Difference between revisions of "Release schedule"
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Revision as of 16:48, 4 September 2018
The Ashes of Creation release schedule is subject to change.[2]
- 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.[3] – 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.[4] – Margaret Krohn
Phase | Release | Estimated/Actual date |
---|---|---|
Pre‑alpha | Alpha-0.[5] | December 15, 2017.[6] |
APOC | Ashes of Creation Apocalypse battle royale stress test (NDA).[7] | September 7, 2018.[8] |
Ashes of Creation Apocalypse battle royale stress test (NDA lifted).[9] | October 19, 2018.[9] | |
Ashes of Creation Apocalypse battle royale open beta.[10] | December 18, 2018.[11] | |
Ashes of Creation Apocalypse battle royale early access.[12] | September 24, 2019.[13] | |
Ashes of Creation Apocalypse castle siege mode PI closed testing.[14] | December 19, 2019.[14] | |
Ashes of Creation Apocalypse battle royale testing ends.[15] | March 10, 2020.[16] | |
Alpha | Alpha-1 early preview livestream.[17] | March 27, 2020.[18] |
Alpha-1 limited QA testing (NDA).[19][20] | May 28, 2020.[21][22] | |
Alpha-1 preview pre-test 1 (NDA).[23] | Dec 18 - Dec 21 2020.[23] | |
Alpha-1 preview pre-test 2 (NDA).[23] | Feb 19 - Feb 22 2021.[24][25] | |
Alpha-1 preview intermittent spot testing (NDA).[26][27] | Mar 19 - Jul 9 2021.[26][27] | |
Alpha-1 preview weekend (no NDA).[26] | July 9 - July 11 2021.[28][29][26] | |
Alpha-1 (no NDA).[26] | July 14 - August 15 2021.[30][31] | |
Alpha-2 spot testing (NDA).[4][32][33][34] | November 2023.[3] | |
Alpha-2 (No NDA).[4][33][35][36] | Q3 2024.[1][4][37] | |
Beta | Beta-1. | To be announced.[31] |
Beta-2. | To be announced.[31] | |
Pre‑release | Head start for crowdfunding backers at the Founder level and above.[38] | 1-2 days before launch.[38][39] |
Release | Launch (live) release. | To be announced.[31][40] |
Post‑launch | Major releases (DLC expansions). | Quarterly or six-monthly.[41][42] |
Minor releases. | Monthly.[41][42] |
Early access
Ashes of Creation testing phases.
- Alpha-0 was the invite-only "raffle" friends and family alpha test phase.[44][45]
- Alpha-1, Alpha-2, Beta-1, and Beta-2 were available for purchase during the Kickstarter and Summer crowdfunding campaigns.[43]
- Alpha-1 was available in the Intrepid pre-order pack and the Adventurer pre-order pack.[46][47]
- Alpha-2 and Beta-2 were available during PAX West 2017.[48][49]
- Alpha-2, Beta-1, and Beta-2 were available in Pre-order packs on the cosmetic store.[50][51]
- Alpha-2, Beta-1, and Beta-2 packs that were purchased through Mail.ru can gain access to the testing periods they were entitled to by registering an account with Intrepid Studios and submitting a support ticket.[52]
Ashes of Creation's core game systems are expected to be in place at the start of Alpha-2.[53][54] By the end of Alpha-2, the game is expected to be feature complete, but it will not be content complete until launch.[55][56]
- Alpha-1 and Alpha-2 testers may be invited to participate in spot testing prior to the Alpha-2 release.[33][57]
- 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.[56] – 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.[55] – Steven Sharif
Character limits
There will be character limits during the Alpha and Beta testing phases. These are probably going to be more relaxed than for live launch.[59]
- Allow testing of different builds as needed.[59]
- Provide equipment needed to test various scenarios.[59]
There will be a "comfortable" number of character slots on launch.[60]
NDA
- The Alpha-0 NDA restricts the sharing of visual elements from Alpha-0 testing.[61][62]
- Alpha-1, Alpha-2, Beta-1, Beta-2 releases are not covered by NDA (non-disclosure agreement).[63]
- Alpha-2 testing prior to the full release of Alpha-2 will be under NDA.[4]
- Alpha-1 testing prior to the full release of Alpha-1 was covered by NDA.[64][20]
- The developers will not necessarily announce when NDA testing starts.[32]
- 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.[32] – Steven Sharif
Closed beta
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.[65]
- Head start is a means to gradually ramp up the population to avoid player concurrency issues at launch.[66]
- Head start will also be a way to address any last-minute launch or deployment issues.[67]
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.[66] – Steven Sharif
Headstart servers
The number of head start servers is estimated to be three. This is subject to change.[68]
Headstart limitations
The game functionality is limited during the head start period so that players cannot decide the world-scape earlier than others.[70]
- During the head start, the node system will be deactivated.[70]
- Head start specific servers are also planned.[70]
- It will not be possible to secure player housing during the headstart period due to the deactivation of the node system.[70]
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.[67] – Steven Sharif
Status
- Q: There are a lot of concerns about deadlines and expectations not being met when it comes to times that are continually pushed back. Will this be resolved?
- A: We are in active development, and understanding that for the betterment of our game, we may sometimes have to delay previously provided times and dates in order to make sure that you, as the player, have the best experience. That being said, we strive to meet our windows of time that we provide and will be transparent if these times change.[71] – Margaret Krohn
Participation
- Alpha-0 had over 2,500 participants.[72]
- Alpha-1 testing had approximately 9,600 participants as of August, 2018.[73][74] There were slightly over 13k participants as of May 31, 2021.[73] There were 5,300 unique logins during the 3 day weekend test of May 27, 2021.[73]
- Alpha and Beta participation is expected to grow with the sale of pre-order packs.[75]
- Alpha-2 is expected to have over 100,000 participants.[76][77]
Server wipes
Alpha and Beta servers will be wiped prior to launch.[58]
As a general rule, if the testing phase contains the word Alpha, it is safe to assume there will likely be wipes.[80] – Steven Sharif
Milestones
December 2015 | First team members were hired.[81] |
---|---|
February 2016 | Ashes of Creation design documentation and prototyping.[82][81] |
December 10, 2016 | Official website was launched and project announced.[81] |
January 18, 2017 | Official discord was launched.[83] |
May 2, 2017 | Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign launched with $750,000 funding goal.[84] |
June 3, 2017 | Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign completed with 19,576 backers raising $3,271,809.[85] |
June 2017 | Game production began with a team size of 15-20.[82] |
June 21, 2017 | Summer crowdfunding campaign launched.[86] |
July 22, 2017 | Summer crowdfunding campaign completed with 2,485 backers.[87] |
September 1, 2017 | PAX West 2017.[88][89] |
November 4, 2017 | Raised $16,500 for Extra Life children's hospitals.[90] |
December 15, 2017 | Alpha-0 released on schedule.[6] |
March 19-23, 2018 | Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2018.[91] |
April 5, 2018 | PAX East 2018.[92] |
August 15, 2018 | Last day for purchases of Alpha-1 through Intrepid pre-order packs.[93] |
August 20, 2018 | At Gamescom with My.com.[94] |
August 27, 2018 | 100 developers working on Ashes of Creation.[95] |
September 1, 2018 | PAX West 2018 panel.[96] |
October 19, 2018 | Ashes of Creation Apocalypse battle royale (previously called Alpha-1 phase 1 battlegrounds).[9] |
November 4, 2018 | Raised $20,518 for Rady Children's hospital with Extra Life.[97] |
April 15, 2019 | 60 developers working on Ashes of Creation at San Diego offices (following disengagement with Malaysian art team).[98] |
November 3, 2019 | Raised $20,901 for Rady Children's hospital with Extra Life.[99] |
August 21, 2020 | Announced a mutual parting of ways with publisher My.games.[100] |
October 17, 2020 | Almost 3,000,000 registered accounts for Ashes of Creation.[101] |
October 17, 2020 | ~87 developers working on Ashes of Creation.[102] |
November 8, 2020 | Raised $88,546 for Rady Children's hospital with Extra Life.[103] |
February 26, 2021 | Official ashesofcreation.com website redesign.[104] |
May 5, 2021 | Alpha-1 sales resumed with the announcement of the Adventurer pre-order pack.[105] |
May 17, 2021 | Verbal NDA was lifted from Alpha-1 testing.[106] |
July 9, 2021 | Alpha-1 no-NDA preview weekend began on schedule.[29] |
July 11, 2021 | Alpha-1 no-NDA preview weekend completed on schedule.[28] |
July 14, 2021 | Alpha-1 no-NDA month long test began on schedule.[107][108] |
August 15, 2021 | Alpha-1 no-NDA month long test completed on schedule.[30] |
November 7, 2021 | Raised $34,485 for Rady Children's hospital with Extra Life.[109] |
December 23, 2021 | Announced that Ashes of Creation is moving to Unreal Engine 5.[110][111] |
January 14, 2022 | Over 120 people working on Ashes of Creation.[112] |
November 5, 2022 | Raised $77,939 for Rady Children's hospital with Extra Life.[113] |
August 31, 2023 | Over 150 people working on Ashes of Creation.[114] |
November 5, 2023 | Raised $76,964 for Rady Children's hospital with Extra Life.[115] |
December 19, 2023 | Over 170 people working full-time on Ashes of Creation.[116][117] |
March 1, 2024 | 188 employees working on Ashes of Creation.[118] |
Accomplishments
- Kickstarter's most funded MMORPG.[119]
- Kickstarter's #7 most funded video game.[120]
- Most anticipated MMO – MMORPG.com's Best of 2017 Awards.[121]
- Most anticipated early access hands-on MMORPG – MMOs World.[122]
- Gamescom 2018: Best Independent game.[123]
- Gamescom 2018: Best Online game.[123]
- Best indie MMO of 2020 – massivelyop.com reader's poll.[124]
- Most anticipated MMO of 2021 and beyond – massivelyop.com reader's poll.[125]
- Top 10 Best Upcoming New MMORPGs For 2021 And Beyond – Forbes.[126]
- 2022 Best MMO Studio – MMOGames.[127]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Intrepid Studios Support - What are the Alpha/Beta Release dates?
- ↑
- ↑ 3.0 3.1
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Livestream, September 29, 2023 (55:34).
- ↑
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Livestream, January 18, 2018 (2:48).
- ↑ Livestream, September 1, 2018 (54:06).
- ↑
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2
- ↑ Press release - Ashes of Creation Apocalypse Launches December 18.
- ↑
- ↑ Blog: Ashes of Creation Apocalypse heads into early access.
- ↑ @AoCApocalypse on Twitter.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Livestream, December 17, 2019 (18:33).
- ↑ Blog: Early Access for Ashes of Creation Apocalypse Battle Royale Testing Ends.
- ↑
- ↑ March 2020 newsletter.
- ↑ Video, March 23, 2020 (0:01).
- ↑
- ↑ 20.0 20.1
- ↑
- ↑ Creative Director's Letter, 2020-04-1.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Blog: Creative Director's Letter, October 16 2020
- ↑ Livestream, February 26, 2021 (14:58).
- ↑ Blog: Creative Director's Letter, January 2021.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 Alpha One Schedule Update, May 10 2021.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 An Update on Alpha One Schedule, March 12 2021
- ↑ 28.0 28.1
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 Ashes of Creation Twitter - Alpha-1 Preview Weekend Begins
- ↑ 30.0 30.1
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 Interview, July 9, 2023 (26:35).
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 Livestream, March 31, 2023 (5:57).
- ↑ Livestream, October 14, 2022 (17:05).
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 Livestream, January 18, 2018 (25:22).
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑ 38.0 38.1
- ↑
- ↑ Livestream, March 8, 2019 (57:26).
- ↑ 41.0 41.1 Interview, February 7, 2021 (21:57).
- ↑ 42.0 42.1 Livestream, May 8, 2017 (11:14).
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 43.2 Kickstarter packages.
- ↑ MMOGAMES Interview, 2017-09-8.
- ↑
- ↑ Intrepid pre-order pack.
- ↑ Adventurer pre-order pack.
- ↑ PAX West 2017 Alpha package.
- ↑ PAX West 2017 Beta package.
- ↑ Newsletter - Pre-order packages are ending reminder.
- ↑ Ashes of Creation cosmetic store.
- ↑
- ↑ Livestream, March 31, 2023 (1:24:21).
- ↑ Podcast, September 29, 2021 (59:29).
- ↑ 55.0 55.1 55.2 Livestream, April 7, 2023 (28:08).
- ↑ 56.0 56.1 Livestream, July 29, 2022 (1:08:49).
- ↑ Livestream, July 30, 2021 (45:11).
- ↑ 58.0 58.1
- ↑ 59.0 59.1 59.2 Livestream, May 24, 2017 (57:00).
- ↑ Podcast, May 4, 2017 (51:52).
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑ Livestream, January 18, 2018 (49:26).
- ↑ Livestream, May 29, 2020 (31:37).
- ↑
- ↑ 66.0 66.1 Podcast, August 4, 2018 (2:00:05).
- ↑ 67.0 67.1
- ↑ Interview, August 8, 2018 (25:53).
- ↑
- ↑ 70.0 70.1 70.2 70.3
- ↑ Reddit Q&A, 2019-01-8.
- ↑ Interview, August 24, 2018 (12:18).
- ↑ 73.0 73.1 73.2
- ↑ Livestream, August 17, 2018 (24:07).
- ↑ 75.0 75.1 75.2 Livestream, November 17, 2017 (28:50).
- ↑
- ↑ Livestream, January 27, 2023 (11:05).
- ↑ Alpha one test schedule, Mar 12, 2021.
- ↑ Livestream, November 30, 2020 (7:27).
- ↑ 80.0 80.1
- ↑ 81.0 81.1 81.2 MASSIVELY OP interview: Ashes of Creation on a new way to MMO.
- ↑ 82.0 82.1
- ↑
- ↑ Ashes of Creation Kickstarter campaign
- ↑ Ashes of Creation Kickstarter.
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑ PAX West 2017 Schedule.
- ↑ PAX West 2017 Map.
- ↑ Intrepid Studios Dev Team.
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑ Ashes of Creation Gamescom 2018 Interview: Responding to Criticism.
- ↑ Intrepid Studios Extra Life 2018 (@MediaAoC).
- ↑ Interview, April 15, 2019 (5:09).
- ↑
- ↑ Blog: New Adventure Awaits.
- ↑ Interview, October 17, 2020 (18:36).
- ↑ Interview, October 17, 2020 (56:55).
- ↑
- ↑ Livestream, February 26, 2021 (9:51).
- ↑ Ashes of Creation Store: May cosmetics.
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑ Guide to Alpha One.
- ↑
- ↑ Video, December 23, 2021 (0:00).
- ↑ Livestream, December 23, 2021 (19:59).
- ↑ Interview, January 14, 2022 (9:11).
- ↑
- ↑ Livestream, August 31, 2023 (2:16:45).
- ↑
- ↑ Steven Sharif Christmas message, 2023.
- ↑ Livestream, December 19, 2023 (1:32:23).
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑ MMORPG.com's Best of 2017 Awards.
- ↑ Most Anticipated MMORPGs For 2018.
- ↑ 123.0 123.1 DualShockers’ Gamescom 2018 Awards
- ↑ MassivelyOP 2020 awards reader's poll.
- ↑ MassivelyOP reader's poll.
- ↑ Forbes: Top 10 Best Upcoming New MMORPGs For 2021 And Beyond
- ↑ Twitter - MMOGames.