Option 3, thank you. The fact of the matter is that in the beta, Chucklefish aren't using Steam as a DRM platform, but as a developer tool for distributing patches. That it's a developer tool with a (minor) DRM element is incidental. It's the practical option and there's no point wasting time and budget in order to satisfy an ideological minority. If someone's taking an extremist position on DRM, that it's just not acceptable under any circumstances, then sometimes they have to pay a price for that principle. And in this case, that price is waiting a little longer for beta access.
What would be in the old version that isn't in the new version, that would need testing a "second" time? And if it's not in the new version, doesn't this mean that it's no longer relevant? An outdated client brings nothing at all to the table... And yeah, again, many people will use the beta test to just play the game, but that does not mean that the devs want to accommodate these people. They have stated time and again that this beta test is not like the ones other companies put out as an early copy of the game. They actually want testing and feedback, and as such shouldn't waste time in the beginning splitting up their efforts into avenues that will not give them relevant feedback. The DRM-free beta will release later when the testing slows down and it becomes feasible to release updates that don't impede on overall progress, what's wrong with that?
Number 3 About game modifications(mods,addons,updates): modifications should not affect entire game and must present separately(like WAD-files in Doom1,2). In this case it would be much easier to keep an eye on modified files of the game and game core files are always intact. Same way can be used with updates: they can be added separately and they should have highest priority of executing than other mods. In case update files do not make any conflict - game core files can be replaced by developers to the latest version
Good golly, Miss molly. So many options! I'd personally be okay with choice two or three, but whatever you guys decide will be A-ok!
My vote goes for 3: Better for you ( so for us ) Better for ppl which are not "steam-friendly" with a drm-free release ( at least, soon ) Better for ppl who aims to TEST TEST TEST the very early releases with as much patches as possible ( easier process for you via steam apparently )
Are you sure that in the old version can not be unnoticed bugs? And you know for certain that there is more "testers" than "players"? I doubt that even the developer knows when the beta will be stable enough for us. Year? One and a half years? Two years? We have already waited a very long time.
Honestly, i'd love to have a stand-alone variation of the game. But if it's inconvenient to both the developers and the players who have pre-ordered, it's better to just run from a more organized gaming platform such as Steam. I've already said option 3, so this is pretty much adding to my original statement. Also, is there an actual release date for the beta, or a timeframe in which the update is likely to come out? I'm never really tuned in to news regarding Starbound, and it's been asked like 1,000,000 times but I would like a heads up.
I vote for whatever's most convenient for the developers, which as I understand it is option 3. I know some people don't want to use Steam, but if they understand the point of beta testing, they'll also understand temporarily sacrificing the so-called DRM-free version will be beneficial in the long run.
Option 2 would be nicer to the non-steam community. But option 3 would be the most convenient for your team. Personally I'd go with option 2, just so you can get more feedback overall.
The "date" of the full game is still for 2014 so... the stable beta can't take 3 more years... but I understand what you mean.
100% sure that any unnoticed bug that is in an older version, would still be present in a newer version, so then the older version serves no unique purpose. If the bug is present ONLY in the older version then it's useless to report on it, because it's no longer relevant. And nope, I'm 100% sure there are more players than actual beta testers. I'm just saying the people who only want to play the game early should be tossed to the wayside (yup, sorry), and that the only people that should be considered when figuring out how to go about testing the beta, are actual people who are going to be testing the beta. While there's no way to actually figure out who these people are, a start is by not releasing any other versions of the game that would slow down beta progress, and give back nothing to the process. I'm also 100% that the game is not so unstable that it would take longer than a couple months to get "players" into the action, because Molly already said so earlier in this thread. (She didn't say a couple of months, but she said that the game isn't practically unplayable even at this stage in development, so it stands to reason that it wouldn't take long to get to a "stable" state.)
That's an example of bad attitude. Though you'll have access to both copies, they are both for you. Sharing it is not the objective of giving away two versions. Your friend should buy the game if he wants it. Or you should buy him another copy as a present, if that's the point.
Yes? The game is very global, it may be anything. In addition, the developer has not called terms of each beta stage.
I have to admit, i did not read all 34 pages of "three please". I'm not seeing a 4th option i kind of expected though.. a launcher that updates if you're not on the right version. only the launcher would need to be on steam, the updates go through the launcher. voila. one build, and both steam and drm-free integration? I'm probably missing something important in this theory. A launcher would have to be written, which could take longer i guess? but there'd be only one version to update, right?
Definitely option 3 I think a lot more people would want the Steam version, and the DRM people would just have to miss out a while. However if they care about Starbound and want the full experience, they'll be patient and wait.
AllenKS It's funny, do you propose to ignore the majority? But the majority opinion now defines the solution of this issue. Time - this is an extremely weak spot of Starbound.
Please please please choose the option that allows you, the developers, to focus on the game and NOT fussing over updates on multiple fronts. I say option 3 but if it were me I might just go through Steam until the game is released, THEN hand out the DRM-free copies. In this regard, do what is easiest for the Chucklefish team so you can focus on what counts. This will likely be my only post. I know the game will be great! Thanks Chucklefish!
