No "Traditional" Open Beta for ESO

AmbrosiaAmor

https://help.elderscrollsonline.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/737

 

"We will not be holding a traditional open beta, but if you sign up to participate in the ESO beta prior to launch and are eligible per our Terms of Service, you will get an invite to a future beta event. We will be holding several very large beta sessions that include beta key giveaway promotions before the game launches."

 

Does that mean that Zenimax can keep the NDA intact till launch day? Anyone recall the last time, in recent history, an AAA MMORPG that did this (i.e. skip the open beta step entirely)? Does this seem odd to anyone as well?

TheBigDRC

Dunno, but this is going to set off a flurry of conspiracy theories so /popcorn.

Latronus

Originally posted by TheBigDRC
Dunno, but this is going to set off a flurry of conspiracy theories so /popcorn.

Don't forget your tinfoil hat! 

Hanthos

This just puts it off a few months for me. It may be nothing, but it doesn't smell right and has all the hallmarks of hidden problems. I'll pass until it's been out for a few months.

reeereee

Everyone points to FFXIV:ARR which had an NDA up all the way to launch, whether or not for good reason depends a lot on your opinion of the game.  If they're letting anyone who asks into the beta then I would say it's pretty much an open beta whether they choose to call it that or not.

skyline385

inb4 the amrchair detectives show up with hidden problems and some other conspiracies.

Oh shit, i am late.

TheBigDRC

Originally posted by Latronus

Originally posted by TheBigDRC
Dunno, but this is going to set off a flurry of conspiracy theories so /popcorn.

Don't forget your tinfoil hat! 

Oh right, shoot! >.<

Gatlan

If they get what they need from it, I don't see a problem.  Everyone knows open betas are just for marketing.  This is only a little different.  Anyone can still participate.

Rasiem

Personally I just don't think they want anyone stealing there ideas. I think there are some new features they plan to implement that they don't want the world to know about just yet and im excited. I have played in all the betas and I can tell you from being an mmo fan for well over 10 years...They got a gem here and if polished properly will be flawless. There's been way to much hate on this game that is not deserved.

skyline385

Originally posted by TheBigDRC

Originally posted by Latronus

Originally posted by TheBigDRC
Dunno, but this is going to set off a flurry of conspiracy theories so /popcorn.

Don't forget your tinfoil hat! 

Oh right, shoot! >.<

Here, take mine. Since i joined the site, i have kept tons of spares.

BeansnBread

I wonder if doing it this way will hurt initial sales. Open betas are a pretty solid marketing tool.

CthulhuPuffs

Just another reason to wait till it goes F2P

g0m0rrah

 

 Its a cash grab for sure.  Developers have learned the art of the casino.  Entice the consumer with the prospect of the win, sell them the idea, and make cash before you even sell them a product.  When I buy a car I like to read reviews and test drive it.  Yes a car is a significant chunk of change when compared to a video game but imagine if Toyota attempted to sell you a car using video game industry tricks including:

1.  Pre-order bonuses

    If you preorder the new camry you get a two week head start.  Be seen driving the new camry before others!

2.  Collectors Edition

    If you buy the special collectors edition camry, you also get a hand painted sculpture of the car, a schematics map, and the soundtrack that the creator listened to when designing this new automobile!

3.  Kickstarter

    For giving us 5000 USD and funding the car we are about to sell you, you will receive a commemorative plaque, specially designed interior including REAL leather, and a 3rd cup holder at no extra charge!  We also air brushed " Founder" on the driver side door.

4.  Lifetime Subscription

   For purchasing a lifetime subscription you will receive free oil changes for life or until we decide to give everyone who purchase a Toyota free oil changes which will probably happen within the 1st year of purchase.  You also receive free repairs on parts that we do not deem as consumable(all parts are deemed as consumables).

All of this wonder before you see the vehicle in person.  A test drive you say, hell no.  We are offering all of these things before you get to make an informed opinion on the product.  Isnt gambling fun?

skyline385

And P.S. OP, they are removing the press NDA this weekend and even the regular people playing will not have any watermarks so tons of them will be sharing stuff whether they remove it for the regular people or not.

TheBigDRC

Originally posted by skyline385

Originally posted by TheBigDRC

Originally posted by Latronus

Originally posted by TheBigDRC
Dunno, but this is going to set off a flurry of conspiracy theories so /popcorn.

Don't forget your tinfoil hat! 

Oh right, shoot! >.<

Here, take mine. Since i joined the site, i have kept tons of spares.

Sweet! "puts on tinfoil hat" Alrighty, now ready for the next batch!

reeereee

Originally posted by BeansnBread
I wonder if doing it this way will hurt initial sales. Open betas are a pretty solid marketing tool.

That's what I don't understand, they should have polished the hell out of the low level content most people will be accessing in open beta so I don't understand why they wouldn't want that out there.  The only thing I'm concerned about is the state of high level content which weekend beta testers aren't even going to make it to.

superconducting

The quality of a game has absolutely nothing to do with plans about NDA or open beta.

Skyrim did not have an open or even a public beta and did just fine. FFXIV is one of the highest rates mmos on this site and did not remove their NDA.

So I wouldn't read into things much. Nothing can be inferred except that ZOS has their reasons for doing what they're doing-- something which we may never know.

Torcip

Originally posted by reeereee

Originally posted by BeansnBread
I wonder if doing it this way will hurt initial sales. Open betas are a pretty solid marketing tool.

That's what I don't understand, they should have polished the hell out of the low level content most people will be accessing in open beta so I don't understand why they wouldn't want that out there.  The only thing I'm concerned about is the state of high level content which weekend beta testers aren't even going to make it to.

Some of them probably will.

Ineveraskforthis

Fuck, is it too late to refund the pre-order?

 

Zenmiax/Bethesda have some faith in your game, stop embarrassing yourself .

skyline385

Originally posted by superconducting

The quality of a game has absolutely nothing to do with plans about NDA or open beta.

Skyrim did not have an open or even a public beta and did just fine. FFXIV is one of the highest rates mmos on this site and did not remove their NDA.

So I wouldn't read into things much. Nothing can be inferred except that ZOS has their reasons for doing what they're doing-- something which we may never know.

But...but....my drama and conspiracy theories? How else do i show off how intelligent i am to able to stop an evil corporation from robbing the people? Damn you.....

Xileo

I've predicted that this would happen way before the official announcement

"My prediction is that ESO will not have an Open Beta and it will not have it's NDA lifted. Reason being is to increase sales at launch, as of right now there are a lot of negativity in regards to the game, if ESO has it's NDA lifted then the negativity would just spread among people not knowing anything about the game, additionally if it goes into Open Beta the same affects apply. That being said, Zenimax is a bit smart in the business aspects considering that if the large majority doesn't know the real details of actual in-game experience then they would have to purchase it to try it out first hand. "

It is definitely a cash grab method for sure in which if you want information in regards to the game, buy it. Zenimax seems to be working out ways to maximize sales and profits for sure as we can see Standard Editions vs Imperial Editions, why settle for minimum account access with a $60 account when you can get more for an $80 account (Imperial), you will be paying $15 monthly anyways. And a lot of Buyers had the same mind set, that is why we see Imperial Editions being sold 5 times more then the Standard.

 

skyline385

I just saw this part

if you sign up to participate in the ESO beta prior to launch and are eligible per our Terms of Service, you will get an invite to a future beta event. 

Basically, they are inviting everyone whoever signs up to play. I dunno how this is different from Open Beta (except for the sign-up part) if the NDA does get removed for regular players too this weekend.

EDIT: Just found a post on the forums which can not be named for obvious reasons that the NDA will be officially lifted, just not in this test. Those of you who have access to it just type "NDA" in the search box. The first thread has the reply.

Fearum

This has to mean they are working with the NSA to watch everything we do, I see no other reason to keep an NDA going until launch. Also there might be aliens in my closet that keep eating my boxer briefs, not sure if they have anything to do with the NDA also but I find it really strange. I don't trust them, you shouldn't either. Remember to turn off your smart phones, they are watching.

Crazy_Stick

When I was young I was dumb enough to believe the line about trickle down economics. That by supporting the institutions, the initiatives of the wealthy, that the rest of us further down the economic chain would benefit from their increased spending and ambitions. We garnered the inevitable results. It became like feeding a horse. We fed it through the mouth and by the time it trickled down to the rest of us all worthy substance was gone and we were left with a big stinking pile of poop good for nothing but fertilizing their new ambitions to cash in on what little the rest were left with.

 

Regrettably, it seems to prove true even in our gaming but at least we are left with kickstarters to counter the flow, steal a little fertilizer for ourselves, with a grass roots movement to create things worthy for the rest of us once more.

Zandil

Originally posted by Crazy_Stick

When I was young I was dumb enough to believe the line about trickle down economics. That by supporting the institutions, the initiatives of the wealthy, that the rest of us further down the economic chain would benefit from their increased spending and ambitions. We garnered the inevitable results. It became like feeding a horse. We fed it through the mouth and by the time it trickled down to the rest of us all worthy substance was gone and we were left with a big stinking pile of poop good for nothing but fertilizing their new ambitions to cash in on what little the rest were left with.

 

Regrettably, it seems to prove true even in our gaming but at least we are left with kickstarters to counter the flow, steal a little fertilizer for ourselves, with a garss roots movement to create things worthy for the rest of us once more.

I think somebody needs a hug ?

Iselin

Originally posted by skyline385

 

EDIT: Just found a post on the forums which can not be named for obvious reasons than the NDA will be officially lifted, just not in this test. Those of you who have access to it just type "NDA" in the search box. The first thread has the reply.

Damn dude, you just blew an opportunity to dazzle the forums with your powers of precognition... "I predict the NDA will lift before launch" Then you could have just quoted yourself later 

 

Good find, btw.