Why not betas below 18?

[Mick]

Hey all,

Just singed up here and verry exited. Some of the guys from HG might recodnize me ;) but not sure.

And I was wondering, why does tilledmill think beta testers below 18 are incompotent? I've beta testd several games now and all have been verry sucseful. Had a blast at testing them. Now i'm a city building vet. I've played Caesar 3, pharaoh and Emperor and above that I've beta tested a game called Joint-Operations typhoon rising. http://www.novalogic.com/ for more details on that 1. So I was wondering, why am I to incompotent to beta test?

Thx, Mick

BTW: keep the tall grass ;)

[tobing]

As far as I understood it is about some legal issue, not about competence. But I didn't go into the details...

[Mick]

Hehehe, I got so pissed I told tilled I was 25...Hope they dont accept my application.

[Son of Moose]

The developers of SR2010 (from Canada not the US) proudly state that they have a 12 year old as a beta tester since their game has an E (everyone) rating.

Perhaps the laws are different in Canada?

[ComicSansMS]

the problem is afaik the german law.

any software that has no clearance from the bpjm (a department that tests any media on 'adult' content) must not be freely distributed. so you can either let them test the beta (which is might not be that cheap ;) ) or you see that only people at the age of 18+ participate your test.

this can be really nasty, even cover cds of gaming magazines need a clearance by the bpjm in germany....

[Reed]

Yeah, tobing is correct - It's due to legal issues, that's all.

[Mick]

Oowwh well, I hope a playable demo will be released soon. Guess I'll have to wait. Not that I wouldnt keep it a secret, its weird how the law thinks ppl below 18 are incompotent about keeping secrets

[Spitze]

Hey i worked for the united states congress...they didn't think my age contributed to me being "dumb" or something. I can't apply cause I don't turn 18 till september 3rd. That sucks...way too close but way too far :(

[Reed]

Hehe, I assure you that's not why.

It has to do with the beta license. If you're under 18, then it requires hard copies and your parent's permission, signatures, etc.

[Spitze]

So could I apply if I will be 18 before sept 10th?

[wodinoneeye]

The developers of SR2010 (from Canada not the US) proudly state that they have a 12 year old as a beta tester since their game has an E (everyone) rating.

Perhaps the laws are different in Canada?


They may have got a release signed by the parents who accept responsibility.
Might even be a child of one of the employees.

[Son of Moose]

Might even be a child of one of the employees.

That is an interesting possibility that I never considered. Smacks somewhat of nepotism ... ;) Nevertheless, I am sure that s/he will really enjoy his/her opportunity to test this major strategy game. Too bad that I learned about it AFTER they had signed up their first wave of beta testers... :(

[Mick]

Ok, say I ask my mom to sign up. she registers for the game and such. And then I test it. Would that be legal?

[claudio]

no one will know it if you don t tell it every one ;)

[Mick]

Right then, my moms applying for beta test, I do sure hope she gets in, thn I might catch a glimp of the game aswell Ahum ahum.

[angelisis]

Right then, my moms applying for beta test, I do sure hope she gets in, thn I might catch a glimp of the game aswell Ahum ahum.

there is something to be said for us mum's....the things we do for our kiddies :p

[Son of Moose]

Hopefully TM might even have a new devotee (or even maybe a whole new group of devotees --- never underestimate the power of the "mother's group") by the end of this!! :)

There certainly have been many cases in history where the "substitute" has outshone the designated player (tester) ... ;)