It'll be a black hole of money for anyone who wants to play it (and not just pirate it). And it will probably take them some time to make back everything used in development. I mean, they've been making it for what? 6 years? (That's what wikipedia says, anyway)

I'm guessing they must've split up the campaign in order to milk more money from the people. Spend all this money on the game now so they only need to make a new campaign or possibly a few new units and voila, more income.

I am afraid I am the only one who does NOT like this idea.

I like the idea of releasing the game later and having more input from players, but I think it is too long to wait to have Beta1 in Sept, and next one after January.

Instead, keep original schedule, but add Beta 4, 5 and 6. The ideas from gamers needs to be implemented and tested and discussed and feedback implemented and so on!

The participation of the players is not the time issue, I do not think I can give MORE feedback after Beta 1 if Beta 2 is in January instead of October. 2 Month is more than enough to play the game many many times, and make suggestions and discuss it with other people.

WE NEED MORE BETAS INSTEAD OF LONGER WAIT TIME BETWEEN THEM!

There would be beta 1A, Beta 1B, Beta 1C, and so forth still.

THAT^ I like then!

Something similar happend with Twilight of the armor, as I remember. The expantion significantly benifited out of this.

Each beta cycle is more a 'time window' when people can get in; multiple builds will come out with varying frequencies.

I've gone round and round on this, and I'm still not sure where I stand.

As part of my work, my group engages with software developers both for control software (for robots that we use in the lab), as well as for analytical software that helps us make sense of the massive amount of data that the robots are capable of generating.  And in both of those cases, I think having code earlier is better, and having "microupdates", that we do every software turn (3 weeks for us).  We got to this point for two reasons; one is obvious, the other is less so.

The obvious reason is that client/user input helps shape the software better to our needs.  The less obvious one is that we feel engaged on the software when there are regular updates.  We used to have a quarterly update meeting, and get a major patch at that time.  The problem was, we couldn't remember what we'd suggested.  When you don't have somewhat regular updates, you forget about this or that minor capability that you wanted to track.  I know having requirement documents helps that process, and we do that, but somehow I don't think you'll get a user community here to sign up for a req. doc.

So, I'd agree with the community in general that delaying the release is probably better.  But I'd caution that you should have regular (often) periodic updates of the code, even if it's just to clean up little things.  Letting things go too long between patches tends to disengage your customers from the process, and after the year or so that you're talking about taking for the beta, then end run to release could feel more like a slog, because you only get periodic feedback on your design.

Winni

I'll be truly happy about a longer beta cycle, i'm sure that wil make that the perfect game anyone is expecting!

(that's my first post here, Hello world! )

double post sorry

Bah, maybe I'll have the money next chance.

Just wondering, has Stardock decided on this yet? Reason I ask is if you have decided to do the longer beta, might be a good idea to update the release date on Impulse. While people are going to be chomping at the bit for this game no matter what (after all, it has been too long since there was a good fantasy 4X) I know that it angers people when they feel like the release schedule "slides." As such, if you've decided on a longer beta, make the new release date known sooner rather than later. It'll make people happier that way and make it feel like the delay is indeed due to more through testing and development, and not because there are problems and it has to be "pushed" near the release.

Just something to think about since perception IS important in terms of a game's success.

No! No! NO!

End the beta and give me a finished product A.S.A.P.

That's right. I went against the tide. Call me greedy or impatient, I don't mind. I'm both those things. I want the Awesomeness that is Elemental Now

Note: Yes, I plan on testing the Beta and Yes, I plan on having a Lot of input and ideas, but, those ideas can always be implemented in a patch or expansion.