Testing phases

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Ashes of Creation testing phases.

Ashes of Creation's core game systems are expected to be in place at the start of Alpha-2.[11][12] By the end of Alpha-2, the game is expected to be feature complete, but it will not be content complete until launch.[13][14]

The game will be feature complete before Beta... Beta really is intended to identify last minute bugs to make sure that everything is ready for launch; it's important that all features are complete by Beta-1. Alpha-2 will not be feature complete at the start of Alpha-2. There are going to be updates that are going to be incorporated as part of the Alpha-2 process and there are going to be additional features that come online that get fleshed out between that time and Beta-1. There's going to be regions of the maps that aren't going to be accessible of course during Alpha-2.[14]Steven Sharif
Alpha-2 is intended to exist up until launch. There's going to be different testing periods that we will be releasing either new content locations or zones or systems that we want to have players focus in on. In those situations, if we're having participation drought because of the length of Alpha-2, we can set them up in a more focused setting. We can even incentivize that. We can offer unique testing to potentially new testers as well.[13]Steven Sharif
  • The developers will not necessarily announce NDA testing periods.[18]

Release schedule

Alpha Two is coming in Q3 2024! We have not announced specific dates or testing schedules for Alpha Two, Beta One, or Beta Two yet.[20]

The Ashes of Creation release schedule is subject to change.[21]

Spot testing has begun, some limited NDA'd testers are participating in spot tests and December will see more, including some major headless client testing. Also those of you that still have the A1 launcher may see an update in the next couple weeks.[22]Steven Sharif
The NDA spot testing that will be before Alpha-2: We will have first one with our PI members, then we'll have some with our Alpha-1 users, and then our Alpha-2 users; and of course Alpha-2 will not be NDA, but that spot testing will be NDA.[23]Margaret Krohn
Phase Release Estimated/Actual date
Pre‑alpha Alpha-0.[24] December 15, 2017.[25]
APOC Ashes of Creation Apocalypse battle royale stress test (NDA).[26] September 7, 2018.[27]
Ashes of Creation Apocalypse battle royale stress test (NDA lifted).[28] October 19, 2018.[28]
Ashes of Creation Apocalypse battle royale open beta.[29] December 18, 2018.[30]
Ashes of Creation Apocalypse battle royale early access.[31] September 24, 2019.[32]
Ashes of Creation Apocalypse castle siege mode PI closed testing.[33] December 19, 2019.[33]
Ashes of Creation Apocalypse battle royale testing ends.[34] March 10, 2020.[35]
Alpha Alpha-1 early preview livestream.[36] March 27, 2020.[37]
Alpha-1 limited QA testing (NDA).[38][39] May 28, 2020.[40][41]
Alpha-1 preview pre-test 1 (NDA).[42] Dec 18 - Dec 21 2020.[42]
Alpha-1 preview pre-test 2 (NDA).[42] Feb 19 - Feb 22 2021.[43][44]
Alpha-1 preview intermittent spot testing (NDA).[45][46] Mar 19 - Jul 9 2021.[45][46]
Alpha-1 preview weekend (no NDA).[45] July 9 - July 11 2021.[47][48][45]
Alpha-1 (no NDA).[45] July 14 - August 15 2021.[49][50]
Alpha-2 spot testing (NDA).[23][18][15][51] November 2023.[22]
Alpha-2 (No NDA).[23][15][17][52] Q3 2024.[20][23][53]
Beta Beta-1. To be announced.[50]
Beta-2. To be announced.[50]
Pre‑release Head start for crowdfunding backers at the Founder level and above.[54] 1-2 days before launch.[54][55]
Release Launch (live) release. To be announced.[50][56]
Post‑launch Major releases (DLC expansions). Quarterly or six-monthly.[57][58]
Minor releases. Monthly.[57][58]

Head start

Head start grants early access one or two days prior to the live launch of Ashes of Creation for crowdfunding backers at the Founder level and above.[59]

  • Head start is a means to gradually ramp up the population to avoid player concurrency issues at launch.[60]
  • Head start will also be a way to address any last-minute launch or deployment issues.[61]

The point of head start is twofold: One for testing, making sure that the live launch servers pre-wipe are good; and then Two, it's a way to stagger the population move into the game. Because if you have servers with 10,000 concurrent player capability and you have everyone logging in at the exact same time, that is a problem I've never seen an MMO tackle successfully, ever.[60]Steven Sharif

Headstart servers

The number of head start servers is estimated to be three. This is subject to change.[62]

  • There will be an OCE headstart server.[63]

Headstart limitations

The game functionality is limited during the head start period so that players cannot decide the world-scape earlier than others.[64]

  • During the head start, the node system will be deactivated.[64]
  • Head start specific servers are also planned.[64]
  • It will not be possible to secure player housing during the headstart period due to the deactivation of the node system.[64]

Head start was not a mistake, I tend to listen to my development team with regards to their vast past experiences in mmo launches and development. Advice from engineering on head starts was they are extremely desired in order to test any last minute launch/deployment issues that “always” happen. So I did as much as possible to mitigate the potential p2w elements/issues while still adhering to sound development principles. Including designating which servers are head start servers. So wanna make sure we don’t “chop” this one as a mistake or misstep. Everything done is done to ensure a quality launch/product.[61]Steven Sharif

NDA

We may not always announce when the NDA testing is, because we're not definitive how that testing is going to influence the future testing schedule; and we don't want to set the wrong expectation from a broader audience perspective on what they should be expecting with regards to testing.[18]Steven Sharif

Participation

  • Alpha-0 had over 2,500 participants.[67]
  • Alpha-1 testing had approximately 9,600 participants as of August, 2018.[68][69] There were slightly over 13k participants as of May 31, 2021.[68] There were 5,300 unique logins during the 3 day weekend test of May 27, 2021.[68]
info-orange.pngThis section will be updated as soon as information is made available by the developers.

Pre-order-packs with Alpha-2 access have ended

September 2023 - January 2024 (The Unseen Order) were the final pre-order packs for Ashes of Creation as the developers have reached their desired number of testers for Alpha-2.[73]

Why are the pre-order packs ending?
Our pre-order packs were intended to be a way for players to support the project by providing an opportunity to collect exclusive cosmetic appearances that are used in creating the world of Verra, while respecting our commitment to zero-tolerance pay-to-win whatsoever. As we draw closer to our Alpha Two and Beta testing periods, we want to ensure a glorious experience for our players who have signed up to help make Ashes of Creation the MMORPG it deserves to be. To that end, we have decided to discontinue the packs until such time as our internal and/or external testing supports the admission of additional testers. We will continue to update our community when more ways become available to access Alpha Two or Beta testing through our communication channels.[74]
When will the final pre-order packs end?
The final Pre-Order Packs will end on January 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific in order to ensure everyone has enough time and notice with regards to the final Pre-Order Packs’ availability.[74]
Does this include the Beta-1 and Beta-2 pre-order packages as well?
Yes. While we anticipate we will reopen the ability to purchase Beta packages in the future, these options will not adopt the same format of regularly recurring monthly exclusive cosmetics as our existing Pre-Order Packages currently offer.[74]
If I do not get a pre-order pack, does that mean I will not be able to join Alpha-2, Beta-1, or Beta-2 in the future?
Not necessarily. We will continue to engage with our community and content creators to offer various giveaways that players will have an opportunity to participate in. After our internal and/or external testing satisfies the admission of additional testers, we may provide alternate methods of purchasing access into testing periods.[74]
When the pre-order packs end, will there be other items on the Ashes of Creation shop?
We may provide cosmetic items and merchandise in the shop at a future date.[74]
I purchased a previous pre-order pack, but I like The Unseen Order cosmetics better. Can I switch out my cosmetics for these?
Previously purchased cosmetics may not be exchanged, though we do provide a 90-day return policy. If you own an existing Pre-Order Pack, you may also purchase individual cosmetics offered in the current pack a-la-cart.[74]
Can I upgrade my pre-order pack after sales for the pre-order packs end?
Yes. You will continue to have the option to upgrade your Pre-Order Pack to a higher-tier package after sales of Pre-Order Packs end. If you upgrade, it will not give you the cosmetic items of the same type (Accessory, Pet, Mount, etc.) that came with the previous pack you purchased. Only the additional cosmetic items from the upgrade to The Unseen Order Pre-Order Pack will be granted.[74]
Can I purchase add-on cosmetics from The Unseen Order after pre-order packs are removed from the shop?
Yes. You will continue to have the option to purchase add-on cosmetics from The Unseen Order, based on what your Pre-Order Package level gives you access to.[74]
How long will I be able to upgrade my pre-order pack or purchase The Unseen Order add-on cosmetics?
We don’t have a date to share for this yet, but we’ll give everyone plenty of notice before ending the ability for them to upgrade their Pre-Order Packs or purchase add-on cosmetics from The Unseen Order.[74]
What about upgrading Kickstarter packages? When do those end?
You will still be able to upgrade Kickstarter and Summer Backer Packages. We’ll give plenty of notice before ending the ability for people to upgrade their packs.[74]

Server wipes

Alpha and Beta servers will be wiped prior to launch.[19]

As a general rule, if the testing phase contains the word Alpha, it is safe to assume there will likely be wipes.[77]Steven Sharif

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Kickstarter packages.
  2. MMOGAMES Interview, 2017-09-8.
  3. beta 0.png
  4. Intrepid pre-order pack.
  5. Adventurer pre-order pack.
  6. PAX West 2017 Alpha package.
  7. PAX West 2017 Beta package.
  8. Newsletter - Pre-order packages are ending reminder.
  9. Ashes of Creation cosmetic store.
  10. steven-mail-ru.png
  11. Livestream, March 31, 2023 (1:24:21).
  12. Podcast, September 29, 2021 (59:29).
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 Livestream, April 7, 2023 (28:08).
  14. 14.0 14.1 Livestream, July 29, 2022 (1:08:49).
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 Livestream, March 31, 2023 (5:57).
  16. Livestream, July 30, 2021 (45:11).
  17. 17.0 17.1 Livestream, January 18, 2018 (25:22).
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 Interview, July 9, 2023 (26:35).
  19. 19.0 19.1 server wipe.jpg
  20. 20.0 20.1 Intrepid Studios Support - What are the Alpha/Beta Release dates?
  21. kickstarter release schedule.png
  22. 22.0 22.1 steven-a2-spot-testing-started.png
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 Livestream, September 29, 2023 (55:34).
  24. alpha-0 pre-alpha.png
  25. Livestream, January 18, 2018 (2:48).
  26. Livestream, September 1, 2018 (54:06).
  27. alpha-1-stress-test-3.png
  28. 28.0 28.1 alpha1-phase-1-update.png
  29. Press release - Ashes of Creation Apocalypse Launches December 18.
  30. apoc-beta.png
  31. Blog: Ashes of Creation Apocalypse heads into early access.
  32. @AoCApocalypse on Twitter.
  33. 33.0 33.1 Livestream, December 17, 2019 (18:33).
  34. Blog: Early Access for Ashes of Creation Apocalypse Battle Royale Testing Ends.
  35. apoc-offline.png
  36. March 2020 newsletter.
  37. Video, March 23, 2020 (0:01).
  38. alpha-1-nda-2.png
  39. 39.0 39.1 alpha-1-nda-1.png
  40. steven-a1-testing-start.png
  41. Creative Director's Letter, 2020-04-1.
  42. 42.0 42.1 42.2 Blog: Creative Director's Letter, October 16 2020
  43. Livestream, February 26, 2021 (14:58).
  44. Blog: Creative Director's Letter, January 2021.
  45. 45.0 45.1 45.2 45.3 45.4 Alpha One Schedule Update, May 10 2021.
  46. 46.0 46.1 An Update on Alpha One Schedule, March 12 2021
  47. steven-a1preview-end.png
  48. Ashes of Creation Twitter - Alpha-1 Preview Weekend Begins
  49. alpha-1-end.png
  50. 50.0 50.1 50.2 50.3 release-dates.png
  51. Livestream, October 14, 2022 (17:05).
  52. alpha and beta phases.png
  53. vaknar-a2.png
  54. 54.0 54.1 founder.png
  55. braver of worlds.png
  56. Livestream, March 8, 2019 (57:26).
  57. 57.0 57.1 Interview, February 7, 2021 (21:57).
  58. 58.0 58.1 Livestream, May 8, 2017 (11:14).
  59. kickstarter head start.png
  60. 60.0 60.1 Podcast, August 4, 2018 (2:00:05).
  61. 61.0 61.1 steven-headstart.png
  62. Interview, August 8, 2018 (25:53).
  63. head-start-oce-2018-8-8.png
  64. 64.0 64.1 64.2 64.3 headstart.jpg
  65. Livestream, January 18, 2018 (49:26).
  66. Livestream, May 29, 2020 (31:37).
  67. Interview, August 24, 2018 (12:18).
  68. 68.0 68.1 68.2 steven-a1-participation.png
  69. Livestream, August 17, 2018 (24:07).
  70. 70.0 70.1 70.2 Livestream, November 17, 2017 (28:50).
  71. a2-participants.png
  72. Livestream, January 27, 2023 (11:05).
  73. Ashes of Creation Store: August cosmetics.
  74. 74.0 74.1 74.2 74.3 74.4 74.5 74.6 74.7 74.8 74.9 Ashes of Creation Store: September cosmetics.
  75. Alpha one test schedule, Mar 12, 2021.
  76. Livestream, November 30, 2020 (7:27).
  77. 77.0 77.1 server-wipes.png