How many more Alphas?

Started by MisterVertigo, June 13, 2017, 12:51:09 PM

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MisterVertigo

June 13, 2017, 12:51:09 PM
Hello all! I'm sure this is a question that no one can definitively answer, except for maybe Tynan, so this is just for fun discussion.

How many more Alphas do you think we will get? For most games, Alpha is for implementing new features and testing them out. Eventually once all features are added it would move on to a "Beta" phase where bugs and balance are worked out. Then, finally, the 1.0 release.

What are all of your thoughts about this process? How far along do you think we are? I know there are still some features that players want, but I'm just curious as to how many more Alpha versions you think we'll get. Tynan can't go on forever adding new features in Alpha after Alpha. At some point it has to be "done" and move on to the next phase. What features do you think Tynan is still wanting to implement before moving on to Beta?
"In vertigo you will be..."

"Relax, people. It's a teeny indie game; don't kill it with love." - Bozobub

dburgdorf

#1
June 13, 2017, 02:30:19 PM
Quote from: MisterVertigo on June 13, 2017, 12:51:09 PMTynan can't go on forever adding new features in Alpha after Alpha....

I think you seriously underestimate the ability of an artisan to never be satisfied that a work is truly "finished."  There's always *something* else that needs to be done or added or modified or tweaked before it's ready....  :D
- Rainbeau Flambe (aka Darryl Burgdorf) -
Old. Short. Grumpy. Bearded. "Yeah, I'm a dorf."



Buy me a Dr Pepper?

Limdood

#2
June 13, 2017, 02:31:33 PM
I'd love to see this game just get more and more features and more and more depth to the existing features indefinitely

MisterVertigo

#3
June 13, 2017, 02:38:09 PM
Heh, you make a good point about an artist never being "done". I'm assuming at SOME point though Tynan will want to work on something else, and in order to do so he'll have to "finish" this one. Kind of like when I have a great colony going, but the time comes when it's time to let that one go and start a new one! :)
"In vertigo you will be..."

"Relax, people. It's a teeny indie game; don't kill it with love." - Bozobub

Bozobub

#4
June 13, 2017, 04:07:37 PM
Considering the game is NOT discounted while in Alpha and is still selling (AFAIK) reasonably well, Tynan quite frankly has no real reason to ever move beyond this stage.  As long as the game is enjoyable, I frankly don't care; an engaged, actively creating developer is ideal.  Additionally, the "Alpha" designation allows major changes that a "finished product" doesn't absorb as easily.

I doubt he will actually keep RimWorld in Alpha forever but I also don't see any real problem with it.  Be aware, some games are in Alpha for years while remaining largely unplayable, which is not the case for RimWorld.
Thanks, belgord!

MisterVertigo

#5
June 13, 2017, 04:34:44 PM
Oh, I'm not complaining. I love the fact that the game is so enjoyable despite being designated an "Alpha". I'm not in any rush for development to stop either, I was just curious what other people's thoughts were regarding how many new features will get put in before the final product is released.
"In vertigo you will be..."

"Relax, people. It's a teeny indie game; don't kill it with love." - Bozobub

Bozobub

#6
June 13, 2017, 04:42:50 PM
I wasn't trying to chastise you, sorry if it came out that way.  As for "how many features"...  Who knows?

Thanks, belgord!

khearn

#7
June 13, 2017, 04:46:40 PM
Alphas will continue until Tynan gets fed up with people asking how long 'til the next release, what features are coming next, and how many more alphas there will be. Then he'll just say "hell with it" and declare it finished and move on to something else.

;)

ProjectXa3

#8
June 13, 2017, 04:51:50 PM
Yeah, what Burgdorf said. Look into the development history and road left to go with Dwarf Fortress. Long story short, we could still be here ten years from now.
"I set fire to my sheet of sailcloth and drape it over the skeletons."
"Okay I'm...I'm going to need you to roll for a personality check for that one."

Nainara

#9
June 13, 2017, 06:47:18 PM
Due to the implications, I'll be sad when the product v1.0 is released. It's hard to complain, though. I've already gotten my money's worth of entertainment and then some.

Bozobub

#10
June 13, 2017, 06:54:30 PM
Why?  Just because it hits "1.0", that merely means it's hit "prime time", so to speak.  there's no reason at all the game cannot continue to develop, and many do.  For indie games, SPAZ 1 is a great example; they came out with the (free) "Bounty Hunters" DLC long after the initial release.
Thanks, belgord!

A Friend

#11
June 13, 2017, 08:22:52 PM
When the faction system is finally expanded upon and becomes a core part of the gameplay experience. Because imo, that's the only major feature that hasn't been fleshed out yet, preventing the game from truly being called "complete".
"For you, the day Randy graced your colony with a game-ending raid was the most memorable part of your game. But for Cassandra, it was Tuesday"

Squiggly lines you call drawings aka "My Deviantart page"

J_Dawg_27

#12
June 13, 2017, 08:29:27 PM
Maybe he'll want to work on Rimworld 2 someday

Seeker89

#13
June 13, 2017, 08:40:33 PM
How many more alphas you ask?

Well all of them

mcgnarman

#14
June 14, 2017, 12:15:52 AM
Quote from: A Friend on June 13, 2017, 08:22:52 PM
When the faction system is finally expanded upon and becomes a core part of the gameplay experience. Because imo, that's the only major feature that hasn't been fleshed out yet, preventing the game from truly being called "complete".

What are your thoughts on a better faction system? I find myself wanting it "better" but don't really know how it could be that way.
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