All games go through a range of testing. However, with games growing exponentially, in-house teams simply can’t get through everything and test all the features during the Alpha and Beta stages. As a result, the premium testing experience is offered to players who can’t wait to get their hands on the game. It looks like Ubisoft’s next multiplayer-dependent game will use this model, too.
The good people of Reddit have discovered a section of The Division’s site that will go live when the developers are good and ready. However, it clearly shows an Alpha tab, implying that it will be used for sign-up or other information.
Usually these kinds of things are based on sign-up only, made available to a select group of die-hard fans and industry professional. Oh, and YouTubers/streamers, of course. Can’t forget about them. It will be used to showcase where the game is at the moment, as well as help the developers find a whole bunch of bugs that wouldn’t be found without hundreds of man hours of testing.
This isn’t really a big surprise. With a game this large, and this server-reliant, it makes sense for Ubisoft to try and get it right for launch. Yes, try is the keyword here. Still, they have announced that both Tom Clancy games will release this year, so it would be reasonable for them to create a semi-open Alpha test to help get rid of bugs, as well as test server strain. We will probably also see an open Beta on one of the consoles (perhaps a surprise announcement at E3) to help build hype around the title. It’s part of the marketing machine now, and a crucial part of testing. Plus, if there is any hope of releasing a game at launch that isn’t riddled with bugs or plagued by server crashes, they need to put it through its paces during testing.
While I love the premise of The Division, and I think it could be an interesting game, I am incredibly wary this time around. I want it to be excellent, but as another “not an MMO shooter”, I really worry that it will fail to live up to its potential, especially if it depends on playing with strangers on the internet.
Last Updated: February 24, 2015
Admiral Chief
February 24, 2015 at 09:37
I’d love to give it a try, even though it is Oobi. This game could be awesome. Then again, I said that about Evolve, and look how that turned out
Mossel
February 24, 2015 at 10:00
Nothing wrong with Ubisoft, I am thoroughly enjoying FC4. It doesn’t have the epic story of FC3, but gameplay wise it is still super fun.
Captain JJ the crafter
February 24, 2015 at 10:12
That FarCry 4 at the current price is making it very difficult for me to resist.
But that Uplay is making it easy to postpone my purchase.
Nikola
February 24, 2015 at 10:44
Me too keen to give it a go looks very interesting even if I just play the single player and finish the missions and if some guys I usually play with on PS4 get it would be awesome like that noob hammersteyn
Admiral Chief
February 24, 2015 at 11:19
Ja hammer is quite the noooob
😛
Marius Nell
February 24, 2015 at 09:40
Bet there will be radio towers
Admiral Chief
February 24, 2015 at 09:42
They should change this from MMO to seriaaaas co-op
Admiral Chief
February 24, 2015 at 09:43
Good grief, a Zoe upvote? So rare, much wow
Her Highness the Hipster
February 24, 2015 at 10:02
😛
Admiral Chief
February 24, 2015 at 10:03
A physical reply? O man this day keeps on getting better
Captain JJ the crafter
February 24, 2015 at 10:13
These are crazy days.
Sageville
February 24, 2015 at 10:25
I’m just posting here to be part of the magic!
Admiral Chief
February 24, 2015 at 10:31
WIN!
Matthew Holliday
February 24, 2015 at 09:49
aye, i dont care much for the MMO part of this either.
co-op with solo potential pls.
Captain JJ the crafter
February 24, 2015 at 09:50
Agreed
Umar
February 24, 2015 at 09:45
But does it have an Omega….blegh. I got nothing.
Matthew Holliday
February 24, 2015 at 09:47
this games gone stale.
the hype was real, now its gone.
Captain JJ the crafter
February 24, 2015 at 09:50
Meh. Give me a new city.
It’s always New York.
Something that made Sleeping Dogs particularly fun.
HvR
February 24, 2015 at 09:55
But now you can create a curly ginger haired character and sing “The sun will come out tomorrow” in a post apocalyptic New York with no hope.
Captain JJ the crafter
February 24, 2015 at 10:11
Sounds like the Southern Suburbs. ;P
Blood Emperor Trevor
February 24, 2015 at 10:52
I’ve heard of that place, it sounds terrible.
Hammersteyn
February 24, 2015 at 10:01
http://img-9gag-ftw.9cache.com/photo/abq5W0v_460sa_v1.gif
Admiral Chief
February 24, 2015 at 10:03
Yup, correct
Mabenito
February 24, 2015 at 10:11
The game will suck only if it has the following issues;
* its tooooo short
* connection/server issue
* R900
I’ve seen the gameplay and nothing will change since then.
Blood Emperor Trevor
February 24, 2015 at 10:17
If I can play this game solo I’ll have a look, otherwise… nope.
Captain JJ the crafter
February 24, 2015 at 10:17
What if I follow behind really really quietly? You won’t even know I’m there.
Blood Emperor Trevor
February 24, 2015 at 10:21
You mean like last Wednesday night? No.
Captain JJ the crafter
February 24, 2015 at 10:23
Damn it. You knew.
PestControl
February 24, 2015 at 10:33
What worries me about The Division is the whole “team” based gameplay (from what I’ve seen). Sure I’d like to play this with my friends, however I prefer running solo with the option to “team up”. With the limited amount of time I’ve got available, having to wait for my friends to be available (let’s face it… PUG’s are horrible most of the time), is not really an option. Then again… I might be wrong and the Division might be brilliant a “singleplayer” experience. Let’s just hope for the best… it’s Ubisoft after all :/
oVg
February 24, 2015 at 10:52
The Division lol
At least the LG staff will still be able to place food on the table this year thanks to the amount of traffic all Ubisoft games bring 😛
oVg
February 24, 2015 at 10:53
buggy logo
MAcethy
February 24, 2015 at 17:00
They are running an alpha, not a beta, a few months before release? Good luck to everyone who pre-ordered this game!