What does "BETA" mean? Example, this game is going to be on beta?

Question

does it mean, before retail? still checking for bugs and glitches? such as darkfall

Answer 1

Games (all reasonably complex programs really) have 3 phases: Alpha, Beta, and Final (or Release).

In the Alpha phase of a game, textures and model are created, character animations are made, perhaps even lighting techniques are refined. All the little pieces of a game are made, but they are kept separate. You might have a wireframe model with animations that you can get them to go through y entering commands, but the character isn't in any environment, so they aren't moving around or anything.

The Beta phase is where the pieces are assembled. It is at this point that at least small sections of the game can be played. Early beta builds tend to be very rough and unstable, but it is still identifiable as a game. Multiple characters are put into the environments and tested on how they interact.

And Final is obviously the version that gets sold (though some would argue in this era of patches and bug-fixes, the beta phase never ends).

Answer 2

Yeah, it's still in testing.
First is ALPHA testing, usually just among employees or a closed group
then comes BETA, when it's almost ready for release, sometimes this is closed too, but sometimes it's a public or open beta that anyone can try. This is to really stress the software to find bugs, and usually part of the marketing strategy, at least for games and such.

Answer 3

Basically, exactly what she said. It's a trial version, similar to the final version, but not totally finished. Developers usually release a beta version to test their game and see how it works. If players find issues, then the developers can still fix them before the final version of the game is released.

Answer 4

If you are playing the "beta" version, it means they are ready to test it, but still may make some tweaks and changes based on the results.

Answer 5

a test phase

Answer 6

yes a test phase