Morrowind CLOSED PTS Announced!

NewBlacksmurf · April 2017

Hallothiel wrote: »

Forgive me if asking a stupid question, but the PTS is pc based is it not? So like all previous betas, this is for pc players only.

Do they even beta test for the consoles at all? Or is it considered unnecessary if tested on a pc.

Other games have done beta test on consoles so it is possible.

It just might help with some things. That's all.

@Hallothiel
They did closed and open console betas but once released they can't have a real game and a test server up simultaneously. Meaning the console companies don't allow this right now but it's technically possible.

As far as testing....we joke about it but I'm sure there's some testing but not what many of us would call QUALITY testing but that's pc and console.

the_Beard · April 2017

That's the part that worries me about the idea of a closed beta. There doesn't seem to be that many devoted guilds anymore that go into the PTS with a full 12-man group that can progress through a new trial and find bugs along the way ( alot of trial groups ended up breaking apart over maw/maw hm ). I can think of maybe 4 groups on PC NA that might do it, and take it seriously enough to devote a lot of time to it. If lets say 3 people per guild got an invite, whats the likelihood that all of them will coordinate together, and form a mixed-guild 12-man group? My guess is not likely. Most of the people in core groups for Mundus, MC, FiF don't know or don't play with each other, but I don't think that a few people from each guild would be enough to give solid data and feedback on a new trial. It sounds like it worked okay during the playtesting event at Zos, I just don't see it working out too well in real life, where people have schedule conflicts, etc.

Though I could be wrong, maybe enough invites will go out to accomplish at least a few solid groups to run the trial on PC NA. I get it though, they want to keep everything a surprise, and probably don't want a bunch of guilds leaking info on the new trial, or to have a competitive advantage when it comes to release date.

Tinus_92 · April 2017

Interesting how they'll select people and how this will influence trial testing. All top guilds want that first clear after all.^^

Cinbri wrote: »

It seems like people actually hoped to play entire expansion without buying it.

People who already pre-ordered Morrowind can be excluded here.

NovaShadow · April 2017

I was wondering if they were going the closed beta route. There was talk about it.

I'd love to be selected, been there for practically all the PTS cycles but I'm worried my beta participation on my old account won't count.

I just hope that this time they fix everything that gets reported.

NewBlacksmurf · April 2017

So this is just me and my head....for pc wouldn't those digital pre order folks seem to be all offered an invite if they've gone on PTS before?

Perhaps they could just have them accept a no cancel and NDA and ya know...make some ppl really happy

nimander99 · April 2017

Yeah, I hope I don't get an invite... It would be too tempting and I'm trying to avoid any and all info.

I want to be surprised and enjoy it fresh when it launches... So I probably wont be very active in forums or eso social media related sites until after it launches.

radiostar · April 2017

I hope pre-orders get 3 days early access again before the real launch, at least

SanTii.92 · April 2017

They will have to open up the Beta for everyone at least 3 weeks before the launch or there will be some serious advantage for those testing it.

Also if their objective is to keep the spoilers to a minimium it just won't work, someone will leak from an anonymous youtube account if they keep the closed beta for too long, it isn't really that hard.

Acrolas · April 2017

Random selection not only helps enforce NDA, but also helps keep people in a "new product" mindset. If you're hoping to have your favorite guild members there so you can theorycraft and/or preemptively complain, you're not really testing Morrowind divorced from most prior knowledge of ESO. Remember, Morrowind is a stand-alone experience so you shouldn't be expected to already have l33t builds or even know basic dungeon rotations going in. There may not even be existing accounts copied, just templates.

Purist NDA is like being sequestered for jury duty. You don't lose your identity, and neither do others, but you treat the actual secured material with a sense of detached professionalism. Immerse yourself in the world you're investigating and don't take too many notes because it may not be the same world as the one that ultimately goes live.

radiostar wrote: »

I hope pre-orders get 3 days early access again before the real launch, at least

Your pre-order already answered that question. Refer to it. For example,

SanTii.92 wrote: »

someone will leak from an anonymous youtube account if they keep the closed beta for too long

And they'll get smashed with the legal hammer. There's no such thing as anonymous on YouTube or other broadcast sites.

reesenorman · April 2017

FENGRUSH wrote: »

Let's get it on!

Watch out, Fengrush and Sypher will get invited and they dont even play the game.

phairdon · April 2017

Checks email, peruses invitation.

starkerealm · April 2017

Kodrac wrote: »

jcaceresw wrote: »

looks like only elitists or streamers may get the chance to test it out

It should be: "Jealousy, I sense in you."

SanTii.92 · April 2017

Acrolas wrote: »

SanTii.92 wrote: »

someone will leak from an anonymous youtube account if they keep the closed beta for too long

And they'll get smashed with the legal hammer. There's no such thing as anonymous on YouTube or other broadcast sites.

How exactly? it's not particularly hard to just hide names in game and create a new youtube account.

Acrolas · April 2017

SanTii.92 wrote: »

How exactly?

I don't inform to abet.
If somebody wants to agree to NDA then break it, that's their predicament.

SanTii.92 · April 2017

Acrolas wrote: »

SanTii.92 wrote: »

How exactly?

I don't inform to abet.
If somebody wants to agree to NDA then break it, that's their predicament.

Point being we will need a reasonable amount of open beta, mainly to preserve a fair competitive environment.

But also because the lack of reasons to not to, since there will be leaks if they don't.

ScooberSteve · April 2017

Only people that get chosen are all the brown-noses

Rygonix · April 2017

reesenorman wrote: »

FENGRUSH wrote: »

Let's get it on!

Watch out, Fengrush and Sypher will get invited and they dont even play the game.

I'm just hoping that whoever gets invited to test, whether it's streamers or hobbyists or whoever, that they spend just as much time keeping an eye out for bugs/issues that pop up as they do goofing off. But I also hope that Zenimax heeds reports and irons them out before they even reach the public non-NDA testing stage.

Also yes I understand that part of the reason they are invitation-only is because they want to pick people who they can trust to keep confidentiality per the NDA.

Sordidfairytale · April 2017

NewBlacksmurf wrote: »

Wonder if all future updates will roll this method.

I would not doubt that we will see this format again. It was mentioned that they are planning a new chapter (expansion) the 2nd quarter of each year, with DLC updates in the other quarters. So we could reasonably expect a closed beta for the expansions, with open betas for the DLC's with a short open beta prior to launch of expansions.

TX12001rwb17_ESO · April 2017

I doubt this so called "expansion" will be that interesting anyway, they keep insisting on calling it Morrowind despite the fact it is only the Island of Vvardenfell, we have had a portion of Morrowind already in the game that is larger then Vvardenfell since Launch so the DLC should be called Vvardenfell and yes it is DLC, it is WAY TO SMALL to be an expansion plus at one point in time they stated that they won't do expansions but instead release a DLC every 3 months and we haven't gotton a proper DLC since the Shadows of the Hist some time last year.

And as I said once upon a time before, the ESO rendition of Vvardenfell will feel as much like ES:3 Morrowind as their rendition of Cyrodiil feels like ES:4 Oblivion, not to mention they screwed over the lore behind the Telvanni Towers.

Aquanova · April 2017

Didn't the statement from ZOS say that the restricted access was for the Morrowind content only and not the base game patch? Meaning for bug testing and yes, for build purposes we will all have access?

For Morrowind content I think they mean the battlegrounds and the new trial. I hope we get to try out the warden though. I don't see the need for that to be invite only.

ArchMikem · April 2017

LAWL Xbox One player no PTS doesn't concern me.

It is sad though, being a console plebian, missing out on things. Well, I mean I DO have a copy of ESO on Steam as a backup, so technically I could use the PTS maybe?

SydneyGrey · April 2017

MarkusLiberty wrote: »

I've worked on several large projects with open betas, and you'd be amazed by how many testers simply play the content without actually doing any of the important testing work.

Maybe because they know they're not getting paid ...

LordGavus · April 2017

SydneyGrey wrote: »

MarkusLiberty wrote: »

I've worked on several large projects with open betas, and you'd be amazed by how many testers simply play the content without actually doing any of the important testing work.

Maybe because they know they're not getting paid ...

Well yes, but nobody is forcing people to beta test.

SantieClaws · April 2017

Unless they wish for significant testing of the fishing system and many comments on the bad smell of the elves then Khajiit does not think she will be issued travel documents for test Vvardenfell.

This is fine yes. This one she will have more time to pack the essentials such as anti-elf spray and decent beer.

Khajiit she is most grateful though to those who will take the time to make sure that Vivec is not floating upside down with his pants over his head - thus muffling the many long speeches this one is sure he will make while sending her to pick up his lunch and find his missing pet.

Yours with paws
Santie Claws

Enodoc · April 2017

Aquanova wrote: »

For Morrowind content I think they mean the battlegrounds and the new trial. I hope we get to try out the warden though. I don't see the need for that to be invite only.

The Warden is part of the Morrowind content, so will be invite only.

Turelus · April 2017

LadyLavina wrote: »

andreasranasen wrote: »

. In addition, everyone logging onto the PTS will be required to agree to a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) upon login. [/i]

lol enjoy the immediate leaks from a certain % of participants.

Not a great way to go about it if you're going to push NDA's. How're ya going to know who leaked what?

I will enjoy the bans they get if they're stupid enough to breech NDA and get caught.