Join the Testing Team!

[MrSugarCube]

Back in October/November, work began on upgrading the shard to the latest version of Sphere, the software which powers the shard. This version provides all kinds of bug fixes, support for client features, and new scripting capabilities - all of which will help in the future development of the shard. To ensure that the scripts are fully compatible with this new version, every single one has been rewritten, making use of all the new techniques offered.

The downside to this is that each script now needs testing to ensure that the upgrade is successful, and this is where you come in. We will be running the upgraded server beside the current one, and will allow testers to log in and try it out. Testers will receive access to a private forum where any bugs can be reported, and a list of untested scripts will be available for you to work through at your own pace. There will also be opportunities to contribute to the shard with your own thoughts on updates before they're live.

We will be looking for the following criteria in our testers: Positive and friendly attitude towards the shard and its inhabitants (both staff and players)
Experience on the shard
Reasonable UO knowledge
If you would like to be part of the testing team, please contact me via e-mail (http://uo.wireplay.co.uk/index.php?p=contact), and provide us with the following details: Your e-mail address.
Your ingame account name.
Your forum account name.
Any "I would be suitable as a tester because..." paragraphs are not required. If you're accepted on the team, you will be notified by e-mail.

The testing will begin on Sunday 29th January. We will continue to accept applications until the testing has been completed, so do not worry if you miss the start date. If you do not receive a reply to your application, you are permitted to reapply under the condition that you wait at least 72 hours from sending your previous e-mail before doing so.

If you have any questions about the testing or upgrade, please ask them here.

[ggootteenn]

Does the lag get fixed coz im annoyed at how slow the shard goes i go like 4 steps then i stop and go again :/

[pilz-e]

most lag is not server based but to do with either your computer or your connection to the server.

[MrSugarCube]

There is some optimisation in the networking of the new version, but I cannot say for sure whether or not it will make any difference.

[GM_Black]

what we can exept from new shard wersion? (what new abbilities scripts will have - what u will be able to script on new cersion but u couldnt script on this one)?

[MrSugarCube]

That's a difficult question to answer. To list all the new possibilities in scripts would take a very long time and will probably bore you ;). After pasting the entire list of updates made from since our current version was released to the latest version (2 years of development) into word with size 10 font, I can tell you that there are over 50 A4 pages worth of updates which have been listed, which cover all kinds of fixes, changes, and additions.

As nothing definate has been decided yet as to what to do with the new features, I cannot give you a large list of new possibilities, but I can say that if things go well we should have a lot of extra freedom with the scripts that we didn't have before, making some good ideas of the past possible to implement.

Several new improvements which are present in the new version which I'll reveal, are: Support for newer versions of UO, removing the need to download the 2.0.3 client.exe, and allowing 3D clients to play.
A party system that works. No more crashing with 3+ party members :D
No more 'Targeting Cancelled' messages when opening another menu or using an item with a menu open.
Smarter NPCs that cast spells on proper targets (there are also other AI improvements which may or may not be enabled, depending on how successful they are during testing).


I'm afraid I won't go into any more detail at this time. There is already a large list of script updates which have been made during the rewriting, which will only be available to testers until the upgrade is ready to go live.

I'd also like to add that this upgrade will not involve a shard wipe, as some people have asked me. I believe that this upgrade can be done without any loss of items whatsoever (which hopefully will be proved during the testing ;)). I would like to also point out that initially this upgrade is focused on getting the shard in its current state moved over to the new Sphere version. There are no plans to make any major additions until after this objective has been achieved.

[Refused]

oooooooo sounds fancy :D ... ill be part of the testing team :D *sends in details*

[girthy]

MSC - would the testing team be using thier own accounts or will testing accounts be created??

[pilz-e]

since we are testing whether worldsaves will transfer properly they will be using their own accounts, but any progress made will not transfer back to the main server (so if you go red, lose all ur items, etc that wont affect u on loth :) )

[the_triplett]

count me in
(sent them to MSC)

[Polak]

Ill send my candidature when I finish egzams...

[Polak]

*double post*

[lfuruta]

when the new server is planned to be on?

[pilz-e]

the test server is running at the moment.
As for transfering the main server to this new version of sphere, that will be done once we are sure that all major bugs have been removed and that the server would be stable. Therefore we cant give an exact date because we simply dont know how long it may take.

[Popstarmike]

ive sent in my application and i would really like to be a tester:P

[Popstarmike]

am i ever gonna get a reply even if i dont get a place as one??

[MrSugarCube]

If you haven't received a reply after 72 hours, you probably won't be getting one, this could be due to one of the following reasons: You missed out one or more of the required details (see first post)
You forgot to press send :D (or the e-mail wasn't received for some reason)
Your application was rejected
I've been asleep for 3 days :O
In either of these cases you're free to re-apply (unless you've been told to stop)

[ggootteenn]

i got 2 things to say 1 isnt to do with this 1) when is this new sphere server gonna be playable to everyone 2) when i was pvpin in the arena i got a message sayin tht "i was ban by the automated ban sytem for 24 hours" but i didnt get ban and i think it came 4 days days late :P

[pilz-e]

*copies what he said earlier so ggootteenn can read it*

As for transfering the main server to this new version of sphere, that will be done once we are sure that all major bugs have been removed and that the server would be stable. Therefore we cant give an exact date because we simply dont know how long it may take.

[Spider6969]

this may be a stupid question - but will the new sphere version address this
when I lock down a chest, will all contents be sercure?

[pilz-e]

might want to define "secure"
if you mean "will the contents be locked down too" the answer is no afaik

[Spider6969]

darn - I hat having stuff locked down on the floor, like ingots, logs, etc.
I horde them, then I macro. Makes the area look cleaner with all my stackable units in chests or crates.

[pilz-e]

you could use a strongbox (as only the owner can access it)
or if you need more than 1 box you could use lockable chests, they are less secure however as people can pick the lock on them.

[Forest Fire]

intresting, if your upgrading to 56b (which i presume you are) would this intail the built in Elven race, the brand new weapons, brand new monsters, that are really brand new, the difrent sectors of the world (in mondains legacey there are about 3 sperate worlds.

curious is all

[pilz-e]

as part of the testing we are examining all the new functions/features that this version offers us and we hope to take advantage of as many of them as possible, however there might be some features that for whatever reason are not practical to use.

[the_triplett]

like pilze's avitar

[Bodom]

:stupid: :spam: :offtopic: :stick:
says it all realy. ;)

[Spider6969]

how is the testing going - any idea when we can have more details as to when it will be up and running?

[pilz-e]

testing is progressing at a good rate, however we can't really estimate when it will be ready for release as it all depends on what bugs are found, how difficult they are to fix, etc.

[Spider6969]

any more teasers on new features? Expanded worls, critters, craftables? Anything, come on, give a guy something to look forward to... not that I would leave Loth anyway, just want some stuff to look forward to.

[Stray]

sent me info to MSC I wanna be a tester i need somthin to fill my time when my son is napping so bored atm

[Spider6969]

any status on the upgrade. I know we have lost alot of staff of the past few months, but I would like to know how much longer I can expect to wait for the upgrade, and whatever new features it may have....

[pilz-e]

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