raven-EU]

The last batch of PPP invites went out on the 26:th of July, right?