WoW, Casually: To Beta or not to Beta
by Robin Torres 
Sep 5th 2008 at 4:00PM
Those of us who are playtime-challenged have to make hard decisions about what to do during our WoW game sessions all the time. Do we try to do an instance? Do we work on our dailies? Or do we just parade our vanity pets around Shattrath while chatting with guildies? (OK, maybe just I do that.) For some time now, many of us have had another decision to make: do we check out the Wrath of the Lich King Beta?
On one hand, you've got a brand new class to play with. On the other hand, you don't get to keep him. So is the Beta wasted time? Let's look at the Pros and Cons after the break.
Pros
- Apathy has set in game-wide: It's hard to get people to do much in WoW right now.
- Shiny!:The beta is new!
- Same old thing: The old world just isn't as much fun anymore with new content on the horizon.
- Preparation: You can practice with the new content.
- Waste of limited time: You don't get to keep anything you accomplish in the beta.
- Ruining the experience: When Wrath comes out, it won't be as fresh and new because you will have experienced much of it.
- Preparation: Now is an excellent time to stock up on mats and cash to accelerate profession progress.
- Testing isn't for everyone: It's Beta, which means there are bugs and wipes and rollbacks and enormous patches. Beta testing can be very frustrating.
The real question is: What can I do during my limited playtime that will be the most fun? If you aren't having fun in Azeroth/Outland right now, the Wrath of the Lich King Beta is not the only answer. This is an excellent time to try out some other games you've been thinking of playing. Try a free to play MMO or catch up on the latest in console gaming. You could even learn a new craft or spend some time outside.
Raiders definitely gain benefits from participating in the beta because it will help them prepare for the race for realm firsts, but I think that casuals may want to save that new game smell for the actual release of the expansion. Hopefully, the getting-ready-for-Wrath patch 3.0.2 will come out soon and make the old world more fun or at least different. Meanwhile, taking a WoW break may be the best expenditure of your leisure time.
WoW, Casually is a column for those of us who are playtime-challenged and proud Welfare Epic wearers. If you have questions or tips about how to get the most out of your limited playtime, please send them to Robin.Torres AT weblogsinc DOT com for a possible future column.Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Features, Wrath of the Lich King, WoW, Casually
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
chaud Sep 5th 2008 4:06PM
Don't opt in then. I could have actually used the invite.
Blake Sep 5th 2008 4:06PM
Hey, I parade around with my pets too. But I've been having the same problem, just barely enough time to raid, no time to farm, and even less time to beta. I might just go pick up a premade now that they're out and fly around a bit to check things out.
Snoots Sep 5th 2008 4:10PM
But, without Beta Testers, the game would be worse off as far as bugs and crashes are concerned when it's released, so it pays off the have them around.
oldwisemonk Sep 5th 2008 4:37PM
The OP wasn't bagging on Beta Testers. She was just saying that she, as a casual gamer, might not be the best tester out there. However, I think Beta Testers need to be hard core gamers AND casual gamers. Someone has to be a voice for the time-challenged.
ash Sep 5th 2008 6:13PM
I think what monk says is true. All types of gamers should contribute to the game. I know one of the main reasons I wanted to get into beta, besides the above listed pros, was that my main is a pally and as one of the classes I felt severly needed an overhaul, I wanted to contribute to making it better. Casual gamers should also have input on how to make the game casual friendly.
dan Sep 5th 2008 10:40PM
Agreed with the value casuals would bring to testing. Without their input it would only be hardcore types driving feedback.
"You don't get to keep anything you accomplish in the beta." Should that really matter to a true casual?
Tiny Tim Sep 5th 2008 4:14PM
I am "casual" as in I have a lot going on in my RL life, full time college student, full time job, a kid to take care of, and working on my writing to become an author in the near future. I guess the only thing that really allows me to have the time I do to raid and be "less casual" is the fact that I don't really sleep at all...
But I kind of have the same problem. I got into the beta, and I've played it a bit, leveled my main to 72, saw all of the Tundra and some of the Fjord but I don't want to do or see to much or it will kill the fun of live. At the same time I want to keep track of the changes that are being made and have at least some heads up on where things are, even if it's just to help out all my guildies.
I'll probably play a little bit more in beta when premades work and I can check out the changes at 80... that way it won't kill the excitement of leveling to 80 and seeing all the new content.
Curtis Sep 5th 2008 4:18PM
I don't understand the problem with seeing things in beta and then not getting awed when it's released.
whenever the new content is seen it will be a fun new adventure, does it really matter when that happens in relation to some release date?
mizatt Sep 5th 2008 5:30PM
The problem is that you'll have to trudge through the content a second time when it goes live and it won't be nearly as interesting. At least if you wait for it to go live you'll only have to do it once.
evolvedlupus Sep 5th 2008 4:19PM
I'd kill for a beta invite, I still avidly watch my email for one, but alas none has arrived. I really just want to start playing the Death Knight, mainly so I can learn their abilities for when I make one, prepare to counter them in PvP, and learn their overall Strengths/Weaknesses/etc.
So...come on beta invite!
Xt Sep 5th 2008 4:52PM
...which is what Beta is for... right?
Look, if you want to test, test, if you want a free preview, you're not going to get it. The released package is updated even after the beta phases end. AND, here's a pill to swallow... Even after you pay for it! ;) Some folks need to just have a Coke and a Smile, and shut the heck up. It's not "wasted beta keys" for "someone who can use it". It's a daggum temp license to a test server...
...It's not the golden ticket.
As for casual players, Beta testing can still be fun. The couple hours spent playing WILL still present bugs! There's quest feedback that can be offered after each quests. Various other tools such as achievements, the calendar, and the like that can be tested in that short amount of time as well.
They want testers of all sorts, casual and hardcore. If you're a casual player, and you get a beta key, enjoy it. Play your few hours and don't feel bad for not "winning LK" or wasting time. The little bit of help goes a long way. They want your opinion on quest difficulties and general experience as well.
Corrine Sep 5th 2008 4:21PM
You're forgetting something fairly important about pro-beta: You can help shape the version of the game that will make it to live. The devs are out there, and they're listening.
Wispur Sep 5th 2008 6:26PM
I would love to have this problem.... in fact, if you don't want a beta key, feel free to send it my way. It'd be much appreciated. =) I promise.
MechChef Sep 5th 2008 5:41PM
I sorta felt that way at one point. But when I got my opt-invite, I downloaded the client and began testing it. It is really buggy, and the time invested will eventually be lost. The time would have been better spent leveling alts on live. But I wanted to see it, and I have experienced Howling Fjord and the corresponding quests completely. In truth, now that I've been there, I'd rather let the rest of you guys report on the juicy bits. I'll play it completely when everything is ready.
Datix Sep 5th 2008 4:27PM
I agree on these fronts. My time is better spent picking Silverleaf, Peacebloom and other low-level herbs and storing them with a bank alt in anticipation of the crazy inflation that will hit with Inscription. (Anyone else remember getting 7-10g a stack for Copper Ore?)
Lephturn Sep 5th 2008 4:29PM
As a casual player, I can say I don't really have time for beta. If I did get in, I'd spend a bit of time mucking about with a DK, and checking out Warlock changes, but that's it.
I'm fairly fresh 70, with much to do to prepare. Grind cash for my epic flier - grind dailies for cash and rep. Etc. The GREAT news is I don't need to worry too much about gearing up. No wasting money on expensive gems or enchants for me, or grinding for badge loot, etc. I'll just farm a HUGE pile of herbs to stockpile for selling to inscribers, finish some quest lines, and enjoy some instance runs for fun.
Kinda takes the pressure off. :)
Mixx Sep 5th 2008 4:34PM
I am somewhere inbetween casual and raider I guess. Do some raids when I can but i wouldnt consider myself hardcore. Anything going on IRL is usually enough to get me up & away from the cpu.
Question at hand - Won't touch it. No interest, none. I want a finished product to enjoy & some surprises along the way.
Fletch Sep 5th 2008 4:41PM
Yeh, like many others I applied for a beta key, but I am sort of glad that I never got one. Of course should one come my way I would probably use it at the drop of a hat, but if I never get one then I am happy. It will be good to go in fresh and experience everything as new, and hopefully in a fully working condition.
jurandr Sep 5th 2008 4:44PM
I'd probably hand my beta key over to somebody who could actually use it. Apparently mages are largly under-represented in the beta, and if Blizz does send me a key some theorycrafter would appreciate it far more than I would.
Angus Sep 5th 2008 4:45PM
Well, if you are ultra casual, have a key and are unsure if you should, think on the cons above.
Some classes have half their talents with [NYI] in their description. Not much fun at all.
And you could always give that beta key to someone itching to get into it so they can offer feedback (or yell at the morons in the beta forums that think getting rid of good talents and putting junk in their place is good.)
I happen to know someone like that... so um, yea.
GIVE ME YOUR KEY!!! YESSSS PRECIOUSSS WE WANTSS YOUR KEY!!!
er, um, sorry.