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Thank you so much Margie. I really appreciate all yours and Joels work and how much and quickly you care for the members :)
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Some programs do have rules that you are not allowed to discuss the game at all until it's officially released. They may kick you out of their program or even fine you if you break confidentiality. So make sure you know the rules of the place where you beta tested, as well as Gamezebo's rules, just to protect yourself.
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Robin,
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That is good information to know, especially for people who are new to Beta Testing. Which developers or publishers have you encountered that do not want you to talk about the beta testing of their games? -
Sometimes it's on a game by game basis. You just have to check the beta tester agreement when you sign up for the trial. Electronic Arts, for example, has really specific rules. In their beta test agreement for Battlefield Heroes, you ARE allowed to say that there is a new EA game called Battlefield Heroes and that you are a beta tester. You are NOT allowed to say anything about the stability of the game, the new character classes, the new character features, or your detailed opinion of the new features. And they're very specific that they can come after you for money damages if you do. Sometimes they don't even let you say the name of the game that's in beta test.Other game developers usually have a similar NDA (non disclosure agreement), although details vary.The idea is that a test is their chance to fix things that are wrong. If testers are reporting "This game is so dark you can't see anything," they want to have time to fix that before it's out for general release. If beta testers are posting opinions of the beta on general public sites, it defeats much of the purpose of having beta testing, which is to be able to fix things before release so they don't affect the general public's opinion of the game or the publisher.So if you are a beta tester, just read the NDA/Confidentiality agreement for each game you're testing before you start talking about it during the trial.I just wanted to make sure people understand that just because you see a Beta Tester Discussion Topic on any forum, not just Gamezebo, it doesn't suddenly mean that's an approved safe zone where the usual rules don't apply.As a beta tester, you have an individual agreement with an individual publisher for an individual game. Only that publisher can waive the agreement you made.On the other hand, talking about how to become a beta tester, whether it's worth it, how much time it usually takes, most specific test opportunities coming up, and how to be a better tester would all usually be safe discussions for general sites.If you're talking about specific games that have not yet been released, I'd want to see a statement from the publisher that it's OK to talk about it. But I'm cautious that way.
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Mmmm,I haven't thought about that. Again Robin very clear and complete. So we will be extra careful. Now we know everytime we need a legal advice, we will ask you ;)
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Oh, anything I say here is just for general education and entertainment, and should not be construed as individual legal advice. Always consult your own legal advisor with regard to questions about any specific legal situation.;)But seriously, this stuff is all very individual, so something someone else brings up may help you think of questions you want to look into, but you'll need to get the specific answers yourself.
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Hey Rockin' Robin I would hire you as my attorney :-)
On a serious note, if at any time a developer asks us to delete a beta discussion on this site or we think that the copy of the game was not obtained legally we will delete it immediately.
Thanks, Margie B
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Ok I am confused. I though that comments in the Beta Testing Comments forum were only to be about games when they are being beta tested, so that you could talk about your experiences testing the game. I am asking because people’s comments and ideas about games are getting so scattered.
I thought that once a game is released, the comments about the version that has been released to the public would be in the game’s forum or in General Discussion. People’s opinions about games are being lost in the shuffle of the different forums.
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I do beta testing for a company; and, truthfully, I would not feel comfortable discussing the game/s in any forum other than the one that is on their website for the testing. In fact, I would be breaking a confidentialty agreement with them.
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On the other hand, there are some developers who welcome discussion of their games elsewhere while in beta testing - it's free advance advertising for them! Generally, all those ones ask is that you only say the negative stuff in private - so they can fix it! For example, James C. Smith at the Reflexive forum is quite happy for his testers to tell people about the game, and invite them to join the 'testing team' - just so long as you point them through the right channels! (In this case, the right channel is him, as he personally deals with tester applications)He's even happy for you to let your friends play on your computer, so long as no unauthorised copies go out. But the best thing is, he really cares about getting it right for the players, so he (and we) take our testing seriously, and further than just bugs to be fixed - gameplay, balance, play style, graphics, audio... All this is taken into account, and yet somehow he even still manages to incorporate some previously unconsidered suggestions and random comments into the final product! I have to say, Reflexive are a joy to test for, and I highly recommend heading there if you're thinking about beta testing games. Oh, and now it's been released, I'm free to tell you about the game I tested for them - Build In Time. Its bad points are that it's really challenging and far too addictive! ;)
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Mr personal opinion on beta test discussion is maybe if comments are kept to which game is in test and from which game provider. But keep the comments on the line of how much / or not you enjoyed the game, don't go into too much detail e.g you pick up this object then do this with it.... etc. I think one reason for this s much as any other is that it can spoil the anticipation factor of waiting to play a game you're looking forward to. A bit like when a new book is due out by your favourite author, someone gets hold of one before you. They then proceed to tell you the plot, who does what and even the ending !! So please don't risk spoiling it for others.
Anyway i've rambled on enough now, so i'll get off my soap box. Thanks for reading :-)
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i signed up for beta testing and didnt get email for resteraunt rush y i dont know--what email contact should i put in to allow email for the beta test maybe thats it.
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Got Gamezebo newsletter:
Flora is a farm-themed strategy game developed by Eidos Interactive, the developers of the popular video game franchise Tomb Raider. Flora is their first PC casual download game.Click here to download a beta version of Flora.
However after I downloaded and installed it, it would not run. Message was "Script error on page".
I reported this error in the survey - don't know that hey read that, though.
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Same thing is happening to me. I also reported error in the survey ...
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In my case, the game freezed after a few screenshots, but when I tried to write it in the survey, I got a message saying it was closed...
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I'm new here and posted about a game I just Beta tested in the wrong area sorry.
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The game I tested was Right to a Kill at real arcade definite buyer when it comes out.
Also just purchased Hawaiian Explorer 2. No regrets in the purchase so far. LOL -
Hi 3rsnana,Welcome
Don't worry about it, I figured it was an error, I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying Hawaiian Explorer.
Margie B(Moderator)
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Just played the Slingo Supreme beta! OMG!! I am SOOOOO in love with this game! I only wish I could afford to buy it right now!!
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Hi guys- I may be a bit daft,but has Gamezebos' Beta Testing Site been repaired? I haven't gotten any e-mails about it and I am signed up to test! If it has,where do I go to begin testing new games?!
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Hi Cutter1, the link is not up yet but you can click on the "Contact Us" form at the bottom of the page and Joel can add you to the list. Thanks and have a good day!
Margie B
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Thanks MargieB! I thought I had missed a great H.O. game and I don't want to miss any of those!!
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Hey Cutter1, I'm not sure that you'll get in for this beat but you will definitely be in the next one.
Margie B
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Just wanted to say THANK YOU for creating this Beta testing area in the Gamezebo Community! This is really exciting and just the kind of information I come to Gamezebo for! I'd still like a calendar of new game releases, but this new Beta area goes a long way to keeping us apprised of new game action! BRAVO!
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I'd have to say the same! I come here everyday for new information on the latest game releases! And the only thing I would say I would really would like to see is a calendar that has the release dates for all the upcoming games! Keep up the good work!!
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You are a real beta tester. Some sites, such as Alawar, have semi-public beta tests which anyone can sign up for. It has appeared that Alawar pays little or no attention to their feedback. I think it is mainly a ploy to get people to download the game and get interested.
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Having problems beta testing Tropical Islands from Digital Chocolate.
Have downloaded three times and message comes up- Photoquest - fishing encountered problem. Guees this is one game I won't be trying
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HOW DOES THE BETA TESTING WORK. AND DO THEY NOTIFY YOU WITH THE NEW GAMES TO BE PLAYED? CURIOUS WOULD LIKE TO JOIN TO GET NEW GAMES AND GIVE MU THOUGHTS ON THEM. THANKS
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I think it's great we can talk about other beta games here. I got started with the RealArcade evaluations and stumbled onto others accidentally. I am so hooked I probably need a 12 step program . . . there have been a lot of new games lately and I'm having a blast!
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Believe it or not I Beta test for a few companies and was chosen because I am colorblind, so I can tell them how hard or easy it is to see items. Needless to say when I the game is a HOG and asks for a yellow rose or red rose or put a color in front of an object I insist that they do not penalize multiple clicks.
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While I was logged in I signed up for Beta testing. Then I got a page saying that I could Beta test, but my username had disappeared. Now I signed in again and can't find the test-page. What am I doing wrong?
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Hi Margie B.. We met eachother at a.o. the PF site concerning the FP of DC3. Any idea about its release?? I'm very curious and keep following the news. Like to do beta testings.
Tnx Levendig
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While I was logged in I signed up for Beta testing. Then I got a page saying that I could Beta test, but my username had disappeared. Now I signed in again and can't find the test-page. What am I doing wrong?
Hi, I am not sure what happens when you sign up for beta since I signed up a long time ago. I'm assuming that you mean that you signed up here with us at GameZebo. Most likely what happened was that once your approval went through it took you back to the sign in page. Your name should not show up again since you were accepted. Please let us know if you receive the next game we have a beta for. If you did not, we will add you in manually. I'm not sure when our next beta will be but it should be soon. Let me know if this answers your question.
Good Day, Margie
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Hi Margie B.. We met eachother at a.o. the PF site concerning the FP of DC3. Any idea about its release?? I'm very curious and keep following the news. Like to do beta testings.
Tnx Levendig
Hi Levendig, welcome to GameZebo!Yes, I remember you from PF:) we do not know when this game will be released but as soon as they let us make a date public we will surely let everyone know. A lot of times companies don't want to give out dates too far in advance just in case they miss the deadline. Especially with a big game like Dream Chronicles 3 in which a lot of people will be waiting for it, they hate to disappoint fans :).
If you like to do beta testing, you are welcome to sign up for our program here at Gamezebo. You can sign up for beta testing with us by clicking here.
If you see something posted about the release date at PF before we do, please come back and share with the rest of us :)
Thanks and have a great day! Margie B
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Tnx MargieB , I signed up for beta testing!! I keep you posted when I find something about the release!!! They whisper it's not BF, but maybe Spintop or Real??? I can imagine everyone keeps there lips 
Let's see about that when the time is there.
Levendig -
Holland
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Nobody visited this forum since I sent a post??? Whauw incredible isn't it. Nothing to talk about?? No Beta testings anymore?? Well Margie B. I look around every day here at GZ and I did a comp.test for RA Betatesting, cuz the gameinstaller didn't work... Wait for the results and keep u posted. Anyway in the meantime I've a lot of friends here and that's positive.... from me for all my GZ friends!!Later... Levendig
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Levendig, I have the same problem with RA. I could DL the games to test but they wouldn't install. I sent them a DX computer test and never heard back from them. That was months and months ago. I still get the emails from them to test but can't. I emaied them again to ask about the results and I got the same email back to send DX computer test. So I just gave up on them. I know others can beta their games without a problem. I hope you have better luck with them than I did. I can DL the demos they have with no problem at all. For some reason it is just the Betas. It has to be their installer, something in it my computer doesn't like. But the same thing happened with my older computer too. Who knows.
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Thnx Scooter46.. read your post about RA... After the test i got an error about an ActiveX V2 that was not installed on my computer. It's indeed their installer that gave a problem. Well my computer is only a year old, runs on Vista, has 4 Gig internal and 500GB hard drive and a Geforce 8600 so that's not the problem.
Anyway thnx somuch for your post, I'm going to sleep now ( it's here 11.15 pm in Holland).
Tomorrow's another day and I keep u posted ofcs.
Levendig
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So, even if the game developer posted the link to the page with the beta version download, out to the public on a forum, the link still can't be posted here?
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So, even if the game developer posted the link to the page with the beta version download, out to the public on a forum, the link still can't be posted here?
Hey Timebomb, yes that is correct, we just don't post link to betas at all. We prefer to be consistent on this issue but we appreciate you bringing the game to our attention.
Thanks, Margie B
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Since a demo is not a beta version, it's okay to post about demo downloads, right?
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Since a demo is not a beta version, it's okay to post about demo downloads, right?
Hi TB, it's ok to post a demo of a game that is out, that is not a problem. If it's a demo of a game that has not been released, then you cannot post it. Thanks, Margie
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Okay, thanks again. I'm just trying to make as few mistakes as possible now, lol.
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Okay, thanks again. I'm just trying to make as few mistakes as possible now, lol.
Hey TB, you're welcome, I appreciate the fact that you asked :) Have a nice evening! Margie B
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I would like a little more clarification on this...
I have come across many demo/beta on sites I visit, that have said help us test this game, it is a demo/beta, but is only on that site...no membership required...the game hasn't been released to a portal...but is open to anyone who wants to try it, no feedback required???
If it's a demo and not an illegal one then what is the difference?
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Beta Games Discussion-Please Read Before Posting
Report as InappropriatePosted on 06/06/08, 05:19pm
Joel has given his OK to go ahead and discuss games that are in beta mode.We would like to keep this section solely for that.
If anyone wants to post issues regarding this site in general, please use the "Gamezebo Feedback" section of the forum.All other topics will be deleted.
Our main rule in here is that it is fine to discuss games that are in beta mode. However, it is NOT OK to post links to those games. If we see any links posted, we will delete the whole topic.
It's OK to post links to companies that offer beta testing for those that would like to sign up for future games.Of course, we at Gamezebo also offer games to test and our sign up link will be back up very soon.
If we see beta games being discussed in another part of the forum, we will delete them. However, You are free to post them again over here. We just want to make sure that all comments stay in this section only.
If anybody has any questions regarding any other rules regarding this subject, please post them here for all to see.
Thanks and let the discussions begin!
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