Firaxis Games Public Beta Team

[Jeffrey Morris]

Firaxis Games is recruiting roughly 25 individuals, over the age of 21, who live in the United States, and would be willing to help us test patches and possibly future projects. If you're interested and meet the above criteria, please send an email to beta@firaxis.com. Put 'Public Beta Application' in the subject and include (in the following format):

1. Your Name
2. Date of Birth
3. City and State
4. Amount of time available to dedicate to testing
5. Why you want to participate (1 paragraph or less)

If you're selected, we'll contact you through email in the coming weeks. Thanks and good luck!

Jeff

 

[Smash]

bump

This is a fantastic development.A very good idea that probably should have been done a long time ago

This is a big step in the right direction.

 

[Dark Sheer]

A great step towards the right direction I must say

Eventhough I will not be qualified for a tester as I am not in US (why US only? Ultima Online uses beta tester from all over the world for each of their expansion pack, so did ICQ when they release a new version), I would suggest that 25 is a little too small a number for public testers. As everyone has their own style of playing, more tester will result in better coverage in term of bug discovery, improvement suggestion etc.

 

[Plutarck]

A mod might want to TOP this thread for the time being, so no need to bump it

 

[Dan Magaha FIRAXIS]

Originally posted by Dark Sheer
A great step towards the right direction I must say

Eventhough I will not be qualified for a tester as I am not in US (why US only? Ultima Online uses beta tester from all over the world for each of their expansion pack, so did ICQ when they release a new version), I would suggest that 25 is a little too small a number for public testers. As everyone has their own style of playing, more tester will result in better coverage in term of bug discovery, improvement suggestion etc.

Regarding the number of testers, statistics will show you that you start to see diminishing returns after you put more than a certain number of testers on a project for one thing, but the main issue here is management -- it's essentially going to be managed by 1 or 2 people at Firaxis so I don't think we can really afford to manage and coordinate a 5,000 person beta group

I suspect it has something to do with legal issues -- becoming a beta tester requires the signature of an NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement) and this can get into legal issues if someone breaks the NDA.

That said, I'll see if I can find out what the deal is and get back to you. Your unit work to date is just fantastic and I'd really like to see you on the beta team

Dan

 

[Dark Sheer]

Originally posted by Dan Magaha FIRAXIS

I suspect it has something to do with legal issues -- becoming a beta tester requires the signature of an NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement) and this can get into legal issues if someone breaks the NDA.

I understand about the NDA part of course

Originally posted by Dan Magaha FIRAXIS
That said, I'll see if I can find out what the deal is and get back to you. Your unit work to date is just fantastic and I'd really like to see you on the beta team
Dan

Wow, this must be the best compliment I can get A comment from someone at Firaxis We have Moeniir to thank for without Flicster all these are not possible Given a chance I would love to be part of the Beta team as I love Sid's work. One of the earliest game I played was F15 Strike Eagle on an Apple II+ created by Sid

 

[Gramphos]

This makes me want to know what you need to be 21 years old for in the US.

In Sweden it is only, AFAIK, to buy alcohol if you aren't at a pub.

 

[Shaitan]

Originally posted by Gramphos
This makes me want to know what you need to be 21 years old for in the US.

In Sweden it is only, AFAIK, to buy alcohol if you aren't at a pub.

21 is the age of majority for all concerns across the states and territories of the USA. Some (actually most) have a much lower age of majority but 21 is the lowest age that covers everywhere. Since an NDA is required, setting the age limit at 21 guarantees that it will be legally recognizable no matter where it's signed in the USA and territories.

 

[amadeus]

21...what a gyp.

I'm 16, and my opinions are valid as the next person's :\

 

[Shaitan]

Originally posted by rmsharpe
21...what a gyp.

I'm 16, and my opinions are valid as the next person's :\

I agree, and I'm sure Firaxis does too (seeing as teens have got to be a huge section of their market). Don't take this as a slight on your age, they've got legal restrictions for things like this.

 

[Panzergranadier]

Dear friends,

Frist of all, congratulations for Civ3. The game is even more briliant than Civ2 and the drawbacks were mininal. Thank you for your effort.

But if I may offer an advice, I would say that your team should be also be formed by members of international civilization community. After all, isn´t Civilization admired world wide?

Your friend and happy costumer,

Panzergranadier

"Panzer rollen Afrika for!"

 

[shuttleswo]

But if I may offer an advice, I would say that your team should be also be formed by members of international civilization community. After all, isn´t Civilization admired world wide?

I think this has been pretty well covered, but if they want to be able to LEAGALLY enforce a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) it's easier to limit it to one general jursitiction. the deal with ICQ and Ultima doesn't really apply since there either isn't a NDA or they have no intention/expectation of enforcing it if there is.

 

[FriendlyFire]

So how dose one become an american citizen ?

It would be nice If a few people from here were chosen, we get to dicuss ideas and suggestions. so in a way we ALL become beta testers (even underage ones rmsharpe)

 

[Zouave]

Frist of all, congratulations for Civ3. The game is even more briliant than Civ2 and the drawbacks were mininal.

Oh, really???

I guess you're new to this forum. Although Civ 3 is good, the many serious drawbacks have been discussed in detail for many weeks. Check them out.

 

[Cunobelin Of Hippo]

Originally posted by Zouave
... serious drawbacks have been discussed in detail for many weeks. Check them out.

Have been discussed by certain people..over and over..and in every bloody thread in the forum. Keep your recruitment tent on relevent threads

Firaxis. Hope some of my fellow CFCers get the privelege

 

[Zouave]

I'll keep my accurate and factual comments where I please.

Or perhaps you think this is the Firaxis suckup thread?

What a bunch of toadies.

I bought the game; I like it; I recommend it. But it has problems and should have been better in many ways.

 

[Eastman]

Originally posted by Panzergranadier
Dear friends,

Frist of all, congratulations for Civ3. The game is even more briliant than Civ2 and the drawbacks were mininal. Thank you for your effort.

But if I may offer an advice, I would say that your team should be also be formed by members of international civilization community. After all, isn´t Civilization admired world wide?

Your friend and happy costumer,

Panzergranadier

"Panzer rollen Afrika for!"

Originally posted by rmsharpe
21...what a gyp.

I'm 16, and my opinions are valid as the next person's :\

I agree with them, Firaxis. You're trying to make limitations which may filter many valuable testers. The nationality isn't a problem: you have fans all over the world and they are pleased to join your schedule. The age isn't a problem, either: you should know that both Thresh and Grrrrrr were little when they became the world acknowledged NO.1 gamer thus they have most valuable comments on games they played. So, why do you make so many stupid limitations? Trust can't be given according to area or age or race or etc., Firaxis.
I'm over 21. But I'm not an American, which makes me not able to be selected as your team member. But I sincerely wants to be.

 

[SSK]

Originally posted by rmsharpe
21...what a gyp.

I'm 16, and my opinions are valid as the next person's :\

Not for the purposes of voting or drinking legally, or for NDAs. In fact, I don't think you can even work legally at that age either. You'll have to wait a few years when you will be much more capable of making informed and educated decisions/statements/opinions. <insert sarcasm here>

 

[redsoxrule85]

i agree with you, that people in other countries are well qualified to do this(escpecially more than me). but just think... each country has different regulationss and different laws, especially about working with foreign countries(not for me, im an american, but thats beside the point) yes, i am only 16, but i understand that they would have to conform to many, up to 25 different law structures about employment and the such... it would be a hassle to even pay them, not including how do get payed(im assuming that you would be, i couldnt find the details) it may be demed unfair to some, but if they were to do it, it would just be a great inpediment that it wouldnt serve its purpose. believe me, it would make more sense to have the beta testers from the home country. hey, if some french co. wanted beta testers, it would probably get them from, where else, but france.

im definitely not dissing people in other countries, nor am i trying to promote usa, but it just makes sense to the developer

 

[SSK]

Originally posted by Zouave
I'll keep my accurate and factual comments where I please.

Or perhaps you think this is the Firaxis suckup thread?
What a bunch of toadies.
I bought the game; I like it; I recommend it. But it has problems and should have been better in many ways.

To Zouave and all others hyper-critical:

I am not affiliated with Firaxis in any way. In fact I have been previously critical of their rushed initial release. In short, I can hardly be characterized as a "toady".

HOWEVER, surely even you must admit that Firaxis' asking for public feedback from among the CIV fan community, and handing out free copies to users (presumably proficient in development themselves) for use in beta-testing, is a positive and welcome development and illustrates their commitment to their consumer constituency. They also appear to be making efforts at free downloadable patches. This is just plain good PR and good business. Yes, I wish they had properly beta tested it prior to release, but that is water under the bridge, and I think they should be commended for taking the right tack now.

On a slightly different angle, I hope the public beta-testers will be able to have input into gameplay (e.g. documentation of culture flips, corruption, trade cheating) and historical accuracy issues (e.g. leader and unit appropriateness) that have been brought up here and elsewhere, in addition to input on purely technical runtime problems.

Firaxis! Keep up the good work!