No beta for me, thanks
by Mike Schramm 
Apr 23rd 2008 at 6:00PM
Reader Ian C. wrote in with an interesting thought. He says that if he was offered a spot in the Wrath of the Lich King beta tomorrow, he'd probably decline. With the news that the expansion is in alpha and that an open beta is probably not too far off, it seems like everyone and their brother wants in early to Northrend. But not Ian -- he says that he'd rather experience the content on the live realms.And I mostly agree. I never played in the BC beta, and generally I like to stay away from the PTR if possible -- any progress that you make on test or beta realms is completely lost when the beta closes, and while yes, there are some fun reasons to jump onto the PTR or a beta realm, I'd rather experience the content as its meant to be played when it comes out.
Everyone else might be excited to see the beta, and of course we'll have lots of information as it comes out about Wrath (which means if I'm invited to the beta, I'll probably load it up just to see what's there and try out the Death Knight mechanics), but playing on a beta realm isn't the real thing. Any progress you make there is more or less a waste of time -- I'd rather see Northrend in a finished form, through my character on the live realms.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Blizzard, Leveling, Death Knight, Wrath of the Lich King
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Zeplar Apr 23rd 2008 6:04PM
I'd like to argue that it's a "waste of time." If you think you're "accomplishing" things on the real realms, you're addicted man. The point of the game, any game, is to have fun, and I don't think anyone can deny that trying out the death knights + inscription + northrend will be fun.
Ant Apr 23rd 2008 10:24PM
Why is it addiction if the fun for some people is setting goals for themselves in game?
Everyone has fun with the game in a different way, don't be a hater towards those who like to do so with some direction.
Frostybolts Apr 24th 2008 12:03AM
I had a blast during the BC beta, but it wasn't nearly as much fun later on when the actual game came out.
Plus it kind of ruined raiding Naxx for me when I saw that I could replace everything in Kara and a few items in level 70 5 mans
Thijz Apr 24th 2008 3:29AM
@Ant: That's not his point. His point is that the writer of this article says that doing stuff on the PTR/Beta is a waste of time because you don't make any progress in the real game.
However, this game is about having fun. If you're having a blast fooling around on the beta by trying out some of the new stuff (why would that be any less fun than testing it out on the live realm?) why would you consider that a waste of time?
Spockette Apr 24th 2008 10:19AM
Not everyone is an alt-o-holic. Doing things twice -- the first time not counting towards a more permanent reward as far as character progression goes -- is to some of us, a waste of time.
Horixon Apr 23rd 2008 6:04PM
/agree
I only went on the PTR once for about 10 minutes, and it wasn't my thing. I like to wait and see everything the way it's supposed to be.
BlueDragon666 Apr 23rd 2008 6:08PM
A friend asked me the same question, and I had the same reply as Ian...I would wait for the real thing. I would rather experience the new content with my buddies and be able to save my progress vs. it being wiped out in a beta and seeing things all alone. The Deathknight mechanics would be interesting to see first-hand, but I would much rather read about it from sites like wowinsider or any other gaming site and then experience it on a live realm when the final version of the game is out. No matter what though I can't wait for WotLK!
Nick S Apr 23rd 2008 6:14PM
yeah, i'll take your beta invites, guys. :-P
i'm a sucker for new shiny.
Draele Apr 23rd 2008 6:19PM
I would totally take a beta spot, but only for limited testing.
IE I'd love to test/give feedback on the new Warlock talents & abilities and test the Death knight class, but I would *not* want to spoil any content, IE I might only level to 72 or so.
So I'm interested in testing the purely mechanical parts of the expansion but would rather save the actual content to do with my guildies.
Adam Apr 23rd 2008 6:23PM
Yeah, I don't want to see any new content. I just would really like to see new talents/spells. I really wish they would release more information about this like they had before BC (lists of the new spells/updated talent calculators) but it's probably too early yet.
Balgair Apr 23rd 2008 6:23PM
I was in the TBC beta and personally found the experience fantastic - I'm very much hoping I'm lucky enough to get into the WotLK beta.
I appreciate that some people prefer to experience it for the first time when it goes live, but for me, what made the TBC beta experience so special was being able to experience the new content without having to compete with 500+ other people all doing the same quests. Sure, it'll be better spread out in WotLK, but even so, there will be crowds everywhere the first few days/weeks, and I find it immensely frustrating trying to get anything done like that.
In the TBC beta I could fully appreciate the new zones without all the crowds getting in the way - I shall never forget my first sight of the Exodar, for example; not full of a million level 1 naked draenei as it was on day 1 on live, but with just a few people around it, leaving me able to fully appreciate the tranquil beauty of the place.
Plus it's really enjoyable seeing how things progress - whenever I pass leftover relics of quests that were in the TBC beta but removed during the testing process, it reminds me of the fun I had there, and it's nice knowing the story behind those things.
Kyle Apr 23rd 2008 6:34PM
I want to be in the beta simply to see how badly beaten the hunters will be with the nerf bat.
Pallish Apr 23rd 2008 7:00PM
I couldn't have said it any better...
Rich Apr 23rd 2008 6:23PM
I'd take the beta invite to see if I want to stay for the expac.
I might be in the minority but so far the WotLK hasn't inspired any sort of excitement.
Milktub Apr 23rd 2008 6:28PM
I'd pass. I prefer playing things in a relatively final form. I'm not big on having to pick up on bugs and issues.
Gur Apr 23rd 2008 7:15PM
Well i never really thod about it from that perspective.
It was alway"wow beta is awsome,i wana play in it"
But if i had the chance,maybe id rather stick to my friends and level together to 80(the quest to 70 was one of the most memorable experiences we had ).
But in the end i think id give to the temptation for the beta and for a DK just like Arthas lol
Kaphik Apr 23rd 2008 6:44PM
If I get a beta key for going to Blizzcon, I plan on only playing Deathknight, to learn the class, and playing on Alliance. Since all my live realm characters are Horde, I want to have a fresh game experience when WotLK comes out.
Iwanttobeasleep Apr 23rd 2008 6:49PM
I wonder what kind of a set-up there would be for characters going into Northrend. I wouldn't want to play my one 70 there, but if I could get a, say, pre-made, Northrend-ready priest? Sign me up, I'd pay for the privilege of testing their game.
Kyle Apr 23rd 2008 7:05PM
They didn't have pre-made characters for TBC, so I wouldn't expect them for WotLK either.
Anyway, I went into the TBC with a few self-imposed restrictions (1. Don't play a BE, save it for release. 2. Don't play a Draenei, save it for release. 3. Don't level to 70, save that for release, only level to about 65 or so).
Well, I broke all three, heh. I really held out on the Draenei, but in the end caved. And I enjoyed myself, even with all the changes to and fro.
I particularly liked the placeholder text.
If I get a beta-key for WotLK, I'll participate. Probably try to restrict myself again, but I doubt I'll manage, heh.
Jay Apr 23rd 2008 6:56PM
You say you would turn it down, but if it came to it and Blizzard gave you a beta invite, you wouldn't turn it down. Curiosity would get the better of you and you'd be running around Northrend in no time.
Also I think blizzard will do another race thing like they did for BC, level up 5 level 25 chars on the PTR. I don't understand what that has to do with beta testing. Yeah, get all the people to test out the PVE content, only to find out that the PVP content is broken.