Do's and don'ts of beta testing


Do's

  • Have hardware and an internet connection that meets the minimum system requirements 
  • Read the notes and messages when provided with beta access. They will often be unique to the beta and provide information critical to testing and submitting feedback.
  • Be patient – there will be some time spent downloading, installing and patching, it’s part of being involved in the beta.
  • Keep a pad and pen handy for scribbling down your thoughts and details of bugs and exploits
  • Try and play across all game modes, factions, maps, characters and unit types.
  • Focus on overall game balance to make the game better for everyone
  • The unexpected – try things that the developers might not have considered.
  • Try and reproduce a bug before reporting it
  • Check the forum for known bugs first when you find a bug, if it’s already been reported there’s no need to report again but do add to the thread if you find something new
  • Submit clear, methodical and well structured reports with suggestions for improvement - use the B3TA connect template as a guide to submitting reports
  • Submit proof where possible, screenshots are generally a good idea. 

Don't

  • Expect the software to work perfectly, that’s the whole point of a beta test – to iron out the bugs before launch
  • Complain about server downtime, bugs and patches, if these things bother you’re probably not cut out for beta testing
  • Use a lot of jargon, acronyms, or abusive language on forums or in reports
  • Start a new thread if the subject is already logged or resurrect old threads from a previous beta
  • Spend time make subjective calls on design or styling, a beta is first and foremost about functionality
  • Continue to exploit bugs once you find them, this could get you banned from participating in the testing.
  • Respond to trolls, they are trolls.

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