Got Unlimited Access? Get Test Server Access
 

Got Unlimited Access? Get Test Server Access
February 10 2009

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http://a.disney.go.com/pirates/onlin...est_server.jpg
Unlimited Access Pirates Can Now Sign Up for Test Server Access*

In appreciation of our Unlimited Access Members we're now accepting sign ups for the Test Server for ALL Pirates with Unlimited Access! Want to see the latest changes to the game before they're released to the general public? Then join us on the Test Server! The Test Server is where we test new content, game updates and other improvements. Sign up now for access to the Test Server.

*Players must have Unlimited Access accounts in good standing with no previous violations. See guidelines for more details.

Well, I don't qualify for the "no previous violations" but it lets me on anyway. lol :D

Must be some kind of "circumvention" - rotfl.

Idk I got on just fine :D although i have had no bans yet and i pay.

Well, this is a curious thing. Has anyone NOT been able to access test since they opened it up a few weeks ago? Did they close it to only allow those that actually logged in, and now you cant get in (if you had not?) I created a test account a few weeks ago, and I can get in without problems presently. Are they going to take our access away?

I was banned once for a ridiculous reason, I hate to think they will pull my access because of that minor descretion.

I was a bit concerned by the wording of their latest announcement too. They have very, very few BASIC testers as it is, but lots of basic-only glitches. While I hope they appreciate the free testing they are getting, it is a bit disconcerting. That said, I don't know of anyone that has had their test access pulled.

Procedural question for POF: is the linked-to announcement's text also supposed to be here somewhere?

This is somewhat a nightmare, seeing as any glitcher can get on test, and not get banned for glitching on it. What a great idea, leave yourself open for everybody else to get your access and just take up server room. So, do they even have three servers on test, or are there no more than the two they had before?

Still only two servers on test.

Well, since the purpose of test is to find glitches and report - reporting glitchers on test would be a mute point yes? :) (and before someone starts off-topic about how there are some ther just playing and glitching, yes yes... we've done that thread - go search for it and post over there :) )

Well, until a short time ago - there were so few players on test that two servers was too many, there were never enough players on to actually test much :) I can't see them increasing the number simply because now they have an actual 'real base' of player to test against (those glitching on purpose or just playing, those testing specific items... the works). Keeping in mind it is test - even testing server stress and issues is part of their testing - so as all test players > if you are going there to play - don't. Don't expect to find 'free areas' to level up without glitchers, don't expect servers to be quiet or free of players, don't expect anything to work right... otherwise just stay on live and use the ? mark on the Options Screen to report issues.

Great...Now the people that paid get to go on test. I wish they didn't....

My only concern is a flood of folks signing up just for the heck of it and lacking the intent to actually test. I'm sure the curiosity alone will have people signing up just to see new items prior to open release. I personally look for any little thing that is out of place and report it (hence test server). Let's hope for the best.


:Pirate4:

On toontown anyone can access the test server account with their regular unlimited access account password. They won't be an unlimited access tester because they didn't receive an invitation but they can still be on test.

I hope it's not the same way here or it will be a mess.

Why would that be a mess? Seems like a good thing, offhand. Disney gets free testing while maintaining an aura of exclusivity. Furthermore, I'd rather see a mess on TEST, than a mess on OPEN. But I don't see that happening; exploits discovered are visibly abused on open; not often seen on test (where they tent to be just tested and reported.)

Many good things can be made wrong. Another server just means another way for people, to squirm in and break more and more rules.

I think that's the moot point Maximvs was referring to; if they break something, by all means it should be broken on test, not on open.

Agreed
 

Have to agree with the main point here, test server is for testing things and sometimes things break when you stress them. Finding and reporting game problems is the purpose of playing on the test server. By allowing more players access to the server you have an entirely different set of circumstances to test out. A good example is SVS on test. Even with only 2 servers there is rarely anyone in SVS. The only times I see anyone there is when 2 pirates are sinking eachothers ships for the purpose of completing a quest. I have never been able to sail against anyone there who even has a war sloop. Its usually the battle of the light galleons! LOL I don't see how letting the unlimited players have access to the test server will ruin anything.

One thing I did notice was that there were a larger number of very polite, adult players on test then in the open server. I've managed to share space with many of them to both our advantage and I want to thank any of them that read this because its that kind of game play that this game really needs. I hope that the influx of new players doesn't spoil that (as it did 2 weeks ago)

Honestly, if they need more rest players (and it sounds like they desperately do), this way of getting them makes sense.

Previously, they would choose accounts, send invites, and hope that a good portion of them responded. Out of all their invites, only a small percentage probably turned out to be viable testers because not everyone wants to be/has time to be a tester. Not a very efficient method to fill the test servers, which, realistically, is what they need.

Opening the servers to everyone, even though that's how I got in, wasn't terribly smart either. As many have pointed out, for every good tester they got out of that, there are probably just as many people who joined it to goof off, and who will never report anything. And worse, many potentially good testers were left out entirely simply because of work/school schedule.

What they have done here should give them a pretty good list of people who want to be testers. If they are smart, they can look at the accounts, and decide who to let in, which should give them more testers quickly without just opening the flood gates.

Weird, I go to the link, and I log in with my correct password, etc and the page just keeps staying at the login for test server access page. Very strange. Someone did send me the exe for it awhile ago, but just thought I'd try to access it the right way.
I'm not aware of any bans, etc on me.

Access it the right way?

The correct way to access test, is to download the test launcher (the exe) and use it to login. I know of no "web" login, or "link" for test or is this something new?

Added: Just checked the site, I believe what you are doing is simply "signing up" for test. It doesnt take you to the test server.
It states: "Invitations are sent via e-mail if you meet these qualifications.", and does not provide you with immediate access.

I'm guessing that's more the way to go with this, still, I do dread all the glitchers lagging up the only two Test servers we actually have.

I haven't seen a single lag-storm on test yet. I suppose we could all try to stress it, as a single event. But I doubt it would work with fewer than 200 lag-inducing participants. The latest GM tours had zero cluster-lag from pirate density, from what I saw. So, I don't share your concern/worry about this at all. (Sheesh, don't you remember what Tortuga/Abassa was like a couple months back?)