DevBlog #28: Closed Beta Release Date
Hello Walkers! This development blog will be quite short, as we have some special plans for the upcoming weeks. Let's get started!
WalkScape Closed Beta Release: January 18, 2024
Finally. We have worked hard to complete everything we consider absolutely necessary for the closed beta, and now we are ready to set a release date.
There are still some tasks remaining before the release, mainly polishing and adding more content to the game. I am really hoping that the initial release goes well. This is an exciting time for both the community and us, the developers.
We will provide a more detailed overview and retrospective of the closed beta in a development blog post that will be published simultaneously with the closed beta. This post will also include some rules. We will also create a roadmap for the upcoming months, outlining our plans to expand the game after the initial release.
I want to emphasize that the initial closed beta is considered the first version ready for publishing, but it is not yet complete. Many features and content that make the game more interesting and fun are still missing. However, we will be adding these elements to the game during the closed beta phase. We plan to introduce new features and content to the game at a rapid pace.
I will not be publishing any more blog posts before the release date. Instead, Floursifter will be writing some posts here to cover some of the new features that have been added, along with a starter guide for players trying out WalkScape for the first time.
Closed Beta To-Dos
So here is how the remaining tasks are currently looking like:
The current to-do
Sign-up form, opening the subreddit and a QA session
We're also excited to announce that we'll be opening a Closed Beta sign-up form on the WalkScape Portal very soon! So, if you haven't received an invitation and prefer not to support us on Patreon or Buy me a Coffee, don't worry. You'll have the opportunity to sign up and join the Closed Beta Test (CBT) in the near future. While we'll be accepting people periodically through this form, supporting us on Patreon or Buy me a Coffee will still give you guaranteed access to CBT on upcoming invite waves.
We will soon open up the r/WalkScape subreddit for everyone to post in. This will allow Reddit users to write posts about the game now that it is being released. They can also give us suggestions and, most importantly, share memes and other content. I'm excited about this!
Additionally, we are planning to host a QA session on Twitch before the Closed Beta release. If you want to join, make sure to follow https://www.twitch.tv/walkscaper on Twitch! I will be there to answer any questions and provide more insight about the Closed Beta.
Official license agreement from Jagex
There's been something happening behind the scenes that's been taking up a lot of my time: negotiating a license agreement with Jagex to use their “RuneScape" trade marks.
The legal team at Jagex reached out to me, and we started working on an official agreement. I'm thrilled to share the good news: Jagex has granted us a license to use RuneScape in our marketing! They've given us clear guidelines on how we can mention RuneScape and have even given us their official blessing to use WalkScape for our game.
Just to be clear, this means we can use the name "RuneScape" in our marketing materials and in the game itself. But it's important to note that Jagex is not connected to WalkScape in any way. We don't have permission to use other parts of their stuff, like the world of Gielinor or in-game characters or bosses.
I want to give a special shoutout to Jagex's legal team. They've been super patient with us during the negotiations, and they've helped us make this agreement work for both sides. It's awesome to know that the folks at Jagex see our project as a good thing too, sharing our belief that games can have a positive impact on people's health.
I made sure to include a provision in the agreement that allows us to share this news with you and answer any questions you might have. Our community from my perspective values the high level transparency we aim for, and I want to keep it that way by always keeping you in the loop. So, if you have any questions about the agreement or anything else, feel free to ask!
Pocket Gamer Connects London 2024
From the previous Pocket Gamer Connects event, WalkScape won a prize in a pitching event. As part of the prize, we received free tickets to attend Pocket Gamer Connects 2024, which will take place in London on January 22-23.
Unfortunately, the timing of this convention is not ideal. With the game release date set for January 18, it means that I will be unavailable to address any major issues that may arise during the first few days. I hope everyone understands that our response to initial issues may be delayed as a result, but rest assured that I will address them as soon as I return from London. My stay in London will be from January 21-26.
Despite the unfortunate timing, I'm looking forward to having a great time at Pocket Gamer Connects. We are also excited to meet any WalkScape fans in the area. If you're interested in grabbing a couple of pints in London during this time, be sure to follow the WalkScape Discord! I will share news there regarding a meetup.
Bonus Feature
We also promised to include a bonus feature in this post!
The one feature we decided to include in the initial Closed Beta version is Leaderboards. Originally, we planned to add it shortly after the release. However, I realized that the game would feel too single-player without it. Now, at least there is something for the players to compete at, although the current implementation is quite simple and the league system has not been added yet.
The current leaderboards UI. And It Was All Yellow definitely has legit steps, not abusing the development tools at all…
The current leaderboards UI. And It Was All Yellow definitely has legit steps, not abusing the development tools at all…
Until next time
That's all for today! I'm really looking forward to the holiday break starting tomorrow. We've been working hard lately, and I'm starting to feel a bit exhausted. So, it's definitely a good time to take a couple of relaxing days.
In the meantime, Floursifter will be posting a deep dive about key mechanics and features of the CBT every Monday until the release date. Their first post will go live on December 25th.
Have great holidays everyone, and keep walking! ❤️
Yayyyy!! Lessgooo
Edit: disregard previous message, I see that I do have a beta invite. Unrelated to that, CBT is maybe not the abbreviation I would have chosen
Woop Woop!
Awesome!
🔥🔥🔥
@Bassos: 😄 CBT is definitely an abbrevation that has some other... meanings, but we're kinda stuck with it at this point.
Awesome! Can't wait!
If I've read correctly, it says that the first closed beta invites are send out. My profile here seems to say 'Closed beta: Invited', but I haven't received anything yet? Or does this not mean you have to be invited yet? Just wondering if I've missed anything.
@Herbalist : you don't need to receive anything. You'll be able to login to the game with your account and you'll get access to it since you're already invited to the beta.
Noice!!!!
@Hexalyse, thanks for letting me know! Cool!
Hello, how do you prevent users from abusing step count by phone shakers or step- simulators? 😬
Im pogging out so hard rn
Will progress from the closed beta be saved or wiped?
Great update, thanks for you hard work. Looking forward to the CBT :D
Very excited!
Its great to see it all coming together with a date. Im ready to walk!
So excited!!
Super excited!!!!!
Yee
I'm so excited!! Very happy to see things moving in the right direction for the team and getting that recognition. So hype!!!
@JFuggy progress from closed beta to open beta will be wiped.
Woo! I am so excited to try it out!