gamespot's exclusive beta

[reikhardt]

Hi,
While on gamespot, i saw that : http://www.gamespot.com/event/codes/mount-and-blade/
Don't know if this is an old news,but i thought it was interesting.

 

[allthesedamnnamesaretaken]

I don't get it. Does this mean you can get a beta newer than .960?

 

[Kamamura]

You don't get it, Gamespot subscribers evidently do

 

[reikhardt]

it does'nt seem to,i downloaded it and the file is named mountandblade_0960_setup_gamespot.exe.
@kamamura: You don't have to subscribe to download it,you can do it with a standart membership,like i did.

 

[allthesedamnnamesaretaken]

So does this mean they can play the full 960 (no level limits) for free?

 

[reikhardt]

I guess so,maybe they have new features too.

 

[Shik]

I'm pretty sure it's just a demo for .960, guys.

 

[alanthir.meriandon]

Sorry for the OT, but no matter how they darken the pic, Frodogorn always looks to me like an abomination against all laws of Gods and men.

 

[reikhardt]

I just installed it and i confirm : it's just a demnly the launcher is changed.

 

[Torak]

SUBSCRIBE NOW TO GET IN ON THE EXCLUSIVE MOUNT AND BLADE BETA, ONLY FOR GAMESPOT SUBSCRIBERS.


SUBSCRIBE NOW.

 

[allthesedamnnamesaretaken]

So they are still limited to level 8?

 

[reikhardt]

So they are still limited to level 8?

I have not tested that,but i'll do it if you really want to know.

 

[DukeBonar]

So nothing new than 0.960 build? 

 

[HardCode]

Remember, guys. This is the marketing phase of the game - a necessary "evil" if you will. Gamespot hypes up the M&B demo with the "exclusive" part to draw interest. It's marketing hype, but it's a benefit to the game, to Taleworlds, and to those of us who play it.

 

[Havoc134]

Well all the reviews are great and as hardcode said, this will get the name of the game out to the masses.  Gamespot is veeeeery popular.

 

[Darian]

The download is just 0.960, sure, but you also get a free license key for the duration of the beta.

Thanks for signing up for the Mount & Blade Exclusive Beta

Your key is: <key here>

A copy of this key has also been sent to the address that is tied to your GameSpot account.

Download the Mount & Blade Exclusive Beta below.

You don't need a subscribers' account; simply sign up for a basic free GameSpot account and you get a key when you next visit that page.

EDIT: clarified to avoid any confusion.

 

[Janus]

I ran a file comparison on the folders for regular .960 and the Gamespot .960. The only changed files really are the executable, the mod BMP image (in the main folder and the Native module folder), and the two SMF files in the main folder (mb_skin.smf and mb_skin_int.smf). I'm not certain what those two files handle exactly, but I'd guess maybe skin shaders or something.

For some reason when I try to run the Gamespot beta it tells me the Beta is over and the game is available in retail, then exits out. The time and date are set correctly in Windows. Perhaps it does that because I'm already registered? No big deal really, I guess.


EDIT: OK, those two SMF files appear to just cover the opening menu screen's looks. Here is a comparison of the standard .960 vs the 960 with the updated SMF and BMP files:

         

So yeah, functionally the same as the already released version .960 other than possibly giving free full access to the game until 1.0 is released, and having slightly changed main menu items.

 

[Torak]

I'm wondering if Gamespot was given the rights to advertise it as an 'exclusive beta test'.

 

[Darian]

Betas of this nature are often only available on one particular website, so it wouldn't surprise me if this is indeed as exclusive as they say it is.

 

[Swadius 2.0]

Does the exclusive rights holder have to pay extra to distribute the CD keys?