How should WotLK beta keys be given out?
by Dan O'Halloran 
Sep 9th 2007 at 2:00PM
Player Blazith of the Sunstrider server wanted to know if players in the TBC beta will get beta keys for the Wrath of the Lich King expansion? Community Manager Aeus responds that though the exact method of beta key distribution has not been worked out, being in the previous beta will not automatically qualify you.
The real question here is: how should Blizzard distribute the beta keys? The sign-up-for-random-distribution leads to many people getting in for bragging rights rather than testing. The give-beta-keys-to-PTR-players-with-numerous- bug-reports method would be a good start, but probably isn't enough to fill all the beta slots Blizzard has lined up. Plus, hardcore testers tend to be a different breed than the average player and not report on gameplay "feel" that average user experiences.
How do you think the beta keys should be distributed?
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Expansions, Wrath of the Lich King
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Memzer Sep 9th 2007 2:05PM
To me first!
Edit: I already pay to test tBC :/
Matt Sep 9th 2007 2:13PM
I liked what they did last year for the 1.9 patch. The race to 50, the most alts to 25, and I forget the third they had. I would like to see something similar.
Charlie Sep 9th 2007 2:08PM
Simple, address the 4 parts that (i think) need to be adressed in the beta. Bugs, Raiding, PvP, and Casual play.
Thus, give the beta keys to those who
1) Report alot of bugs.
2) Are Hardcore Raiders: give keys to 2-5? guilds who are in hyjal/bt.
3) Hardcore PvPers: make it a competition! People who have the highest arena rankings get beta keys.
4) "Casual" Players: Give it to the average player, id say anyone who has a 70. (and a few who don't).
This way you cover each of the 4 areas. Of course, i'd suggest making sure that they are at least somewhat comitted to testing the beta, but at the same time, most are gonna be like Oo BETA! click click click. So any "yes i am committed to bug testing" check marks aren't really gonna work =/
Thats my idea.
Charlie Sep 9th 2007 2:09PM
As a clarification, i don't mean give it to anyone who has a 70 should get one, but anyone who has a 70 should be able to get one.
this also keeps the "WTF! Just because im not hardcore i dont get a beta key?" trolls at bay.
Charlie Sep 9th 2007 2:11PM
@2. They did that, and i don't know if they ever handed out the beta keys. The third was some ambigous thing about helping out on the guild (something) forum. I know D&T did alot of stuff on there, but im not sure if they ever received a beta key or not.
I think it is one way to prove that you are comitted to being in the beta, but again thats kinda just for bragging rights, and not beta testing
Nick S Sep 9th 2007 2:48PM
give them out at random, but boot people who play little and submit no bug reports?
i dunno, it's a brainstorm.
CVJ Sep 9th 2007 7:27PM
I know average to hardcore players based upon play time and types of characters. A no brainer which I know they already do is to give beta keys to the most popular/used mod developers for obvious reasons.
PeeWee Sep 9th 2007 3:02PM
As long as people that get into the Beta actually do what they are getting paid to do, I don't really care how they are distributed. Yes, getting into the Beta is a reward (ask anyone who was in the TBC Beta), and they expect the "testers" to report bugs and oddities so that it may be sorted out before the actual release.
As things are today the PTR's could be renamed to PPR's (Public Play Realms) since no one there actually seems to do what they are supposed to do. How the hell could bugs like the orc shoulders slip through?
Oogly Sep 9th 2007 3:11PM
I went to blizzcon, I paid $100, let me in.
Dabura Sep 9th 2007 3:58PM
Make is a free, public beta to all WoW players, then Blizz will get a complete opinion on WotLK, as opposed to a certain group of players who only like certain things.
Thijz Sep 9th 2007 4:01PM
Last time I got it for a preview I had to write for a website. I hope I'll get this one too! :)
rick gregory Sep 9th 2007 4:09PM
"I went to blizzcon, I paid $100, let me in."
WEll, we'll see if the Blizzcon beta key turns out to be for WotLK...
drew Sep 9th 2007 4:17PM
They should simply let me distribute them. I'll be fair. Promise. ;)
Caleb Archon Sep 9th 2007 5:19PM
Wow. You guys have really been scraping the bottom of the Wow-barrel recently.
Arras Sep 9th 2007 5:30PM
massive "roll offs" on each server. Pick a date, at least 1 month in advance and a GM will port into Shattrath city. everyone that's interested will whisper the GM to join a special raid group or a queue of some kind
Everyone rolls /10000 (or /100000) and the top 200, 300, whatever rolls have a beta key emailed to them
Simple, fair and a good cross-section of players.
Jay Sep 9th 2007 7:42PM
We know Nihilum will get keys anyway. Then soon people will be like "Omgosh nihilim world kill xxxx, 10 world kills in 1 day.. omgossh"
and wow big surprise they've had months and months to raid them in the test realms.
They should just let you sign up for a key. With 2 or 3 requirements. You own BC, you've had an account for say 1 or 1 and a half years and have at least 1 level 70. Like say, if you have 3/3 you'll have a higher chance in getting a key, if you have 2/2 the level 70/1 and a half year account or own bc, you'll have less chance, and if you have 1/3 which'll be atleast 1 level 70 you'll have less chance then both.
That'll filter out all the noobs.
Paul Avers Sep 9th 2007 11:11PM
Re: #5,
It was a Level 19 WSG battle. Although, so few people actually competed on this one that everyone who actually made it to 19 and PvP'd got in. The server and all characters on the server were capped at that level. It was actually a ton of fun, since you didn't have to worry a lot about gear or twinks.
Neesan Sep 10th 2007 1:57AM
High profile raiding guilds should get invites ofc, like in TBC beta and after that people that have longest active accounts (payed).
Pook Sep 10th 2007 2:45AM
Nihilum, in my opinion should not get Beta Keys. Blizzard surely should have nothing to do with people that support gold farms.
Paw Sep 10th 2007 10:35AM
I think the reality is that Nihilum will be given keys. The hazards of being the poster guild for all things raiding. Likewise the top 5 or 10 arena teams in each bracket will likely be given keys. It is also possible that other top guilds will be offerd keys. There is no point in giving keys to anyone below say 65. So that means if I don't have one of my many toons up to 65 by then I would be out. A good cross section would be great in order to see from all angles any potential problems. Raiders raid, PvPers PvP and casuals quest. I have no idea how to establish the criteria to select casuals.