2009-04-27, 05:43:28
Many of the changes would be difficult or impossible to create in a separate mode.
How about this instead?
The main problem of having a mixed pub and beta tester game is that the beta versions shouldn't be leaked right? If so, how about making a 'poisoned' beta, where the game will end 30 seconds in if noone enters a secret code (known only to beta testers). That way, beta testers can test the game even when there aren't other beta testers online, and avoid leaking the map. The pubs will get a copy of the map, but it will be unplayable without a beta tester to enter the code for them. This would also avoid the problems of added complexity and subtle bugs introduced by numerous extra modes as in the original suggestion.
The only problem I can see is that someone who is determined and knowledgeable about map editing and programming will be able to disable the code check. However, that is inherently a problem with any type of proposal like this, and is a comparatively small risk anyway.
How about this instead?
The main problem of having a mixed pub and beta tester game is that the beta versions shouldn't be leaked right? If so, how about making a 'poisoned' beta, where the game will end 30 seconds in if noone enters a secret code (known only to beta testers). That way, beta testers can test the game even when there aren't other beta testers online, and avoid leaking the map. The pubs will get a copy of the map, but it will be unplayable without a beta tester to enter the code for them. This would also avoid the problems of added complexity and subtle bugs introduced by numerous extra modes as in the original suggestion.
The only problem I can see is that someone who is determined and knowledgeable about map editing and programming will be able to disable the code check. However, that is inherently a problem with any type of proposal like this, and is a comparatively small risk anyway.