If I pay, can I beta test future ngmoco:) applications?

Hello!

I am an avid fan of ngmoco:) and I have every single application that you have ever published on the App Store, which you can see below, and I was wondering if it was possible for my to beta test future applications by ngmoco:)?



Now, this may sound familiar, because I created another topic on the GetSatisfaction customer support forums, and that thread can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/kwrnsj Allen responded to my post, saying that the current method of distributing pre-release applications is not easy, and that there is tremendous work involved with getting out beta software. I agree with this, and I know that it is a bit annoying, however let me explain why in today's market, it is necessary to not only test the application within your company, but on a larger scale. Now, a few weeks ago, you introduced the Plus+ iPhone social network, which is a tremendous milestone on the iPhone platform. However, at the moment, a large percentage of the activity on the network is minimal, such as submitting high scores and sending challenges. However, with a game such as the FPS, there will be massive traffic, as well as weapon transactions on a massive scale. With only testing within the company, there will be no way to know how the network will react to the traffic without allowing others to beta test the application, there may be delays when the game goes live, which you certainly would not want.

In my other post on the GetSat forums, Allen also said that, "When this is available, we will definitely let our fans know. " He was talking about beta testing, of course, and so do you know when this may be available? Allen also said that the reason why he doesn't want beta testing is that the people are "random users." However, he says that ,"we do though, have play test sessions with market research groups who bring in their own users on devices we provide." So people in play test sessions are not total strangers, yet you do not want to distribute the app without your supervision. I mean, it's not like once someone is added to the provisioning profile, they can hack the system or anything like that. I can lay out an entire scenario that would allow beta testing and even generate revenue. First off, you would have people email a certain address (eg. betatest@ngmoco.com) saying that they want to beta test for ngmoco:). Next, you limit the testers to, the first 200 or 100 or whatever amount you want to have. From there, determine how many separate provisioning accounts you will need, for example two, and then charge a small fee, via in app transactions, to be a beta tester, possibly $5.99 to $10.00 and from there, you can register the user's UDID in the system and because you have the user's email, via the Plus+ registration, when a new build of an app is ready, you can distribute it quickly and easy, while generating revenue. Please let me know if this could be a possibility in the near future because I believe that beta testing would drastically improve the quality of future applications, and as a big fan of ngmoco:), I would want nothing more than to improve the quality of ngmoco:)'s future applications. I am a devoted beta tester and I would be fraggin' noobs in FPS at noon and petting puppies in the PM. :) If this is considered and implemented, could I be guaranteed into the program? I do not want any recognition, just to beta test.

In addition to this, I had a suggestion and a few more questions about ngmoco:). I came up with this after playing MotorStorm on my PS3, but have you ever considered implementing destructible or deteriorating elements to your games, such as land that deteriorates as a Rolando, for example, moves over it after a time? Also, when will downloadable content be available for Rolando 2 and when it is added, what will be the price point for the premium content? Finally, I noticed that the ngmoshow was not available last week and was uploaded very late last night. I know it takes time to edit the video and get it right, but as an alternative, wold you ever consider doing a live show every week because I think that not only would it be more intuitive, but it would be more connective and viewers could ask questions that you could answer on the spot!

Lastly, as for beta testing, I know an NDA is necessary and so I hereby agree to any terms and conditions created by ngmoco:), Inc. for their program for testing pre-release versions of their iPhone and iPod Touch software.

Thank you so much!

Kevin S.