Anthem Beta confirmed

BSN BioWare forums‏ @bsnforums
Jonathan, to avert any confusion, assume a 'beta' does not simply mean a trial under EA Access, but a separate beta? Want to be correct. 😎

Jonathan Warner‏ @bio_Warner
Remember, we are still a distance out. Too soon for details but will provide more when the time is right.

A good beta will have structured tests around specific scenarios.

A bad beta is just a bunch of people running around and then posting random shit.

I expect the latter.

I wouldn't just blame MP for things like the changes to skill trees over the years, just because it is something you don't like doesn't always mean MP is the evil reason why.  I know for me I do want some level of control being that open just means it is something I avoid.

They said the same thing for MEA...http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-03-02-bioware-apologises-as-mass-effect-andromeda-multiplayer-beta-cancelled

This is different however, in that Anthem needs to have multiple beta's in order to have at least some idea to stress test the servers come launch day. If they don't have a beta for Anthem, I'll be concerned on the state of the game. 

Skepticism shield is up!

Engage Hope thrusters.

Launch for Excitement is go!

Is the chick from the demo confirmed in game? I'll be damned is she doesn't looke like Diane Lane.

Romance mode. You need at least Can Opener III to join, though. Those suits can be quite resistant to Undress V spell.

gee this sounds familiar

I'm still not sure what to make of Anthem, although to be fair there isn't exactly a whole lot to base opinions off of. I don't want to see Bioware push out back-to-back underwhelming titles and get axed entirely (the shuttering of Montreal shows us that EA is not fucking around), but at the same time Anthem seems to be so far outside their wheelhouse that I'm not very optimistic. I'm certainly interested in seeing what it's all about, although obviously we're still a long way away from getting our hands on anything resembling a beta.

I would imagine a good 2-3 years is just getting the concept/ideas together and the gameplan. I'm hoping they didn't/don't pull an Andromeda and waste a whole year trying make a concept work but then dump it as we know the effect that can have on a games production. 

Furthermore, if this is to be the "bob Dylan" of video games I would like to assume they'd use their time properly and have truly gotten some work done in the years that this has been in the making. If they're just now starting in the actual design of the game, only having a year or so to go till launch (although they've stated they're open to delaying it again) I don't think you'll get that "bob Dylan" effect as I'd see a lot of rushing and trying to crunch going on. It's still possible mind you but personally bioware titles aren't so great when they're rushed. 

Its all speculation but I'd like to assume they've at least got half the game done and maybe even more, I'd go even further and say they're near done if a beta is that close and at this point they're finishing things off and polishing. Honestly though games having so much time can also be a bad thing and disappointing. I figured destiny would be the best thing over since it had the same time frame and I was very wrong. Doom had been on and off it nearly a decade and while definitely the best title in a long while it still was underwhelming to me. Duke nukm had 10+ years and it's the worst iteration yet. A long dev time can be beneficial if used properly but I think it can also be the games undoing.

with how good the demo looked it's kind of hard for me to believe they'd just now be getting started on the meat of the game, optimistic wise I'd like to think they're anywhere between 1/2 to 3/4 done with it already.

It does seem that way.

But David Gaider worked on Anthem for a year and Drew is the current lead writer. Those two were the principle architects behind Dragon Age and Mass Effect lore respectively in the creation of those franchises. So I'm optimistic for the lore, that it will be deeper than we realize at this point.

Maybe humanity isn't as limited to this one fort as we think and I'd bet the society gets fleshed out a lot.