Test shard

[Hemperor]

I'll probably be flamed for this, but whatever.

At any given time there are usually 5 people on test shard, sometimes upwards of 10 or 15. These people are all dueling or doing 2v2 etc. for free, in a no loss environment (trammel?).

The only reason they aren't doing this on the real shard (accurate) is because test shard is an option. None of these people are testing anything ever, if you sit in IRC people are always calling for duels on test rather than on the real shard. This takes away from the real game in many aspects, IMO.

Thoughts?

[Rhaps]

Only have the test shard online when there is a new patch to test?

[Hemperor]

Only have the test shard online when there is a new patch to test?

Well that would be the obvious solution and that is how it used to be.

[Rhaps]

Only have the test shard online when there is a new patch to test?

Well that would be the obvious solution and that is how it used to be.

Why did it get changed? Seems like the logical setup. After all someone has to pay to keep that shard hosted and online.

[Mikel123]

I've used the test shard plenty for non-PvP purposes. Mostly for testing house placement, which I think is pretty important. It allowed me to check some spots where a castle would fit, where on our "production" shard there were towers, 2-story houses, and/or 7x7's. Which allowed me to place a castle that wasn't there before. We currently have about 43 castles on our shard, versus the 60+ that would supposedly fit. I think more castles is a good thing, and more importantly, letting people test house placement is a good thing. It encourages deals, player interaction, etc.

I've actually never used the test center for PvP. But if that's the issue, couldn't you just eliminate the PvP arena and those reagent stones and such?

[Wise]

make it so you cant go into war mode unless there are changes to be tested?

[Hemperor]

12 users on test!

I won't deny it's a lot of fun, but this should be happening on live shard

[Zorce]

12 users on test!

I won't deny it's a lot of fun, but this should be happening on live shard

I agree

[archaicsubrosa77]

I am always testing things on the test shard whenever I log in.
I know alot of you veterns who are also complaining about it also have frequented the test server quite often.
My question is motive.

[Hemperor]

I am always testing things on the test shard whenever I log in.
I know alot of you veterns who are also complaining about it also have frequented the test server quite often.
My question is motive.

What are you possibly testing? The purpose of test shard isn't for you to test what template works best for you, but for Derrick to be able to test major (usually) patches before they go in.

[archaicsubrosa77]

Are you putting words in his mouth now? Had Derrick only intended test to always be to test out patches...if so why is it public?

I tested some things like if stealth could still be utilized if you dropped hiding using the invisible spell alone to initiate the skill...which was rumored to work but was proven false. I wanted to see if bard skills that did not use a musicianship check could still function if you had no musicianship etc. Also negative.

I tested the effects of dex on insta hit. I tested different degrees of meditation and armor types.

I have done alot on test besides practice pvp.

[Dagon]

I tested some things

on OSI if you wanted to "test" something you actually had to build the char and see if it passed or failed. you should have to do it here too.

[Mirage]

I've used the test shard plenty for non-PvP purposes. Mostly for testing house placement, which I think is pretty important. It allowed me to check some spots where a castle would fit, where on our "production" shard there were towers, 2-story houses, and/or 7x7's. Which allowed me to place a castle that wasn't there before. We currently have about 43 castles on our shard, versus the 60+ that would supposedly fit. I think more castles is a good thing, and more importantly, letting people test house placement is a good thing. It encourages deals, player interaction, etc.

I've actually never used the test center for PvP. But if that's the issue, couldn't you just eliminate the PvP arena and those reagent stones and such?

Test center was never intended for the use of trial house placement. This is not the original origin of test center. Test center was used and usually only put up sparingly on OSI to test new major mechanic changes. If you guys want to "test" duel/houseplace/craft etc then wake up at 6am and do during no-save server downtime just like it was on OSI.

[platy]

Test center was never intended for the use of trial house placement. This is not the original origin of test center. Test center was used and usually only put up sparingly on OSI to test new major mechanic changes. If you guys want to "test" duel/houseplace/craft etc then wake up at 6am and do during no-save server downtime just like it was on OSI.

QFT

Also, I thought Derrick was looking to implement improperly placed housing? He should test THAT out!

[Lothain]

I think it's undeniable that test center provides players an opportunity to acquire knowledge that would otherwise be unavailable to them without some cost (gold, time, having a good social network). So I myself would prefer it to be up only as necessary.