Any word on beta for 1.3?

I fear that something has gone terribly wrong (or right) with 1.3.  We were told that the lengthy 1.2 beta just meant that 1.3 beta would be released earlier because it was being simultaneously developed.  Your quote in the original post also seemed to confirm that 1.3 was right around the corner.  So here are some theories for the rest of the forum to vote/comment on.

A.  1.3 beta is not all that close to being ready (and never really was)

B.  It is now realized that EFE is so freakin awesome, they've decided to focus exclusively on it and forget about EWOM 1.3

C.  Brad is really hoping to make a splash with 1.3 to try and save the EWOM franchise so he's going to spend a few more weeks/months on it adding a bunch more features before releasing 1.3 beta

D.  1.3 beta comes out on Thursday

E.  Brad is taking his own time on it because he wants to

My big fear is that we will wait another month for 1.3 and it is extremely underwhelming. 

My expectations are a little higher than yours, Xia.

I am concerned about the complete silence on several aspects that many have posted about, e.g.:

caravan management

unit upgrades

store interface

etc.

Usually, we would have heard a bit more about what was coming up and when.

Just hoping to get a time frame.

I may not like the answer, but I think knowing for certain would be better in this case.

Given that the vast majority of the team is working on FE, I don't know why people would expect a lot from 1.3. It's not going to suddenly transform things.

Option E: I'm taking my time on it because I want to.

im an advocate of let the devs work for X + watever time they feel is needed to be able to get the immediate goals for X patch accomplished.

after said patch players can again say wats working for them or not and or make more suggestions to further improve content/mechanics.

devs again go to work for X + watever time they need to complete the next patch goals.

so the cycle repeats. honestly we should all be very happy that stardock is putting in the man hours and engaging the forums to ensure ewom/FE are getting developmental loving.

as long as the devs release tid bits of info often into the forums ( i have to say i log on mon-friday religiously to check up on updates and give my 2 cents every once in a while. i get excited when i see new news from the devs.)

Take your time.  I want lots of good stuff. 

Agree wholeheartedly with this.. However, as usual, don't make promises (ie "it'll come out very soon after 1.2 due to 1.2 delays") you won't keep.  Really hard to keep faith when things stated as pretty much fact continually don't happen. 

What is it that's changed in what's being done in 1.3 that changed it from "will be out very soon after 1.2" to this "I'm taking my time with it because I want to" ?? 

As much as I love how much you guys tell us so much on the forums, sometimes it's good to stfu and stick with "It'll be done when it's done" from the beginning as opposed to repeatedly saying something will get done and it doesn't happen. Maybe that's just the "thing" with EWOM.. all talk no backing it up?

Yes, this is a good point.  Don't make statements of apparent fact if there's any reasonable chance of the "fact" not being backed up by actions.  In other words, don't promise things that are not 110% set in stone.

Best regards,
Steven.

Promise nothing > everyone wants promises.

Promise something and break it > everyone wants you to not promise

Promise something and follow through > everyone wants faster patches

Gamers gonna want moar. That's all there is.

Good point.  But you want moar too.

Best regards,
Steven.

Yep. Take the time until you are satisfied Frogboy.

I do want moar though.

I never promise anything.

The thought occurs that a pop-per-city should be easily moddable if we create a local 2ndary resource that population buildings produce.

It might even work pretty good with the AI, because the AI only builds buildings it can produce so it will default to population buildings once it runs out of the local resource.

Yes Brad, I agree that it was not a promise, that was a mistake on my part, and I got carried away when I wrote that statement you quoted.  But alborelli also used the word "promises" ("However, as usual, don't make promises"), which as it happens was where I got the initial idea seed from.  However, I'll leave that premise behind if you will leave it behind too.  Deal?

Best regards,
Steven.

I promise not to make any more promises.  I promise.

My philosophy is to just try to share with people what I'm working on. Transparency in function.

So, barring any major issues, when would you expect to put out a beta for 1.3?

I am really just looking for a rough time frame. It doesn't have to be exact and I think we would all understand if it slips.

Thanks!

Of course, the gamer community is well known for their understanding...

Damn you, Xia!

I'm hoping next Thursday. It won't be feature complete by any means but some of the gameplay changes are pretty significant and already make, imo, a big difference in the "fun" area.

Yay!

From all of us who play EWOM (or those who only hope to want to someday), thank you Frogboy for your dedication to this game.

Thanks, SciFi!

YES!

Thanks very much for that info!!!

And Xia, I was speaking more for the dedicated folks that are still following the game.

Yeah, a big ditto on that from me.