In gaming we often are confronted with games that are not yet ready for release, they are either in Alpha or Beta. Especially with PC games it is becoming a trend to make a game available to players in the early stages of development.
What is an Alpha release?
A working alpha release is the core game with all the basic concepts in place (Let's call it an early state of work in progress) allowing players to experience the basic concept of the game. Releasing a game in Alpha state will allow the developers to resolve gameplay issues, early exploits, small bugs, major bugs, early balancing and many other issues based on the feedback of the players. The idea is that these issues are fully solved in the final released game.
Alpha state games are:
- Incomplete basic form of the game
- Full of bugs
- Unbalanced in some areas (or all)
- Subject to major changes
- Graphics Artifacts
- And a lot of other inconsistencies with the game that will not be in a full release or even beta state games
[Remember this one? Prime example of early release not matching the final version](data:image/jpeg;base64,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)
The Good
The best thing about the Alpha State of game development (especially with a working and released alpha state game) is that players can give constructive feedback to the developers, share ideas or even allow the community to vote on different content that could be included in the game. This results in a much better and more fluid game for everyone to enjoy.
Where it goes wrong
I just came back from Gamescom and I really enjoyed all the games I got my hands on, except, Assassin's Creed Origins. Now I had the same experience once before with Battlefront (some years ago). Both games had 1 thing in common. You probably guessed it already, they were in Alpha state.
Now it's not that the final game was bad, but the Alpha release just made the game feel not good at that moment.
The Why
There are typically 2 kinds of options on a gaming event like Gamescom (I assume the same goes for E3). There are the games that are playable and the non-playable (where you just sit and watch a video with new details about the game).
The playable games are always more popular that is why developers try to showcase their game as playable instead of just showing a video.
The longer the waiting line, the popular the game (Battlefront had a 5 hour waiting line on Gamescom, which indicates that people are really anxious to get their space battles on).
This has led to developers showcasing their Alpha releases instead of waiting for the Beta.
Why it's not a good idea
Letting players on gaming events like Gamescom/E3 get their hands on an Alpha version of a game is a bad idea. I can understand playing an alpha for a longer period of time (days or weeks) because you can better give constructive feedback to the developers. But on an event like E3 or Gamescom the players get about 10-15 minutes of gameplay and this isn't enough to provide developers with good feedback (let alone the fact that no one will ask for feedback). The only thing that developers achieve is that playing the game will leave you with a bad feeling.
Case in point
I got to play Assassin's Creed Origins in its Alpha state. I am very much looking forward to the final release and was glad to see that Ubisoft had a playable version available. First curious thing was that only the Xbox version was available (which may sound bias, but believe me it was very apparent on Gamescom which of the 2 consoles is more popular).
But also reassuring because, well it is easier to get a stable version for a console than a PC right?....Well actually no.
The game started glitching when I rode my horse to a nearby town. The main character and horse just froze mid stride for a couple of seconds. Before the Ubisoft employee could reset my Xbox the screen unfroze and I was able to continue my quest.
Next was flying around with the eagle that you can now remotely control like a organic drone. I flew around but the thing wouldn't go where I wanted to and I got "tangled" up in the ropes of a ship (I don't know the exact term but I mean those ropes attached to the masts). And by "tangled" I mean that the eagle kinda bumped into invisible walls, hit detection was off by miles.
At the end I was ready to end the mission by killing the bad guy. I had already sneaked behind him and was ready to give the killing blow in Assassin's Creed well known fashion. It took me 3-4 tries but nothing happened. As I was about to call the Ubisoft employee, my kill target flow a meter (sorry European metric system) sideways and crumpled into a heap for no apparent reason (other than a delayed reaction to my attempts at stealthy assassination).
This sums up my 15 minute experience of Assassin's Creed gameplay. Let me tell you in no way does this fill me with joy about the game. Now I know that this isn't the release version and that we still have ways to go but what is Ubisoft trying to accomplish?
Especially because Ubisoft has a bad track record with optimizing games.
The only thing this did for me is make me worried about the October release.
[Ubisoft actually released AC Unity this way](data:image/jpeg;base64,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)
The takeaway
Early releases, like Alpha releases are good because developers can get good feedback from the community which helps developers make the game even better.
But don't use Alphas on gaming events like E3/Gamescom. It maybe hard but if the game is still bugged and not in that almost-ready-for-final-release-but-not-quite-ready-Beta phase, you are better off with a video showing some more "staged" gameplay.
Alphas are for testing and not for showcasing gameplay on gaming events (IMHO)
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Great write up! Personally, I hate it when I see games at an alpha stage for years with little change in that time but as you said it's a way to get feedback. Followed you and I can't wait for more content from you! :)
Thanks, you can expect more coming your way. Stay tuned an steem on!
Great article man, been missing these from you!
I personally see two different kinds of alpha versions - the ones you mention at conventions - but those are usually very specific, those are almost uniquely built for the convention because the devs just have to show something
Then there are public alphas (or restarted to like streamers) and those are a bit better way to showcase the game, even though you still need to understand that there will be a lot of bugs.
Great post! Would you mind if I included it in today's "best of gaming"?
Hey @gaming-trail. Sure, I have no objections being included in the best of gaming post. It is the alpha built for conventions that I feel are not helping the developers. I understand the pressure for showcasing a playable version of a game but I think letting the people play around with an alpha version does more harm than good.
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