Special Opportunity: Playtesting on Friday, November 13

Special Opportunity: Playtesting on Friday, November 13

in Guild Wars 2 Discussion

Posted by: Gaile Gray

Gaile Gray

ArenaNet Communications Manager

Next

ArenaNet has a playtest opportunity for gamers who are relatively new to Guild Wars 2. If you, or someone you know, has recently acquired Guild Wars 2, is local to our offices, and would like join us at ArenaNet tomorrow to participate, please read on!

A potential tester would be someone who:

  • Is local to Bellevue, Washington and/or can provide own transportation to our office
  • Has limited GW2 Experience: No characters over level 60; one character (or more) between levels 10 and 60.
  • Is available and willing to test from 10 AM until 4 PM on Friday, November 13th. (Lunch and snacks will be provided.)
  • Has played Guild Wars 2 within the last 6 months
  • Is willing to sign an Non-Disclosure Agreement
  • Is at least 18 years of age

Interested parties should please e-mail Robin@Arena.Net today, so that she can discuss this opportunity with you.

Please pass the word along to your friends. Thanks!

Gaile Gray
Communications Manager
Guild & Fansite Relations; In-Game Events
ArenaNet

(edited by Gaile Gray.6029)

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Posted by: Paulytnz.7619

Paulytnz.7619

That must be some great lunch and snacks as you mentioned it twice. I am thinking something with omnoms in them right!?

Anywho, to whoever gets to take this mission on good luck to you and I hope it’s something cool that will be added to the game soon for us all to see and play around with.

Since when did this business of being a hero become being a business?

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Posted by: Wanze.8410

Wanze.8410

That must be some great lunch and snacks as you mentioned it twice. I am thinking something with omnoms in them right!?

Anywho, to whoever gets to take this mission on good luck to you and I hope it’s something cool that will be added to the game soon for us all to see and play around with.

Will there be vegan lunch and snack options?

I am allergic to omnomberries also.

Tin Foil [HATS]-Hardcore BLTC-PvP Guild
Bloin – Running around, tagging Keeps, getting whack on Scoobie Snacks.

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Posted by: DBZVelena.5186

DBZVelena.5186

  • is very very suspiciouse of what is being play-tested *
    hmmmm, could this be testing on a new race-story?
Proud Medic of the Splinter Warband. PM me to know more.

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Posted by: Niyu.1350

Niyu.1350

But … But … what about those of us who have been playing (off and on albeit) since launch and live around you … I want to come play test!

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Posted by: Solomon Darkfury.3729

Solomon Darkfury.3729

So wait… you want someone who has very little experience playing GW2 to play test a secret project and provide feedback rather than have a veteran who can probably give a more comprehensive analysis? Seems legit…

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Posted by: LanfearShadowflame.3189

LanfearShadowflame.3189

So wait… you want someone who has very little experience playing GW2 to play test a secret project and provide feedback rather than have a veteran who can probably give a more comprehensive analysis? Seems legit…

Not everything they do is about vet players. Maybe they are doing something about the NPE people keep screeching about. At which point, new players with limited experience would be quite valuable.

Don’t look at me like that. Whatever you’ve heard, it’s probably not true.

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Posted by: Rabban Mudir Nahya.5264

Rabban Mudir Nahya.5264

It’s maybe a further iteration of their NPE (New Player Experience)…

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Posted by: Solomon Darkfury.3729

Solomon Darkfury.3729

So wait… you want someone who has very little experience playing GW2 to play test a secret project and provide feedback rather than have a veteran who can probably give a more comprehensive analysis? Seems legit…

Not everything they do is about vet players. Maybe they are doing something about the NPE people keep screeching about. At which point, new players with limited experience would be quite valuable.

My point wasn’t to belittle newer players. Quite frankly I’d trust the opinion of a veteran player who has a much larger breadth of knowledge regarding the game to playtest and provide feedback on something new.

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Posted by: LanfearShadowflame.3189

LanfearShadowflame.3189

So wait… you want someone who has very little experience playing GW2 to play test a secret project and provide feedback rather than have a veteran who can probably give a more comprehensive analysis? Seems legit…

Not everything they do is about vet players. Maybe they are doing something about the NPE people keep screeching about. At which point, new players with limited experience would be quite valuable.

My point wasn’t to belittle newer players. Quite frankly I’d trust the opinion of a veteran player who has a much larger breadth of knowledge regarding the game to playtest and provide feedback on something new.

Which, I do agree with to a point; however, it completely depends on what is being tested and who the intended target is.

Don’t look at me like that. Whatever you’ve heard, it’s probably not true.

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Posted by: Gaile Gray

Previous

Gaile Gray

ArenaNet Communications Manager

You may speculate, if you wish. However, the team that is requesting testers has carefully analyzed the sort of player they need, and they have made determinations based on those precise needs. This is obviously not an attempt to distance veteran players, but to get the best test input possible, and obviously a player’s perspectives change with veterancy.

For example, in other tests, they’ve sought someone with no familiarity with our game. Maybe that test involved looking at the user experience with the game interface, you know, such as seeing how easily someone discovers the dye system, or the wardrobe, or figures out how the inventory and storage systems work.

Maybe in the case of this test something is being changed. Your familiarity — as a widely experienced player — and your knowledge of the current interface and our development and patterns in general would obviously change the input that you gave. You know the interface, a small change might not cause you to stumble at all. But maybe that person with less experience would be completely flummoxed by the proposed alterations and not have the instincts of a veteran in finding things.

I truly don’t know what they’re testing. I am nearly certain it is not the interface, but I’m using that simply as an example. I make the post simply to point out that there are different types of tests, and different input requirements, including that of newbies, mid-level players, veteran players, and experts.

Thanks for understanding.

Gaile Gray
Communications Manager
Guild & Fansite Relations; In-Game Events
ArenaNet

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Posted by: Wanze.8410

Wanze.8410

But … But … what about those of us who have been playing (off and on albeit) since launch and live around you … I want to come play test!

You put in an application for future testing on players with your relation to the game and they will contact you, if they have any need.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/P7B8CXV

Tin Foil [HATS]-Hardcore BLTC-PvP Guild
Bloin – Running around, tagging Keeps, getting whack on Scoobie Snacks.

(edited by Wanze.8410)

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Posted by: Ardid.7203

Ardid.7203

Yes, when you don’t want a biased opinion, you seek people not so involved.
I’m betting they will change the NPE again.

“Only problem with the Engineer is
that it makes every other class in the game boring to play.”
Hawks

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Posted by: Majic.4801

Majic.4801

Guild Wars 2 Metro Interface… CONFIRMED!

“Not the same, real and true. True you feel inside.
Always follow what is true.” — Sentry-skritt Bordekka

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Posted by: Just a flesh wound.3589

Just a flesh wound.3589

But … But … what about those of us who have been playing (off and on albeit) since launch and live around you … I want to come play test!

You put in an application for future testing on players with your relation to the game and they will contact you, if they have any need.

https://www.appone.com/maininforeq.asp?Ad=389217&R_ID=1032458&Refer=https://www.arena.net/&B_ID=44

The job opening was not found.

:(

Be careful what you ask for
ANet may give it to you.

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Posted by: Labjax.2465

Labjax.2465

You may speculate, if you wish. However, the team that is requesting testers has carefully analyzed the sort of player they need, and they have made determinations based on those precise needs. This is obviously not an attempt to distance veteran players, but to get the best test input possible, and obviously a player’s perspectives change with veterancy.

For example, in other tests, they’ve sought someone with no familiarity with our game. Maybe that test involved looking at the user experience with the game interface, you know, such as seeing how easily someone discovers the dye system, or the wardrobe, or figures out how the inventory and storage systems work.

Maybe in the case of this test something is being changed. Your familiarity — as a widely experienced player — and your knowledge of the current interface and our development and patterns in general would obviously change the input that you gave. You know the interface, a small change might not cause you to stumble at all. But maybe that person with less experience would be completely flummoxed by the proposed alterations and not have the instincts of a veteran in finding things.

I truly don’t know what they’re testing. I am nearly certain it is not the interface, but I’m using that simply as an example. I make the post simply to point out that there are different types of tests, and different input requirements, including that of newbies, mid-level players, veteran players, and experts.

Thanks for understanding.

^Exactly.

See usability testing, for more information on this sort of thing:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usability_testing

Think of it like a science experiment. It’s not a matter of censoring or ignoring opinions. It’s actually a matter of trying to do their best to get information that will help them with what their development goals are. When you’re doing a science experiment, you look for particular kinds of participants to isolate variables and ensure that you can draw accurate conclusions.

You are then able to apply that information in a broader context.

Or words to that effect.

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Posted by: Copestetic.5174

Copestetic.5174

Uh oh. HoT Meta events are about to get nerfed!

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Posted by: Sondergaard.8469

Sondergaard.8469

Uh oh. HoT Meta events are about to get nerfed!

I doubt it, especially considering this line.

  • Has limited GW2 Experience: No characters over level 60; one character (or more) between levels 10 and 60.

Reading between the lines, and levels… it sounds like they want someone with SOME experience, but minor. This is likely not an end-game test.

It’s too bad it’s exclusive to the Seattle HQ… I know lots of people in the Dallas, TX area who would qualify for this and be happy to do it for free lunch.

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Posted by: Just a flesh wound.3589

Just a flesh wound.3589

Uh oh. HoT Meta events are about to get nerfed!

I doubt it, especially considering this line.

  • Has limited GW2 Experience: No characters over level 60; one character (or more) between levels 10 and 60.

Reading between the lines, and levels… it sounds like they want someone with SOME experience, but minor. This is likely not an end-game test.

It’s too bad it’s exclusive to the Seattle HQ… I know lots of people in the Dallas, TX area who would qualify for this and be happy to do it for free lunch.

My guess it would be because whatever they are testing is only in a few isolated computers inside of their office. If they allowed people to test at home, they would have to let the testers download it and then it would be available to see (and data mine) in a nonsecure way.

Be careful what you ask for
ANet may give it to you.

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Posted by: Wanze.8410

Wanze.8410

But … But … what about those of us who have been playing (off and on albeit) since launch and live around you … I want to come play test!

You put in an application for future testing on players with your relation to the game and they will contact you, if they have any need.

https://www.appone.com/maininforeq.asp?Ad=389217&R_ID=1032458&Refer=https://www.arena.net/&B_ID=44

The job opening was not found.

:(

https://www.arena.net/

Click on Careers or scroll down.
Look for Playtest Volunteer.

Or go here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/P7B8CXV

Tin Foil [HATS]-Hardcore BLTC-PvP Guild
Bloin – Running around, tagging Keeps, getting whack on Scoobie Snacks.

(edited by Wanze.8410)

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Posted by: PopeUrban.2578

PopeUrban.2578

Speculating:

They’re testing some new content guide features, possibly a less obtuse way to clue players in to collections and to track them better. As important as collections are for a lot of things now, being a new players that doesn’t really care about traditional achievement systems you could easily miss them. I have a guildmate that I had to point out collections to who replied “there’s actually more content to this than I thought. neat.”

He had no idea collections existed, or that the sometimes very unique items they granted even existed.

They may also be testing some enhanced tutorial features. Players to this day still fail to understand the basic leveling method of the game, ignore events, grand mobs, and then wonder why their leveling speed sucks.

Guild Master – The Papacy [POPE] (Gate of Madness)/Road Scholar for the Durmand Priory
Writer/Director – Quaggan Quest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky2TGPmMPeQ

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Posted by: AzureWolf.9150

AzureWolf.9150

Speculating:

They’re testing some new content guide features, possibly a less obtuse way to clue players in to collections and to track them better. As important as collections are for a lot of things now, being a new players that doesn’t really care about traditional achievement systems you could easily miss them. I have a guildmate that I had to point out collections to who replied “there’s actually more content to this than I thought. neat.”

He had no idea collections existed, or that the sometimes very unique items they granted even existed.

They may also be testing some enhanced tutorial features. Players to this day still fail to understand the basic leveling method of the game, ignore events, grand mobs, and then wonder why their leveling speed sucks.

Since they are looking for “new” players with limited GW2 experience, I think your last guess is a good one. I remember when I first started playing GW2, if my GF hadn’t led me by the nose I’d have gotten confused quickly, and now we have a new friend who just started playing and we’re helping him get his bearing. We’re all old time MMORPG players, but there are a lot of new (and refreshing) ways GW2 is played that aren’t as intuitive as some of the “more mundane” MMORPGs out there. I love GW2, but there is a definite learning curve when coming from other MMORPGs out there (or perhaps it’s having to “unlearn” all the bad habits other MMORPGs teach you ~smile~).