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Nico Sels
Webmaster
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Hi guys,
I've asked the producer and those who have participated in the beta, can come out of the closet ;-) The NDA however still counts, so you're not allowed to divulge in any details (be warned).
That said: to those that still have worries, the game is going to be great and the testers did everything they could to give feedback to make this game the best possible. ;-)
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Total Posts: 64 | Joined Aug. 2006 | Posted on: 8:05 am on Mar. 11, 2010 | Link to this post
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 iamtheman
BratPacker
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I'd like to point out that, in my humble opinion, the developers were very, very fortunate to have recruited such a diverse and highly skilled group of testers. We poured out endless ideas and suggestions to the dev team, that they all took very seriously. Our combined experience playing adventure games helped a lot, particularly our knowledge of what does and doesn't work for the general consensus. Namely, the experience most people want and expect to get out of a story and character-driven game.
I got the impression that they were prepared to ship the game more or less in a slightly patched up version to the build we played (of course, minus the bugs, and adding the missing features we were informed about being absent.) If it wasn't for us nailing the first beta test, who knows what the game may have ended up like?
So, perhaps our group is ever so *slightly* to blame for this latest delay?  Hammering out all those bugs and tinkering the game mechanics is taking up a fair bit of time, I'd wager. Believe me when I say that any extra time they allocate to develop this thing, they need in order for it to be the best possible product it can be. I cannot wait to see how they've incorporated these improvements, even more so than someone who hasn't seen anything of the game yet!
The funny thing is, even though we played a rough (and I do mean rough) version, how the story and characters are written still knocks all the contemporaries out of the ball park. Jane Jensen is back doing what she does best. No-one should be disappointed.
They might commence a second beta, if they have time, of course, and I'll gladly put in if I am asked. I hope they invite the people here who missed out to participate, in a second test.
The only thing I'm majorly annoyed about is that they are too lousy to post some new screen shots representing the current state of the game. For the fans who haven't been privileged with being involved in a beta test. So, outside beta testers, none of the general public know what the game looks like now. I could only imagine how frustrating that would be.
(Edited by iamtheman at 10:49 am on Mar. 11, 2010)
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Total Posts: 124 | Joined Nov. 2007 | Posted on: 10:40 am on Mar. 11, 2010 | Link to this post
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Nico Sels
Webmaster
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Well, that's their marketing plan; to do a 'big reveal' soon, rather than showing stuff now and then. I kind of understand their strategy now.. besides, it has helped build up the anticipation to the game to a max. 
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Total Posts: 64 | Joined Aug. 2006 | Posted on: 11:13 am on Mar. 11, 2010 | Link to this post
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iamtheman
BratPacker
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I believe it's built high anticipation for some, and utter frustration for others. *shrugs*
I can't think of an example where this type of marketing strategy has worked well in the past. Especially with video games.
Thanks for the info, Nico.
(Edited by iamtheman at 12:13 pm on Mar. 11, 2010)
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Total Posts: 124 | Joined Nov. 2007 | Posted on: 12:11 pm on Mar. 11, 2010 | Link to this post
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aurora
midbrain
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So I'm officialy "out"
I agree with Iamtheman - we are all very different people living in different places in the world and with different views.
It's exciting to see how much power we had, looking back, as beta testers. I have no doubt our findings are partly responsible for the delay (sorry everyone), but also for what would hopefully be one of the best games out there.
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There's definitely definitely definitely no logic to humen behaviour.
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Total Posts: 243 | Joined Aug. 2007 | Posted on: 3:26 pm on Mar. 11, 2010 | Link to this post
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 Jules
pear in disguise in the bottom of a strawberry's stomach
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*raises hand* 
There is a chance that the date was pushed back because of our feedback, but let me assure those who are eagerly waiting - it was desperately needed.
Every beta tester was very unique in the way they handled and reported the bugs, and suggested intelligent ways to fix them. If the developers heeded our suggestions, in the end, you all will be very pleased with the final product. One big thing was consistencies throughout the game regarding imagery and story logic. I didn't want to have any questions unanswered when completing the game. I feel these issues take a lot longer to mend as opposed to a technical glitch that a programmer can easily fix.
Of course, you can safely assume that since all of us are hard core GK fans, we wanted Gray Matter to deliver the same awe and wow moments as GK. We made sure it was clear that Gray Matter needed those moments.
Judging by the extended release date, there may be a chance for another beta. They should have more than enough time to fix the majority of our rants.
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Total Posts: 574 | Joined Oct. 2006 | Posted on: 5:45 pm on Mar. 11, 2010 | Link to this post
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Krss
admin
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*comes out of the closet too*
I joined the beta a lot later than the rest of the guys because I thought I'd be busy at the time, but then the beta got delayed and I wanted in too.
Our most important contribution (I agree with Jules) was to present the point of view of an adventure gamer and a GK fan.
I want to add, for the people who missed the beta, that your comfort is you will experience this amazing game finished.
[edited to delete some references to the test itself]
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Total Posts: 2120 | Joined Aug. 2006 | Posted on: 10:05 pm on Mar. 11, 2010 | Link to this post
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AndreaDraco83
midbrain
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Well, since everyone is doing outing, I'll do it. I want to say two things:
1. As Jules said, the many changes we suggested were - at least in our eyes - desperately needed, and if the developers listened to our rants and ravings, you could be sure, as Jane Jensen fans and Gabriel Knight buffs, that we do our best to make constructive criticism and that all was finalized to have a stunning final game.
2. As Jane hinted in her blog post, while many technical issues were obviously in dire need of a solution (or even a simple tweak), the story, characters, settings, atmosphere -- well, these elements left us extremely satisfied!
(Edited by AndreaDraco83 at 11:13 pm on Mar. 11, 2010)
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Talk to the coffee? Even Gabriel isn't that addicted.
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Total Posts: 242 | Joined July 2008 | Posted on: 11:12 pm on Mar. 11, 2010 | Link to this post
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Simo Sakari Aaltonen
midbrain
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*closet door opens and a dashing figure in a flowing cape emerges into the daylight accompanied by striking operatic music!*
*...followed by me...*
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The Adventure Companion
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Total Posts: 258 | Joined Sep. 2008 | Posted on: 10:34 am on Mar. 12, 2010 | Link to this post
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Jules
pear in disguise in the bottom of a strawberry's stomach
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*gasp* YOU! Say it isn't so! 
(  @ Simo!)
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Total Posts: 574 | Joined Oct. 2006 | Posted on: 3:30 pm on Mar. 12, 2010 | Link to this post
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Simo Sakari Aaltonen
midbrain
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'Fraid so! I bet you never suspected me since I appeared under an assumed name that was deviously chosen to be identical to the real one...
/
But seriously, it has been a real privilege to be involved and hopefully to have contributed towards making this as strong a game as possible. It was a really diverse team and I think that between the bunch of us we covered every conceivable aspect.
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The Adventure Companion
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Total Posts: 258 | Joined Sep. 2008 | Posted on: 4:47 pm on Mar. 12, 2010 | Link to this post
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daventry
dendrite
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Hey all, thanks for sharing your experiences with the beta-test! I'm just curious, how were you all chosen? Is there any possibility that those who couldn't participate may be able to if there's a second beta in the future?
(Edited by daventry at 2:17 pm on Mar. 18, 2010)
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Total Posts: 26 | Joined Dec. 2009 | Posted on: 2:17 pm on Mar. 18, 2010 | Link to this post
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aurora
midbrain
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I got a mail from Nico, that's all I know. :-)
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There's definitely definitely definitely no logic to humen behaviour.
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Total Posts: 243 | Joined Aug. 2007 | Posted on: 11:12 am on Mar. 20, 2010 | Link to this post
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daventry
dendrite
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Ah, gotcha. I guess it paid off being an active forum user rather than being a silent reader like myself (up until recently, at least).
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Total Posts: 26 | Joined Dec. 2009 | Posted on: 3:03 am on Mar. 22, 2010 | Link to this post
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Vortex Breen
Mostly different
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Daventry - I wish I'd joined earlier too!
Hey guys,
Are you allowed to say anything about the gameplay (i.e. 'the magic tricks as innovative gameplay elements') without giving any details away? I'm really intrigued about it. You can't really tell how they're going to work from screenshots (here's hoping for a demo release or another trailer he he )
Without breaking your oaths can you tell us what sort of stage they were at development-wise in the beta? Have they been pretty much finalized? Are they polished and slick? Do they integrate well?
*Inquisitive face*
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Total Posts: 64 | Joined July 2009 | Posted on: 8:58 am on Mar. 22, 2010 | Link to this post
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Krss
admin
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We're not allowed to give details about the testing, actually... We all kind of got away with that one so far.
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Total Posts: 2120 | Joined Aug. 2006 | Posted on: 9:53 am on Mar. 22, 2010 | Link to this post
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Vortex Breen
Mostly different
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No prob. I wouldn't want to get you into trouble 
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Total Posts: 64 | Joined July 2009 | Posted on: 11:34 am on Mar. 22, 2010 | Link to this post
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aurora
midbrain
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If it makes you feel any better - a lot of work is being done these past weeks, and I mean a lot, by the staff. Jane herself is very dominant.
Just a few more months!
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There's definitely definitely definitely no logic to humen behaviour.
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Total Posts: 243 | Joined Aug. 2007 | Posted on: 1:41 pm on Mar. 22, 2010 | Link to this post
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Jules
pear in disguise in the bottom of a strawberry's stomach
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Since we can't physically see how the developers are working out the bugs and judging by how much time went by after the beta round, I think they should have a pretty slick game on their hands at the moment. This is purely speculation though since we don't exactly know what's going on on their side of the fence.
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Total Posts: 574 | Joined Oct. 2006 | Posted on: 6:03 pm on Mar. 22, 2010 | Link to this post
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daventry
dendrite
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Can you share when the beta began and when it ended, just so we have a better idea about how much time has passed?
Also, was the voice-acting incorporated into the game by that point?
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Total Posts: 26 | Joined Dec. 2009 | Posted on: 10:01 pm on Mar. 22, 2010 | Link to this post
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CORT-X Guestroom
Talking about your beta participation allowed
