Last year, we held a Beta call for a new game we were developing, LinX Adventures. After three major redesigns, and a very busy summer of "life happens", that Beta has dwindled off and ended. We are now ready to renew that Beta call, and are looking for people to staff it.

We are seeking 10 (possibly more) qualified testers for our renewed closed beta-test. However, before you commit to join us on this quest, listen to the wisdom of the sages...the path before you may hold perils you do not expect.



THE STATE OF THE GAME

As noted this is a beta-test and as such many art resources and absolute mechanics values are either outright mockups, incomplete or undergoing constant tweaks. In plain terms you won’t be receiving those shinny, market ready standees, cards and other game resources in the first iteration of the Beta test as they are still in production. Nor will you receive the final art ready version of the rule set and or play counters and stat cards. What you will receive is the placeholder art and counters (meaning rudimentary pieces nothing like what you’ll see in the final version. Only functioning for mechanics sake), stripped down rule set without final layout resources designed specifically for testing purposes only.

Many of these resources will not make it into the final version of the product until later in the Beta phase. If you’re an eyecandy hound you might want to take a pass on testing at this early phase, and likewise if you're shy about building stuff that you'll likely be pitching when the newer versions come out, this may well not be for you. We need people who are willing to build it, use it, play with it, then take on a new set of builds when they're released and try again.

EXPERIENCED GAMERS WANTED

While we do want a nice cross-section of gamers it would be beneficial to have experienced tabletop gamers onboard for testing. That’s not to say we won’t take application from novice players but the testing phase can require a lot of patience on your part and we need active feedback throughout that process. If you have experience beta-testing other products and you don’t mind playing with unstable rules then you have a better chance at earning an early seat testing LinX Adventures.

TESTING REQUIREMENTS: WHAT’S EXPECTED FROM TESTERS

• Most importantly we expect you to invest some of your precious time helping us work out the bugs in the system.
• Testers will be required to print out and construct many standees, cards, and other placeholder objects. These are relatively easy to construct but the process will initially be a bit time consuming. While the final market ready product will unfold organically giving users ample time to build all the necessary elements, in beta-testing you will be building a lump sum of items in a relatively short time period. This is important to note if you don’t have the patience for that type of thing. Constructing all the necessary elements for testing is compulsory. If desired, you can cut some costs by printing things out "fastdraft" or in black & white...just so long as you're actually printing, building, and utilizing the game elements we provide.

• The ability to communicate clearly in written and or verbal format. Testers will be required to participate in internal development forum. Bonus points are added for the ability to join online voice-chat sessions via Teamspeak. You will be given access to a special hidden development forum where you and other testers will help us flesh out aspects of the final system. This area will expand topically based on various aspects of gameplay. NOTE: while our development process is discussed in English, that does NOT have to be your first language...we've had betatesters in the past who did just fine.

• Preferably you will have a friend or two in your area to help you build and test the game although it is perfectly fine to play solo for testing purposes. While you can have others join you in testing, all materials must remain in your hands alone...nobody else can take home a copy of the rules (electronic or print) or the test materials.

• Primarily we would ask that you have no less than 4 full games of LinX Adventures during the course of testing. Ideally we are looking for players who can stand a bit of repetition and test beyond the 4 game minimum and or specific aspects of combat, movement and game scenarios. We'll have situational tests that aren't nearly as satisfying as a full game, but put the rules through mechanical soundness tests. These, too, are crucial to complete in a timely manner.

• Initially we will be looking for a basic impression of the game structure/system but we will fan out from there as development/testing continues. Questions and or troubleshooting will be the core focus of much of the testing in an effort to create a rule set that offers the best stability and flexibility.

WHAT DO YOU GET OUT OF IT?

All testers will receive a full and complete copy of the game itself, upon completion, and an open invitation (for satisfactory particpation) to continue to serve as a betatester for all future releases within the LinX Adventures line.

You of course will be given full in-game credit for your participation, and a chance to be a part of the next big adventure to hit the market. Who knows? Three years from now, you could be at a convention bragging about how you were there when LXA was created, and pointing to your name on the credits!

WHO? WHEN? HOW?

• While other WorldWorks insiders will be dropping in from time to time, the game will principally be developed by me (Andorax), with artwork by the ever-famous Alberto!

• Beta-testing could resume as early as the end of September

• Give us a brief description of your gaming/testing experience right here on this thread (SINGLE POST ONLY AND NO E-MAILS PLEASE!). A quick word about why you want to be involved with testing would also be appreciated although it’s not compulsory.

We will then look over the submissions and choose our primary test group. If you are chosen we will contact you via private messaging on this forum (watch those IM’s for messages). You will then be required to fill out a legally binding Non Disclosure Agreement before participating. Finally, special forum access will be granted and testing will begin. If needed, we may come back to previous applicants, so if you're not picked in the first round, there's still the possability we'll need you later on.

Thanks in advance for your help and we look forward to seeing you delve into our latest dungeon adventure project!

Development Team

Well.. first if I do get involved with this project, I'm only interested in the game, and not the card stock portion. Period. Floor tiles with no linx, I'll do. (I'll minichunk the bases to my master board.)

I've been playing games for the best part of 30 years. I'm seriously liking how the gaming scene has improved over recent years.

I've played lots of TSR stuff, and I'm really liking D&D 4th Ed. I've played car wars, battle tech, Star Fleet battles, AT-43, and Warmachine. Too many RPGs to count. (I always had a soft spot for Gamma World.)

Of all the games which (likely) fits the game you're working on, I miss Mutant Chronicles the Board Game, the most. I recently purchased a copy for the low low price of $120, and I can only think that the reason the game is no longer around is that its production costs were too high. Too bad they didn't release it with printable floor tiles (hint hint), and standees (hint hint). My friends and I were even working on a character generation system for it.

Hi there

Qualifications:
Beta tested a RPG game called "Whispering Vault", Mongoose's Bab 5 tactical space game "A Sky Full of Stars", Hinterwelt fantasy game (I can't remember the name), the original Battlepods (Battletech).

Online Beta testing SWG, Everquest, and POTBS.

Familiarity
Pen and Paper experience: 1rst Ed. DnD thru 3.x, Action system, DP9 D6 engine, GURPS, WWG systems, FASA games, various D10 systems.

Tabletop: Most of GW games, Confrontation, Infinity, ASFOS, Fletcher Pratt, Jagpanzer, various other Table tops systems and games.

My gaming group has and can assess the viability of product, although we do this on an infrequent basis it is not unfamiliar to us. My FLGS also has numerous groups that beta/play test various games, namely A sky full of stars (B5).

Feedback: Usually it can either be provided verbally to me or lead tester and can either be handed back to you as pdf markup on the pdf or via word doc.

Neutral and unbiased review: My gaming group and FLGS test group can be brutal but objectively honest.

Of Course I would follow any NDA you have. I respect any and all IP rights.

Reason for interest: I support WWG, you guys have a superior product line and great fan base. If I can help you guys make gaming better then it can only help WWG and its community at large.

Regards, Melliphron

I'll throw my hat back into the ring for this round.

Well I will await the final product

My schedule has not slowed down at all

I applied first time around (and also for both calls for wormhole)

I'm still very much keen to take part and have time available.

I was sadly busy with starting a new job back when Wormhole was entering beta but I'd love to get in on this.
I have a small weekly gaming group that plays predominately dungeon crawls already so I've got a solid test group ready to go.
I have experience with Descent, Doom, Heroquest, and a few smaller print and play system dungeon crawlers and have spent a lot of time helping to play balance rules systems developed by members of my gaming group.
I was in the betas for Asheron's Call 1 and 2, WoW, and several other MMO games where I helped by providing thorough feedback and bug reports.
As a professional software tester I'm experienced in focusing on finding flaws in complex systems no matter how small the issue is.
I've also got steady access to color and black and white laser printers and have lots of experience constructing both complex and simple cardstock models and can quickly assemble large amounts of models.

Gaming Experience: 20+ years role playing nearly everything but white wolf (just didn't capture my attention), Miniature games starting with 2nd ed. WFB and 1st Ed. 40k. TSR's battle system, epic, BFG, Warmaster, Wormhole, Silent Death, SFB, Starmada, Some other neat little systems that have completely disapeared now, Naval and Air historicals, Some WW2 skirmish level stuff. Learning new systems is not a problem.
Play tested original "Fire as She Bears" rules (complete disclosure, I played it twice at a con with the author and gave feedback, still got a PT credit though.)
I have an existing group of players that don't mind switching systems up and meet regularly. I would like to do it to have a chance to help a game strive for excellence. I think I would be an asset, but I don't think I would be able to do the teamspeak thing.

Greetings,

I officially submit myself for consideration for your latest round of beta testing candidates.

I have been a lifelong miniatures gamer (25+ years) covering multiple genres from fantasy, historical and sci-fi. I have always been involved with board games alongside miniatures games dating back to the original Avalon Hill days. Lately, higher production quality games have been coming to market from companies such as Fantasy Flight Games, AEG, etc. that have drawn my attention and I continue to play them regularly.

I have thoroughly read through your requirements (and cautions) and it appears your beta testing process is very similar to others that I have done in the past. I have been a beta tester (officially and unofficially) for several games, including both miniatures and collectable card games. The CCG beta testing required me to constantly print the latest version of generic placeholder cards and game aids for every session. Feedback via forum or telephone was done daily to weekly.

My beta testing experience has concentrated on “breaking” new units or mechanics. Unintended interactions, unbalanced statistics, and illogical concepts were aspects that I focused on. Keeping new expansion ideas from straying from the “vision” of the project was an aspect of beta testing that I enjoyed very much and I was honored to do so for each company and game. I currently have a couple of experienced, weekly gaming friends I can use to assist in any cram sessions required.

Currently, I am involved in the current beta testing for the upcoming Wormhole expansion but can definitely take on the added responsibilities of another exciting project.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Regards,

Nhat Lai

Oh oh oh....{hand up} PICK ME! PICK ME!

I'll jump in as well.

I've been DMing since 1979 -- and the campaign is still going, with 3 of the original players! We've always used minis (even if they were just counters at the beginning). I've also played Warhammer 40K since the 80s (Eldar pwnage ftw).

I was managing editor of Steve Jackson Games for 5 years. In addition to editing dozens of books, I also wrote GURPS Cyberpunk, GURPS Supers, and GURPS Deathwish. I was also the playtest coordinator at various times through that stint, depending on whether or not I had a new employee upon which I could foist the task...