New Details for XBOX LIVE beta kit [Archive]

Hugh_Jass

06-12-2002, 10:36 PM

I haven't seen this information online yet. I read it on page 16-17 of the July '02 issue of Game Now magazine.

Beta Testers will pay $49.95, which will include a carrying case kit that contains the set-up disc, the XBOX Communicator heatset and microphone, a special memory card, and a couple of free games to try out with the service right away. Right now, we know that one of those games will be a version of Acclaim's remote control car racing game, Re-Volt.

Those involved in the summer beta will have a chance to try the online components of several titles before the general public. For instance, when NFL Fever 2003 hits stores in Auguest, the online option in that game will be accessible if you're part of the beta test.

Before Thanksgiving, XBOX Live will be available in stores everywhere for $49.95. You miss out on the carrying case and the memory card, but you do get everything else mentioned above and a year of service.

Beta users get a year of service PLUS the length of the beta for their 50 bucks.

LynxFX

06-13-2002, 12:56 AM

I wonder what the "special memory card" is.

Scarlet Spider

06-13-2002, 01:58 AM

i entered the thing on xbox.com, how do i become (or know if i am) a beta tester?

Kraft

06-13-2002, 02:04 AM

Originally posted by Scarlet Spider
i entered the thing on xbox.com, how do i become (or know if i am) a beta tester?

Bill Gates shows up to your door with d!ck Clark and a check from the publisher's clearing house... wait, thats something completely different. My guess is they will email/call/whatever other form of communcation was requested on the signup form.

edited because I can't write d!ck clark's actual name... sometimes this auto-censor thing really angers me...

LynxFX

06-13-2002, 02:10 AM

We should be hearing fairly soon as well. Last I heard was that it would be within weeks of the first day of Summer which is June 23rd.

Capt Marvel

06-13-2002, 10:03 AM

I hope the all the beta tester are from xbox addict...We should be MS first pick...

sinizuh

06-13-2002, 10:22 AM

Originally posted by Capt Marvel
I hope the all the beta tester are from xbox addict...We should be MS first pick...

roflmao...

yes... but anyways...

this sounds great... beta testers are going to be really lucky to play xbox live for 16 months and get a carrying case/memory card for the same amount.

E-Xbox

06-13-2002, 11:01 AM

Originally posted by KraftSLU

Bill Gates shows up to your door with d!ck Clark and a check from the publisher's clearing house... wait, thats something completely different. My guess is they will email/call/whatever other form of communcation was requested on the signup form.

edited because I can't write d!ck clark's actual name... sometimes this auto-censor thing really angers me...
lol!
thats some funny sh1t..
hehe..n e ways.
i entered that thing too..
and thats some cool info hugh...
i hope i get picked..
and it would be a good way to test games from canada to the US

peace

Snoopy7548

06-13-2002, 02:04 PM

i signed up. i hope im chosen. i should be. they should choose people from all over the united states. because since the servers will be located in washington, they should see how high the ping will be for people in like florida or connecticut. that would be the best thing to do:D

E-Xbox

06-13-2002, 02:13 PM

Originally posted by Snoopy7548
i signed up. i hope im chosen. i should be. they should choose people from all over the united states. because since the servers will be located in washington, they should see how high the ping will be for people in like florida or connecticut. that would be the best thing to do:D
and canada..
since that is far away from washington..
hehe

peace

Snoopy7548

06-13-2002, 02:16 PM

yea, and in china, lol. i want to be a beta tester, that would be so cool:D

E-Xbox

06-13-2002, 02:17 PM

Originally posted by Snoopy7548
yea, and in china, lol. i want to be a beta tester, that would be so cool:D
then why dont u move to china just to become a beta tester?!
lol

peace

Snoopy7548

06-13-2002, 02:20 PM

lol, maybe i will:D

E-Xbox

06-13-2002, 02:25 PM

Originally posted by Snoopy7548
lol, maybe i will:D
fine then..
u do that..
*turns away and walks..

peace

mrmp3

06-13-2002, 03:13 PM

2 questions. Is it 50 people that get to BETA test? If so, I bet it's one person in every state. That'll suck for the Canadians. Question 2: If we get chosen, can we discuss the online service and how the online modes let's say on a website a winner made or on a msg. board such as this one? Cause if I won and I could share the info I defintely would post it here or make a site to put all the stuff on. Signing off...

E-Xbox

06-13-2002, 04:00 PM

Originally posted by mrmp3
2 questions. Is it 50 people that get to BETA test? If so, I bet it's one person in every state. That'll suck for the Canadians. Question 2: If we get chosen, can we discuss the online service and how the online modes let's say on a website a winner made or on a msg. board such as this one? Cause if I won and I could share the info I defintely would post it here or make a site to put all the stuff on. Signing off...
i think it would be more than 50 ..
atleast 100 people would prob be picked...
thats at an extremem minimum..
and i dont know bout the last part..

peace

Shorezy

06-13-2002, 04:26 PM

Originally posted by E-Xbox

and canada..
since that is far away from washington..
hehe

peace

Good call E-xbox. I hope it's in Canada.

E-Xbox

06-13-2002, 04:30 PM

Originally posted by halo_11
Good call E-xbox. I hope it's in Canada.
yea...
they should have atleast 1/4 of the testers in canada..

peace

LynxFX

06-13-2002, 06:23 PM

It better be at least 10,000 people beta testing or this is pointless.

Snoopy7548

06-13-2002, 06:27 PM

at least 1 million people. lol. and 1/2 of them should be from connecticut:D

Hugh_Jass

06-13-2002, 06:44 PM

Actually, I think I recall them saying that the beta test will be for 50,000 people. That seems far more reasonable, if you think about it. One hundred people would not represent a significant enough load on a two billion dollar network infrastructure. :)

I think our odds of getting chosen are quite good.

Snoopy7548

06-13-2002, 06:47 PM

yea, i really hope i get chosen. they base it on what you said in your profile. i said that i like action games, and my fav is halo. what did everyone else put?

E-Xbox

06-13-2002, 08:38 PM

Originally posted by Lynxfx
It better be at least 10,000 people beta testing or this is pointless.

yea..
and atleast 1/4 from canada..
hehe

Originally posted by Snoopy7548
at least 1 million people. lol. and 1/2 of them should be from connecticut:D
wtf?!
that woudl just be dumb!

peace

UltraMuffin

06-13-2002, 11:56 PM

I wonder if living in Alaska will increase my odds of being picked.

stingu

06-14-2002, 12:27 AM

Originally posted by mrmp3
2 questions. Is it 50 people that get to BETA test? If so, I bet it's one person in every state. That'll suck for the Canadians. Question 2: If we get chosen, can we discuss the online service and how the online modes let's say on a website a winner made or on a msg. board such as this one? Cause if I won and I could share the info I defintely would post it here or make a site to put all the stuff on. Signing off...

Look Bro...it's gonna be more than 50 people....50 people simply isn't enough to test the system. What if a bunch cannot play on a certain date. Realistically, at one point they were looking at 10,000 people to test the system. I don't think that will happen day one but it may build up to that. But 50 people is just not enough.

I hope they annouce the Beta Testers SOON!!!

LynxFX

06-14-2002, 12:46 AM

50 people is pretty funny though. I've seen more people at lan parties. :D

sinizuh

06-14-2002, 01:00 AM

they said there would be 10,000 beta testers by August...

and they will pick people from all over north america (also japan and europe for their beta test), because they want to see how distance will effect the ping.

so... around ~2,500 canadians will be picked. ~7,000 americans and ~500 mexicans.

and i don't know if you will be able to talk about XBLive beta with the public... because it's a public beta... if it was a private beta, then no way in hell... they'd sue you bad.

-WorldSpawn-

06-14-2002, 08:33 AM

Originally posted by mrmp3
2 questions. Is it 50 people that get to BETA test? If so, I bet it's one person in every state. That'll suck for the Canadians. Question 2: If we get chosen, can we discuss the online service and how the online modes let's say on a website a winner made or on a msg. board such as this one? Cause if I won and I could share the info I defintely would post it here or make a site to put all the stuff on. Signing off...

Usually if you are signed on to test a Beta product, you need to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement before you get anything. That way they can sue yer ass if you leak anything :)

-WorldSpawn-

06-14-2002, 08:36 AM

Originally posted by Snoopy7548
yea, i really hope i get chosen. they base it on what you said in your profile. i said that i like action games, and my fav is halo. what did everyone else put?

I wish they asked for more info like testing experience... I test software for a living, and I'm a videogame-aholic :) I'd be in like flynn.

sinizuh

06-14-2002, 09:08 AM

Originally posted by -WorldSpawn-
I wish they asked for more info like testing experience... I test software for a living, and I'm a videogame-aholic :) I'd be in like flynn.

like i said above... this is public beta... not private beta... all they want to us to do is play xbox live and report any problems we get along the way. so anyone with broadban and a xbox can do it.

as in private beta (bug testing), they do everything possible and look for problems.

Kooster

06-14-2002, 11:02 AM

Originally posted by Lynxfx
It better be at least 10,000 people beta testing or this is pointless. It will be 10,000 people. I asked in the xbox support interactive chat and heres what they said:

Christian: Welcome to Xbox interactive online support. My name is Christian, I am here to assist you.
Christian: The majority of the candidates will be contacted via email early summer . We are planning to select around 10 000 people.
Christian: At launch, U.S. consumers can purchase a starter kit for $49.95. For the estimated retail price of a single game, the consumer receives a year's subscription to Xbox Live, an Xbox Communicator and "ReVolt," a fun, online racing game. Pricing and specific offers in regions outside of North America will be announced locally at a later date.

sinizuh

06-14-2002, 11:24 AM

hmmm... i was thinking... how many players (per game) do you think will be able to play Revolt online?

4: lame
6: okay
10: good
12: better
16: best

i don't think there's anyway that revolt can be more than 20 players... that's more like Daytona USA :)

btw, early summer = early to mid july.