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Sunwell closed on the PTR
While it looked like the new 25 man on the PTR, the Sunwell Plateau, was going to be staying open after a few closures in the recent weeks, luck would have that it's not.Daelo announced a short time ago that the instance will be locked until further notice to fix a bug in Lady Sacrolash and Grand Warlock Alythess. What this bug is exactly, we don't know. But I'm sure it has to be quite a good one for them to lock everyone out of the place.Keep an eye out on WoW Insider. We'll let you know when the Plateau is back up and patch 2.4 is ready for more action.
Borders Books testing game sales in London
Those worried that these new-fangled video games are taking vital attention away from the written word likely won't be too happy with the news that Borders Books is reportedly testing game sales in its Oxford Street London store. A handful of PC titles sit alongside the store's selection of CDs and DVDs as part of a pilot program that Borders UK and Ireland Commercial Director David Kohn thinks could expand to be a core part of the store's business."When it comes to Borders, we believe that computer games could deliver a level of sales equal or greater than our current DVD business," he said. "This could amount to as much as ten per cent of total Borders sales."Kohn seemed particularly interested in adding Wii and DS titles to the stores' selection in order to "complement our market-leading children's line-up." Great idea ... just be careful which Wii games you put in the children's section. Flesh-eating zombies don't necessarily complement Hop on Pop.
Testronic Labs' interactive Blu-ray / HD DVD test facility is only half useful
Oh sure, we've seen testing devices for both HD DVD and Blu-ray before, with the latter even boasting a dedicated quality assurance lab, but we've a feeling only half of Testronic Labs newest facility will actually see any real usage. The firm has constructed an interactive Blu-ray and HD DVD test bed in Burbank, California in an attempt to provide "third-party, quality-control of high definition software and integrated web capability." Unfortunately for it, we don't foresee too many more any new highly advanced HD DVDs in the pipeline, so it looks as if most of the scrutiny will surround HDMV, BD-J and BD-Live. Ah well, the joint probably needed space for a cafeteria, anyway.[Thanks, Steve]
Gefen's TV Signal Generator for HDMI helps you troubleshoot
Unless you redo your entire home theater setup every quarter or so, we doubt the average joe / jane will really need to snap up one of Gefen's TV Signal Generator for HDMIs, but custom installers should find plenty to love here. This handy box allows for a myriad tests to be performed on HDMI connections (or DVI with the appropriate adapter), including HDCP verification, three audio testing signals, a sine-wave formation and 35 timing settings. All of the tests are accessible through the unit's top-mounted LCD, and if you're really eager to get your feet wet, you can even utilize a Windows-based application for "extra timing and programming controls, including reading / writing of EDID and favorite timing modes for the auto scroll feature." Notably, the unit also comes with supplemental RCA and TOSlink audio inputs, supports SD and HD formats and even plays nice with PAL and NTSC -- but being so in the know will set you back a stiff $699. Click on for a few more looks.
Rumor: Entire guild Unhallowed Triad moved from EQ2 Test Server to live
A thread on popular forums EQ2Flames is asserting that a guild from the EverQuest II Test Server, Unhallowed Triad, has been moved over to the live server Unrest. This is something that SOE had said would never happen, due to the doubled experience gain on Test making it unfair on live players. The poster also claims that there was a GM account in the guild that assisted them in killing things that they could not take down on their own, in order to obtain some of the best gear in the game.
The purpose of beta testing
Anyway Games has some good thoughts up (I especially like that continuum in the title between "testing" and "fun") about what beta tests are really for these days. It seems you can't publish an MMO without having a beta test-- the world is so big and meant to support so many players that you not only need volunteer help for QA, but you have to have enough people to stress the servers, just in case.But is it OK to invite players into a game that's not actually done yet? Richard Garriott blames TR's slow start on a poor beta reception, and I was one of those players who wasn't impressed with the early beta (although I don't know if the game has actually improved since then). I also have been playing the Pirates beta since a few weeks ago, and after playing it again yesterday afternoon, I was pretty astounded at how far the game has come just within a week or two of development. There is no question that the game I was playing a while ago was definitely unfinished compared to the game as it is now, and even though it's in open beta, there will undoubtedly be improvements before the game goes live.So what's the purpose of a beta? Is it marketing for the game, or a massively multiplayer quality assurance session? Every developer has to decide for themselves, obviously-- there's no golden point at which the game is good enough to be played, but buggy enough to still be tested by the unwashed volunteers. The best you can ask for, at this point, is a development schedule that gives you a game strong enough to give a great experience while buggy, and a beta testing crowd interested enough to stick around and help you fix the bugs that are left.
Report from bizarro world: Centro, i760 best designed phones
Although "innovative" isn't exactly the word we chose to use when summing up Palm's Centro, apparently the public at large sees things a little differently -- or, so says this report, anyway. According to a buyer behavior writeup from Strategy Analytics, the Centro "attracted the most attention from nearly half of the tested US consumers who are intending to purchase a new mobile device" in Q4, and it even ranked ahead of the second-place Samsung i760 in the "appealing" department. Both of the aforementioned handsets were hailed as the top choices (saywha?) for folks "seeking a multifunction, fully integrated device," while the Nokia Prism and LG Rumor also got a few props along the way. Of course, it's always best to take these "studies" with a healthy serving of salt, but if you wanted something to debate about, you've found it.[Via MobileWhack]
Lineage 2 expansion out on test server
If you've been hanging out for Lineage 2's upcoming free expansion, The Kamael, then you may be interested to know that the content is available for testing, right now. Curse.com noticed that the game's public test server now includes the new content, so players can go and try out the Kamael and their not-suitable-for-flying single wing.You will need to have an existing Lineage 2 account to be able to log in to the test server, and if you don't have the test client yet, it can be downloaded from Fileplanet. The news story on Curse.com includes a few links to the test server's forums, and a post on those forums that contains a list of testing notes for The Kamael, so if you're interested in giving it a try then be sure to check those out.There is no officially confirmed release date for The Kamael just yet, so if you're really hankering to try it out, it would be better to jump in to the test than wait around and hope it comes out soon.
Zu Online alpha test goes live with 'big rewards'
Zu Online, a new, free fantasy MMO being developed by Onwind Digital and brought to the 'states by IGG, has entered its alpha test. Sporting a unique and surprisingly stylistic hand-drawn style, Zu is heavily-steeped in Chinese mythology, shirking the typical elves and orcs fare for a focus on Buddhist monastic tradition.Their website, which is curiously hard to navigate and chock full of good old fashioned engrish, claims that "hundreds of thousands" of people applied to be part of the alpha, and only five hundred made it in. Those lucky few will get an added treat from Onwind and crew this weekend, as all alpha testers will receive a princely 30 gold!And hey, for a free game, it sure is pretty. If they work on localization a little bit more, Zu Online could very well be a hit . We'll see.
TUAW and Gametap invite you to test their beta
Gametap, as you may already know, is working hard on a Mac client for their game subscription service, and when they told us they were looking for a few good beta testers, we told them to look no further than you, our beloved TUAW readers. So together with GameTap, we're offering you a chance to not only help them test their beta, but check out their service and their games (from Atari to Zork) for free.Hit the link below to see the details, sent to us by GameTap. The short version: you'll have to apply as a beta tester (not everyone who applies will get a free version of the software-- odds are that they're looking for people who will legitimately help them with feedback), and the client they're testing only works on Intel processors, so if you've got a PowerPC Mac, you're out. We'll leave this information up for a week, or until GameTap tells us they have everyone they need. Good luck!UPDATE: Gametap has all the beta testers they need, we've removed the Read link.
Nokia's next internet tablet hits the FCC
For all you Nokia fanatics waiting for the next-gen follow up to the beloved N800 internet tablet, your journey may be at its end. According to reports dot-dashed into the Engadget offices via a morse-code squawking carrier pigeon, the latest and greatest as-yet-unnamed (but for now called LJPRX-44) non-phone, non-computer device may be heading into your sweaty hands before long. There's not much to glean from the multifarious FCC filings, unless you're a glutton for punishment or an extremely determined wavelength-modulation-test-fan, save that the device will have both WiFi and Bluetooth, and should be the same general size and shape as the N800. Feast your eyes on the labeling above, and if you're really jonesing for some good-old FCC fun, hit the read link.[Via TabletBlog]
iPhone trumps HTC Touch, N95 in usability study
We've given you your chance to choose a champion amongst the iPhone, HTC Touch and LG Prada, and while the latter wasn't included at LG's request, the other two were recently pit against Nokia's N95 in a study of usability. The test was reportedly conducted by Perceptive Sciences, a Texas-based usability consulting firm, and relied on data from just ten individuals who had "never used any of the three devices." The group was asked to "perform a series of tasks on each handset with quantifiable results, such as the time needed to find and use the on / off switch," and when all was said and done, the iPhone managed to snag the gold. Of course, we wouldn't take these results to be the bonafide truth, but if you're interested in seeing what all the mobiles (and guinea pigs) went through before a winner was chosen, head on over to the read link.[Via iLounge]
Optimus Maximus gets a numeric keypad test
Hot on the heels of the recent single-key Optimus Maximus OLED key test comes the highly anticipated multiple-key test, a demo of the numeric keypad. Yes, it's a whole bank of the custom-built buttons, flashing in a veritable parade of holiday-season-worthy light. Sure, that exposed PCB and those little plastic keys don't look like they're worth $1536, but we're sure once it's all said and done you'll still feel like it's money well spent. Check the video after the break to witness the dancing lights for yourself.
iPhoneTypingTest.com
You probably know how fast you can blaze up a regular keyboard, and maybe you've even taken a typing test on a more traditional mobile keyboard found on Windows Mobile or BlackBerry handsets - but how fast are you on your iPhone's virtual keyboard? iPhoneTypingTest.com ought to help you answer that question, as it does just what its name suggests: the site (which recommends you use it in landscape mode for optimum visual layout) presents a text entry box that, once tapped on, will allow you to re-type the text that appears above the box in an effort to test your iPhone typing speed. It's a simple system that seems to work well; on my first try in portrait mode (I personally find the landscape keyboard too wide to work with) I scored 21 wpm with "some error(s)," and second try I nabbed 31. How good of an iPhone typist are you? Be honest - your web honor is at stake.Thanks Georgia
Test your WoW quotient
tehkittyboy over on the WoW LJ passes along this WoW Purity Test. I'm not usually one for taking these online tests, but considering it had to do with WoW, I went ahead and filled it out. Just like all of these quizzes (in the great tradition of Cosmo quizzes), it's silly, but you end up with a number that you can feel good (or bad?) about. In my case: 35%. Which sounds low, but then again, maybe it's a good thing that I don't have 60 days /played on one character.And if you're after something a little more serious, Curse points us to this slightly more academic gamer psychology test on GuildCafe. It's based on the Bartle Test, a famous test about 10 years old meant to categorize online game players into four different groups: Achievers, Explorers, Socializers, and Killers. The test was originally created for players of MUDs (if you remember those), but it's now been updated for MMORPG players. According to this test, I am an SAEK, which means I'm more interested in socializing and achieving than finding new places ingame and killing other players. Is that why my WoW Purity score is so low? Who knows.
Patch 2.1.3 PTRs up
Patch 2.1.3, a small bug-fix release, is apparently now up on the public test realms. Here are the patch notes: World of Warcraft Client Patch 2.1.3 General • The Warlock spell Incinerate has had the performance of its graphical spell effect improved. • The "show launcher" option has changed so that it now defaults to "on". Players will now see the launcher when running WOW by default. User Interface • Improved the performance of conditional macros, slightly increasing the framerate. • Fixed a crash triggered by many unit frame AddOns. Bug Fixes • Fixed an issue with the movement of Archimonde's Doomfire. • Fixed the wand missile art on most Shadow based wands to show the correct graphical effect. • Infinity Blades will now despawn properly when the encounter with Kael'thas resets after a wipe. • Gan'arg Underlings and Felhound Defenders are now properly classified as demons. I was getting a few crashes in recent releases; perhaps the unit frame crash is the culprit. Also...um...no, nothing else in this patch is going to affect me at all.
Omniscient webcam to deter distance education cheating
We're fairly sure that none of you angels out there enrolled in distance education courses have ever considered sneaking a peek in the textbook or seeing what Google had to say about a perplexing mid-term question, but for Troy University students, a new device is being deployed to make absolutely certain. The webcam-based unit was crafted by Software Secure, and simultaneously freezes the test taker's computer so he / she can only access the test module and records both audio and video whilst flagging "questionable" movements that the instructor can review for unpropitious behavior. Thankfully for those of us not enrolled at Troy, it doesn't look like any other institutions have hopped on board just yet, but if you've grown reliant on computer assistance to get you those As Cs, we wouldn't put off graduating for much longer.
Bad news for new Mage arena gear
With the release of the Arena Season 2 gear on the public test realm yesterday the number crunchers went to town. What they quickly found was not good news for Mages. It appears that the +INT on the new Mage armor is actually less than the Season 1 gear even though it costs more to purchase.But wait, you say, this is the test realm, surely it can be tweaked before it goes live. Blizzard responded that the gear is being looked at, but if any changes were made to its stats, it wouldn't be in time for the content patch. The mage gear is going live in its current state.When it comes to numbers, I'm easily confused, but in this case my confusion stems from this: why put things on the test server if you can't tweak it based on feedback before it goes live? I mean...isn't that the point of a test server? Can someone with a great understanding of the Testing process enlighten me?
DS VoIP app available for testing
What's that? You're already two hundred minutes over your monthly limit and you just have to tell your friend the latest news? Well, practical solutions include borrowing another friend's cell phone and/or displaying a modicum of patience, but we never were much for practical around here.For those with homebrew capabilities, a new VoIP app has been written by JSR. It's still in the testing phase, but since we're too stupid to actually code anything, this is how we get those "we're contributing!" fuzzy feelings. Do what you can, we say, and if you also want to shout at your buddy through a DS, all the better. Check it out.
DS gets Hearing Training
The march of training games continues into uncharted territory. Now there's a game to improve your hearing and listening skills! DS Chounoryoku tests the frequency range of players' hearing, and asks them to identify tones and spoken words. We can't figure out everything that's going on, but it's all hearing-based, and the art is surprisingly poppy and attractive.There are also musical selections for aural relaxation. All of this from Milestone, who usually develops shooters like Radio Allergy and Karous. Their Chounoryoku homepage has a weird promotional video that doesn't really show the game at all.%Gallery-3488%[Via Famitsu]
