I would really like to participate in the Civ V beta, but I realize that such an invitation is highly unlikely as I'm not a modder and am pretty non-existent community-wise. So, as a last-ditch effort at squeezing my way in, I would like to shamelessly propose that those that pre-order the game recieve access to an open beta test.
This would solve many problems for the dev team and for the publisher:
1) You get to test all those awesome integrated community features in a post-launch-like environment with a large number of willing fans as the sounding board.
2) You get to showcase the Steamworks platform so that everyone who hasn't experienced it can do so and maybe dispell some of the community anxiety with regard to this issue.
3) You're going to increase your sales because let's face it, who wouldn't pay $5 for early access to one of the most anticipated titles of all time?
Civ is a game that's all about the replay value. Most of us get this game and play it for YEARS. Seeing it early won't spoil anything for me.
A couple of requests. Please allow a partial fee for pre-order (similar to the way Gamestop does it... you put $5 down and if you decide to back out after getting your beta access then you're only down $5). Second, let us in early enough to actually give useful feedback / bug reports. We want to help make Civ V the best that it can be.
How does everybody feel about this?
This would solve many problems for the dev team and for the publisher:
1) You get to test all those awesome integrated community features in a post-launch-like environment with a large number of willing fans as the sounding board.
2) You get to showcase the Steamworks platform so that everyone who hasn't experienced it can do so and maybe dispell some of the community anxiety with regard to this issue.
3) You're going to increase your sales because let's face it, who wouldn't pay $5 for early access to one of the most anticipated titles of all time?
Civ is a game that's all about the replay value. Most of us get this game and play it for YEARS. Seeing it early won't spoil anything for me.
A couple of requests. Please allow a partial fee for pre-order (similar to the way Gamestop does it... you put $5 down and if you decide to back out after getting your beta access then you're only down $5). Second, let us in early enough to actually give useful feedback / bug reports. We want to help make Civ V the best that it can be.
How does everybody feel about this?