Current Mod Stage is:
Beta 3.0 Mission Testing
Next Stage: Beta 3.0 Public Testing
When that should come about: When the previous stage is finished.
And when will that be: When it's done.
Please note. The mod is currently on hold until the release of RockPatch 2.
Stages:
Beta 2.0 cycle Public Testing
Beta 2.0 cycle Maintenance
Prep for Beta 3.0 cycle
Beta 3.0 cycle Private Testing
Beta 3.0 cycle Mission Testing
Beta 3.0 cycle Public Testing
Beta 3.0 cycle Maintenance
Prep for Version 1.0
Version 1.0 Release
Version 1.0 Maintenance
Co-op Campaigns?
The Fourth War?
What happens at each stage?
Beta 1.0 - Basic implementation of changes and additions to existing sides. New countries are added, but the Future Forces have not yet been implemented. Beta 1.0 was released in late 2006 / early 2007.
Beta 2.0 cycle - Implementation of Future Forces side. Playability between the four sides is tested. Beta 2.0 reached its final public version of 2.1 in mid-2007.
Beta 3.0 cycle - Campaign missions are built. Certain aspects may be adjusted with the campaign in mind. Existing things are also re-assessed.
Version 1.0 - All singleplayer campaign missions finished, all major and hopefully minor bugs worked out. No more private testing from this point.
Private Testing - This is where me and a group of beta testers work out most of the major and minor bugs in the mod before it's released to the public. You can apply to be a beta tester by PMing me, and as long as you meet the requirements stated in the forums. Forum activity at this time will probably still be at a minimum, or even non-existent entirely, except for in the Bio Plant forum and Bug Tracker site.
Public Testing - Where a Beta version is released to the public to playtest the mod. Bugs can be submitted via the new Bug Tracker system by registered users.
Mission Testing - Where private testing focuses on the campaign missions only. By this stage, all balance issues and game bugs with Skirmish play should hopefully have been resolved.
Maintenance - Where a public beta version is patched for a period of time until it has reached an acceptable development level.
Prep(aration) - Where I code the various changes, units, structures etc. that will be used in the next version. I do carry out basic testing at this stage, but being a rather busy person I don't have time to hunt down every single aesthetical issue. Besides, what I may have no problem with, others might (i.e. cameo image, sound volume etc.). Its during this stage that you will see the least activity on the forums, in fact, you may not find any for a month or two.