Please remember that Ingress is in beta status

Niantic is doing wonderful things with Ingress but it creates a dilemma in doing so with such a well-known closed-beta. Right now Ingress is a closed beta application. Beta status means that it’s not done, it’s expected to have bugs and users should expect all sorts of issues. Close beta means that it is invite-only and limited so they can keep things in a controlled state.

In the “game” software world it also means that scores and accomplishments are susceptible to resets. In games that are heavily based on complex scoring such as RPGs (which Ingress largely is), there are complex scoring algorithms needs to keep the game in balance or it could become unplayable. Imagine if an XMP (Ingress weapon) were too powerful or there were too many available. On a small scale this might be hard to see happening. Even on a large “simulated” scale, it might not look like an issue but when real people are playing, they may have a statistical tendency to do things that small scale and simulation don’t expose. Beta runs are needed not only to find “bugs” (the obvious issues), but also to help discover those things that only become apparent when humans are involved.

When you consider that, you can see how it is critical that Ingress be “played” by beta “testers”. At the same time, this is only a testing phase and so it’s likely that Niantic isn’t prepared to throw massive resources at the system and grow it based on demand because they must focus on the core aspects right now. Once those are out of the way they can prepare for an “open beta” (where anyone can participate but it is still a testing phase). To do that they will need more server resources. In the meantime, invites must be sparse or they could overwhelm the systems or the human-power behind the testing and the game would never be completed.

Please keep this in mind when you get the urge to scream “WHY DON’T I GET THE INVITE I FEEL IS DUE TO ME!?”. It’s not due to you at all, but especially not in the testing phase. Niantic wants to keep the excitement and demand up so they likely will continue to keep invites coming, but they are slower than ever and that won’t change until they’re ready so if you want one in the mean time, show that you should have it more than others by showing how you’ll help the testing process, be a productive and positive team player, add to the experience of the back-story, etc.. Don’t expect an invite if you’re being negative, annoying without being entertaining, expressing some illogical sense of entitlement, or by being rude.

Most of all, remember that this is software testing and not yet truly a “game”. Even though it may feel like playing to you and is enjoyable, you agreed to terms that made you a beta tester and you need to be understanding of those terms. Also keep in mind that this IS free entertainment. Sure, they will make some money once it’s up and going and they should given the time and energy they’re putting into it. Still, you aren’t paying them for access to the beta or game.

So if you’re stuck in limbo, waiting for an invite, look at this as an opportunity. While those who have an invite are concerned with leveling up, you can be studying the game in detail, learning tactics, organizing with people in your area, etc. Also, you’re NOT dealing with the various bugs and frustrations that currently exist. Also, if they do a score/accomplishments reset (which is very possible), you won’t suffer that and have to start over as those already involved will :)

We want to thank Niantic Project for such an outstanding idea and hope you will as well by +1 this post and forwarding along with the hashtags #ThanksNiantic and #Ingress

UPDATE (20121204)

Thanks to “Rusher”, it looks like we already have confirmation that no resets will occur.

“Brandon BadgerNov 26, 2012+15
+Steven Owens No plans to reset the portals or game state. We’re hoping to tune things so that new players can continue to join and play in the existing world.”

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• Please remember that Ingress is in beta status - December 5, 2012