Do you help test new content on the PTS?

xaraan · October 2014

I've tested content on the PTS before, but only once or twice.

Although it is nice to preview stuff, if I'm going to spend hours playing the game, I want it to count toward my actual character. So I'm not sure what would get to me play it tbh, especially considering most bugs/exploits are known from PTS play still make it to live game, so I'm not sure what is being checked on reports (making it feel like a double waste of time).

You could offer some sort of reward like others have said, a pet or something similar. Perhaps for a combination of time played and bugs found, so you know they aren't just leaving their game on to rack up time played.

MikeBob · October 2014

(I rest my case.)

Soris · October 2014

I've never used the PTS.

not having to download another ~20GB

SG_Celerrimus · October 2014

@ZOS_GinaBruno I think things in the game itself would help motivate me, but not have it be something MAJOR. Maybe an EXP boost for leveling alts, maybe a vanity pet, maybe an additional character slot.

leeux · October 2014

I've never used the PTS.

@ZOS_GinaBruno

I'd answer your question with another question, if I may...

What would be the difference for you guys in case more people helped test in PTS? Is something that you need done in order to have better data/statistics, etc?

I ask this because as of lately, there seems to be little difference (just expressing my observation of what happened in the last few big patches) if content get tested thoroughly or not.

It would help you stress test the new changes a bit more in PTS' Cyrodiil? That would be cool, in my book.

I don't think that a incentive should be needed in order to help test the game, but that's just my opinion...

At least, in my case, if I had more free time to do it, without doubt I'd jump in at the opportunity to help in testing, incentives or not.

MikeBob · October 2014

Cash in US dollars.

SG_Celerrimus · October 2014

@ZOS_GinaBruno‌ , @ZOS_JessicaFolsom‌ , @ZOS_JasonLeavy

This might help the PTS out alot.

Make it so anyone can play ESO on PTS, regardless of if they have an ESO account or not. This would bring outside people in, and let them try the game out, and also let existing account holders play ESO with their friends who do not have the game.

Along with this, only have the PTS open at certain times, instead of up 24/7, and do regular character wipes. This way, people don't get away with playing ESO for free. You could also have it so that people who don't have the retail version of the game can't play certain parts, for example, people without paid accounts can only access X, Y, and Z zones on the PTS, and can only use X, Y, and Z races, and are unable to do anything else except stuff in that zone and the stuff that is being tested.

Now, it is very likely that if this is done, people will complain all over the place that ESO is buggy, since the PTS is meant to be used to find and report bugs. So, to avoid this, have disclaimers posted EVERYWHERE stating that the PTS is a test server that is using an unstable and highly buggy build for testing purposes. I am talking on UI screens, on the login, as the tip for loading screens, heck even print it on the sky if you need to, just put it everywhere possible.

Gythral · October 2014

Other (just in case I left out an option - comment!)

@ZOS_GinaBruno‌
Listening to the feedback and resolving the reported bugs before going live with them!

sparafucilsarwb17_ESO · October 2014

I've never used the PTS.

Give us discounts on our subs. I might actually renew my sub again then.

bosmern_ESO · October 2014

I occasionally test new content, or I have in the past.

I've played it before, never really got to do anything because none of my friends have it...

Sasky · October 2014

I occasionally test new content, or I have in the past.

For those complaining about the download speeds, perhaps look at having the client start with the live version. Sure, there's some work to do have it work with minor updates, but the majority of the game assets are the same between the two and an enormous amount of time and bandwidth could be saved for those first downloading (or updating after awhile).

Some sort of dye or something would be nice. What would help more is if the /bug or /feedback actually got some sort of response (including getting fixed before going to live...)

For example, with the last PTS 1.4.0, I submitted a /bug within the first few days about the crafting screen not updating the preview window when changing numbers of mats or traits or style. It went live and had to be hotfixed. I've heard other similar dropped bug reports.

Known issues threads are being created from people reporting on the forums. Where is the /feedback and /bug going and why can't you pull from there? (Heck, at this point I'm not sure an end-user could actually tell if those in-game reporting mechanisms actually work.)

Ysne58 · October 2014

I regularly test new content on the PTS.

I'm intrigued by the idea of letting people who don't have active accounts do testing.
Certainly make it available to previous testers who never got the game. Some of them will come back.
This would need to be done carefully so that those who pay for the game don't feel cheated.

I would strongly recommend making it an option to copy over one's characters from another server whenever there is a new major update, that would provide a decent answer to those who have not downloaded the game yet. I would make it optional because some people really fall in love with their pts characters. This would also help out those who only test occasionally for higher end content.

The idea of a percent bonus to experience is also intriguing.

Rodario · October 2014

I've never used the PTS.

@ZOS_GinaBruno‌ As PTS participation takes away from live server playtime, I feel the reward/incentive should be something that balances out the opportunity cost, as opposed to cosmetic items.

For me, this means gold not collected and xp/ap/vp not gained. I'd suggest a fair amount of gold or an xp boost to be applied to a character of choice, based on hours spent on the PTS. I would, if I did not fear this would be exploited. Basing it on useful feedback instead of hours spent would create too much work assessing value.

Another way might be to transfer all xp/vp/ap/gold gained on the PTS to a live character of choice, of course scaled to that character's level.

Fetaro · October 2014

I occasionally test new content, or I have in the past.

- Exclusive title
- Exclusive mount/mini-pet
- Perks (3 extra points to spend in the champion system, for instance)

Razour · October 2014

I've tested content on the PTS before, but only once or twice.

@ZOS_GinaBruno‌ I'd be more inclined to go through the hassle of downloading PTS updates and spending time testing those updates if ZOS would actually do something about fixing stuff that players have already reported.

Denaia · October 2014

well one suggestion I would like to make. Add an incentive to report bugs; anyone who reports a legit bug and is the first one to find it will get a 7 days of free sub.

It would atleast give a huge incentive to try the content and to find as many bugs as possible, who wouldn't want to play eso for free.

Salmonleap · October 2014

I occasionally test new content, or I have in the past.

@ZOS_GinaBruno,
I have limited play time so whatever the incentive, it would have to be significant enough to make up for the time I spend not leveling my characters on live. On the other hand, I agree that any reward should not impact gameplay on live.

Titles are good, pets are OK, unique mounts are OK, XP boosts are irrelevant for me and as such would not be an incentive for me (I don't mind if others want or get XP boosts as a reward, but personally, I'm a completionist so XP is never an issue).

I suspect the things that would get me the most interested are things that ZOS would be unwilling to give as a PTS-tester reward. They are:
(1) Bank and bag space (on live)
(2) Additional character slots (on live)
(3) The ability to keep feeding my horses past level 50 (on live)

leeux · October 2014

I've never used the PTS.

This is actually a very good idea, @SG_Celerrimus‌!

I could finally convince some friends that have shown interest in the game, to at least try it in the PTS, and that would also be a good way to make me get in there to play with them

rophez_ESO · October 2014

I've tested content on the PTS before, but only once or twice.

More dev response to our feedback on the PTS forum. Someone acknowledging bugs and/or suggestions we report as being fixed or working as intended, that kinda thing.

MikeBob · October 2014

I think these two might actually be better than cash.

theroyalestpythonnub18_ESO · October 2014

I occasionally test new content, or I have in the past.

@ZOS_GinaBruno‌ Where group content is concerned, I think it would be great if there were testing events. Sort of like what you guys did a while back with Cyrodiil on the PTS.

People who show up to these events would maybe receive some in game rewards for running Vet dungeons or Trials, or simply above world stuff. I think this would make the PTS a lot more appealing for people that aren't in guilds and can't ever find groups.

Dagoth_Rac · October 2014

I occasionally test new content, or I have in the past.

I will probably test more now that our live characters have been copied to PTS. Now we are comparing apples to apples. As for incentives, just a more structured way of tracking bugs and feedback. I realize that not all bugs will be fixed before going live. But a little more transparency in how our bugs are researched and prioritized would mean a lot.

Ysne58 · October 2014

I regularly test new content on the PTS.

I do know that some of the bugs I've reported have been fixed before going live.

Iorail · October 2014

Other (just in case I left out an option - comment!)

Just to answer your question, the only thing I would like is for the devs to listen when we tell them something is broken or bug, that's it.

To answer the poll, I did a lot of testing on the PTS, stopped when I got tired of been ignored when we told the devs this is broken, or bug, or this is OP just to see it go live and then see the devs 2-3 weeks later saying they will eventually get to it. I won't EVER use the PTS, even if the pay me.

Aenra · October 2014

I've never used the PTS.

@ZOS_GinaBruno‌

- regular ingame mod/dev presense helps a lot. Been seen. That means EU too. With the accompanying two-way communication. It would also help ameliorate the whole ticket tracking delay perception. I know it can be a strain, but see above

- Further motivation, in terms of something tangible, would definitely help. However, if you do decide to implement bonuses (ie say titles) for participation, you need to ensure they are fairly easily attainable. If not immediately, just for logging in maybe. An extra 35 Gigs just to do "their testing for them" can be a determent on its own (see SSD). Also, PTR for most entails extra a timesink, which by definition is not something everyone can do.
Do not go down a road where one group may feel less favoured than another

Audigy · October 2014

I occasionally test new content, or I have in the past.

I was very active in Beta and try to visit the PTR as well, that said with a job and a life its just not possible if I also want to play a bit on my current Chars.

Hmm, @ZOS_GinaBruno

a survey after finishing a play session that asks us about the content we were testing. Right now we need to manually get in touch all the time.

At WOW for instance (I know bad word) you are asked about every quest which you did. Was it too hard, too easy, took it to long, did you find the quest item, was the quest text understandable ...

I miss something like that in ESO, we can report bugs yes but feedback for specific things we cant give unless we write a new ticket for everything and this is a work that I believe nobody will do unless he is paid for it.

Personally I don't need pets, xp, titles or whatever if I test on PTS. It would be nice to get a beta invite for a future expansion, but that's pretty much it.

I know companies who always hold back a few beta keys for very active testers, also those that show the PTS on YT. Its an incentive to test, especially if said person comes from a journalistic background and wants to show new features of the game.
That said, since you don't have a beta coming up this is probably not so important right now.

Csub · October 2014

I occasionally test new content, or I have in the past.

This, I can play maybe 2-3 hours a day, 3-5 at weekends, if I spend just an hour daily on PTS it will take away a great part of my time.
If we could just get an XP boost or something like that on our main characters while testing on PTS, it would be nice, then again, it wouldn't help VR 14 people much, perhaps their alts.
Maybe a pet or mount, title or costume etc. Or an extra bag/bank upgrade after a certain time spent in PTS etc.

dcincali · October 2014

^^ THIS x 100
Currently the only reason to go to the PTS on new patches is to find out the newest exploits to use when the live patch hits... Not very rewarding unless you are one of the guilds going for world firsts or something..

Jroc · October 2014

I've never used the PTS.

I have limited time to play this game, so the time I do have I'd rather be actually playing the live game.

Curragraigue · October 2014

I've tested content on the PTS before, but only once or twice.

I would agree with what others have said that something non-game changing if it is a gift like a title or dye would be nice.

I would however prefer some form of xp or maybe xp boost to the regular server based on time spent on the PTS. It is really the lack of time I have to play that pushes me away from the PTS.