To anwser all the beta questions...

[Konstantin Fomenko]

In reply to the Question on Beta post.

Guys,

As I`m sure you have noticed that closed beta is still not here.

The publishing situation is keeping us behind schedule. As we can`t start testing product on large scale without a clear light from a publisher - and our publishing arrangements are still being finalized. We`ll inform you in the coming weeks once all of this is resolved. And hey we are not delaying things by months or years here, just weeks

I`m just glad we got the new website, screens and videos next week to make up for this delay.

Now, to answer most of your questions...

Beta testing will happen in 4 or 5 stages.

Closed Beta Stage 1 - we`ll begin by sending stripped down game client with updater tool and single-player skirmish to the first 50 testers. You`ll get a chance to play around with this for the first two weeks. During this phase we`ll be solving technical problems preventing people from starting the game, and other major crashes.

Closed Beta Stage 2 - will commence 2 weeks later. We`ll invite 50 additional testers, and send out a major update that will feature multiplayer skirmish mode. During stage 2 we`ll be fine tuning connectivity, chat and basics of player vs player gameplay. All 3 multilayer skirmish mods will be available, including team defense of huge capital fortresses.

Closed Beta Stage 3 - starts 3 weeks later. We might invite up to 100 additional testers (but this is unconfirmed.) We`ll send out another major update that will add MMORTS game mode with all early game content, including player vs player. But at this point we`ll disable singleplayer skirmish and multiplayer as we`ll need everyone playing MMORTS mode. We`ll do account reset every couple of days for the first 2 weeks. And once a week for the following 3 weeks.

Open Beta Stage 4 - comes 5 weeks later. From 500 to 1,000 additional testers will be invited, and only MMORTS will be featured. For the next 6 weeks we`ll be adding late game MMORTS content until Gold Master. There should be 2 or 3 server wipes.

Stress Test Stage 5 - is a good possibility once we hit Gold Master. We`ll invite up to 2,000 additional players to play MMORTS mode of the product for free for 2 weeks before the game becomes available in store. This will help us stress test the servers and hopefully we`ll get some players hooked. We might be able to allow Stage 5 player accounts to keep their progress once they upgrade to a full retail version.

[Alex Walz]

Sounds great! We'll all get into a closed beta.

Will those invited to the first closed beta automatically get into the second and third? Will any feature the editors?

[Konstantin Fomenko]

I think we`ll be able to send out Editor to closed beta tester who specifically request it, it`ll be a stand-alone download.

And yeah player mass will accumulate from one stage to another.

[iceblast]

Originally Posted by Konstantin Fomenko

I think we`ll be able to send out Editor to closed beta tester who specifically request it, it`ll be a stand-alone download.

And yeah player mass will accumulate from one stage to another.

wow sounds great, appreciate that you do these things for the community unlike EA.

your game will go alot further than a EA RTS.

[wills370]

Originally Posted by iceblast

wow sounds great, appreciate that you do these things for the community unlike EA.

your game will go alot further than a EA RTS.

True, i think its a positive move alos. The more you get the community of a game involved to highlight issues and give ideas/feedback the better.

[Josh Warner]

I know an ETA for release is out of the question, but any idea when we'll see the CB start? -note- I do realize late spring is mentioned several times, I'm just wondering if that has changed since the 4-6 months depending on where you look the 'late spring' was mentioned. If I recall correctly - spring ends sept22nd.

[hkien]

Hopefully, when it come to be comercial, there's Union Western payment method for me!

Going to be zealous to be invited..

[crex719]

I like this plan, it allows for a gradual increase to the server. Can't wait for the beta now that I graduated!

[Feweh]

Yes, awesome !

[sneaky_squirrel]

Hi, I just registered here but I remember viewing this site 3 years ago fantasizing about playing it, I personally can't wait for the beta to come out.