Legends of Equestria Limited Access Release: All The Details!

Started by Ellowee, 2016 Oct 07, 20:34:03

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Ellowee

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Hi, everypony!

It's been a little while since we announced that Legends of Equestria had progressed to the point that we were now looking at December this year for a 'limited access release'. At the time, we said we'd go into exactly what that 'limited release' would mean soon. Well, would you look at the time; it's Go-Into-That O'Clock! I'm going to give you all more details on what exactly we mean by 'limited Access release', and how you (yes, you!) can apply in the coming weeks. It's a lot, but please stick with me on it; there will be socks for those who do!

It takes a lot of time and effort to make a game on a scale like this, especially with an all-volunteer team - and we should know! For over five years, our dedicated development team has been working hard to get the game to the state it's at today, and we're still committed to improving the entire game going forward - but we can't do that alone. There are loads of things being worked on that just need more input, to make sure that the game will handle the number of players we've seen in the past without stuttering, and that every single one of them has the best experience possible.

It's with that in mind that we've planned out the 'limited access release' of Legends of Equestria. This first phase of release doesn't, however, mean that the game will be fully open and available to play for everyone, right from the start; we want to make sure that everything is built to cope before we throw the gates open and welcome the stampede with open hooves! It will mean us making the game available for permanent play, rather than having our occasional, weekend-long Open Server Events, for a smaller number of people to begin with.

What we're planning, then, is a staggered release. This means that, though the game will be online and available, only a limited number of players will be given access to begin with. The first phase of this will involve a small number of players, in the hundreds most likely, which will allow us to get a great pool of information, as well as test out our systems and (hopefully!) flatten all the bugs we can find. Then, the next 'phase' would introduce a larger number of players, to help us build on the first phase and test out more complicated features and systems.

That's why we've called this a 'limited access release'; a limited number of people will experience the game in what we'd consider an unfinished state, to help us work on the game more, improve the systems we've got in play, and of course have fun themselves! It should be noted, though, that this programme is primarily meant to improve Legends of Equestria's gameplay, find bugs, and generally prepare the world of Equestria for a larger, full release. This early access to LoE isn't meant for passively experiencing and enjoying the game (though we'd obviously hope that you do!); as an early experience player, we'd want as much information as possible about your experience of the game, so that the team can determine what needs to be changed or refined. This would generally mean things like submitting bug tickets, providing written recommendations, and generally pointing out what aspects of LoE's user experience you think could be improved!

If that sounds like something you'd be interested in - an early look at the permanent world of Equestria, with the goal of helping us making it the best it possibly can be - then great! You're the exact kind of person we're looking for. In the next couple of weeks, we'll be announcing that applications are open for the limited access release; this will be in the form of something like a questionnaire or survey that'll let us gather things like your system specifications, experience with similar early releases of games, and interest in improving the game. Based on that, we'll select a pool of players to be the first to experience Equestria in its permanent state, and help us get it ready for everyone else!

If you aren't selected at this early stage, there's no need to panic; as I said earlier, once we reach the goals of this first phase we'll be opening up access to more and more players in a staggered release over the coming weeks and months, leading into the full release of the game.

Phew, that was a lot of reading! Just to recap the important stuff (or for those of you who just want a TL;DR summary):



  • The 'limited access release' is a staggered system designed for widespread testing before the full availability of the game. During this phase of the game's release, we're interested mainly in getting feedback about features, getting in bug report tickets, etc.!
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    • As we progress with the final touches for the game, the access pool will get wider and wider, leading into the full open release of the game - so if you don't get in at this early stage, don't worry; there'll be plenty more opportunities!
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      • We will open applications for the limited access release in the next few weeks; keep an eye on our posts to see it when it's up!
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        • Thanks for reading this far down! As a reward, here's a super-exciting new thing we've just added to the game: colour-customisable socks. You're so welcome.
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This is a super exciting moment for us; we've been building up the world of Equestria for years now, and we've finally reached the point where we're confident enough to keep the game online for players while we work on it. We want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who's helped us, supported us, and enjoyed what we've done so far. Nobody's more eager to get the game out and available to everyone than us, and with your help we can make sure that we make Equestria great for everypony.

Thanks for your time, everypony! Keep an eye out for the limited access release application over the next couple of weeks, and get ready to pony up and party on!

Purple

wooo! :D

I'm definitely applying!  As a Mac user, i'd like to be able to help input into the game ^^ since Mac has had a few problems in the past Lol

Salnalus

Looks like I came by at the perfect time. I want to not only enjoy the game whenever I want, but to also help better the game in any way I can.

Sweet Brew

Any info when the signup is due or what is the process to get to the limited access team?

Galapagois

Quote from: Sweet Brew on 2016 Oct 07, 20:49:32
Any info when the signup is due or what is the process to get to the limited access team?


We're still setting up the systems for the limited access and applications for it, so it's going to depend on when that's all ready; as was put in the OP, it'll be at some point in the next few weeks, but we can't really narrow it down closer than that!

The process will involve an application form that gives us a little bit of detail about you - what system/operating system you run on, any experience with game testing, etc - and based on that, we'll be selecting people to make sure we get as wide a net of systems running the game as possible!
Head of LoE Public Relations, King of Support, and a nuisance!


Rune Shine

I can't wait! Great work everybody in the development team. I love you all! You are so dedicated giving so much for nothing in return. I'd love to give something for all your work but sadly lawyers exist solely to ruin everything good.

northstar941

I'd love to get in on this action. Looking forward to applying.

Z0MG H4X

Can't wait! I already have found some minor bugs in the last open server weekend but I didn't know how to directly report the bugs to devs. If I get the chance to test the game I will look onto them again and see if the devs haven't noticed the bugs.
"This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take the blue pill, the story ends. You wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes." -Morpheus

Alassë

Oh, so it's basically a closed beta (or in this case, closed alpha) test? Awesome! :D Those are great, and I'd love the opportunity to make the game better! Here's hoping I'll get in! *hooves crossed* 0:)

SunnySkie115

I´d like to help to make the game better and provide feedback :) this game is great!

I´m definitely going to apply too :)

Cooly568

Well then.

I'll certainly start pre-writing an application.

Not trying to sell myself as the most great and powerful person here, but I do have quite a wide variety of test systems and experience in alphas and beta's.  :/

Let's give it a shot then.

DeceptiveCadance


Shadow Wing47

Oh i so want to be a part of the first limited release! it would be so awesome! if  i were to be selected  this would probably be the game i play every day for a while!!  :D  <3

LavenderRaindrops

I'd love to help out and give feedback now that it's a bit closer to release. That said I feel those who have been a part of the community the longest and who have been most active should get first dibs. :)

Morphius

Quote from: Purple on 2016 Oct 07, 20:41:58
wooo! :D

I'm definitely applying! I'd like to be able to help input into the game ^^



Ditto! I'd wanna test each mission, even if I have to make an Earth Pony & a Unicorn OC accordingly, to see if they're up to snuff! As a Microsoft Windows user, should I detect any crashings of any variety, I shall report!
I too would report on unable-to-progress/start scenarios because it'd means I or we can't clear the missions that are tasked before us & it'd not be fun for everyone.


Some feedback fodder for thought: From my first plays at open server events, I really enjoyed that I can fly with just my arrow keys (turning myself around in horizontal 360 spin), but with the new strafing system presumably, I can't do that anymore. but only fly forwards & backwards, & must always rely on my mouse & forward/reverse arrow keys. Speaking of the camera system, ever since my first jump into Legends of Equestria, why would the camera jerk downwards when I navigate forward, upwards when I navigate backwards, & turns the opposite direction whenever I turn left or right (come tread or fly)? This would be a common problem with me, when I'm not manually using my mouse to direct the camera back behind me or around me, like any other third-person game, albeit this be my first MMO to play. I'd oughta keep my own camera locked behind me by placing it on the action commands. I'd suggest for the camera system to work like those original Spyro trilogy titles, or Ratchet & Clank. As for the combat, previously on Legends of Equestria, I CAN'T USE MY FLYING ATTACKS. Please make use of them or anything to make them work, & bring back Gale, or is Gale renamed or removed altogether?

Oh yeah, about the navigation since about two servers ago, after configuring my movements, I was about to embark my reoccurring journey, however it seemed the the configurating interface lied to me. Presumably it seems you've misspelled any directional button placements ever since strafing was introduced. Now my right & left buttons were aileron rolls. Took me some more time to adjust through the scrambled configured navigations again to go explore, fight mobs, fly high like I normally do.


P.S.: I've been clipping underground, locked in the silence. 'Til I flew up to the surface, into a world full of violence (mobs). ~ This has been a true metaphor from my recent OSE, & a Parody to Heaven-Piercing Giga Drill. Thank You.

Genisay

Might have to put in an app for this. Could be fun, and I've alpha and beta tested a few games before.

AkantiaCrystal

I will for sure be putting in an app! Been following this game for yonks!

Crimson Feather

Sooooo close, wonder how many of you I'll see this December  :D

Mizuki

This is so exciting!! It's been a long time coming, but I'm sure with this new stream of feedback and help from other players, the game will progress faster than ever! (At least that's my guess)


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Not to be confused with Zukiuke

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