Battleangel

My old nemesis, Fileplanet, is back scooping up beta test like there is no tomorrow. Currently they have managed to wrestle not only Tribes 3 Vengeance beta but also the World of Warcraft stress test beta. And some offers (such as WoW) don’t even apply unless you’re in North America (because of server lag no doubt). And you have to shell out an annual $69 for that privilege. What insolence.

I think it is past due that the community does something about these corporate scams, beta heists and sponsor deals. Just look at how the big gfx card manufacturers (most notably Nvidia) have brought game development to the brink of destruction. “Way It’s Meant To Be Played” an all that. Like in the real world where you are given incentives to go with Nike or Coca-Cola. Only, NOT going with Nike wont mean that you’ll only be able to walk instead of run. That is the tiny difference here. The harm done to video gaming by greedy powermongers such as Nvidia and Fileplanet is vast and in some ways near impossible to reverse.

As for beta testing I would recommend that developers continue to manage their own affairs. Set up a bulletin board for discussion. Set up a BitTorrent distribution network. Dare to give Fileplanet the finger. All this antiquity does is to oppress the end users. And it’s making me infinitely cranky this morning.