I thought it would be good to premise my feedback with information I think pertinent in regards to who I am, as well as the approach I take to Beta testing a project of this type. If this doesn't interest you/ not necessary, then skip down to "First launch Impressions".
First, I am probably the worst type of Beta tester you can ask for as I am a professional software/ systems test engineer, and to be specific why I am a Test Lead, and so you will probably have to spend considerable time re-training me to the specific needs of this project (or ignoring a lot of the feedback I give, as the direction/ constraints of this project dictate). Second, I am mildly OCD, which makes me a GREAT Test Engineer ("This build isn't working! Why isn't it working!?! I need to find out why this isn't working now!!!"), however I tend to fixate on one game setup type and provide endless feedback on build after build after build. My plan is to camp out on the medium sized map and standard game settings once I get up to speed on this game. Third, I did technical marketing in a past life (and yes, like all good marketing people why I had to sell my soul before accepting the position), so I will be weighing in from this perspective, as well. Finally, the approach I take to playtesting is to comment on something once, and then move on. If the developers/ designers don't feel it needs to be fixed (or is too minor to be fixed in the current timeframe), so be it.
OK, here we go!
First Launch Impressions
- should the View Readme.txt and Changelog.txt automatically be checked upon installation?
- after downloading and installing I tried to skip the updates to the game. This didn't work, to the point where I had to shut down my computer and restart after initially attempting to launch (this may have been my Firewall interjecting itself, as well). The update took on the order of a half hour - would it be good to give an estimate as to how long it will take to download the updates?
- Intro screen: the game menu covered the futuristic city. Was this intentional? Also, why animate just one tree in the whole intro screen?
- I looked thru the Options menu, but didn't see a Windowing mode (i.e. an option that allows me to utilize other windows simultaneously on a separate monitor, as every time I used a window on my second monitor the Pandora game screen condensed down to the toolbar on my primary monitor).
- [Marketing] I do like the positioning of the armored scout! Caught my eye right away!
- [Marketing] you could animate the clouds, and put a large alien moon floating across the screen in the background (and if the moon even appears remotely habitable, why that would be a nice segue into a sequel).
D
