How did the Guild Wars (1) Beta Work? - Guild Wars Forums

Operative 14 · Oct 12, 2007, 04:55 AM // 04:55

I've been curious about this for a variety of reasons. Whether it is to see how the GW2 beta might work, or just simply what it was like back then (I.E. Lions Arch district one only having 2-3 players in it becuase there's a limited number of people in the entire game)

Anyhoo;

How did the GW1 beta work back in 2004-2005? How did you sign up for it? How many people were allowed to partake? How much of the game were you able to play? Those kinds of things. I have looked all over the internet, but I can't find a single mention of it, other than that it existed. I'm just curious.

I Might Avenge U · Oct 12, 2007, 06:15 AM // 06:15

http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Beta

I used "beta" in the search..

That's about all I'll do for ya...

Operative 14 · Oct 12, 2007, 06:45 AM // 06:45

That's it? I thought there was much more to it though.

I Might Avenge U · Oct 12, 2007, 06:58 AM // 06:58

I'm not saying that's it, I just don't want to search more than that...

immortius · Oct 12, 2007, 08:28 AM // 08:28

Well, I took part in all the beta weekend events, so I'll tell you what I remember.

The first beta event, E3 for Everyone, took place in May 2004 and was open for everyone. This was followed in September with the World Preview Event which was also open for everyone, I think.

Subsequent events were a mixture of completely open and requiring readily available keys from various sites or the key from the preorder pack. Each lasted a weekend (3 days to cover all timezones), and were spread 1-2 months apart.

Because the events were spaced apart and short the districts were generally pretty full. It also meant there could massive changes between events, including character wipes. The events also allowed easy access to features that otherwise would take some time to obtain, such as allowing you to start at level 15 or 20 in Lion's Arch, or the infamous Unlock All Skills for PvP characters. There was a limit to how much PvE content you could reach though - I believe it stopped before the desert and sent you to the Tomb of Primeval Kings instead. It varied from event to event though, in the first event you could only do Ascalon, in other events you couldn't reach Ascalon. The Northern Shiverpeak missions were under-developed for most of the events, so people had to trek through the explorable areas to reach LA from Ascalon on some occasions.

Ah, good times. So much has changed, both in the game and in our understanding of how things work. Skill gems and skill rings, the temporary 9th skill slot, technicolor Moa Birds...

In addition to the beta weekend events, there was a relatively small closed beta group. I don't know the details of how things worked with it as I was part of it, but I do know they had regular times when all testers were supposed to show up.

HawkofStorms · Oct 12, 2007, 02:41 PM // 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by mafiacoders

lame...........

Oh yes, its SO lame you couldn't play content that didn't exist yet. :rollseyes:

Darkobra · Oct 12, 2007, 03:53 PM // 15:53

The only preview event I played was one that involved me playing in Maguuma Jungle. I was flare spamming the Wind Riders or something. Conjure Phantasm hurts greatly to a new player with a selection of a few skills. Fire Storm was a gift from the Gods back then. They didn't run out of it. Then I bought the game, barely played for a few months until I got my new computer and then finished Prophecies just in time for the release of Factions.

Shadowfox1125 · Oct 12, 2007, 04:40 PM // 16:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Operative 14

That's it? I thought there was much more to it though.

That might have been it, but those of us who experienced these Beta weekend events, it was.. magical. I fell in love with the game during the January BWE when I played GW for the first time. I still remember the last event before the release of Prophecies. Fireworks galore. Oh, and it's from one of the BWEs where a group of Gwens firestormed us all in town.

Liberations · Oct 30, 2007, 11:59 PM // 23:59

I just hope they create this kind of experience for GW 2.

Rexion · Oct 31, 2007, 12:23 AM // 00:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liberations

I just hope they create this kind of experience for GW 2.

yep, and maybe Gwen will try to blow everyone up this time

RPGmaniac · Oct 31, 2007, 01:45 AM // 01:45

Maybe she could get raised by the Dragon of Orr and that's how she comes back.

Undead Gwen... hmmm

Oct 12, 2007, 04:55 AM // 04:55	#1
Operative 14 Forge Runner Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Arizona, USA Guild: [OOP] Order of the Phoenix I	How did the Guild Wars (1) Beta Work? I've been curious about this for a variety of reasons. Whether it is to see how the GW2 beta might work, or just simply what it was like back then (I.E. Lions Arch district one only having 2-3 players in it becuase there's a limited number of people in the entire game) Anyhoo; How did the GW1 beta work back in 2004-2005? How did you sign up for it? How many people were allowed to partake? How much of the game were you able to play? Those kinds of things. I have looked all over the internet, but I can't find a single mention of it, other than that it existed. I'm just curious.

Oct 12, 2007, 08:28 AM // 08:28	#5
immortius Krytan Explorer Join Date: Aug 2005 Guild: Black Cats Profession: E/Mo	Well, I took part in all the beta weekend events, so I'll tell you what I remember. The first beta event, E3 for Everyone, took place in May 2004 and was open for everyone. This was followed in September with the World Preview Event which was also open for everyone, I think. Subsequent events were a mixture of completely open and requiring readily available keys from various sites or the key from the preorder pack. Each lasted a weekend (3 days to cover all timezones), and were spread 1-2 months apart. Because the events were spaced apart and short the districts were generally pretty full. It also meant there could massive changes between events, including character wipes. The events also allowed easy access to features that otherwise would take some time to obtain, such as allowing you to start at level 15 or 20 in Lion's Arch, or the infamous Unlock All Skills for PvP characters. There was a limit to how much PvE content you could reach though - I believe it stopped before the desert and sent you to the Tomb of Primeval Kings instead. It varied from event to event though, in the first event you could only do Ascalon, in other events you couldn't reach Ascalon. The Northern Shiverpeak missions were under-developed for most of the events, so people had to trek through the explorable areas to reach LA from Ascalon on some occasions. Ah, good times. So much has changed, both in the game and in our understanding of how things work. Skill gems and skill rings, the temporary 9th skill slot, technicolor Moa Birds... In addition to the beta weekend events, there was a relatively small closed beta group. I don't know the details of how things worked with it as I was part of it, but I do know they had regular times when all testers were supposed to show up. Last edited by immortius; Oct 12, 2007 at 08:33 AM // 08:33..

Oct 12, 2007, 06:15 AM // 06:15	#2
I Might Avenge U Jungle Guide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: California Profession: R/	http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Beta I used "beta" in the search.. That's about all I'll do for ya...

Oct 12, 2007, 06:45 AM // 06:45	#3
Operative 14 Forge Runner Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Arizona, USA Guild: [OOP] Order of the Phoenix I	That's it? I thought there was much more to it though.

Oct 12, 2007, 06:58 AM // 06:58	#4
I Might Avenge U Jungle Guide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: California Profession: R/	I'm not saying that's it, I just don't want to search more than that...

Oct 12, 2007, 03:53 PM // 15:53	#7
Darkobra Forge Runner Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Scotland Guild: Type like an idiot, I'll treat you like an idiot Profession: E/Me	The only preview event I played was one that involved me playing in Maguuma Jungle. I was flare spamming the Wind Riders or something. Conjure Phantasm hurts greatly to a new player with a selection of a few skills. Fire Storm was a gift from the Gods back then. They didn't run out of it. Then I bought the game, barely played for a few months until I got my new computer and then finished Prophecies just in time for the release of Factions.

Oct 30, 2007, 11:59 PM // 23:59	#9
Liberations Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Azeroth (shhh) Guild: Ryders of the Sword [FrNd] Profession: E/	I just hope they create this kind of experience for GW 2.

Oct 31, 2007, 01:45 AM // 01:45	#11
RPGmaniac Desert Nomad Join Date: Aug 2005	Maybe she could get raised by the Dragon of Orr and that's how she comes back. Undead Gwen... hmmm