Blizz may not do previews for patch 3.2
by Eliah Hecht 
Apr 17th 2009 at 1:00PM
It was made clear all along that these were only provisional changes, subject to modification as the patch progressed through the PTR and onto the live realms. Still, some players are upset that what they see as "promised" changes did not come true. Invoking the spirit of "this is why we can't have nice things," Ghostcrawler warns that he's "not sure if we will do previews for patch 3.2 given the response this time around."
I hope they decide not to go that route, and that they continue to offer previews. I can't speak for everyone, but I appreciate the glimpse into the development process previews offer. Although it is often disappointing to see an ability that sounds promising dissolve into vapor, it's a worthwhile trade-off for getting some juicy information to chew on while we wait for patches to drop.
In other words, Mr. Street, don't let some forum QQ ruin it for the rest of us. Preview away; I promise not to hold it against you if Blizzard decides on a different direction.
Filed under: Patches
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Jon Do Apr 17th 2009 1:04PM
Y'all didn't play nice.
Now GC is taking the ball and going home.
Ferarro Apr 17th 2009 1:33PM
Good. I hope they pull previews. Most of the people who read and posted on forums and tested PTR were petty, ungrateful, and wholly narrow-minded, to be honest. I have absolutely no idea how Greg dealt with so much flaming, trolling, misinformation, accusations, blaming, yelling, threatening and overall unappreciative posts hundreds of times every day. Must be some pretty strong gin.
If I were Blizzard and the developers, I'd think twice before making content PTR public again or sharing possible future changes. Most players aren't mature or responsible enough with that kind of information.
Pexxle -=SilverHand (RP)=- Apr 17th 2009 1:50PM
Agreed Ferraro.
Blizz did create this monster though...
Whether there were 11million+ subscribers or 10,000 i would still enjoy WoW. Its has attracted a huge following many of whom, have short attentions spans, and "need" things like WoW Blogs just to spec/ gear up their toon in order to feel sufficient or "maximized." Pfft
I say keep the game immerse and growing (even if building the story is required).
WoW today is the benchmark for MMO's no matter the content, like Crysis is for Video Cards.
Clevins Apr 17th 2009 1:56PM
Oh please. This was as predictable as the sun rising in the east. Of COURSE some of the stuff previewed wouldn't make it in, and OF COURSE some people on the forums would whine about it despite the disclaimers. Blizzard can't really be surprised at this unless they're incredibly out of touch.
QQ from players is one thing, QQ from GC about a totally expected player reaction is just pathetic.
PopeJamal Apr 17th 2009 2:12PM
"Good. I hope they pull previews."
Are you the same Ferraro from that other blog? Yeah, it must be nice for YOU, getting previews and early information. Screw everybody else, right?
Does privilege make you unpleasant that way, or are you just naturally like that?
Nekudotayim Apr 17th 2009 2:21PM
I have to agree with Ferraro.
Quickshiv Apr 17th 2009 2:33PM
Why don't they just eliminate the PTR all together? I would prefer the software got tested by professionals in an orderly fassion instead of relying on the PTR. I know blizzard has some internal testing but it doesn't seem sufficient.
The quote that comes to mind is from despair.com
- When you earnestly believe you can compensate for a lack of skill by doubling your efforts, there's no end to what you can't do.
This is the PTR method of testing. You throw a bunch of people which for the most part have no technical skill or any real interest in doing methodical testing at your software and hope there are enough of them that they find the bugs. This is an awful way to test software.
I oversee the testing of about 100 different applications and if I let any of my products go to production that had as many errors as blizzard lets through, even if you consider on a code line per-capita basis I would have been fired long ago.
Avan Apr 17th 2009 4:44PM
@QuickShiv
When I was on the PTR, I tried to do methodical testing. I wanted to break the game when it was still being tested, instead of breaking it in the middle of a raid.
In the end, I was trounced by the horrible lag. It's hard to break stuff when it takes 5 minutes for your input to be recognized. It's hard to break stuff when you're forced to stop every 10-15 minutes.
Quickshiv Apr 17th 2009 9:59PM
That is a completely valid point. Having a test realm that is mostly used for people trying to get a jump start instead of testing makes it harder for people like you to do valid testing.
Now on the flip side and the major reason I think the PTR is just a bad idea to begin with is only about 5% of testing is trying to break the product. Or probe testing. The majority of testing is quite boring. You input a parameter and then validate the result. For example if I hit a lvl 80 caster mob and my gear is x my damage should be between A and B. The problem is none of the players have any idea what A and B should be on the ptr. Sure you can guestimate (theorycraft) what it should be but you don't know the formulas to backup your guess. In a professional test environment you know exactly what the developers are doing and where to stress the system the most or at least look for errors.
I would love to know the percentage of automated test coverage vs manual testing done on wow and the QA setup.
Tuhljin Apr 18th 2009 6:33PM
If you want your addons to work on patch day, we need PTRs.
rock Apr 17th 2009 1:08PM
Is it time to start QQ'ing about QQ'ers?
Personal I've had enough QQ, lets just get some clubs... bash some heads.
...
My mace skill could use some skill ups. hmm
Josh Apr 17th 2009 1:08PM
I gotta say, I don't blame them one bit.
VSUReaper Apr 17th 2009 2:28PM
I am a lil undecided at the moment about the previews. I enjoyed them immensely as it let me know the general idea of the direction the classes were taking, but at the same time it left a bad taste in my mouth when this uber cool ability didnt get added in.
I guess I would rather not get a preview of the class changes and just find out about them as they get implemented. That way I (or anyone else) can get upset when they take something away that they never gave us.
My only request is that next time there is a bug with a glyph/talent combo, and you know the bug is there, please dont tease us with it by leaving it in the PTR, take it out or fix it right away. I got so tired of hearing other tanks QQ'ing about 1 min shield walls and my guild telling me that I was going to have to spec and glyph for it....
Venfelder Apr 17th 2009 1:12PM
They have time to change their minds. 3.2 will be out, when, in September?
bah Apr 17th 2009 1:12PM
wurks as intended
all your base are belong to us
somebody set us up the bomb
humbug Apr 17th 2009 1:21PM
Ghostcrawler has left the forums.
In 60 seconds Ghostcrawler will be transported to the nearest graveyard.
Nerdagain Apr 17th 2009 1:13PM
They don't want to preview changes because they have a hard time getting things right. Hunter ammo, in game gear changer. People were looking forward to this. Blizzard failed to deliver because the developers and programmers failed. I think this is the only reason they don't want to preview new additions to the game.
rosencratz Apr 17th 2009 1:15PM
They never failed because they never promised.
This is entirely the problem.
Paux Apr 17th 2009 1:24PM
Would YOU want to? Knowing if you couldn't get it done it done there would be 100 thread and 10,000 angry hunters posting on your forums.
I still can't blame them.
Jon Do Apr 17th 2009 1:27PM
Next time, look at the PTR like a movie trailer.
You see the trailer, go to the movie, then realize afterward that cool scene in the trailer wasn't in the movie after all. But if you're lucky, there was a good cameo in there somewhere, and maybe the movie was worth the time spent and the $8.50 (or whatever the going rate is in your area).