Ostheer

[HyperSniper999]

I know a lot of the donators will be pissed, but I doubt it's a good idea to give them the OH before other people. First of all, they'll have more time to get used to it and have an unfair advantage. And also they'll get bored of it sooner.

Not that OH and Soviets are boring, just the community dies down awhile after the update. I don't think the Community should be divided into Donators and Regulars. But the Devs need the money for the site.

Yes, they might deserve a beta, but the finished product should be released to everybody at the same time. At least the Soviets are incredibly different now compared to 1.0 (where they were well in beta stage)

But really you can't donate out of the good of heart or because this is an awesome mod?

[BurroDiablo]

We will only release the Ostheer to the public when we are fully satisfied as well as our balance team. We all witnessed the farce of the Soviet release, we do not wish to repeat it by releasing prematurely.
The Ostheer will go through a private (invited) Beta Stage before it's release, probably a cross-section of dedicated people in the community (unlike the group of 'experts' we had over from GR to balance the Soviets). People will have their chance to be a part of it... obviously, the majority of donors have a guaranteed space on the beta test team but I'm sure we will try to make room for others who haven't donated but are well established members of the community

[HyperSniper999]

We will only release the Ostheer to the public when we are fully satisfied as well as our balance team. We all witnessed the farce of the Soviet release, we do not wish to repeat it by releasing prematurely.
The Ostheer will go through a private (invited) Beta Stage before it's release, probably a cross-section of dedicated people in the community (unlike the group of 'experts' we had over from GR to balance the Soviets). People will have their chance to be a part of it... obviously, the majority of donors have a guaranteed space on the beta test team but I'm sure we will try to make room for others who haven't donated but are well established members of the community

I got confused and somehow had the idea that the balanced and functioning OH would come to Donators before Regulars. Good to know everybody will get release status OH simultaneously.

[pariah]

And also they'll get bored of it sooner.

Anybody who gets bored of Company Of Heroes shall be executed for heresy.

[Rikard Blixt]

Just to clear the air a bit more, Burro already post a general rundown. This is probably (in a bit more detailed steps) how it will occur. Subject to change!

* Current - Working on content, only devs have access to Ostheer ("Pre-Alpha")
* We feel that Ostheer is finished enough to do balance tests, lot of art is missing but all or almost all abilities/upgrades/veterancy should be in - balance testers are invited leave their balance feedback and general feedback. ("Alpha")
* Most/All arts is finished, Ostheer is still unbalance, bugs here and there - selected community members and donors valid for Ostheer Beta are invited. ("Closed Beta")
* No Bugs, Balanced and Ostheer is generally in a finished state - Release to everyone at the same time. ("Gold")

Donors will be able to Pre-Load the release (aka. Download the update but can't play until release), so in reality can start playing 10~60 mins earlier depending on download speeds. If you were be able to download 1~2 GB/s, you would be able to play really at the same time as the pre-loaders. Pre-loading is commonly found on Online Retails such as Steam for big upcoming games (such as Homefront, BFBC2 etc).

[pariah]

This able to download but not play before release thing - How does that work? How does the game know when it's officially released?

[Rikard Blixt]

This able to download but not play before release thing - How does that work? How does the game know when it's officially released?

Basically the installer and/or game files will be encrypted (aka unusable), you will need a password or something like that to unlock to files.

[cephalos]

Personally I don't care at all. I just want Ostheer. Either earlier or later.

[GodlikeDennis]

I knew there was an upside to all the hard work that goes into balancing Soviets.

[Seeme]

I expect to at least see the Ostheer before Christmas

[Killar]

I expect to at least see the Ostheer before Christmas

Im realistic and expect it next year january 21th

[pariah]

21st

What's so special about the 21st, anyway?

[Max 'DonXavi' von B.]

Soviet release in 2010

[Killar]

21.01.2010 was the release of Soviets. So exactly 2years later the Ostheer release sounds good

[pariah]

Sounds good to me, too; I should have my new computer by then. But then i gotta figure out how to download it...