My opinion

From: ericsum@aol.com (EricSum)

Date: Thu, 05 Nov 1998 00:00:00 +0000

>Beta test: free of charge, players provide feedback to GM, but expect
>some problems

>Playtest: pay-to-play, maybe at a discount, some bugs, usually minor
>

My opinion is that these two should be the same thing, basically. Beta testing
should be free and should be continued until the moderator feels that bugs,
even minor ones are the exception not the rule.

When the game goes commercial, especially games that charge $3.00 + per turn,
it should be apparently bug free from the start. If someone is going to start
charging for a game and he is still aware of bugs in the code, then he is being
dishonest IMO, unless perhaps that bug is something that is very very
insignificant to the players, like perhaps the judges turn report coming out
without line feeds or something.

I know that if I started charging for a game and some bug turned up that could
have easily been found through more playtesting, I would be so embarassed I
don't know what I would do.

Closed ended games should go through at least 3 complete cycles with different
players or players assuming different positions. If after 3 games no bugs turn
up, start charging for it if that is your wont.

Open Ended games are a bit trickier, as some commands might not be open to
players until they have played for several months.

Eric

References

Re: CHARGING FOR PLAYTESTS
Andy Gaw <andy.gaw@zetnet.co.uk>
Thu, 05 Nov 1998 00:00:00 +0000

Referenced By

Re: CHARGING FOR PLAYTESTS
Andy Gaw <andy.gaw@zetnet.co.uk>
Thu, 05 Nov 1998 00:00:00 +0000