Warhammer Online open beta starts Sept. 7
by Justin McElroy 
{ Aug 18th 2008 at 11:45AM }
So, how do you get in? Just pre-order the game with one of EA's "select retail partners." (We don't know who they are yet, but even money says GameStop is one of them.) Also, those who are already in the closed beta will automagically be invited. So, are you getting in on the ground floor? Or have you been burned one too many times by start-up MMOs?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Devin @ Aug 18th 2008 11:48AM
W00t First?
gb @ Aug 18th 2008 12:35PM
Indeed, you are the first moron in this thread. I hope you get banned.
Dacool561 @ Aug 18th 2008 11:55AM
it's actually only 7 days. 3-4days is reservered for Head Start Players
Jakka - The Heavy wants his sandwich back! @ Aug 18th 2008 12:01PM
I wish this game became more popular than WoW...
Fox318 @ Aug 18th 2008 12:17PM
I wish any game became more popular than WoW. I hate seeing devs go under because of Wow.
Arturis @ Aug 18th 2008 12:44PM
An MMO doesn't need to become more popular then WoW to be a success. In fact, if a game managed to snag 1/5th of WoW's numbers, it would be more then profitable, assuming they didn't pull an Ion Storm and spend all their money on extraneous luxuries around the office. Wow's user base is sited at 10 million, which is not going to get surmounted any time soon, but if Warhammer manages to snag at least 2 million users (and their reoccurring $15 a month) they will be considered successful.
Personally, though, I dont see it happening - From what Ive seen of Warhammer, its basically DAoC with a new coat of paint - and that's just not enough to fly nowadays.
TwistedBishop @ Aug 18th 2008 2:31PM
"In fact, if a game managed to snag 1/5th of WoW's numbers, it would be more then profitable..."
This is what I hate about WoW. I loved the time I spent playing it, but it has seriously warped the media's perception of the genre. Every news item or podcast discussion about a new MMO has to mention WoW as some obstacle to beat. It misses the point entirely.
Even if you consider WoW to have a 10 million user base currently (I think it's actually closer to 11 now), any MMO that achieved even 1/20th of that same size would be monstrously profitable.
The previous record holder was EQ1 with around 450,000 subscribers. Most other MMOs struggle to reach even half that, and STILL they're profitable.
Basically, you don't have to earn 2 billion dollars a year to be a success. Some people can get by on 90 million.
Schmobu @ Aug 19th 2008 1:44AM
well maybe if they didn't try and use the same style as WOW maybe they'd have a chance, it's like choosing between white bread from a good brand and white bread from an unknown brand and they both cost the same, what would you choose.
I know what warhammer is and how warcraft takes alot of inspiration from warhammer, but blizzard has that little extra something.
Ray @ Aug 31st 2008 9:01AM
Its too bad, I hope it becomes more popular then WoW, but our time traveling friend has let us know that he wished it became more popular... therefore, since he is from the future, and is wishing it became, then it must have not become.
Unfortunate, but people from the future are never wrong.
dark_inchworm @ Aug 18th 2008 12:03PM
"Thank you for testing our release-day patch!"
ComradeTrotskii @ Aug 18th 2008 12:08PM
The "select retail partners" can be found here on the pre order page of the games website
http://www.warhammeronline.com/preorder/
Adam Sutherland @ Aug 18th 2008 12:11PM
Open Betas that only allow people that buy the game kind of piss me off. Maybe I would buy the game if I liked it, but I'm not preordering an unproven MMO given their track record.
juju187 @ Aug 18th 2008 12:13PM
or maybe pre order the game and get your money back the next day....
VoLiTioN @ Aug 18th 2008 1:14PM
Yeah, but you're forgetting that Mythic,t he makers of Dark Age of Camelot is making WAR. DAoC is a pretty proven MMO to me.
I'm in the closed beta currently. I'm under the NDA. So all I'll say (rather all I can say) is that it's worth playing.
LaughingTarget @ Aug 18th 2008 5:46PM
Technically, it isn't an open beta. It's a closed beta without an NDA.
The_Punisher @ Aug 18th 2008 12:11PM
OR will never play an MMO.....ever.....
Steve @ Aug 18th 2008 12:37PM
No EU news and lack of communication from GOA (the European 'division' for WAR) caused me to cancel my preorder.
I don't fancy being a second-class customers.
Kyera @ Aug 18th 2008 1:41PM
Oh, NDA, why must you hurt me so?
Arttemis @ Aug 18th 2008 1:30PM
So is this access to the beta servers or access to the live game where you can start your permanent characters before the official release?
Gregarious @ Aug 18th 2008 2:04PM
Just the Open Beta. Which, of course, means your characters will get wiped shortly before the early access begins.
If you got an open beta key, you should have gotten a separate key for the head start program.
RanWitScissorz @ Aug 18th 2008 1:43PM
I'm currently in the closed beta and I have to say, if you enjoy pvp, especially rvr ala dark age of camelot. You will *love* warhammer.
Phillip @ Aug 18th 2008 1:50PM
well on the up side you just have to preorder not buy, at gamestop you can do this and not pick it up and never pay a dime.
Jesse @ Sep 5th 2008 9:12PM
Actually, gamestop charges a $5 restock fee if you don't pick it up within 48 hours of release date.
Gregarious @ Aug 18th 2008 2:02PM
Hmm.. It would seem you're forced to go through Fileplanet to get the beta client.
I shouldn't have to elaborate on how the download link is currently down.
RanWitScissorz @ Aug 18th 2008 2:42PM
Fileplant only hosts the torrent, it takes like 30 seconds to download...
Jesse @ Sep 5th 2008 9:29PM
Actually fileplanet hosts the download for the whole 9.3gb zip file (not a torrent). There is a torrent available at torrent sites such as the Swedish bay of pirates site, but I have no idea if it's the real thing or not.
Josh @ Aug 18th 2008 2:03PM
Well.. let's see.. September 7th? I suppose I could try to play a beta of an MMO that can't even release the full game they had been touting since the very beginning, because honestly, that would only make them have to work harder for profits on the inevitable expansion pack.
Or.. I suppose I could play Spore instead.
Yeah, I'll go with Spore. Thanks.
Liz @ Aug 18th 2008 2:55PM
Sept 7th is way too far away. :(
Sigh @ Aug 18th 2008 3:07PM
Shouldn't an "Open Beta" be entirely invite free?
Isn't this just a closed beta without an NDA?
Admiral Awesome @ Aug 18th 2008 3:19PM
"Shouldn't an "Open Beta" be entirely invite free?
Isn't this just a closed beta without an NDA?"
that's a open beta
brickwalker0 @ Aug 18th 2008 3:51PM
been looking forward to this for a long time.
the open beta will give me a chance to find out what class i want to be my main. i dont see it as a chance for a "head start".
_LarZen_ @ Aug 18th 2008 6:38PM
Waaaaaaaagh!!!
Mark @ Aug 19th 2008 9:51AM
This is completely false. Open beta for those who pre-ordered started today. I have it downloading as i type, straight from fileplanet. And the servers will be taken down a couple days before launch for people with head start keys.
Koriar @ Aug 19th 2008 5:04AM
Man... if it weren't for that NDA I would totally be defending this game right now... I've never played DAoC, but I'll just say that I far prefer this game to WoW.
Anonymousse @ Aug 19th 2008 6:03PM
Folks,
Well, it’s been a long, arduous and interesting process hasn’t it? We’ve come a long way over the years and I hope that everyone (well, almost everyone at least) agrees that we are well on our way to having a very successful game. As you have probably heard by now, we hope to lift the Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA) on Tuesday, August 19th. When it lifts, we expect a truly epic flood of information to hit the Web. There are some limitations (very minor) on the lift of the confidentiality provisions of your Beta Testing Agreement (BTA):
1) The Beta Testing Agreement, which contains confidentiality provisions (known publicly as the NDA), is still fully in effect for all beta testers. (Please see #3 and 4 for more details.)
2) The Elder Test Servers (ETS) are still fully covered the confidentiality provisions contained within the BTA. You may not talk about your experiences on the ETS at any time, even after launch, unless you hear otherwise from Mythic. This applies to all content/systems/etc. that differs in any way from the content/systems on the non-ETS. In the case of content/systems that are EXACTLY the same on the ETS and the non-ETS and you make no reference in your disclosure about the Elder Test Servers you may talk about the content/systems/etc. We’re giving you folks a little latitude here since we have so many Elder testers but please don’t take advantage of it.
3) For the non Elder Test Servers, while the BTA itself is still in effect points 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 from Addendum B of the BTA no longer apply. Thus, you may now freely talk about your experiences in the game as well as post screenshots, videos, etc. Again, while all beta testers are still bound by the BTA, you can freely talk about the game and your experiences in the game except as they pertain to the Elder Servers.
4) For all servers, points 1, 2, 3, 4 and 10 of Addendum B of the BTA are still valid examples of prohibited behavior while we retain the BTA. For example, this letter is considered confidential material and must not be shared or disseminated. Also, employee contact information, out of game chat, and emails concerning the beta, the Beta Forums and their content are also examples of what must remain confidential.
So, please keep in mind that even though certain portions of BTA have been changed and/or removed, you are still beta testing this game and the BTA is still fully in effect. If you have any questions about whether a disclosure you want to make is okay, check with us first before posting it.
I won’t ask anyone to only say nice things about the game but I will ask everyone to remember that the Mythic team has worked ceaselessly to make a great MMORPG over the last 3 years. We have tried very hard to be responsive to the needs/feedback from the beta testing community and I, of course, think we are well on our way to creating the next great MMORPG. However, if you feel otherwise, while you are of course permitted to say that but if you are going to do that, I hope that you’ll at least credit the tremendous effort by the guys and gals at Mythic so far and try to be fair and balanced in your criticism. We don’t expect the game to be perfect at launch or at any time after that but we will do what we need to do in order to make WAR the best MMORPG of this generation. And if you think we’re doing a great job and are making or have made a great game, please don’t be shy in sharing that opinion and help us spread that message throughout the world. While we want WAR t!
o be successful for EA, Mythic and GW, we also want it to be successful for gamers because if/when that happens, you can look forward to years and years of updates, new content, new races, etc.
Check the WAR Herald (http://herald.warhammeronline.com) for the official word on the changing of the Beta Testing Agreement (referred to as the lift of the NDA in the forthcoming Press Release). Please do not post anything until you see it on the Herald.
My thanks go out to everyone who has beta tested and continues to beta test WAR. It has been with your help and feedback that WAR is where it is today. We really appreciate your effort.
WAR is almost upon us!
Best,
-------------------------------------------------------
I just got that email from the beta center. Does that sound "open" or more like they have somethings they don't wish to get out?
Kasey @ Aug 28th 2008 4:48AM
I think that everyone is missing one thing on the success factor of WAR...
they have EA behind them which is away bigger comapny than blizzard with much more money to advertise and support it. i think EA is trying to make a WoW killer and im not gonna lie EA is evry successful in almost everything they make, thats how they got so huuuge
Tridus @ Aug 19th 2008 9:26AM
This will wind up being a more niche game popular with hardcore PvP types. Unfortunately since hardcore PvP types also attract hardcore ganking types, it'll quickly drive away everybody who doesn't fit that group.
So yeah, 1/20th the size of WoW seems about right. Pleanty of customers in that group to turn a profit though.
Durlek @ Aug 27th 2008 5:31PM
Sorry dude, but ganking will be hard in this game... specialy since if you enter a lowbie area you will get insta CHICKENED and become some sort of free kill for mobs and lowbies :P (1 hp chicken running around) search on youtube if you dont believe me.
Not to mension if you run out in a RvR area alone your begging to get assrammed.
xandeR- @ Aug 21st 2008 12:49AM
I've played it as well and have been describing it to people this way.
Take all of the things about WoW that are good and keep them.
Take all of the things that annoy you, get old or got removed over the course of WoW and fix them. All of them.
That's WAR. It's really a joy to play.
uyfdx @ Aug 25th 2008 4:00AM
Sorry but I don't think so. WAR lack a lot of things WoW has had for years. WAR is a good game, maybe even great but I wouldn't go so far to say it's everything WoW has good and then some with no bad.
There are plenty of problems with WAR that I have seen. The PvE will really never touch WoW's. Now I don't think WoW is perfect, far from it. However WAR has a LONG way to go before it's anywhere near as polished or "good" as WoW.
Lastly, your comment sounds very fanboyish to me and in reality it makes no sense. The average person is going to like/dislike different aspects of WoW. What you are suggesting is that any person, anyone at all, can take the things they don't like about WoW, imagine them fixed to their satisfaction, and then go buy WAR because that's what WAR is. Doesn't that sound ridiculous? Some people hate raiding, some love it, some hate PVP, some love it. Your assertion that WAR fixes everything everyone dislikes about WOW and makes it better is retarded.
Hypernova @ Aug 25th 2008 3:58AM
A game with less than 1/20th the subscribers of WoW usually has 1/20th the amount of content.
"Beating" WoW is about more than just subscriber numbers. I agree that a game does not need to come CLOSE to 11 million subscribers to be successful and FUN. However, there are other obstacles put in place by WoW that games DO have to surmount to be successful AND fun. Content and "polish" are the two biggest obstacles in my eyes. Since WoW has been out for a few years now it not only has received tons of content updates but the game as a whole has been balanced, rounded out, and polished.
When you look at nearly any MMO at launch (including WoW)it is usually very buggy, full of network problems, and lacking in real end game content. It's really not acceptable to release an MMO in this condition anymore. Why should a typical MMO player play MMO-X that is full of bugs and devoid of content when they could continue playing WoW, a game they have already invested dozens (if not hundreds) of hours into and stay in a rich community they have ties to already?
Lets not forget the average MMO player today is NOT a typical hardcore gamer who can look past bugs and other issues (or knows how to avoid them). Content and game play aside I think community is another hurdle that MMO designers have to overcome when making their game. They have come up with programs such as "guild betas" and "guild transfers" and other incentives to get entire guilds to transfer but in all likelihood that isn't going to happen for most people. They need to come up with a way to entice people to leave their current community and friends for a new one.
Anyway, Warhammer is a pretty good game but due to NDA I can't say much more than that. I do think that Warhammer has these same obstacles to overcome, even more so with the impending release of WotLK soon after WAR's launch.
Durlek @ Aug 27th 2008 5:32PM
"Why should a typical MMO player play MMO-X that is full of bugs and devoid of content when they could continue playing WoW, a game they have already invested dozens (if not hundreds) of hours into and stay in a rich community they have ties to already?"
... Because it has new ideas and try to IMPROVE or ALTER what other MMO's have tried to do and attempt to improve them? A game without a farm fest... sound really good to me, all i did in wow was thinking "oh i need money to do this" "Oh i need ore for this" "oh i need to farm all the high end instances till i barf to get ANYWHERE". Warhammer from what ive seen it likes to focus on RvR, where pvp does give you exp, influence and renown.
Btw i hate people who have barely tried the game and go: Wow > War. who cares? Play what you want. (DaOC is not like war, DaOC = server sliced heap, glued together on sticks. War = all in 1 world)
Emceay @ Aug 27th 2008 12:55AM
War made my fidget in my seat like Wow. Somewhere between feeling restrained with feature customization, along with auto-attacking and single press skills just felt stale. The battlegrounds seem interesting, but with that standard-feeling play system, I find it hard to get excited about. It's AoC for me, at least it holds my attention with combos, fatalities, and eye candy.
Dra @ Aug 28th 2008 10:03PM
OK, I liked WOW a lot specially when the game started for LVL 60,that was really the best days. then I think all of us liked also BC for LVL70 but then Blizzard started to switch a lot of talents which made the game really boring and unfair for most.
StushTheMagicDragon @ Aug 28th 2008 10:11AM
I have played daoc, wow, and the war beta. Daoc always had better pvp than wow and war has an improved version of that. war pve is also hugely improved from doac--it's much closer to wow than daoc. They added public quests (PQ)--a brand new mmorpg feature--which turns out are extremely fun.
Basically if you play wow and like pvp more than pve raiding, then you are playing the wrong game, you should be playing war not wow.
Also if you liked daoc rvr you should be playing wow.
I think that's enough peeps right there to substain the game plus warhammer fans and sundry players; I expect war to do well though probably not top wow.
My only complaint is the low number of crafting skills at launch. I expect they will add the missing ones by first expansion. The crafting system is interesting because it's retro--it's kind of like an updated version of the orginal EQ's.
My other complaint is personal; I always liked daoc's player merchants better than wow's auction house; but unfortunately they decided to go with a wow-like ah over the doac model :(.
Sabanknight @ Aug 29th 2008 4:05PM
You are all forgetting WoW did not have 11 million subscribers at launch I'm sure given time WAR will eclipse WoW once they get some patches underway and the game proves its self in the months to come when the general populace can see for them selves that this is not just another WoW clone.
Klemzo @ Sep 3rd 2008 10:53AM
If you bought Collectors Edition pre-order can you enter Open Beta? Since its says you get guranteed Beta Access.
See:http://www.war-europe.com/#/event/?collectorsedition=1
thanks :)
Xarne @ Sep 4th 2008 11:45AM
To the guy who said EA>Blizzard: That's laughable.
EA exploits companies and repaints the same game different colors until the profits drop 1%. After you cant produce a profit, EA discards you like dessicated trash, devoid of all life.
All EA can make are Madden games and movie based-games.
Blizzard is making over a billion dollars a year on one product. D3 is coming, S2 is coming - when was the last time you played a shitty Blizzard game? For me, never.
But I can tell you about TONS of shitty EA games that were nothing but flashy graphics and explosions.
Im not a Blizz fanboi, but to say EA > Blizz is laughable.
Jesse @ Sep 4th 2008 1:21PM
Well, if the size of the download says anything, then at 9.3gb, it ought to have a decent amount content.
And from file planet it's not a torrent, it's a direct download. Only 5 hours to go!
I don't see anything that says pre-orders get to play before open beta. I did have to use my pre-order key to download the file, however.
Jesse @ Sep 4th 2008 1:37PM
As far as EA vs Blizzard, we're not really comparing apples to apples. EA didn't develop the game. Mythic did. Blizzard develops it's own games.
And both EA and Blizzard won't hesitate to screw you out of $2 if they get the chance.
One example: I tried to sell my used copy of WoW on Ebay (which has to include my account info, or they can't play the game), and Blizzard use the BSA to shut down my auction. Why? The BSA complained to Ebay that I was breaking my EULA, and Ebay felt compelled to enforce it under threat of suit from BSA. Keep in mind, it's my fair use right to resell any game that I have purchased (called first sale doctorine). This has been upheld in courts many times. Unfortunately, for the average citizen such as myself, it's beyond our means to fight it in court.