http://dbd.game/killswitch
We're getting too much PTB
I think that we're getting PTBs too much and too fast. It legit sometimes feels like the time between them is smaller than the time PTBs are online for.
So what is the issue with PTBs:
1. Hype. PTBs kill Hype. If we get access to something after 0-2 teasers and no trailer, just tossed into the game, it doesn't feel special. It feels like any Bugfix update that just drops for no special reason.
2. Limitations. PTBs are Pc only and downloading them is annoying. This means only a certain chunk of the player base is willing and able to download them, biasing the feedback.
3. Pointless. If the update is for something like a new killer or a Freddy level rework I can at least understand why, so people can test it out. However, this PTB doesn't really test anything major. Like 3 new Survivor Perks, the new haste system and the new progression system. That's it. It doesn't really help to get 4 weeks of feedback on that.
4. Resources. Making a PTB Takes Resources. You need special PTB servers, you need to create a ship ready build, you need to make everything play ready a month before it has to be. It would be better if resources were actually focused on the game.
4. A lot of times PTB feedback is not put into the game, or is actually negative if put into the game. The only time I can think off where PTB feedback stopped an otherwise bad thing it was the twins rework. Other times it either only affected really minor things they could have patched in later anyway or made things worse.
4.1. Since the midway PTB Update Info is gone, you might as well cut the PTB in half, now that we can't give advice based on what is actually planned for half the time.
5. Matchmaking. Matchmaking in PTB is bad if there is a killer update. It also makes normal queue times worse by splitting the queue between main and now.
So please either stop doing PTBs or lessen them at least.
Comments
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If the PTB is introducing new mechanics such as new killer powers/reworks, or new perks I'd say it's necessary to help find any major bugs that could break the game. Granted bugs and glitches still make it to the live game, but it could be much worse if some were not caught early in the PTB. Blizzard used to do their equivalent of the PTB for Overwatch during the first game and in some cases it was pretty pointless, even now they just test new characters in the live version of the game during a specific weekend, although their seasons are shorter anyway so things like bugs often get patched much quicker. Still I do agree that the PTB is often not a sufficient means of gathering feedback as the majority of the players do not use it, and even then sometimes it just goes ignored regardless.
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They're also totally optional. I can only speak for myself, but the presence of a PTB hasn't affected my DBD life in any appreciable way (that I'm aware of). I just ignore them and watch videos from people with more patience for long queues than I have.
Regarding "killing the hype", anyone paying attention knows what's coming well in advance of the PTB. BHVR has more holes than a strainer. The leaking community are the real hype killers.
Regarding the resources point; internal play testing also takes resources. PTBs are just outsourcing that to an extent. And frankly, I trust the community to notice things more than the dev team, as they often seem like they don't understand their own product.
And as far as #5, I've never noticed a significant bump in queue times during a PTB.
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Going through the list
1: Hype - while I can imagine it being interesting if suddenly a new killer just dropped, I feel like when the PTB looks good it builds excitement for the game.
2: Limitations - PTB is looking for big things. Major bugs, game breaking combinations, etc. A lot of feedback doesn't get taken because BHVR's internal testing/feedback didn't have a problem with whatever the complaint is.
Also removing the PTB would just worsen the idea of feedback not getting heard as there would be none of it.
As for downloading them being annoying, you don't have to touch it if you don't want to. I do a PTB occasionally, but I never feel an obligation to download it.
3: Pointless - Things are only pointless if there isn't a problem, you don't know for certain there isn't a problem until a PTB is run.
4: Resources - Having a deadline before the full game release is not a bad thing, versions would be getting built even if there was no PTB. As for PTB servers, running it through Steam is not supposed to be that difficult and not sure if it would increase server expenses in any substantial way.
4 again: Feedback - kind of a repeat of number 2.
5: Matchmaking - as mentioned already, I've never noticed any real difference in the normal queues. As for the matchmaking being bac in the PTB, you don't have to download it if you don't want.
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I feel like PTBs should be more spaced apart, not one right after an update.
Overall, I feel like the chapter release schedule should be made so we get 3 chapters per year instead of 4-5.
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You are not forced to take participation in the PTBs.
I always go into ptb with my friends, it's nice to have it and voice my feedback afterward.
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Basically this.
PTB's are essentially like playing an Event Mode where everything is made up and the points don't matter.
Those that take it seriously and have a lot of in depth knowledge of the Games Mechanics are actively playing to find the bugs and test new/altered content and provide feedback. Having them at all is amazing and it really shows that the Devs want to get as much valuable feedback as possible before it actually goes to the live servers.
It's not something one is forced to partake in at all, it's just a way to be a part of the development process.
Post edited by EinTheSlime on0 -
They have alot of game mechanics to test out before FNAF, ofc they need to do more PTBs.
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