DICE: Battlefield 3 beta is “not representative of the final gameâ€
- Thread starter James
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Tarka
New member
We must've read different articles. I'm pretty sure he said that DICE created a new backend and engine for this game (since BC2). Not coding it new since the beta. The beta is old code and meant only for testing the server structure and backend.
will1023631
New member
Yes they usually create a beta on a seperate time line and make sure it works to within a reasonable extent. Most of the time it is a reasonable estimation of the real thing, but that doesn't mean it's the final product. As you guys play the beta, they collect information and feedback and then fix things up long the way, dropping features that don't work here and adding improvements there. Beta code is generally just there to test server communication, loads, stat issues, etc, etc, etc. It's never a representation of the more refined product.
And it is quite possible to recode the backend of a game within a short period of time as long as you have a well organised library and your content (like models, sound, etc etc) in position.
One advantage of an OOP language likes C++ (which is what they used) is that with a well constructed library of functions, you can strip something down and reconstruct it in a matter of days if you so wished. Also remember that they have a large development team (reading the credits is usually an indication of this), that way since they know what needs to happen and know functions need to be called then it's merely a matter of calling them up, refining and testing. Then viola! You can end up walking out with a better product (or worse in some cases).
In the end with the few minutes I spent with the beta, I was already impressed by the engines prowess. No point in over playing the beta only to have a bitter taste in your mouth because of some stupid bugs that have been sorted in the final product.
And it is quite possible to recode the backend of a game within a short period of time as long as you have a well organised library and your content (like models, sound, etc etc) in position.
One advantage of an OOP language likes C++ (which is what they used) is that with a well constructed library of functions, you can strip something down and reconstruct it in a matter of days if you so wished. Also remember that they have a large development team (reading the credits is usually an indication of this), that way since they know what needs to happen and know functions need to be called then it's merely a matter of calling them up, refining and testing. Then viola! You can end up walking out with a better product (or worse in some cases).
In the end with the few minutes I spent with the beta, I was already impressed by the engines prowess. No point in over playing the beta only to have a bitter taste in your mouth because of some stupid bugs that have been sorted in the final product.
DarthSWNT
New member
This is optimistic... It is nearly impossible to create a bug free computer program.
They just cannot be sure that all 5million people who will buy the final will have a bug free experience from the get go.
Yes it will have some of the beta bugs sorted. But there will be new ones I assure you.
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will1023631
New member
Well Isengrad is basically saying is that the same bugs that are in the beta won't persist in the final release. Sure there will be bugs, there are always bugs. If there aren't bugs at release then you've done something horribly wrong and committed one of the cardinal sins of coding
(unless you're a programming god). But ya. Cancelling your pre-order because of some lousy fear of a few stupid bugs that persist during the BETA is just unreasonable and grounds for getting a taai klap. They do realise that even if the bugs persist they will get fixed?
Isengard
No Hobbits Allowed
Yeah, don't get me wrong, I expect bugs, but I don't believe the final game will be nearly this buggy, I'd bet that 90% of the issues were are having now won't be present.
DarthSWNT
New member
Yes exactly. The purpose of this beta was to test their servers and backend (ass?). Although we probably highlighted a few additional bugs they are not likely to fix them during the beta.
But I say good riddens.... The people that cancelled are probably the same knob jockeys that we all despise on the servers. The arrogant jerks and cheaters.
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But I say good riddens.... The people that cancelled are probably the same knob jockeys that we all despise on the servers. The arrogant jerks and cheaters.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using MyGaming Android App
Sure, I can go with that.
But will their rancid attitudes during Beta be representative of the future of their games?
Gotta be honest, I'm more pissed with DICE/EA than I am at BF3...
DarthSWNT
New member
Generally their attitudes, and the shit they're trying to get away with. Like I said in other thread... Steam removal, restrictive EULA including invasion of privacy, regional restrictions on StarWars:TOR (SA can't get it), etc etc.
Anything affiliated with EA these day,s just seem to hit the shitbin page of my notebook within 2 weeks...
PlainStack
New member
I'm just thinking here. At which date will they have to have a final game code to be able to burn to thousands of disks and ship to suppliers before release? I'd think they should ship at least a week before release date to suppliers so that doesn't really leave them a lot of time to fix all of the bugs that come out in the beta.
Would be interesting to know when their cut off date is for making final touches to the game.
Would be interesting to know when their cut off date is for making final touches to the game.
The Joker
Thread Killer MKII
Well I cancelled my Pre order, So am I a "Knob Jockey" or "arrogant jerk" or "Cheater"?
Should be careful with calling people names, can sometimes get you fucked up.
There is one really good reason to cancel the game, its because of BF fanboy's like the above one.
Be fucking honest when talking about a game, I love MW but I will not be biased towards it.
If there are issues then I will say there are issues.
The BF3 beta was a piece of shit, probably the worst Beta I have ever come accross.
So what else are people supposed to judge the game by??? Or maybe the fact that EA/Dice have been dicks all year long, with there little flame war against activision??? Not to mention the so called gpu's that fried at gamescon due to the epicness of the graphics in game...LMFAO more like the super shit coding. The list goes on and on.
You are entitled to you're own opinion for sure, but don't be a dick about it.
There you have hit upon the so called nail. There is not enough time to fix all the shit before launch. So expect some patches in the weeks following the launch..Like I said 80% game for 100% of your $$.
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DarthSWNT
New member
You are assuming that they will have hard copies available worldwide on the release day? Hahaha
Fixing these bugs don't take very long. And remember that the beta is an old release (probably a late alpha) so most bugs you see are likely already fixed. Also bugs are being fixed as they come up. Even if not seen in the beta.
Most of the important work in terms of the coding and textures has been completed so the bugs shouldn't take long to remedy.
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DarthSWNT
New member
I apologise for calling people names.
Mainly because I realise that it is possible to want to wait for the final to judge. I also said "probably" for this reason.
But judging a game before final is ridiculous at best.
I am not a hater of mw either... I enjoyed that as well and have consistently told people to try both in this battle. As I will be doing. And I will probably play mw3 extensively as it is something different.
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No. See. Right here is where I draw the line.
Keeping a pre-order going even though you are hard-pressed to believe that the title could turn out extremely shitty is the pinacle of fanboyism.
I only pre-order and keep it pre-ordered if by any and all circumstances (Including but not limited to: alpha, leaks, demo's, reveals, etc) the game remains the most awesomely flawless piece of work that I simply cannot wait to play.
If I pre-order something, and it starts to smell like a rotting carcass covered in shit during any phase of pre-release-window, I cancel my order.
That game will end up as a "lets see what the user reviews say in about a week after launch" title.
Stop defending something as if it's the end-all of the universe. If a Beta is shit, the game is likely to be shit.
The only way it won't be shit, is if the problems and issues brought forth by testers are VISIBLY ADDRESSED. (Yes that was aimed at all you "shut-up its Beta! STOP COMPLAINING!!!" fruitcakes...
Wanna see a game where complaints, suggestions, and other such feedback wasn't visibly addressed? Final Fantasy XIV.
Wanna see a game where the Alpha and Beta was shit, but we were promised it will be awesome at launch? Final Fantasy XIV.
Wanna know what is currently happening, will continue happening, and be the eventual future of Final Fantasy XIV?
Trash can. Forever. Goodbye.
Main point?
You CAN and SHOULD judge a book by it's cover. That what cover's EXIST FOR!
(Now replace "cover" with "Beta" or any other such term of choice)