Beta Testers?

[Merk]

I posted this to rec.games.int-fiction and rec.arts.int-fiction, and so far I've only received one reply. I can probably get plenty of volunteers from my Lunatix and StarLock players, but most are less familiar with Interactive Fiction and might not be able to give the kind of feedback that could catch the more obscure problems.

You don't have to trade beta-testing with me. You don't have to be another entrant in the comp. That was just an idea. Anyway, here is the original message:

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I'd like to get a short list of people for beta-testing my entry as well. I anticipate completing it this weekend, so hopefully this gives me some lead time to recruit help. It's not the game I had originally intended to enter (first-time daddy now, and just not enough spare time to finish it). The game is written in Hugo.

I'm particularly interested in trading testing with other IF-Comp '05 authors. You test my game, I'll test yours, and neither of us lose a potential judge in the process. Any offers are welcome, though (it seems like it's none too easy to recruit help), but let me know if you're intrested in swapping. Provided I keep my schedule, I could start testing other games as early as Monday, and provide mine to you by then.

I'm also interested in testers with non-Windows systems. Windows users are welcome, but that's what I develop on, so I'm interested in making sure there are no quirks on platforms I currently can't test myself -- not that there should be. I'd like to see play-through transcripts if possible, plus some feedback on how long it takes to complete, finish minor objectives, etc.

Email me if you'd like additional information about the game, or if you want to volunteer.

sid - ney - merk - [AT] - hot - mail [DOT] com.

--- Mike.

[Lysander]

I haven't subscribed to RAIF or RGIF since like a year ago. A shame, as I miss stuff like this. I actually enjoy betatesting new games. ...Come to think of it, isn't there an email list or webpage or something that you can use exclusively to find betatesters/ I know Lucian had a page up about that but I dunno if it's ever been updated since a metazoic age. Anyway, yeah sure, hit me up--I'm sure I'll find some time durring the week to give it a run.

[Merk]

Okay, thanks. Send me an email so I have your reply address, and I'll put you on my list. Email me at sidneymerk @ hotmail .com, and I'll give you some more info about it.

I now have about five people from the IF community to test, plus a local friend who helped me quite a bit with testing last year's entry. I'll probably get a couple more from my online games, and that should be plenty.

Thanks!

[Merk]

The first beta has gone out to the testers!