Alpha-2
When we talk about Alpha-2's perspective, it's really focused around core systems and their ancillary counterparts. When we talk about what those core systems are, it's the siege systems; it's the guild war systems; it's the node advancements; it's the story arcs; it's the character class progression; it's the augments; it's our artisanship loops and the gathering, processing and crafting cycles; it's homeownership; it's vehicles and mounts; and any number of professions that exist there; and then also a big chunk of Alpha-2 is obviously content: The ability to ensure that the the hooks for these quest hubs within the nodes; the points-of-interest are stood up and reflective of the content necessary to facilitate that those story arcs; and commissions and buy orders. That's really the CORE of what we need to achieve in order to demonstrate the loops, collect feedback from those loops and the players who are play testing them; and then make iteration as necessary based off of the feedback we've received.[2] – Steven Sharif
You may see whole systems come online at some different points throughout the Alpha-2 testing: Entirely new different areas; entirely new packages of narrative content and POIs. That is going to adhere to what our development schedule and release cadence will look like.[4] – Steven Sharif
Ashes of Creation's core game systems are expected to be in place at the start of Alpha-2.[2][5] By the end of Alpha-2, the game is expected to be feature complete, but it will not be content complete until launch.[6][7] Alpha-2 will last until launch and will run in parallel with Beta-1 and Beta-2.[6][8]
- World
- Character
- Character creator.[3]
- Character progression up to level 35 (subject to change).[CORE 1][2][21]
- Some primary archetypes will be available at the beginning of Alpha-2, along with some secondary classes and augments.[22][CORE 1][2][23][10][24][25][26]
- Secondary selections will be released individually, rather than all at once.[22]
- Tulnar race.[27]
- Family summon mechanic.[28]
- Religions.[29]
- Mounts.[CORE 1][2]
- Combat
- Combat revamp.[10][24]
- Active and passive skills will be re-architected.[24]
- Primary skills are expected to be very different to those in Alpha-1.[24][30]
- Weapon skill trees will be present to augment the combo system.[31]
- Sieges.[CORE 1][2][5]
- Guild wars.[CORE 1][2]
- Combat revamp.[10][24]
- Nodes
- Node progression to City (scena 5) and potentially Metropolis (scena 6).[CORE 1][2][5]
- Relics and the Reliquary node building.[32]
- Player housing.[CORE 1][2][5]
- Crop rotations.[5]
- Naval content.[10][5]
- Naval warfare.[5]
- Three ship classes.[5][33]
- Ships will have functioning cannons but the ship building UI may not be complete.[5]
- Economy
- Artisan classes (Gathering, Processing, Crafting).[CORE 1][2][10][34]
- Artisan gear sets.[35]
- Potential gameplay layers such as surveying and land management are being considered for gathering.[36]
- Auction houses.[5]
- Crates used to transport supplies between storage points and caravans.[37]
- Artisan classes (Gathering, Processing, Crafting).[CORE 1][2][10][34]
- Other
- Unreal Engine 5.[38][39][40]
- Some of Bear McCreary's music will be in Alpha-2.[41]
- User interface and tutorial systems.[12]
- Emblem, logo and symbol editor (tentatively).[42]
Alpha-1 and Alpha-2 testers may be invited to participate in spot testing prior to the Alpha-2 release.[43]
Alpha-2 is known as the persistent alpha.[8][44]
Alpha-2 core features list.[2]
Alpha-2 availability
| Phase | Release | Estimated/Actual date |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha-2 | Alpha-2 spot testing.[45][46] | To be announced.[45][46] |
| Alpha-2 (No NDA).[45][8][44] | To be announced.[45][47] |
Persistent alpha
Alpha-2 is known as the persistent alpha.[8][44] Persistent means that the Alpha-2 servers will be kept up all day and night until launch.[6][8]
- Alpha-2 servers will become the public test servers (PTS) post-launch that are used to test patches and updates.[50][48][8]
- Alpha-2 will remain even post launch as our public test server.[50] – Steven Sharif
- The ultimate goal for A2 is to be persistent and the PTS, but before we get that far there's gonna be some wipes I would expect.[48] – Steven Sharif
Alpha-2 server wipes
Alpha and Beta servers will be wiped prior to launch.[49]
As a general rule, if the testing phase contains the word Alpha, it is safe to assume there will likely be wipes.[48] – Steven Sharif
Alpha testing system requirements
Funny story; So yesterday as we are stress/density testing with our NDA testers, I accidentally summoned 5k bears around our few hundred players. But hey, it didn’t crash! Can you spot Lt. Toast here?[53] – Steven Sharif
These are fully operational NPCs. They have behavior trees, they have AI blackboards; you know they are functioning as an NPC would; and to my surprise, to everyone's surprise actually, the server handled it quite well: 5000 entities all within a very dense area.[54] – Steven Sharif
Ashes of Creation alpha testing minimum system specification.[55] These system specs have not changed for Unreal Engine 5.[56][57]
- Operating System: Windows 10 64-Bit
- Processor: Intel Core i3-2125 3.3GHz / AMD Phenom II X4 3.3GHz
- Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 750 Ti or AMD Radeon R9 270
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Storage: 50 GB of available space
- Sound Card: DirectX Compatible Sound Card
Recommended specification.[55]
- Operating System: Windows 10 64-Bit
- Processor: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz / AMD FX-9590 4.7GHz
- Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon R9 Fury with 4GB and DirectX 12
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Storage: 50 GB of available space
- Sound Card: DirectX Compatible Sound Card
Tulnar race
The Tulnar race will be in place before Alpha-2. Concepts and early works are expected at that time.[27]
Naval content will be present in Alpha-2.[59][5]
- Naval warfare.[5]
- Naval raid bosses.[59]
- Three ship classes will be present in Alpha-2.[5][33]
Artisan classes timeline
Artisan classes (Gathering, Processing, Crafting) is expected to come online fully in Alpha-2 and the Betas.[61][34]
- Approximately 10 percent of the artisan system was online in Alpha-1.[62][61][34]
- Crafting honestly will not come online in any sense of its true form until Alpha-2. Alpha-1 has essentially what are intended to be the core gameplay loop of crafting, meaning the collection of materials, the translation of those materials into processed goods, and the use of those processed goods into item acquisition. That's the core gameplay loop that is currently present in Alpha-1. But those are mostly facilitated kind of piggy backing the merchant systems right now and not actually using the real crafting system; and that's because crafting hasn't been completed in a form that can be implemented in Alpha-1, but will be for Alpha-2. What's present in Alpha-1 doesn't even really scratch the surface for crafting.[34] – Steven Sharif
Alpha-2 NDA
Alpha-1, Alpha-2, Beta-1, Beta-2 releases are not covered by NDA (non-disclosure agreement).[63]
- Alpha-1 testing prior to the full release of Alpha-1 was covered by NDA.[64][65]
Participation
- Alpha-0 had over 2,500 participants.[66]
- Alpha-1 testing had approximately 9,600 participants as of August, 2018.[67][68] There were slightly over 13k participants as of May 31, 2021.[67] There were 5,300 unique logins during the 3 day weekend test of May 27, 2021.[67]
- Alpha and Beta participation is expected to grow with the sale of pre-order packs.[69]
- Alpha-2 is expected to have over 100,000 participants.[70][71]
 | Ta sekcja zostanie zaktualizowana, gdy tylko programiści udostępnią informacje |
Testing phases
![[17]](#cite_note-cc-alpha-2.png-18){kind=link}
![[28]](#cite_note-steven-family-summon-2.png-29){kind=link}
![[41]](#cite_note-steven-bear-a2.png-42){kind=link}
![[44]](#cite_note-alpha_and_beta_phases.png-45){kind=link}
![[47]](#cite_note-release-dates.png-48){kind=link}
![[48]](#cite_note-server-wipes.png-49){kind=link}
![[49]](#cite_note-server_wipe.jpg-50){kind=link}
![[51]](#cite_note-alpha_one_test_scehduleschedule-1000.png-52){kind=link}
![[53]](#cite_note-steven-a1-stress-test.png-54){kind=link}
![[65]](#cite_note-alpha-1-nda-1.png-66){kind=link}
![[67]](#cite_note-steven-a1-participation.png-68){kind=link}
![[70]](#cite_note-a2-participants.png-71){kind=link}
![[72]](#cite_note-kickstarter_packages.jpg-73){kind=link}
Ashes of Creation testing phases.
- Alpha-0 was the invite-only "raffle" friends and family alpha test phase.[73][74]
- Alpha-1, Alpha-2, Beta-1, and Beta-2 were available for purchase during the Kickstarter and Summer crowdfunding campaigns.[72]
- Alpha-1 was available in the Intrepid pre-order pack and the Adventurer pre-order pack.[75][76]
- Alpha-2 and Beta-2 were available during PAX West 2017.[77][78]
- Alpha-2, Beta-1, and Beta-2 are currently available in Pre-order packs on the cosmetic store.[79]
![[74]](#cite_note-beta_0.png-75){kind=link}
![[77]](#cite_note-PAX_West_2017_Alpha_package.png-78){kind=link}
![[78]](#cite_note-PAX_West_2017_Beta_package.png-79){kind=link}
Ashes of Creation's core game systems are expected to be in place at the start of Alpha-2.[2][5] By the end of Alpha-2, the game is expected to be feature complete, but it will not be content complete until launch.[6][7]
- The game will be feature complete before Beta... Beta really is intended to identify last minute bugs to make sure that everything is ready for launch; it's important that all features are complete by Beta-1. Alpha-2 will not be feature complete at the start of Alpha-2. There are going to be updates that are going to be incorporated as part of the Alpha-2 process and there are going to be additional features that come online that get fleshed out between that time and Beta-1. There's going to be regions of the maps that aren't going to be accessible of course during Alpha-2.[7] – Steven Sharif
- Alpha-2 is intended to exist up until launch. There's going to be different testing periods that we will be releasing either new content locations or zones or systems that we want to have players focus in on. In those situations, if we're having participation drought because of the length of Alpha-2, we can set them up in a more focused setting. We can even incentivize that. We can offer unique testing to potentially new testers as well.[6] – Steven Sharif
Alpha-2 videos
- 2022-03-31 Video - Ashes of Creation First Look of the Alpha Two Character Creator in 4K
- 2022-05-27 Video - Ashes of Creation Dynamic Seasons and Weather Developer Chat
- 2022-05-27 Video - Ashes of Creation Seasons in the Riverlands
- 2022-06-30 Livestream
- 2022-06-30 Video - Ashes of Creation Alpha Two Basic Melee Weapon Attack Update
- 2022-07-29 Video - Ashes of Creation Alpha Two Desert Biome Preview
- 2022-09-30 Video - Ashes of Creation Alpha Two Basic Ranged Weapon Attack Update
- 2022-10-28 Video - Ashes of Creation Alpha Two Gathering Updates
- 2022-12-02 Video - Ashes of Creation Alpha Two Night and Day and Other Heavenly Things
- 2022-12-23 Video - Meet the Devs and Year-in-Review
- 2023-01-27 Video - Alpha Two Tank Preview
- 2023-03-31 Video - Alpha Two Story Arc Systems Preview and the Lore of Carphin
See also
References
- ↑ Video, 2022-03-31 (34:16).
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 Transmisja na żywo, 2023-03-31 (1:24:21).
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Video, 2022-03-31 (0:00).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2023-04-07 (1:08:30).
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 Podcast, 2021-09-29 (59:29).
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 Transmisja na żywo, 2023-04-07 (28:08).
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Transmisja na żywo, 2022-07-29 (1:08:49).
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 Transmisja na żywo, 2018-01-18 (25:22).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2022-04-29 (56:24).
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Transmisja na żywo, 2022-10-14 (6:38).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2022-04-29 (32:29).
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Blog: Creative Director's Letter, October 16 2020
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Transmisja na żywo, 2023-04-07 (13:35).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2023-04-07 (22:15).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2023-04-07 (54:02).
- ↑
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2020-07-25 (1:11:52).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2019-07-26 (1:10:44).
- ↑ Wywiad, 2018-08-08 (30:51).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2022-01-28 (15:35).
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Transmisja na żywo, 2023-04-07 (1:14:05).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2022-10-14 (15:44).
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 Podcast, 2021-09-29 (23:00).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2020-03-28 (1:41:11).
- ↑ Wywiad, 2018-10-20 (12:38).
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Transmisja na żywo, 2018-04-8 (AM) (2:17).
- ↑
- ↑ Wywiad, 2018-10-20 (0:00).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2021-09-24 (1:18:06).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2021-09-24 (1:19:17).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2022-04-29 (21:00).
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 Transmisja na żywo, 2018-09-27 (54:02).
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 Wywiad, 2021-02-07 (35:30).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2022-06-30 (1:17:34).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2022-04-29 (25:16).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2022-02-25 (1:10:00).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2022-01-28 (7:26).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2021-12-23 (40:53).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2021-12-23 (50:50).
- ↑
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2018-10-31 (47:44).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2021-07-30 (45:11).
- ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 45.3 Transmisja na żywo, 2023-03-31 (5:57).
- ↑ 46.0 46.1 Transmisja na żywo, 2022-10-14 (17:05).
- ↑
- ↑ 48.0 48.1 48.2 48.3 48.4
- ↑ 49.0 49.1 49.2
- ↑ 50.0 50.1 Transmisja na żywo, 2022-07-29 (1:10:05).
- ↑ Alpha one test schedule, Mar 12, 2021.
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2020-11-30 (7:27).
- ↑ 53.0 53.1
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2021-03-26 (12:34).
- ↑ 55.0 55.1 What are the minimum requirements for Alpha?
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2021-12-23 (49:39).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2021-12-23 (42:09).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2020-09-30 (41:13).
- ↑ 59.0 59.1 Transmisja na żywo, 2022-03-31 (1:10:43).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2020-11-30 (24:51).
- ↑ 61.0 61.1 Transmisja na żywo, 2021-03-26 (42:28).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2021-04-30 (41:18).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2018-01-18 (49:26).
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2020-05-29 (31:37).
- ↑
- ↑ Wywiad, 2018-08-24 (12:18).
- ↑ 67.0 67.1 67.2
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2018-08-17 (24:07).
- ↑ 69.0 69.1 69.2 Transmisja na żywo, 2017-11-17 (28:50).
- ↑
- ↑ Transmisja na żywo, 2023-01-27 (11:05).
- ↑ 72.0 72.1 Kickstarter packages.
- ↑ MMOGAMES Interview, 2017-09-8.
- ↑
- ↑ Intrepid pre-order pack.
- ↑ Adventurer pre-order pack.
- ↑ PAX West 2017 Alpha package.
- ↑ PAX West 2017 Beta package.
- ↑ Ashes of Creation cosmetic store.
