Last week, we had our first beta test, and it was good to get some feedback from people other than ourselves. It was informative to see where people were hanging out in the city and what they were doing.
From the time they sat down, there were all engrossed in exploring the world. I gave some verbal instructions on the HUD, but I am not sure they were listening. After two hours, when the beta test was over, many were still hanging out in the world. I think the last left about two hours after that. We were encouraged by the interest. We asked for feedback, and the comments are coming in this week. Here are some things they liked so far:
- Interaction with other players
- Animotes were the best they has seen in any MMO
- Shopping cart when purchasing virtual goods
- Shops and menu system for purchasing
- Arcade games
- Combining the inbox with friends menu
There were also some very good ideas on improvements we can make to the world, and they have been passed on to the team. We will definitely be offering more opportunities for people to test our game leading up to the launch and ensuring a good feedback system after it is launched.
It’s exciting to see this game come to fruition. For over a year now, I’ve witnessed its development from a notion to a fully realized world. The development team has evolved. The style has evolved. The city has evolved. So many people have gone above and beyond to bring personality and life to this project. They say the devil is in the details, and in the City of Sinners and Saints, the details are in the devil, and angel for that matter.
The stage is being set. It’s a colorful stage. It’s an animated stage. It’s a charming, dynamic stage, and it’s a stage that is eagerly anticipating players. Like any city, the people who populate it will ultimately define its personality.
