Beta Testing

Just a short while ago, I had been given the privilege to test the beta version of a certain game, though it is a game that isn't quite (or is only very distantly) related to Pokémon. I'm asked to do certain things and provide feedback about certain aspects. It instills in my mind that Pokémon games can and do have to go through the same process. It would have to, given a few considerations that apply.

Nearly a year ago, there was the revelation of an early beta for Gold and Silver. What was present then was radically different from what players got as the final product. Further developments refined this, of course, but beta testing arguably would have some role to play as well. As it was then, the concepts were good, but somewhat rough; if they weren't tested, they would have remained rough and probably wouldn't have made for a good game. The fact that players got a good game in the end means that beta testing must have helped in this regard.

As well, beta testing helps to find, fix, and get rid of glitches, which may resemble those found in the first-generation games even though the games were finalized. Not every glitch may be discoverable and fixable, if the patches for main series games on the 3DS indicate, but at least a good amount may be. I suppose it's no wonder that barring the flaws that were fixed with the patches, players got gameplay that is overall non-problematic and close to flawless, free of the early glitches that plagued as above. Beta testing has to have its role in this process.

Behind everything that makes the gameplay of the main series pleasant, there is an intricate system of mechanisms. Even if the developers wanted to, they couldn't possibly oversee everything by themselves. Beta testing would share this burden with others who are willing to do the same, and furthermore, this could lead to further insights into the parts that are good but could be better. I'm sure that this intermingling of views occurred during beta testing and has been realized in the final game - it's something that's inevitable, if at all.

In the short time that I've been beta-testing the other game, I've found that all of these had occurred to some extent. For Pokémon games, it would seem that it wouldn't be any different. It's paramount and necessary that the games have to be beta-tested to make them as best as they could possibly be. Maybe someday I'll get to beta-test some form of a Pokémon game; at least my current experience will show me what to do if that ever happens.

One year ago: Taking the Go Train
Two years ago: Worldly Inspirations for a Small World