Was Episode 3 even tested??

[Hituro]

Is it just me?  Or is anyone else noticing the plethora of bugs in episode 3?  For one, when I spoke to Edgar (which triggered the same conversation starter I had with him in Episode 2... odd) Graham's head was stuck in down position, like he was forever ashamed.  Ashamed of all the bugs to come maybe?  The, in the village market, where is black widow?  She's gone, but if I touch the web, she invisibly bites me and I die?  Really??  How could they not notice this when it's pretty obvious there's another puzzle here?  Also, there is an item I won't mention, but once obtained, I tried clicking on the black smith with it, and the music volume goes down as if the narrator is going to speak, but nothing is said.  If I click this item on ANYTHING in the blacksmith shop it does the same thing.  Odd.

I love TSL so far, it's a great game, but why release this if it isn't even tested, and this is maybe within the first 30 minutes of game play... Maybe I just expect to much from fans of King's Quest =/

[chucklas]

not to mention the plethora of crashes...etc.  It has been really bad.  I guess thats what happens when you are trying to push a game out quickly.  I might end up waiting for the directors cut to play the rest. 

[KatieHal]

It was tested, but clearly not enough! We did rush the testing in order to not push back our release date, and we've learned to make certain we allow sufficient time for testing next time!

[Arkillian]

It was tested, but clearly not enough! We did rush the testing in order to not push back our release date, and we've learned to make certain we allow sufficient time for testing next time!

Yeah- it was a shame that time wasn't given. There was alot of pressure put on Phoenix to get it out on time T.T I guess this is what happens when you're trying for full output but you need just a few extra weeks more to do it

[dark-daventry]

We were fixing bugs up to the last possible minute... But episode 4 should stabilize episode 3 and the testers already have episode 4, so testing is going on as we speak. If all goes well, both episodes 3 and 4 should be fully stabilized and less buggy upon episode 4's release. We're doing our best for you guys!

[snabbott]

Oh, yeah - it was definitely tested. There were quite a few issues that prevented the game from even being completed (unless you entered code in the developer's console ) I think a lot of things went into creating the problems there have been. A whole lot of fixes and new stuff came in very late in the game (pun intended ). Unfortunately, that can lead to issues being missed. Between people's time constraints and the pressure not to miss the deadline a second time... well, it was far from an ideal situation. Better to learn this lesson now than at a commercial release.

[dark-daventry]

Oh, yeah - it was definitely tested. There were quite a few issues that prevented the game from even being completed (unless you entered code in the developer's console ) I think a lot of things went into creating the problems there have been. A whole lot of fixes and new stuff came in very late in the game (pun intended ). Unfortunately, that can lead to issues being missed. Between people's time constraints and the pressure not to miss the deadline a second time... well, it was far from an ideal situation. Better to learn this lesson now than at a commercial release.

Definitely. And TSL is a learning process for all of us. We've all learned so much over the entire development process. Believe me when I say we're taking the experience we've gained into our commercial endeavors going forward. We're still learning, and will continue to learn.

[chucklas]

I would imagine one of the biggest lessons is to not issue a release date until it is done.  You can set internal dates and goals, but don't release them to the public.  If you were getting paid for the work it would be more feasible to set dates, but given the nature of the project I would just wait.  Yes people want to play the game as soon as possible.  People want to play a game without bugs too.  I like the attitude of it will be done when it is done that has worked for fan games in the past.

[ladydragon]

I have no complaints. I did not experience the major bugs others did, sure some freezing but learned to save and still finished the episode. I have been following this project from day one of the announment pretty much...good greif that was years ago. The original name was KQ9 something (my memory fails me there) and they were forced to changed it to TSL, thus changing the webpage name and so on, right? If I remember correctly, before the huge stall, the episodes were mostly testers, teasers, for people to try out while the game was in making, right? that is all this is. and having these problems in the episodes are just something to tweak out for the final full game to be released. I really don't want to step on any toes here but geez, the TSL game developers has worked thier tails off for free and has supplied a game that even Roberta Williams is proud of and I think some of this negativity is a bit harsh. Consider these episodes as testers and us fans are the one testing it to polish the final product in the end. I have noticed on other threads that others were being just as harsh and negative and guess what, the ones making comments about the disappointment in 3, are the ones who voiced thier anger of the episode release getting pushed back and was getting very impatient about the release of ep. 3. I'm just saying. So, they were under a lot of peer pressure to get this thing released because of that I guess and now they are unhappy with it.    Can't please everyone I guess but as for myself, I am content and proud to support Phoenix Online no matter what. 

[chucklas]

I really don't want to step on any toes here but geez, the TSL game developers has worked thier tails off for free and has supplied a game that even Roberta Williams is proud of and I think some of this negativity is a bit harsh.

Roberta has only commented on episode 1.  I doubt she would say the same things with the current plot twists.

Consider these episodes as testers and us fans are the one testing it to polish the final product in the end.

Even in a free game, you don't want to test on those who are playing it.  That will make the true fans less likely to support future games from the company.

I have noticed on other threads that others were being just as harsh and negative and guess what, the ones making comments about the disappointment in 3, are the ones who voiced thier anger of the episode release getting pushed back and was getting very impatient about the release of ep. 3.

I have never complained about time, just bugs.

I'm just saying. So, they were under a lot of peer pressure to get this thing released because of that I guess and now they are unhappy with it.    Can't please everyone I guess but as for myself, I am content and proud to support Phoenix Online no matter what. 

It has already taken 9 years...whats a couple more months.  I don't really want to support something that doesn't work just because I want to like it, and have wanted to like it for a long time.  This is a huge opportunity for POS to show what they can do and to gain support for future commercial releases.  A bug filled game will only hurt their reputation.

[ladydragon]

Wilco has already explained to you that this is a fan group and still you had to respond to complain on that thread. Not to be rude, but, I can't help but to wonder why your complaining in numerous threads are going to help you? or anyone for that matter. I have lurked these forums since their creation. I did not contribute much, thus the reason i had to create a new login because I forgot my old one. So, I have pretty much read every thread here. They are a small group LEARNING. They tried new things in 3, since everyone does not have the same exact system, they now know the new changes will not work for everyone and so the have LEARNED this for future episodes and to possibly pull in a variety of fan testers, just maybe. They do not have funds to test this on a commercial game level since this is a fan made game and they are finding what does work and what doesn't work so they can be successfull on their commercial games. Most of the people here know and understand that. as snabot said; Better to learn this lesson now than at a commercial release.

I have never complained about time, just bugs.

  I had a feeling you were going to be the one to say that. I said other threads. not this one. so obviously I was not talking about you.
Besides, haven't they been really good and quick to try and resolve most of these issues? I was smart, I waited a few days to download so the i didn't suffer those major glitches because they were already fixed before I downloaded.  

(Posted on: February 24, 2011, 02:25:47 PM)

Things like this happen even in commercial games. My biggest disappointment? just last year I bought the collectors edition of StarCraft. Waited 10 years and paid good money for a pile of crap at first. They fixed the problems in the longrun, yes, but my first experience was way worse than episode 3 of a free game.  Just sayin.  

[chucklas]

Not to be rude, but, I can't help but to wonder why your complaining in numerous threads are going to help you? or anyone for that matter.

I am trying to figure out what it is that I am "complaining" about in numerous threads.  I have only stated that it would make sense to do more testing prior to releasing the next episodes.  If I have said anything else on this thread or another, please point it out to me.  I would love that.  Also, what "help" am I trying to get?  That doesn't even make sense. 

As for getting things fixed quickly, if you go over to the technical support section on the forum I actually started a thread just to say they were doing a great job getting things fixed (a few days ago).

[wilco64256]

Yeah I do hate that we have some bugs still out there causing some crashes, and we're going to do everything we can to get rid of those little nasties, but at the same time I don't feel extremely bad my copies of Assassin's Creed Brotherhood and Fallout New Vegas also crash every once in a while.  If multi-million dollar studios can't make their games run totally flawlessly then it shouldn't be too surprising that a small group of people working for free in their spare time can't either.  Doesn't mean we aren't going to try (and I think we can fix this), but I'm not crying myself to sleep over it.

[ladydragon]

Yeah I do hate that we have some bugs still out there causing some crashes, and we're going to do everything we can to get rid of those little nasties, but at the same time I don't feel extremely bad my copies of Assassin's Creed Brotherhood and Fallout New Vegas also crash every once in a while.  If multi-million dollar studios can't make their games run totally flawlessly then it shouldn't be too surprising that a small group of people working for free in their spare time can't either.  Doesn't mean we aren't going to try (and I think we can fix this), but I'm not crying myself to sleep over it.

Well said. That was the point I was trying to get across as well. My StarCraft as well, wilco!   
Now chucklas, man have I opened a can of worms with you or what?  LOL I am not going to continue much on this so, this is all I am going to say. My first post here was to kinda question if these were pretty much testers in themselves. You took apart my post and dissected it like I was responding to you or something, which I wasn't. As far as you complaining, that is how I took most of your post, like in this thread, after dissecting the last part of mine, you still mention a bug filled game. you said that earlier in the thread, and another one. so, I took it as complaining and I stand corrected if I took that wrong. I apologize. Maybe we took each other wrong, don't know. As far as the Roberta comment goes, I just assumed she still approved since she advertised the episode 3 release on her (and Ken's) page. and had a brief duscussion in thier forum about the game in general.

[chucklas]

As you can tell, I have my opinions.    I am not trying to pick a fight or anything like that.  It is just my opinion to wait longer and have less bugs.

As for Roberta's page, I just looked to see what if anything had been said.  I am really curious to hear her take on the story (I started a thread on that a few days ago as well).  I can't seem to find anything.  The only reference to TSL that I found was on the KQ page where it says episodes 2 and 3 are not yet released.  http://www.sierragamers.com/aspx/m/577672

I would love to see a link to what you saw! 

[Hbech]

Wow... the testers already have episode 4? You guys sure have been busy! Oh, for the next release date announcement, do it like you did with episode 2 and not announce until like 3 days before it comes out. That way you know for certain you are ready.

[kindofdoon]

I would imagine one of the biggest lessons is to not issue a release date until it is done.

Exactly.

[snabbott]

Well, not exactly... We have an early build of Episode 4. It mostly doesn't work yet. A lot of it thinks it's Episode 3.

(Posted on: February 24, 2011, 06:54:27 PM)

I would imagine one of the biggest lessons is to not issue a release date until it is done.

Exactly.

This would be my inclination. However, there is something to be said for having a deadline to get people motivated. Otherwise, development could drag on for an eternity.

[dark-daventry]

Wow... the testers already have episode 4? You guys sure have been busy! Oh, for the next release date announcement, do it like you did with episode 2 and not announce until like 3 days before it comes out. That way you know for certain you are ready.

The build we have, like Snabbot said, is incomplete. With each SVN update, it gets one step closer to completion though. All I'm saying is that we have episode 4 in a quasi playable form right now; we're working diligently to not repeat what happened with episode 3.

[Hituro]

Actually. despite the bugs, I think Episode 3 is my favorite so far   Mainly because the puzzle difficulty has gone up!  And believe me, I love me some hard puzzles.  But the puzzles in the first 2 were just too easy for me.  This time I'm taking my time, and I'm enjoying it a lot more, I've actually gotten a little stumped here and there.  I know I fussed about the bugs, but I still like the game, I was just surprised.  I've been following TSL when it first started as KQ9: Ever Cloak has a Silver Lining, and it's been a long wait, but I don't mind waiting an extra month for an episode to get bug fixes :p  I have a lot of games to play through >.<  And I just got Jane Jensen's new game too >.<  so... take your time with Episode 4