Testing FAZ Beta: Difference between revisions

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__NOTOC__
'''Free Allegiance Zone Beta''' is similar to Shadow Allegiance, which was used by Microsoft RG during their development of the game. It allowed for people "in the know" to connect to a lobby that automatically updated the client and artwork to a pre-release version. This let MSRG developers get feedback from a select few and help decide to release the updated versions to the masses or go back to the drawing board.
{|class="toc"
|align="center"|'''Contents'''
|-
|[[#Testing FAZ Beta|1. What's this all about?]]
|-
|[[#Getting Started|2. Getting Started]]
|-
|[[#Playing the game|3. Playing the game]]
|}


==Introduction==
The [[Free Allegiance Zone Dev Team]] is responsible for FAZ Beta and overall continued development of Allegiance, but you can assist development by carefully following the instructions that have been conveniently placed here.


{{Colored notice box|#9CDD99|'''This entry is intended to help you get the latest [[R5|Allegiance R5]] build running so you can help test [[FAZ]] beta.  To simplify the instructions, the entry assumes you don't even have the release build (regular) Allegiance installed on your computer. If you already have Allegiance installed, it's recommended to treat "The Beta" as a separate install from your normal one.  This will avoid any artwork issues arising from custom files or mods, as well as ensuring your release build continues to work correctly.'''}}
== What is this all about? ==
Free Allegiance Zone Beta is similar to Shadow Allegiance.  Shadow Allegiance was used by [[MSRG]] during their development of the game.  It allowed for people "in the know" to connect to a lobby that automatically updated the client and artwork to a pre-release version.  This let MSRG developers get feedback from a select few and help decide to release the updated versions to the masses or go back to the drawing board.
== Why is testing important? ==
The number one reason testing is important: developers require timely and constant feedback.  There are many more obvious reasons, one of them being to check if the next update will be compatible with your computer.
The number one reason testing is important: developers require timely and constant feedback.  There are many more obvious reasons, one of them being to check if the next update will be compatible with your computer.


== How should I assist development? ==
Carefully follow the instructions that have been conveniently placed here all in one location.


== When should I test? ==
There are effectively two kinds of testing: By yourself (or with a very small group) to test individual issues, and with a large group to "stress-test" overall performance.
It's usually not necessary to test by yourself unless you are a developer or you are helping a dev. with a specific test case.  To organize other people to play test with, the [[Free Allegiance Zone Dev Team|FAZ Beta Team]] has scheduled weekly events on Wednesdays.  There is more tester activity throughout this day of the week than any other and tries to make testing a more enjoyable experience.  Sometimes larger scale beta events will be held on the weekends, watch the home page for information regarding these.


== Where do I report bugs/suggestions? ==
It's usually not necessary to test by yourself (unless you are a developer or you are helping a developer with a specific test case). For large-scale tests [[Free Allegiance Zone Dev Team|FAZ Beta Team]] have scheduled weekly events on Wednesdays. There is more tester activity throughout this day of the week than any other and thus makes testing a more enjoyable experience. Sometimes larger scale beta events will be held on the weekends, watch the Free Allegiance home page for information regarding these.
If you know a specific developer was working on a similar issue, send them a private message:
  http://www.freeallegiance.org/forums/index.php?act=Msg&CODE=01


Bugs that don't effect game play, remember to search first:
http://allegzilla.alleg.net:8080/
Suggestions or "Bugs" that effect game play if "fixed":
http://www.freeallegiance.org/forums/index.php?showforum=87
== Who is responsible for FAZ Beta? ==
The [[Free Allegiance Zone Dev Team]].


= Getting Started =
= Getting Started =


== Downloads ==
==Downloads ==
Here you can find links to all the downloads you may need to run the latest allegiance build for FAZ beta.
Here you can find links to all the downloads you may need to run the latest allegiance build for FAZ beta.


=== Visual C++ libraries ===
Beta build gets distributed via ASGS. All you need to do is switching into ''Beta mode'' (within ''Allegiance'' menu) and clicking on ''Update / Repair Critical Files'' (within ''Help'' menu).
[http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a5c84275-3b97-4ab7-a40d-3802b2af5fc2 Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package (x86)]
 
=== DirectX libraries ===
[http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2da43d38-db71-4c1b-bc6a-9b6652cd92a3 DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer]
 
=== Video card drivers ===
Find out what kind of video card your computer uses, then update to the most recent version by following the corresponding link:
 
*[http://support.amd.com/us/psearch/Pages/psearch.aspx?type=2.4.1&contentType=GPU%20Download%20Detail ATI]
*[http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx Nvidia]
*[http://downloadcenter.intel.com/ Intel]
**Choose <tt>Graphics->Products->Desktop</tt> graphics controllers or Laptop graphics controllers
 
=== Allegiance client ===
*[http://fazdev.alleg.net/FAZ/Allegiance_R5beta_090811.zip R5 Beta client]
**''Updated August 11th, 2009
*[http://freeallegiance.sourceforge.net/Artwork_r5test.exe R5 artwork]
**''Updated August 2nd, 2009
 
== Setup ==
This section provides instructions to configure your computer to run the latest allegiance build for FAZ beta. Ensure you have first installed the libraries and drivers from the links provided.
 
=== Files & Folders ===
 
* '''Extract the client and artwork downloads from [[#Allegiance client|above]] into a new empty folder.'''
 
When you execute the artwork file it will create the artwork sub directory and dev sub directory for you, point the extraction to the same folder you extracted the client to.
{{Note|Do NOT manually create the artwork folder, the dev sub directory or the beta sub directory.}}
Simply extract the client and artwork to the same folders, it can be wherever you want.
 
=== Windows registry ===
If editing the registry isn't an option, a small utility can be run (from anywhere), a "Browse for Folder" window will appear and ask you to choose your artwork folder (the one that was created from the download [[#Allegiance client|above]]), select it, press OK and [b]you are done:[/b]
 
* '''Run the Beta registry helper'''
 
http://freeallegiance.sourceforge.net/betareghlpV2.exe
 
If small utilities concern you, the source code has been made available for your review:
http://alleg.pastebin.com/f4c82f5c3
 
'''Or''' you may make the registry edits manually:
 
Open regedit.  If you are running Windows Vista you must open regedit as Administrator.  In Registry Editor:
====Win32====
 
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft.
 
From the menu bar choose Edit->New->Key.  Type Microsoft Games then press enter.
 
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft Games.
 
From the menu bar choose Edit->New->Key.  Type Allegiance then press enter.
 
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft Games\Allegiance.
 
From the menu bar choose Edit->New->Key.  Type 1.1 then press enter.
 
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft Games\Allegiance\1.1.
 
From the menu bar choose Edit->New->String Value.  Type ArtPath then press enter.
 
Double left click your new ArtPath entry (in the right-hand side pane), type the full path to your artwork folder that was created when you extracted the zip file. i.e. C:\test\artwork  (note: no trailing slash) then press enter.


From the menu bar choose Edit->New->String Value.  Type CfgFile then press enter.
The old Allegiance installer didn't prepare your computer to run the beta, there will be some issues:
 
*ASGS will overwrite your regular Allegiance.exe
Double left click your new CfgFile entry (in the right-hand side pane), type or copy/paste http://fazdev.alleg.net/FAZ/FAZR5.cfg (note: case sensitive) then press enter.
**You need to run ''Update / Repair Critical Files'' if you wanna play on regular lobby again
 
*ASGS doesn't enforce artwork
Close regedit.
**You may need to delete files within your ''..\Alleginace\artwork\dev'' folder.
 
[b]you are done[/b]
 
====Win64====
 
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft.
 
From the menu bar choose Edit->New->Key.  Type Microsoft Games then press enter.
 
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Microsoft Games.
 
From the menu bar choose Edit->New->Key.  Type Allegiance then press enter.
 
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Microsoft Games\Allegiance.
 
From the menu bar choose Edit->New->Key.  Type 1.1 then press enter.
 
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Microsoft Games\Allegiance\1.1.
 
From the menu bar choose Edit->New->String Value.  Type ArtPath then press enter.
 
Double left click your new ArtPath entry (in the right-hand side pane), type the full path to your artwork folder that was created when you extracted the zip file. i.e. C:\test\artwork (note: no trailing slash) then press enter.
 
From the menu bar choose Edit->New->String Value.  Type CfgFile then press enter.
 
Double left click your new CfgFile entry (in the right-hand side pane), type or copy/paste http://fazdev.alleg.net/FAZ/FAZR5.cfg (note: case sensitive) then press enter.
 
Close regedit.
 
[b]You are done[/b]


== Troubleshooting ==
== Troubleshooting ==
Line 148: Line 29:


=== ASGS ===
=== ASGS ===
It is not necessary to use [[ASGS]] when testing FAZ Beta nor is it recommended. To launch the game just double click the Allegiance.exe (the application file with a red icon) or your shortcut. A shortcut to the application is recommended, see the testing tip about [[#Use multiple clients|using multiple clients]].
It is not necessary to use [[ASGS]] when testing FAZ Beta. To launch the game just double click the Allegiance.exe. Without ASGS you are able to run [[#Use multiple clients|using multiple clients]] on FAZ Beta.


=== Artwork ===
=== Artwork ===
It is highly recommended that you have "clean" artwork.  Clean artwork being an unmodified artwork folder, which can be found in the downloads section [[#The artwork|above]].  Testing FAZ Beta with custom mods, chat packs, etc. can have unexpected results and may prevent you from launching the game, connecting to the lobby, joining a server and piloting/commanding.
It is highly recommended that you have "clean" artwork without mods installed.  Testing FAZ Beta with custom mods, chat packs, etc. can have unexpected results and may prevent you from launching the game, connecting to the lobby, joining a server and piloting/commanding.
 
<!--
=== Downloads ===
=== Downloads ===
If you have strange issues with the client or artwork download, verify its integrity.  To do this compare the check sums from your download with the ones here.  If they don't match up, clear your browser's cache and download them again.  The tool used to verify the check sums can be found here:  
If you have strange issues with the client or artwork download, verify its integrity.  To do this compare the check sums from your download with the ones here.  If they don't match up, clear your browser's cache and download them again.  The tool used to verify the check sums can be found here:  
  http://downloads.activestate.com/contrib/md5sum/Windows/md5sum.exe
  http://downloads.activestate.com/contrib/md5sum/Windows/md5sum.exe


Currently, MD5s are not available.
<!--
Allegiance_R5beta_090804.zip md5sum: '''b68d7d79bc087bbfd13e837d83bff53f  (updated August 11th, 2009)'''
Allegiance_R5beta_090804.zip md5sum: '''b68d7d79bc087bbfd13e837d83bff53f  (updated August 11th, 2009)'''


Artwork_r5test.exe md5sum: '''0ce1432bd0488bb33b853a5cc5a83efb  (updated August 2nd, 2009)'''
Artwork_r5test.exe md5sum: '''0ce1432bd0488bb33b853a5cc5a83efb  (updated August 2nd, 2009)'''
 
-->
=== Vista ===
-->
The Allegiance.exe beta is built with "Require Administrator". This should make it easier for Vista users as the UAC dialog will appear.  You will need a username and password for an account in the Administrators group if you are not logged in as one already.
=== Vista/Win7 UAC ===
 
The Allegiance.exe beta is built with "RunAsInvoker". You may need to run Allegiance.exe with administrator rights.
<!--
=== Intro Video ===
=== Intro Video ===
If you don't see the intro video play when starting Allegiance using the primary display adapter and not in "safe mode", you may need to install the WMV2 codec.  For XP or later you must get them via. Windows Media Player, here:
If you don't see the intro video play when starting Allegiance using the primary display adapter and not in "safe mode", you may need to install the WMV2 codec.  For XP or later you must get them via. Windows Media Player, here:
Line 175: Line 59:
For Windows 2000, a codec installer can be found here:
For Windows 2000, a codec installer can be found here:
  http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/c/2/5c29d825-61eb-4b16-8eb8-58367d0464d5/WM9Codecs9x.exe
  http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/c/2/5c29d825-61eb-4b16-8eb8-58367d0464d5/WM9Codecs9x.exe
-->


= Playing the game =
= Playing the game =
This section gives you background on what's changed and provides instructions for testing specific issues.
This section gives you background on what's changed and provides instructions for testing specific issues.


== Change log ==
== Testing==
The list of changes can be found here:  
:''Main article: [[Test cases]]
http://freeallegiance.org/FAW/index.php/R5#Changelog


== Test cases ==
Please see this entry regarding structured testing scripts
http://www.freeallegiance.org/FAW/index.php/Test_Cases


== Testing tips ==
=== Where do I report bugs/suggestions? ===
===Use multiple clients===
*For suggestions or "Bugs" that will affect game play if "fixed" report in the [http://www.freeallegiance.org/forums/index.php?showforum=87 FAZ Beta forum]
*To report a bug first check http://trac.alleg.net/report and browse the lists of active tickets
*If your issue is not documented go to http://trac.alleg.net/newticket and fill out as much information as possible on your issue
*Any details on how to reproduce your issue are vital and will speed up the process of getting them fixed
 
=== Testing tips ===
====Use multiple clients====
Create a shortcut to launch Allegiance with the -multi and -windowed command-line switches.  After creating a shortcut, right click on it then left click properties.  Append (add to the end) of the target -windowed -multi after the quotes (if any).
Create a shortcut to launch Allegiance with the -multi and -windowed command-line switches.  After creating a shortcut, right click on it then left click properties.  Append (add to the end) of the target -windowed -multi after the quotes (if any).


===Use quickstart===
====Use quickstart====
Create a shortcut as explained in the tip above.  Add -quickstart to the end of the target, outside the quotes (if any).  This will cause the game to join the most populated server automatically.  If no players exist on any servers, a game will attempt to be created using the official core on the official server.
Create a shortcut as explained in the tip above.  Add -quickstart to the end of the target, outside the quotes (if any).  This will cause the game to join the most populated server automatically.  If no players exist on any servers, a game will attempt to be created using the official core on the official server.




Latest revision as of 20:39, 22 November 2011

Free Allegiance Zone Beta is similar to Shadow Allegiance, which was used by Microsoft RG during their development of the game. It allowed for people "in the know" to connect to a lobby that automatically updated the client and artwork to a pre-release version. This let MSRG developers get feedback from a select few and help decide to release the updated versions to the masses or go back to the drawing board.

Introduction

The Free Allegiance Zone Dev Team is responsible for FAZ Beta and overall continued development of Allegiance, but you can assist development by carefully following the instructions that have been conveniently placed here.

The number one reason testing is important: developers require timely and constant feedback. There are many more obvious reasons, one of them being to check if the next update will be compatible with your computer.


There are effectively two kinds of testing: By yourself (or with a very small group) to test individual issues, and with a large group to "stress-test" overall performance.

It's usually not necessary to test by yourself (unless you are a developer or you are helping a developer with a specific test case). For large-scale tests FAZ Beta Team have scheduled weekly events on Wednesdays. There is more tester activity throughout this day of the week than any other and thus makes testing a more enjoyable experience. Sometimes larger scale beta events will be held on the weekends, watch the Free Allegiance home page for information regarding these.


Getting Started

Downloads

Here you can find links to all the downloads you may need to run the latest allegiance build for FAZ beta.

Beta build gets distributed via ASGS. All you need to do is switching into Beta mode (within Allegiance menu) and clicking on Update / Repair Critical Files (within Help menu).

The old Allegiance installer didn't prepare your computer to run the beta, there will be some issues:

  • ASGS will overwrite your regular Allegiance.exe
    • You need to run Update / Repair Critical Files if you wanna play on regular lobby again
  • ASGS doesn't enforce artwork
    • You may need to delete files within your ..\Alleginace\artwork\dev folder.

Troubleshooting

This section provides tips for common errors when following these instructions.

ASGS

It is not necessary to use ASGS when testing FAZ Beta. To launch the game just double click the Allegiance.exe. Without ASGS you are able to run using multiple clients on FAZ Beta.

Artwork

It is highly recommended that you have "clean" artwork without mods installed. Testing FAZ Beta with custom mods, chat packs, etc. can have unexpected results and may prevent you from launching the game, connecting to the lobby, joining a server and piloting/commanding. -->

Vista/Win7 UAC

The Allegiance.exe beta is built with "RunAsInvoker". You may need to run Allegiance.exe with administrator rights.

Playing the game

This section gives you background on what's changed and provides instructions for testing specific issues.

Testing

Main article: Test cases


Where do I report bugs/suggestions?

  • For suggestions or "Bugs" that will affect game play if "fixed" report in the FAZ Beta forum
  • To report a bug first check http://trac.alleg.net/report and browse the lists of active tickets
  • If your issue is not documented go to http://trac.alleg.net/newticket and fill out as much information as possible on your issue
  • Any details on how to reproduce your issue are vital and will speed up the process of getting them fixed

Testing tips

Use multiple clients

Create a shortcut to launch Allegiance with the -multi and -windowed command-line switches. After creating a shortcut, right click on it then left click properties. Append (add to the end) of the target -windowed -multi after the quotes (if any).

Use quickstart

Create a shortcut as explained in the tip above. Add -quickstart to the end of the target, outside the quotes (if any). This will cause the game to join the most populated server automatically. If no players exist on any servers, a game will attempt to be created using the official core on the official server.


FAZ Development
About Free Allegiance Zone
Releases: R1 · R2 · R3 · R4 · R5 · R6  · (current)R7
Allegiance R8: What's new? · Build it!
Testing Beta: Overview · Testing procedure
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